A pretty good reason to get your PPI done with a reputable garage!

[cliffdunedin 8]

http://automotivenews.co.nz/used-import-bmw-unsafe-to-drive/

[Apex 693]

the top of the air filter unit was made out of a plastic real estate sign, painted matt black and screwed into place with brass wood screws

Seems legit, think this should be moved to the performance section.

I wonder what he paid for this Japanese import BMW vs a NZ new example with a FSH?

Solve problem. Get rid of Japanese imports

[Phil-540i 166]

Ditto my thoughts - I can'nt stand jap imports!! I doubt its the full story being told there though......

Sometimes its 'human factor' though too - Ive got a trailer that failed a wof on Friday, with a light problem. Whilst laying under it this morning cursing the weather gods (its slightly raining...as in slightly wet rain...slightly annoying rain.........forecasters were slightly wrong..........I'm feeling slightly ripped off & slightly wet, that sorta rain), playing havoc with sidecutters & multi-meter - happened to glance at axle u-bolts, which are missing some nuts!! Whilst not fail wof material, 'hmmm, might fix THAT while I'm under here, mutter mutter...curse..'.........

And "DUH!!!" - every-one knows plastic & brass ain't a good thing - shoulda been zinc coated wood screws being used......preferably left hand thread ones.......

Edited August 26, 2013 by Blue-540i

[NZ BMW 368]

“Once this is over I am going to find out who complied the car and I am going to have their licence.â€

Haha, watch out for retired people - they have plenty of hours in the day to work on their revenge.

[hybrid 1044]

Three problems here that came together (well actually four if you count this stunning piece of journalism)

Good old New Zealand, shift the blame to someone else because of his lack of accountability on buying something sight unseen. Its actually a new thing that’s been developed from the existence on trade me. You would never do this normally.

There doesn’t seem to be any evidence that the car went through compliance after it was re-licensed in New Zealand. I would have said that this would of had a live rego and been repaired in New Zealand. (going by what has been reported)

None of the things listed arent fixable with second hand parts. (should he have too? debatible but dont be a sight unseen noob. Especially if you dont have a mechanical bone in your body.

Agree with the PPI however. Get it done by a specialist not a jappa 'OBDII codes' warrant shop

[Jamez 2147483647]

the top of the air filter unit was made out of a plastic real estate sign, painted matt black and screwed into place with brass wood screws

That fix sounds like something I would do, what's the problem?

[Allanw 1072]

Seems legit, think this should be moved to the performance section.

I wonder what he paid for this Japanese import BMW vs a NZ new example with a FSH?

Solve problem. Get rid of Japanese imports

Haha, whats really funny, is that people probably really think that.

That stuff was probably all done here - just got to look at cars on trademe for the proof...

Most NZers don't even know what a full service history is. They think if it's been to the dealers all it's life, it OK. When we all know the reality is, that the dealer only does what the car owner will pay for... and here in NZ, that's often just the essentials, and not even always that much!

[KwS 2429]

Seems legit, think this should be moved to the performance section.

I wonder what he paid for this Japanese import BMW vs a NZ new example with a FSH?

Solve problem. Get rid of Japanese imports

This is bullshit, not all jap imports are dodgy lumps of crap. Ive owned a couple of NZ new cars, with and without FSH (yes, there are a lot of NZ New owners that dont care for proper servicing or paperwork) that have been terrible troublesome cars yet i have owned many jap imports that were immaculate and gave no troubles.

FSH doesnt mean a huge amount in NZ imo, people will still cut corners where possible.

The issue here is the buyer took the car sight unseen, and the garage that did the PPI did a bad job of it. Buyer beware etc. Could have happened with an NZ New car with FSH (as it did with the last E39 i got a BMW PPI on, NZ New, had FSH but still had a full a4 page of issues so i walked away).

Edited August 27, 2013 by KwS

[Tristan 338]

This is bullshit, not all jap imports are dodgy lumps of crap. Ive owned a couple of NZ new cars, with and without FSH (yes, there are a lot of NZ New owners that dont care for proper servicing or paperwork) that have been terrible troublesome cars yet i have owned many jap imports that were immaculate and gave no troubles.

FSH doesnt mean a huge amount in NZ imo, people will still cut corners where possible.

The issue here is the buyer took the car sight unseen, and the garage that did the PPI did a bad job of it. Buyer beware etc. Could have happened with an NZ New car with FSH (as it did with the last E39 i got a BMW PPI on, NZ New, had FSH but still had a full a4 page of issues so i walked away).

Agreed. I've had 2 (1-2 year ownership) Jap BMWs (318Ti/530) and had no issues whatsoever with them.

[deeveus 81]

Seems like there's more to this story than is being let on, firstly the car is 8 years old, and it's not necessarily the sellers fault that "dodgy" repairs were carried out. I fail to see why he had to hand over 8k because the purchaser was unable to view & the purchaser went off the opinion pre purchase inspection, not the sellers, seems more the pre purchase inspectors that are mainly to blame here even if the inspection is a visual & non intrusive. Loose engine mounts is about the worst thing I can see there, either get a new one or repair? I can't see 8k's worth of work. Also, a car has be be declared as "imported damaged" when coming into NZ.

[Apex 693]

To me he sounds like your typical second hand car buyer in NZ, so many dreamers, have done business with lots myself.

"oh you are selling this 10 year old car with 100,000 for 10% its original price, why is it not brand new for me?"

If he wants a brand new car he should work harder and buy one, you would not buy a 8 year old fridge/freezer or trademe at less than 10% its original price and expect it to be mint now would you?

[Allanw 1072]

"oh you are selling this 10 year old car with 100,000 for 10% its original price, why is it not brand new for me?"

Ahahaha! So true.

I'm more than happy to buy an old car, and spend money making it "right" - it's still cheaper than buying new, and I enjoy it.

I've brought most of my cars sight unseen, including the E39. Never had an issue, but KNEW they all needed something doing to them - not meany people will repair everything, especially if they're thinking of selling.

Cars cost money. Simple.

[Phil-540i 166]

Ahahaha! So true.

I'm more than happy to buy an old car, and spend money making it "right" - it's still cheaper than buying new, and I enjoy it.

I've brought most of my cars sight unseen, including the E39. Never had an issue, but KNEW they all needed something doing to them - not meany people will repair everything, especially if they're thinking of selling.

Cars cost money. Simple.

Oh, how so true.............!!!!

[Ultrarandom 3]

Sounds like a lot of whinging because he didn't look at it and is feeling ripped off.

I want to see the rest of the list as what's there is not really that bad or unfixable, worst thing is those engine mount bolts.

Granted Id be annoyed finding these things too but I wouldn't blame the people who imported it and complied it unless I was first owner in the country. I would curse the previous owners but would get over myself and fix it rather than seek a court case on something he should've picked up on before buying.

[yng_750 247]

When i bought my 740i i bought it sight unseen. albeit for like $3000 so not much risk.

Seller detailed a couple of issues and said it was a daily driver.

First time i braked for a corner it had massive steering shake, fortunantly i knew e38s and could identify it as support arm bushes, but if i didnt know anything about that type of car it was bad enough that i would be turning around and asking for a refund.

was surprised he didnt say anything about it before hand as it was obvious but hey thats the general public for you.