First BMW

[bmwboy]

Hey guys this is going to be my first bmw so i want to know what you guys think about this
its a
2001 bmw 3.0
80 000km
heated seats, heated steering wheel, black leather interior, new 20 toyo, new brakes, new starter and battery
been in a accident(would that matter)
for only $10 500 Canadian dollars

[sudolg]

Accident? Whew....I don't know. I'd be a little hesitant depending on what kind of accident. Don't jump on the first one. Research and take your time.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by sudolg

Accident? Whew....I don't know. I'd be a little hesitant depending on what kind of accident. Don't jump on the first one. Research and take your time.

[bmwboy]

i thought using carfax would be a good way to check it out other then the accident what do you guys think

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by bmwboy

i thought using carfax would be a good way to check it out other then the accident what do you guys think

:xoutpost:

If you are set on this one I would get a through inspection to determine what kind of body work might have been done but like others have stated, look around some more. There are surely others to choose from that have not been damaged.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

:xoutpost:

If you are set on this one I would get a through inspection to determine what kind of body work might have been done but like others have stated, look around some more. There are surely others to choose from that have not been damaged.

[ZsX5o3]

Originally Posted by bmwboy

i thought using carfax would be a good way to check it out other then the accident what do you guys think

I think it's an incredible deal - pending a cleared inspection. Have it taken to your local dealer and they should tell you everything that isn't perfect on the car. Then you should see the real cost of owning it.

I also wouldn't touch the 3.0 without the sport package, but that's just me.

[bgsquad]

if the chasis was involved, FORGET ABOUT IT. No matter how good it is repaired, the car will never get back it's factory balance, the chassis will never hold the ground as it did originally... even with the most accurate tools, you can't restore initial status, so they tend to compensate with allignment and suspension, but the car will be dangerous, for it will tend to oversteer and understeer, and go off line when hard braking...

if the chasis is not envolved however, then go for it, it's a great deal...

my two cents on the subject...

[bmwboy]

Originally Posted by bgsquad

if the chasis was involved, FORGET ABOUT IT. No matter how good it is repaired, the car will never get back it's factory balance, the chassis will never hold the ground as it did originally... even with the most accurate tools, you can't restore initial status, so they tend to compensate with allignment and suspension, but the car will be dangerous, for it will tend to oversteer and understeer, and go off line when hard braking...

if the chasis is not envolved however, then go for it, it's a great deal...

my two cents on the subject...

would carfax be able to tell me that?

[carlgo]

Originally Posted by bgsquad

if the chasis was involved, FORGET ABOUT IT. No matter how good it is repaired, the car will never get back it's factory balance, the chassis will never hold the ground as it did originally... even with the most accurate tools, you can't restore initial status, so they tend to compensate with allignment and suspension, but the car will be dangerous, for it will tend to oversteer and understeer, and go off line when hard braking...

if the chasis is not envolved however, then go for it, it's a great deal...

my two cents on the subject...

That was true at one time, but technology marches on. Modern frame machines, measuring devices, computerized spot welders, etc. are totally accurate.

BMW and Mercedes have very strict requirements for authorized body shops. Tooling up with their specified European (mostly) equipment is very expensive, as are the training requirements for the techs. The repair procedures are quite involved and in the end most damaged chassis parts are replaced, not just heated up and pulled out (illegal now because of high-strength steels) like in days of yore.

If the repairs were done in a BMW authorized shop, then it is unlikely that you would have any problems with the chassis, etc.

So, it is understandable that anyone would be nervous about buying a car that had suffered heavy damage, especially when undamaged ones are available. But, if the deal is really good and the repairs were done in a BMW authorized shop, then check it out good, drive it carefully and maybe it is a good choice.

BTW, a good check is to have the alignment done. If it can't be aligned, then forget it. If it can be aligned perfectly, then likely it is good.