Bought a Lemon, Any Suggestions?

[z31maniac]

The "Stanceworks Solution"

[agent]

they are the best drivers sedans ever built

Truth.

A few years ago I flew to Cleveland to complete the purchase of a 540i I found on eBay with Dinan bits galore. When I arrived, I discovered the car had issues, despite having a local dealer friend talk to the guy before I bid ("yeah just some ticky-tack stuff here and there..."). After six test drives and them not being able to resolve a serious vibration issue between 60 and 90 mph, I had to buy a plane ticket home.

The dealer I was working with said that when it comes to eBay Motors sales, a single negative feedback is a nail in the coffin for their business. Because of that, he did everything he could to make sure I was 100% satisfied with the car before I drove it home.

When they couldn't, they let me out of the deal. They refunded my deposit a few days later, but I was still out the $500 it cost me to make the trip. I look back on it as tuition for an education about buying cars on eBay and the importance of a PPI - which I had done on the 530i I bought a couple months later and still DD.


Cliffs: try to get satisfaction from eBay. Negative feedback there will hurt him more than having to pay for the parts you need to make the car right.

[Stanley Rockafella]

/\ how it's done!

That's how I bought my 88 325is 11 years ago. OP was cool with getting a PPI doine at my expense. By the time he picked me up at the airport, I knew I was getting the e30 I'd always dreamt of

[BobombETA]

Lot's of good advice in this thread. I hope it works out for you OP.

[Vtec?lol]

Lots of good advice.

The car all around is solid. It only has one scratch on the entire car and you can't see it unless you're on the ground.
The suspension is solid. It has the e39 wobble at 80mph but that's easily cared for with new thrust arm bushings which i have.

I'll post some pictures of it later.

[Vtec?lol]

Added a few photos/screenshots to the first post.

[Dakotademon7]

instead he goes to ebay and reports the car as not paid for. This instantly removes the negative review I gave him so he's off free.


That's really really F'ed up there ! It's getting so you can't even trust Ebay.

[Vtec?lol]

Oil pan full of honey/Lucas. You can tell from the sticky blue and green color. I could hold this pan upside down and only plastic and metal fall out. It's definitely the timing chain guides but there's no telling how long they've been broke with this shit it it



Metal flakes in the honey/Lucas mix

[mbonder]

I'm sorry to say it, but the chain guides, tensioner, and other associated components are a bitch to change out, be ready for a lot of time spent "bonding" with your new car. However, once it's done, you'll be all set for tousands of miles worth of carefree driving.

[freeride53]

This. Honestly, you're up shit's creek with no paddle. That's why you always do a pre-buyers inspection, even if you're out of state. The seller shouldn't have any issues with taking it to a shop to have it checked out and if it's an issue, do not buy it. Just fix it, in the grand scheme of things it's not worth the energy to go after the guy. Karma's a bitch, he'll get what he's got coming to him. I know of a shady used car guy that sold a lemon. Buyer came back all pissed off, told the guy to fuck off. Guy waited till he was leaving, fucking kidnapped him, beat the leaving shit out of him, and then left him naked and tied up around a light pole in the wal-mart parking lot. True story.

MLarsen,

this is still making me laugh to the point of crying in the library.

[MJCRO]

Sucks to hear about the motor, but look at the bright side man, the car looks like beaut from the listing! IMO if you had paid around $9-$10k for it, then I'd be fucking pissed. But considering you paid on the low side for such a nice facelifted E39 with the 16:9 Nav system, that $1500 investment in parts doesn't sound too bad. Only real downside is the damn labor lol.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Damn that sucks. That's the main reason I'll never buy sight unseen If i do say though that's a nice looking car.

[xxx-Lost-Soul-xxx]

I would call ebay 1800 number and explane them what is going on.
How did you pay for the deposit? IF you did paypal get that money back!
Id also leave a REVIEW on Yelp and contact the BBB.

karmas a mofo,he will get his.

[Cletonius]

I bet he paid cash and wasn't given a receipt, otherwise they're would be no way the guy could just get off scott free reporting the car as not paid for

[Vtec?lol]

I paid a deposit via paypal. I paid the car via cashiers check. I have he receipt and title.
Ebay is fucking stupid.