Aslan

LOL! Well the apple has not fallen far from the tree then I guess! I'll keep that in mind if I get a dog or kids :-P

AWESOME. I'm really happy with this car.

I tried it and guess what.. The car started beeping even before I put my hand in, all I had to do was stand next to it pretty close so I guess it is alarmed! How awesome is that!? Thanks for the help!

I sent an email to a dealer asking them to retrieve the build sheet for it. Hopefully they can get one.

Using the key to open the door didn't seem to set off an alarm either. Must not have the siren and sensors installed?

I'll give this a go on my break! Thanks Mine is NZ New.

Interesting, I touch the vehicle when it's locked and try open the door and the alarm doesn't go off. Do I need to get it activated? I might have to install sensors and the siren I think.

Hi there!Mine does flash and the indicators do flash but I am not quite sure that it's an actual alarm installed. I think it just is ready for one. Apparently they're not too difficult to put in.

I figured out it doesn't, it's just that it's pretty much prepared for an alarm. I found a great link at http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52593 which walks people through it.

Hi everyone. I know this might sound like a silly question, but I'm wondering if there is a factory alarm system and immobilizer on a 2000 BMW 330i? It wasn't mentioned by the dealer but when I check the owner's manual it states that there is an alarm system and immobilizer. There's also a light just below the rear view mirror which flashes when I lock the car like an alarm system would. I could probably go and test it out later but I just thought I'd ask? Thanks, Aslan

Just thought I'd let you all know, I purchased this vehicle and took delivery of it today. I spoke to BMWorkshop who ran me through the issues. They said the car has been well maintained and many of the points raised were things that need to be fixed in the future. The others like the radiator discoloring was not referring to the metal but rather the plastic parts and they thought the vehicle was in good condition for its age. I took a great drive up to Warkworth from Te Atatu and it was a real pleasure, powerful yet economical too at about 9lt/100kms the way there and back. It took a little getting used to as I haven't really driven a car since 2008 as I've been traveling but it's really intuitive. I love the seats too, they're like a dentist chair (minus the horrifying pain). Thanks again everyone! Aslan

Thank you Docile. When you bought the car how much were they asking for it and how much did you get them down to, what did they give you? Thanks, Aslan You seem to know quite a bit about this. I'm not dead set on it, I believe I am just being logical. I already paid the money for the pre purchase inspection so there's no harm in seeing what the dealer will fix and what the other repairer will fix it all for. I'm just waiting on those to make my decision. Thank you though

Very good questions. I have directed these to the BMWorkshop too and will see what they think in terms of whether there are any issues with the engine. Within a couple of years I intend to change the engine for one with lower kilometers. I was advised that this is cheaper than doing a reconditioning. I will take that into consideration too, once I hear back from the dealer about what they're prepared to fix I'll see what I can do about lowering the price further. Agreed. But if I can get a 330i I can work on and get most of the major issues fixed by the dealer then I'm happy to put in the hard work. I don't really intend to sell the vehicle unless I leave the country. And I thank them and you for that. At the moment I'm trying to ascertain whether it would be worth getting the vehicle. I can understand that the vehicle might not be running at its best straight away but if most of the major issues get fixed then I have no problems with fixing the rest bit by bit as a project. I'll wait to hear back from the dealer.

Do you mean? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heino ?

I figured as much Docile, I expected the quote from BMWorkshop to be higher than it would normally be at other workshops as they're usually charging a higher amount for labour and parts. My father has also directed me towards someone offshore that has cheap parts he regularly purchases from for his Mercedes that work really well. I also imagine that I'd be able to find a lot of the parts here at cheaper prices. It's a matter of learning how to fix it all too. Thank you for your advice. EDIT: To clarify, the parts are OEM and suitable for NZ New vehicles.

I would have thought that any engine would have this problem if the cooling system is not maintained right? Which is why I'm waiting to hear back from the dealer as to what they'd be prepared to fix. No doubt, that's life. The current agreement on price with the dealer is $9000. If they're prepared to repair most of the major stuff then I am sure I can take care of the rest. I plan to do more than they've mentioned anyway. I believe you and the rest on here that they know a lot about the vehicles. I'm also not saying that I'm qualified to dispute mechanics and bmw owners have to say about the purchase of the car. I am however quoting what experts that this forum directed me to and who have actually done a thorough pre purchase inspection have said about the vehicle. I don't think that is unreasonable nor inappropriate.

You are the one slinging here. I stated the reason why I wasn't seeking finance somehwere else and you insulted me acting as if I didn't know what I was talking about and so I gave the exact reason with an explanation which is common knowledge in the finance industry, something you should know. That is clarifying, not slinging and the only one who could be accused of that accurately is you. Who's trying to be smart here? I prefer not to conduct myself like you do and I don't like trading insults with someone in person let alone with someone over the internet. If you don't know how to speak in an appropriate manner then that's unfortunate, but don't get angry at me about that. If you find the manner in which I speak to be akin to speaking down to you then I apologize, it's certainly not intended to sound that way. I just speak to people as I like to be spoken to, politely and without vulgarity and as a gentleman. Does that make me better than you or make me think I'm better than you. No, but I would hope that if someone spoke to you politely, that you would do the same. If not, then that is your choice. We'll see what the dealer is prepared to fix. We'll also see how much the workshop I'm interested in taking it to will charge to fix it? So you're stating that the people here gave me bad advice in taking it to the BMWorkshop? M3 Power seems to understand where I'm coming from and doesn't seem unreasonable.

I find the assertion that you've made about the BMWorkshop to be highly offensive. They are a reputable company and they are well respected in the industry as many can attest to. To think they would prefer me to purchase the vehicle just so they can repair it is outrageous.

According to the BMWorkshop, (people this forum recommended me to as the experts to trust) the vehicle is NOT a lemon. It just requires some work, some of which the dealer has indicated that they'll be prepared to fix. If it means that I can't use the vehicle for a couple of days at a time whilst I repair or replace certain parts then so be it, that doesn't bother me too much as I'll be moving closer to my work in the near future and if I learn whilst I do it then I can't lose. That's true, I don't even know how to change a car battery and I'm sure I'll need the internet to figure out how to do it. But I imagine it's not much different to changing the battery on anything. I have also changed fuel pumps on a vehicle in the past on several occasions. That wasn't too difficult at all. If there's not anything I can do myself, I'll take it to someone who can. I know the most important rule is simply not to fiddle. I'm not daft, nor am I stupid. I'm very intelligent and would be more than apt at learning how to fix the issues that aren't too urgent if I can learn how. And what is the problem with asking questions about things I'd like to fix. If someone asks for my help with something I gladly offer my assistance, if people here don't want to do that then that is up to them. I'm sure I can find plenty of good people who are only too happy to provide their wisdom and advice to me. Life is ultimately an apprenticeship, we learn how to do things from those who have knowledge, that is what learning is all about. I am thankful to God that I have had some very good people in my life to teach me what I've needed to learn and believe that I'll continue to find such people, and pass on the knowledge that I've gained the same way that I gained it. I'm not doing that at all. Yes, I asked for advice on the forum and was given the advice by people who said they don't think I should buy the vehicle. I also spoke to the BMWorkshop, experts who actually viewed the vehicle and had no interest in me purchasing the vehicle and they stated to me that the vehicle is not abnormal for one that is of this mileage and just needed some things fixed. I also spoke to a repairer that I have had contact with in the past who has experience with BMW vehicles and listed the problems BMWorkshop told me about a and he stated, and I quote "It sounds like the vehicle just needs a very good service". And so, I did what I should have and spoke to the dealer, I sent him an email with the quote and spoke to him this morning and he stated that he'll look over the quote and speak to his colleagues and see what they're prepared to repair. As far as I'm aware, I've done EVERYTHING that I should have done in this instance and am waiting to hear back for another quote to fix the issues mentioned and waiting to hear back from the dealer. Once I have that information I should be equipped with enough information to make a decision as to whether to proceed or not. Perhaps you should learn more about the finance industry and how a credit report works then. It's in everyone's interest to do so.You see the credit report can only list so much information, it states your interactions with applying for credit. It will only state however that you've applied and what type of finance you've applied for ie credit card, overdraft, loan etc. It will not state whether you were approved or not and certainly won't state why you were or were not. Therefore, when you apply for credit from numerous places, they begin to be concerned because they may think you are over extended, or they may believe that you were rejected by the other companies for a reason they're unaware of and may see you as a much greater risk and may reject you, or at best, raise the interest rates to a ridiculous amount. I have removed my emotions. I've done all I should.

Hi there,I would just like to say, thank you for your advice. You gave it in a very constructive manner and I appreciate you taking the time to tell me what I should be able to handle myself and hopefully learn about too. I also figured the report from BMWorkshop would be like that. So what are the major and most important things in your opinion that would require fixing by a repairer? I've also sent a request for a quote from a repair shop which seems very reputable and am looking to get a figure shortly. They believe the vehicle just needs a good service. Thanks again, Aslan

Please don't assume I'll stoop to your level and trade insults with you. It's conduct unbecoming of a gentleman.

Your advice is not falling on deaf ears. I mentioned earlier that I don't want this vehicle because it's not from a dealer and my finance is only for dealers. I'd rather not go apply for another finance company because every time you do so they look at your credit report, doing this again and again concerns finance companies and anyone else you apply for credit from because they then start believing you may have been denied credit and then deem you a higher risk and if your lucky enough to even get finance then (which you might not be) then your interest rates will go through the roof. So therefore, I'm interested in only purchasing from a dealer. I do thank you for your trying to make sure I was aware though, it's greatly appreciated.

That's why I'm getting quotes on fixing the issue and then I'll wait to hear what the dealer will do. If it's reasonable I'll fix the non urgent things bit by bit.

I beg your pardon? I don't know who you think you are nor who you think you are talking to but don't EVER assume that you can talk in that manner to me. How tragic it is that we have people on this earth that think that simply by insulting someone or using profane language at them that it would somehow make someone listen to them. You should be ashamed of yourself for such an outburst. Now back to the point. I, as suggested by members on this forum have sought the advice of the BMWorkshop through a full prepurchase inspection. BMWorkshop (experts this forum recommended) advised that the vehicle's condition is not unusual at all for a vehicle of this mileage and that certain things need to be worked on first. I have contacted the dealer to see what they'll be prepared to do to fix it and look forward to hearing back from them on Monday as to how far they would be willing to repair it. Based on the above I believe that I'm doing all of the correct things, I certainly don't need your advice if it comes the way you have expressed it 1rotty, I may be somewhat mechanically challeneged with my current knowledge skill but don't ever assume that means that I'm stupid or uncalculating in my actions, I fully expected the vehicle to have some issues, now I'm just working out whether it would be worth it to purchase the vehicle and this will be evident when the dealer gets back to me. Regards, Aslan

Hi there,Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your constructive efforts and advice. Whilst I am not greatly mechanically minded (from lack of experience) I do know that my father is a great mechanically minded person, he loves Mercedes and has been working on them for years, learning how to fix them on his own. I remember spending days with him driving to the other side of town to go and get parts out of wrecked vehicles at Pick Your Part and then 'helping' him fix the vehicles by holding a light or putting something in place. He suggested that I learn to do some fixing on my own, I'm not daft nor am I of a low IQ and should so I be able to learn it so I think that's what I might do. If I can get the major things taken care of that were listed as first priority then I'd be happy to learn the rest and defer to him and anyone else willing to give good and constructive advice. I think that is quite reasonable. All I need to take care of now is the major issues that need fixing, the rest I can figure out later. Thanks, Aslan