need some advice here

[///M42 sport]

I've narrowed my search for a 92 mtech down to two

car1 $6900 from dealer
116K
no service history
4 owners
good to above average condition

Car2 $7500 private party
80K
complete service history
moderate frontend damage reported on carfax
2 owners
above average condition

Since both of these are out of state, this about all that I can conclude. Both carfaxes checked out and I would be able to get a better APR if I purchase from the dealer 5.5% as compared to 7% from the individual. Now I your help in deciding which one to get. Thanks.
David T.
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AnnaXoX

[bimmerphile]

uh, I wouldn't touch either of those cars.

[///M42 sport]

:?:
________
Masturbation movie

[bimmerphile]

:?:

OK, I'll lay it out for you.


Both of those cars are underpriced for an M-tech II cabrio, that being said here's the rest:

No service history is a very bad thing, especially on a car with 116K miles. Why? Well, there's $500 right off the bat for a timing belt, probably brakes will need to be done soon, among other things. Generally, cars w/o service history have been poorly/less than adequately cared for, because if they were cared for well then the owner would save the receipts (so that they could see if a shop is trying to charge em to replace the same part twice in a year, etc).

As far as the second one, front end damage you say? When? Who was it repaired by? Do the warranty the work? Is there any structural rust due to that?

Also, they are both out of state, meaning you'll have to figure in the cost of flying/driving to see them. Moreover, since you are going to finance the cars, I assume you wont have sufficient income to repair them as they both look like moneypits to one extent or another.

Ergo, I wouldn't touch either of those cars.

[bwanac]

I would stay away too! Same reasons.

But, $500 for a TB? More like $150 at most!

[bimmerphile]

I would stay away too! Same reasons.

But, $500 for a TB? More like $150 at most!

Not if he doesn't do the labor. Properly done, the TB and water pump, with a coolant flush is 3 hours worth of labor in the BMW "labor book" (forget what it's called).

[///M42 sport]

I talked to the private party seller, and seemed like a pretty honest guy. He said that the first owner was a wealthy lady that took very good car of it (confirmed by conversation with bmw reputable shop. All maintenance was done on schedule {TB, filters etc}). Also the cars been on the Georgia coast most of its life. Is this a rust prone area?

White cabrio's only came with the appearance package so they fetch a lower price than real mtech's (silver and red ones)
________
Paxil Lawsuit

[KenC]

Also the cars been on the Georgia coast most of its life. Is this a rust prone area?

White cabrio's only came with the appearance package so they fetch a lower price than real mtech's (silver and red ones)

I'd say that all coasts are rust-prone areas. How close to the coast was the car?

Also, you've got a good point about the 'appearance package'.

[///M42 sport]

Right on the beach.
________
Naked girl

[KenC]

Right on the beach.

I'd be weary... very weary. The Oregon coast will eat cars alive.

[Avus_325is]

Yea man, that warm atlantic air will eat a car up especially if the car spent most of it's time a mile or so from the beach. Here in Maryland you can "taste" the air on some nights. On the bright side it probably has never seen snow or roadsalt like a NE car.

[///M42 sport]

OK so back off from the Georgia car? If I get the other one, I'm gonna have them change the TB before I take it home.

As far as travel expenses nothing beats greyhound. $70 will take you from Dallas TX to Georgia. :)
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Wendie 99

[bimmerphile]

OK so back off from the Georgia car? If I get the other one, I'm gonna have them change the TB before I take it home.

As far as travel expenses nothing beats greyhound. $70 will take you from Dallas TX to Georgia. :)

It's your money. Well, no, actually it's not

[latinobimmer]

As far as travel expenses nothing beats greyhound. $70 will take you from Dallas TX to Georgia. :)

Yeah, but how long will it take you, 1 day? I know from Monterey to San Francisco, normally a 1:45 drive, it takes 5 hours.

[jweb]

Do you have a link to the Georgia one? I found the KY one on Autotrader.