Car Auctions

[arros 0]

Wondering what sort of results people are getting buying beamer's (or any car for that matter) at Turners.

Not sure about worying about Hammers as I can't find a website for them.

Never bought from an auction before. Look at a E39 540- repossesed car, NZ New, higher k's:180,000 km (consequently cheap) but no service records with the car.

I guess when you get your car repossesed by the finance company and watch your pride and joy being towed by a towie, handing all your service documentation to them is not at the front of your mind.

Trouble is you have to use the onsite AA inspectors and as we all know most of them know f**k all about beamers.

Thought of going to a BMW specialist garage and grabbing a mechanic to come along to check the car out at Turners..but then that's probably going too far

Short of ringing around a few BMW specialist and asking if they have worked on the car, buying= bit of Pot luck.

Driving the car around their little onsite circuit doesn't give you much of a test drive

[bravo 34]

Basically, you pays your money, you takes your chances. I havn't bought at auction for a few years, but sounds as though they have toughened up a little.

When I was 17 they used to let me take cars for un-supervised test drives. I was living in Dunedin at the time and I use to go for a 45min thrash up the hills above Portobello (locals will know where I mean), no worries.

Used to use my eyes, ears and nose to do my own mechanical check, and made some good deals (for a 17/18 yo student with no money that is).

When I moved to Auckland and got a job I forgot about the auctions for some reason - even bought one car from a yard (shock horrror! - sorry Brian). Now I live in rural NZ and no auctions around here anyway.

Have you tried talking with them about taking the car off-site for a check?

These days I wouldn't buy any car worth more than $6 or 7k without a professional inspection.

[greenday-rulz21 5]

I personally don't think its too far to ask a BMW mechanic to go with you to check out the car. Remember, if its an e39 any that goes wrong is likely to be expensive. So get it checked well first.

[kiwi535 538]

as always the overall condition of the car is your best guide.....if you think there is something wrong with it..make your adjustment to the price accordingly and stick to it..If you say you WONT bid unless you can get it checked they might let you make other arrangemnts?

[briancol 3]

First off arros you couldn't find Hammer Auctions because they no longer exist.

Secondly Graham, no offence taken.

Thirdly, you can buy well from a dealer these days, eg I have just last week sold a 1998 528i with 96,000kms on the clock, a nice car for just under $8,000.00.

edit(bravo) - get my name right lol!

Edited November 10, 2008 by briancol

[caleb 0]

that's exactly right, you pays your money, you takes your chances

I ended up spending another 15% of the car purchase price to service and replace various parts. I say you need to factor another 20% on top of the purchase price for unforeseen repair work unless you get it thoroughly checked before bidding.

Car dealers or private sale seem "safer" in my opinion

I won't recommend mobile check either. Chances are you'll see a comment in your report indicating engine assembly bottom area: Cover inhibits complete inspection.

Edited November 11, 2008 by lufu

[stylish_division 0]

yep u get what u pay for. from experiences beamers from turners have problems which you only notice after u buy them. Nearly all of the second hand ones have electrical problems.... and the inspections dont pick up things like that. There no point buying a cheap car if your going to pay more in the long run then anticipated.

[martyyn 2]

Turners down here gave us a 6 month warranty when we bought the Focus and we had a few things fixed under that, but it might pay to upgrade the warranty because we had to argue our corner to get the bill paid.

Other than that I would have no trouble buying a car from an auction.

[caleb 0]

Some mechanical insurance impose a 30 days stand down period (i.e. you start paying the premium from day one but any problem occuring within the 1st 30 days are not covered by the insurance), others require a full inspection before they underwrite the insurance.

[Apex 693]

Purchased a car from turners today, was quite easy as the car had already had an AA check and the chap seemed quite chirpy after paying $120 for a onsite check.

Its quite scary test driving a car in a building and not being aloud on the road!

I believe you get what you pay for at turners, their cars are mostly crapanese imports but there are a few NZ new gems, mines rough around the edges but at a nearly 8k saving over dealership im not to concerned.

[jjs 60]

Purchased a car from turners today, was quite easy as the car had already had an AA check and the chap seemed quite chirpy after paying $120 for a onsite check.

Its quite scary test driving a car in a building and not being aloud on the road!

I believe you get what you pay for at turners, their cars are mostly crapanese imports but there are a few NZ new gems, mines rough around the edges but at a nearly 8k saving over dealership im not to concerned.

So... what did you buy?

[Apex 693]

So... what did you buy?

A Holden Vectra CDXI (the nice one) for the missus.. Looks hot and goes really well, needs the Apex touch to clean it up as it was a company vehicle and has a few blemishes.

Silver. 65,000km good price.

Edited November 11, 2008 by Apex

[briancol 3]

Don't you mean a Vauxhall, Graham?

[Apex 693]

Don't you mean a Vauxhall, Graham?

Its Vauxholdopel.. They are designed in Germany, Built in the UK then badged in Australia then sent here.

They are a fantastic car that is overlooked down here in NZ, shits all over a Mazda 6 (atenza) or an Accord Euro for the same kind of money.

Have treated the 3.2 to a big mouth intake with K&N panel already, sounds bloody nice, love the flat torque (300+NM) curve from 2000rpm.

[mr E34 11]

That model Opel Vectra is a NICE car, your pix doesn't do it's lines justice.

[kiwi535 538]

A Holden Vectra CDXI (the nice one) for the missus.. Looks hot and goes really well, needs the Apex touch to clean it up as it was a company vehicle and has a few blemishes.

Silver. 65,000km good price.

nice ..my bro has one,they are bloody good on gas too for a 3.2...

[Apex 693]

Cheers guys, apparently it looks a bit of an old man’s car.

It drives bloody well for a car of its price, the CDX-I is called the GTS in Germany and I can see why with its nice heavy steering and stiff lowered sport suspension, goes really well. Very fast on the back roads whilst staying composed with Lexus like quietness on the rough stuff.

Will see what it’s like on gas, I have only had two short drives and have been giving it stick so it’s up in the 11’s..

Would recommend one over a Mazda 6 or Accord Euro.

I feel kind of smug driving it, almost as if I have found unknown gem, would love to see a better all round car of the same year for the same money!