Thought it purred like a kitten.. Perhaps not?

[Aslan 0]

Hi there everyone,

After an exhaustive wait and search, looking at BMWs, Jaguar X-Types and Mercedes today I finally found a car that I plan to purchase.. It's a NZ New 2000 BMW 330i for sale at Vision Autos in Auckland. It drove very well and I enjoyed the experience, it's a reasonable price and I am getting a full AA pre purchase inspection done tomorrow and if all goes well, will be the proud owner of this lovely specimen..

Before I do buy it, does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

I look forward to learn more about these lovely vehicles from you all and even more so look forward to driving it around if all goes well.

Speak to you all soon.

Thanks,

Aslan

Edited July 13, 2011 by Aslan

[Michael. 2312]

Brilliant choice the E46 330i

I don't think you can go wrong really.

[Aslan 0]

Brilliant choice the E46 330i

I don't think you can go wrong really.

Hi there E36V8. I agree, it looks lovely. It's the first car I've ever bought from a dealer and by far the nicest I've ever driven or owned so I'm hoping everything goes well and I don't get burnt. My father is a huge Mercedes buff and he and I have been in correspondence and he's indicated that he would have preferred I got a Mercedes but I liked this vehicle more, especially for the price and the beautiful body and interior.

I don't think there'll be much wrong with it in the inspection and so long as that picks everything up I'll be happy! The dealer is not really willing to negotiate much on the warranty price or vehicle price either though which is annoying.

[matt45 1]

Hi there E36V8. I agree, it looks lovely. It's the first car I've ever bought from a dealer and by far the nicest I've ever driven or owned so I'm hoping everything goes well and I don't get burnt. My father is a huge Mercedes buff and he and I have been in correspondence and he's indicated that he would have preferred I got a Mercedes but I liked this vehicle more, especially for the price and the beautiful body and interior.

I don't think there'll be much wrong with it in the inspection and so long as that picks everything up I'll be happy! The dealer is not really willing to negotiate much on the warranty price or vehicle price either though which is annoying.

if your going to get the AA to look at it i wouldn't bother, most of them don't know squat about euro cars. take it to BMWorkshop (closest) if you want a proper inspection ... having said that at least you will have the warranty.

How much is it?

[Aslan 0]

if your going to get the AA to look at it i wouldn't bother, most of them don't know squat about euro cars. take it to BMWorkshop (closest) if you want a proper inspection ... having said that at least you will have the warranty.

How much is it?

Hmmm I was going to have it checked out by the AA but you suggest a BMW workshop? That's unfortunate as I was not sure where to take it. Any ideas for the closest in New Lynn?

Am I wrong to expect a dealer to do a full service on the vehicle? They say they've serviced but not mentioned a full service. It's $8495 and the Warranty will be $1000. Plus finance and what not.

Edited July 12, 2011 by Aslan

[matt45 1]

Hmmm I was going to have it checked out by the AA but you suggest a BMW workshop? That's unfortunate as I was not sure where to take it. Any ideas for the closest in New Lynn?

Am I wrong to expect a dealer to do a full service on the vehicle? They say they've serviced but not mentioned a full service. It's $8495 and the Warranty will be $1000. Plus finance and what not.

BM Workshop

315 Great North Road

Grey Lynn

Auckland

http://bmworkshop.co.nz/contact-us/

Im guessing the k's are quite high so all the more reason to have it checked properly

Don't trust any dealer to/have service/d it the very most they will have done is change the oil (probably with the incorrect type).

[Aslan 0]

BM Workshop

315 Great North Road

Grey Lynn

Auckland

http://bmworkshop.co.nz/contact-us/

Im guessing the k's are quite high so all the more reason to have it checked properly

Don't trust any dealer to/have service/d it the very most they will have done is change the oil (probably with the incorrect type).

I'll call them tomorrow and see if they can fit me in. I don't know how the dealer will feel about it but it's certainly my right I think to ask them to let someone who specializes in it take it and get it checked out. Do you know how much they cost?

It's at 202,000kms.

[Aslan 0]

Hopefully getting it checked out today by BMWorkshop as well as the AA. I'll let you all know how it all goes.

[Smac01 12]

Save the $140 and don't bother with the AA test - it won't tell you anything you can't see yourself.

My 2c

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2915]

^^ x 2

Get BMWorkshop to look at it and save the money on the AA inspection. Need a specialist for this kind of car, to check out any errors on the ECU etc.

That is a sharp price for an E46 330i, good luck, hope it goes through.

[cytamen 1]

What they said.

Don't waste money on AA. Spend the money you save on cleaning supplies!

BMWorkshop won't muck you around and tell you rubbish like AA tend to.

Loved it when AA tried to tell me my 300ZX was cam chain.

[Aslan 0]

Hi everyone. I had the AA Inspection done first, I couldn't cancel it unfortunately as I needed to give much more notice. Nevertheless, it had some interesting information including a long list of faults.

I spoke to the AA Inspector and he said that it requires some extra checks by the BMWorkshop so that's what I plan to do. I'll upload pictures of the report just so you guys can give your advice too.

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[westy 614]

Screw that. Do not want!

Keep looking.

PS, Hello!

[matt45 1]

personally i would look for something else (there is quite a few out there)

oil in the coolant is not good and by the sounds of it has had a frontal crash at some point.

Edited July 13, 2011 by Matt45

[*Glenn* 854]

After reading that....I'd be walking well away

[Aslan 0]

I like the look of the vehicle but you are right, I am very concerned about whether it's a lemon or not. I spoke to the lovely people at BM Workshop and they told me that just doing the head gasket could be more than $1800. I might get the vehicle looked at tomorrow but only on the condition that the dealer is prepared to fix the expensive and more urgent problems or discount it further so that I can get the problems fixed. I suspect that the dealer will not be prepared to do either and in such a case, I'll ask for a full refund of my deposit which they used for my AA inspection and if they refuse, I'll take further steps to show how this dealer preys on people to the public.

[matt45 1]

I like the look of the vehicle but you are right, I am very concerned about whether it's a lemon or not. I spoke to the lovely people at BM Workshop and they told me that just doing the head gasket could be more than $1800. I might get the vehicle looked at tomorrow but only on the condition that the dealer is prepared to fix the expensive and more urgent problems or discount it further so that I can get the problems fixed. I suspect that the dealer will not be prepared to do either and in such a case, I'll ask for a full refund of my deposit which they used for my AA inspection and if they refuse, I'll take further steps to show how this dealer preys on people to the public.

1. i would say it IS a Lemon

2. it will have been a trade in so the dealer will want to get back what they paid for it, he will just wait until someone comes along and buys it without inspection for the same price.

dont waste your money getting bmworkshop to look at it more they will only find more wrong with it.

[Smac01 12]

Spray, and walk away.

There are plenty more good cars for sale at that price.

[Mark 178]

$8500 is far too cheap for a decent 330i.

Dealer wants rid of it to be selling for that price.

Walk away... spend 6 grand more on a car with lower k's and in better condition.

[Smac01 12]

Exactly.

Here's an NZ New 328i with 80kms on it.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/...n-387731267.htm

[BM WORLD 1260]

$3k to 4k for a replacement engine plus fitting .

car has been overheated at some stage ,probably due to some small plastic part failing and losing coolant and know one looking at the gauge etc.

maybe they have just put some radaitor stop leak stuff in it to stop it from losing coolant.

i think if you can get it for $5-6k and are prepaired to throw plenty of cash at it.

beacuse if they remove the head and find it needs more than just a headgasget then you could be in for quite a few more dollars.

like most other guys said better to find one that doesn't need all this work unless your handy with tools and have a spare parts car etc.

Edited July 13, 2011 by Brent HARTGE535i

[Aslan 0]

Hmmm it might not be worth it. I guess it depends on what the BMWorkshop says. Is there any way to hold dealers accountable for lying to people?

[matt45 1]

Hmmm it might not be worth it. I guess it depends on what the BMWorkshop says. Is there any way to hold dealers accountable for lying to people?

no because its just what they do. they probably don't know/care that anything is wrong with it.

[Aslan 0]

no because its just what they do. they probably don't know/care that anything is wrong with it.

I think it goes a lot further than they didn't know. I'll elaborate more if they don't accept it.

[Smac01 12]

Why bother buying a car you know is rubbish?

Unless you know your way around cars like Brent says - it's just not worth it.