BMW Workshop for pre-purchase inspection

[Yuen 16]

Hey all,

I am looking at getting an E36 318iS. 1995, 101000km. Has the M44 engine. Having a 320i I have no experience with the 4 cylinders. Are there any common issues with the m44 that I should watch out for?

Also, if everything checks out, I want to bring the car to a BMW specialist to check for any problems and give me the go ahead. My mechanic is fine but I'd prefer a BMW workshop who knows their BMWs inside out. Anyone know good BMW workshops in Auckland? Also what sort of price range am I looking at for such an inspection?

Cheers.

EDIT: It has also been de-registered. The owner doesn't have the de-registration documents though. Will it be hard for me to get it re-registered without any documents? Also what are the costs?

Edited November 6, 2006 by Yuen

[Guest Andrew]

Don't go near a de-reg car. Just don't. They car is only worth 3k tops.

it will end up costing and arm and a leg to get it recerted.

[318isCoupe 0]

If it's a 95 it should be an m42?

problems to look out for: being overtaken by old women in people movers & not being able to outrun a Mazda Bongo van full of drunken teenagers.

They're dead slow.

[Yuen 16]

Don't go near a de-reg car. Just don't. They car is only worth 3k tops.

it will end up costing and arm and a leg to get it recerted.

Andrew, is it a lengthy process as well? What does re-certing usually cost? Funny you should say that because the guy is asking exactly $3k.

If it's a 95 it should be an m42?

problems to look out for: being overtaken by old women in people movers & not being able to outrun a Mazda Bongo van full of drunken teenagers.

They're dead slow.

Nope, it's an M44. 1.9L. 140bhp I think, my 320i is 150bhp so it won't be much of a downgrade at all.

[E30stz 0]

if its de-reg'd a bmw pre-purchase inspection is probably going to be a few extra pages long.

Whats wrong with it ... why has it been de-reg'd.

[Yuen 16]

if its de-reg'd a bmw pre-purchase inspection is probably going to be a few extra pages long.

Whats wrong with it ... why has it been de-reg'd.

Apparently nothing wrong with it. Just hasn't been started up in a while. Interior looks good, overall could do with a clean. Third brake light is no longer there. Other than that, nothing I can spot, will have to get it jacked up to check underneath.

[Damo 23]

Having been through re-registration a few times, you will need:

- ALL paperwork of ownership history (receipts of sale etc.) from as far back as you can get, they need to follow the cars history to prove it aint stolen

- brakes/brake pads will be required to be replaced/rebuilt - the brakes are a bio safety thing for imports but they ask for it as a matter of course for all re-reg's

- if there is anything that even looks like a repair it will requirte a light vehicle repair cert - from one of a few experienced panelbeaters athourised to give one. $500 - $600

Rereg is $350 I think, plus one registration cost

It takes a while depending on what must be done so allow yourself the time!

I say go for it and put another E36 on NZ's roads, makes my old cars rarer

Apparently nothing wrong with it. Just hasn't been started up in a while. Interior looks good, overall could do with a clean. Third brake light is no longer there. Other than that, nothing I can spot, will have to get it jacked up to check underneath.

[Yuen 16]

Having been through re-registration a few times, you will need:

- ALL paperwork of ownership history (receipts of sale etc.) from as far back as you can get, they need to follow the cars history to prove it aint stolen

- brakes/brake pads will be required to be replaced/rebuilt - the brakes are a bio safety thing for imports but they ask for it as a matter of course for all re-reg's

- if there is anything that even looks like a repair it will requirte a light vehicle repair cert - from one of a few experienced panelbeaters athourised to give one. $500 - $600

Rereg is $350 I think, plus one registration cost

It takes a while depending on what must be done so allow yourself the time!

I say go for it and put another E36 on NZ's roads, makes my old cars rarer

Hey Damo,

Thanks for the detailed info! Ok, so let's run through it:

1. No paperwork at all

2. Brake pads (+ rebuild kit) - $300ish

3. Repair cert - not sure, I hope not!

4. Re-registration + Registration cost = ~$550 for a year's rego

5. Third brake light missing = $50 - $100 at a wreckers

Not looking too optimistic at the moment. $3k + around another $1k for a 1995 318iS at 101,000kms... not to mention the time.

[E30stz 0]

there will be hidden problems. - people dont just leave a car sitting for a year because they feel like it and then de-reg it. Taking someones word that nothings wrong with it.. is a bit silly. Would you leave a car for a that length of time and de-register it.. surely you realise the huge pain it is re-registering.. it seems insane why someone would do that instead of keeping it live or flicking it off.

Can you make sure its actually been NZ Registered? because it might be that this is just a failed import that is just getting fobbed off and quite possibly isnt registerable.

somethings fishy....

Edited November 7, 2006 by E30stz

[Yuen 16]

there will be hidden problems. - people dont just leave a car sitting for a year because they feel like it and then de-reg it. Taking someones word that nothings wrong with it.. is a bit silly. Would you leave a car for a that length of time and de-register it.. surely you realise the huge pain it is re-registering.. it seems insane why someone would do that instead of keeping it live or flicking it off.

Can you make sure its actually been NZ Registered? because it might be that this is just a failed import that is just getting fobbed off and quite possibly isnt registerable.

Not being silly, I haven't even seen the car yet Just posting what he has said. But obviously by posting I'm not taking his word already... "if it's too good to be true, it most probably is". It was priced that way because the guy has factored in the re-registration time and hassle.

I've just been told that it hasn't been NZ registered at all. Story is that it was de-registered in Japan and shipped over by a guy who owes the current seller money. The car was part of the repayment of the debt. I know that if it was worth his time and money he would have re-registered it and sold it for a gain... so I guess it's likely it's not worth all that trouble. Pity, because the car looks nice...

[E30stz 0]

tell him you'll give him $3800 registered and on the road. Personally I'd strike it off my list if the owner is not willing to have it complied and registered.

Edited November 7, 2006 by E30stz

[Palazzo 450]

How many airbags? If one only, it's non compliant and will never be registered here, unless you're prepared to wait until 2015.

[WarNox 1]

but anyway, to answer your question, the pre-purchase inspection at team mcmillan (bmw dealership) is $140, i think inc gst, and its worth it! trust me!