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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 2
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looking at buying 325i with bad engine
I ran across a barn find. 2002 325i. He says his wife was driving it and it started to smoke. They assessed it to be a head problem. I do turn my own wrenches (mostly Porsche's), so I am a little familiar with German cars. They owe the bank $4200 on it and so that what they want out of it. The car looks very nice with 80K. He says it is loaded and has the bigger option engine. What liter engines were available in '02? Anyway, is there a common theme on engine failure in these cars? Any advice and knowledge would be appreciated.
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09-12-2011, 03:19 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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Honestly, id run away. You can find better deals out there. The amount of money you'll spend getting an engine and installing it will be close to a good car.
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09-13-2011, 07:52 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 180
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Absolutely agree......amazing how people assume that a) The money they have invested in tyres, servicing brakes etc adds value to the car when they sell it b) When they owe a certain amount, thats what they think the car is worth.
Offer them $1000 for a non running car and suggest they explore the true cost of putting the fault right. |
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09-15-2011, 04:25 AM
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 2
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From completed Ebay prices it looks like the car should be worth $8 to $10K. If I can get this one for $4000 even if I need to buy a good used engine I would still have a lot less than that in the car, remember I turn my own wrenches. Looks like a good used engine can be had for about $2200. If I can fix the head gasket myself for less than a $1000 this looks like a good price to me for a fully loaded clean low mileage car. I thank you for your opinion but I must say, I would buy cars like this all day long for $1000 if you point them out to me. I also will make very good money from another deal I made with this guy. Maybe the car should be worth more like $3200 but I am betting I can get this engine working without the cost of purchasing a different engine. So I would only have about $5k into a $8k plus car. What if I just go spend the 8k for a different car and in 4000 miles the head gasket goes out. In that case I feel better about fixing this one so I know what I have.
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09-15-2011, 07:48 PM
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 180
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Sounds like you want to do it, if I had the time, space and bit more cash I'd be doing the same thing.....if you get a good feel for the car and have a decent plan about diong it (and enjoy the feeling of mending it) go for it! Good luck!
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09-16-2011, 04:19 AM
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