Craigslist 4.6is over 100K invested?

[bobzdar]

Originally Posted by AquilaBMW

I think that car is worth checking out. Seems pretty legit and as Bob points out - the owner is taking a hosing on the price if it has all that he claims it has. I do suspect there are other issues lurking though.

I went and checked it out today and it was pretty much exactly as advertised. Cosmetically it was an 8/10 exterior and 8/10 interior. Only blemishes on the interior were the inexplicable sub hole, the stereo surround piece was loose (easy fix) and a very slight amount of wear on the drivers seat bolster. The rest of the stereo install was fine and it sounded very good compared to what I'm used to (dsp equipped e38). It looks like it has 100k less miles than it does. Tires were new, wheels unblemished and had 3 exterior defects as described along with some rock chips. The thing could be 9/10 to 10/10 with $300 worth of ebay parts and a $300 detail.

That said, it is non-op due to the water pump issue (unverified, it has a coolant leak in that vicinity) and high mileage at 164k, so I feel it would be worth 10k or less given that it can't be test driven. I may make an offer given I have a water pump sitting in my garage, have a truck and trailer and know that motor inside and out, but it won't be near the ask.

[epdarks]

I think he meant $100k with the purchase price of the truck.

[TiAgX5]

100k invested and the owner can't "invest" a couple hundred more on a waterpump to get it running for sale???? Bigger issues are lurking for next owner!

Non-running modded cars are a big red flag in my book.

[e30cabrio]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

100k invested and the owner can't "invest" a couple hundred more on a waterpump to get it running for sale???? Bigger issues are lurking for next owner!

Non-running modded cars are a big red flag in my book.

qft.

[bobzdar]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

100k invested and the owner can't "invest" a couple hundred more on a waterpump to get it running for sale???? Bigger issues are lurking for next owner!

Non-running modded cars are a big red flag in my book.

No way this guy invested $100k, I think he meant previous owner did including the purchase price ($65k purchase plus $30k in Dinan mods and $5k in audio would be my guess at the math, either way it's just a sales pitch and has little meaning now). He said he bought it as it sits and has put some into maintenance - thrust arms, belts etc. - but all of the Dinan and audio mods were done by the (a?) PO.

It's been for sale for a while, since before the water pump issue (see ad I posted), and according to him he's going to fix it but is leaving it advertised as-is until it's fixed, then the price goes up (of course). As I said, not running - at least not well enough for a test drive - it's not worth the ask. I may make an offer after reviewing the service records but the ask would be way too big a risk due to not being able to test drive it. Should the engine or transmission grenade or have problems it would be worth fixing at 9-10k purchase price without a big money loss, but not much more than that (imo) and you have to assume there are other problems lurking if it can't be driven. If he fixes the water pump or whatever the leak is and it drives right after that, it would be worth the $13k or close to it imo, it is in very nice shape cosmetically.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by bobzdar

No way this guy invested $100k, I think he meant previous owner did including the purchase price ($65k purchase plus $30k in Dinan mods and $5k in audio would be my guess at the math, either way it's just a sales pitch and has little meaning now). He said he bought it as it sits and has put some into maintenance - thrust arms, belts etc. - but all of the Dinan and audio mods were done by the (a?) PO.

It's been for sale for a while, since before the water pump issue (see ad I posted), and according to him he's going to fix it but is leaving it advertised as-is until it's fixed, then the price goes up (of course). As I said, not running - at least not well enough for a test drive - it's not worth the ask. I may make an offer after reviewing the service records but the ask would be way too big a risk due to not being able to test drive it. Should the engine or transmission grenade or have problems it would be worth fixing at 9-10k purchase price without a big money loss, but not much more than that (imo) and you have to assume there are other problems lurking if it can't be driven. If he fixes the water pump or whatever the leak is and it drives right after that, it would be worth the $13k or close to it imo, it is in very nice shape cosmetically.

Assuming it was a Dinan S3 it is not anymore as the supercharger is not there.
Part of the S3 package is engine software and maybe bigger injectors. If that stuff is still there you would want to take it back to the software the engine should have for the remaining Dinan mods which would be S2 software.I don't think you should even make an offer unless you can drive it and have a PPI done.

[rrich49132]

At 165K miles anyone is crazy to buy this for anything less than half the asking price as way too much potential to sink tons of $ into this.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by rrich49132

At 165K miles anyone is crazy to buy this for anything less than half the asking price as way too much potential to sink tons of $ into this.

I'm so sorry to hear Bobzdar should be committed. I never had a clue, seemed like an all together guy to me. Shows to go ya what I know. Are you sure of that?

[bobzdar]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Assuming it was a Dinan S3 it is not anymore as the supercharger is not there.
Part of the S3 package is engine software and maybe bigger injectors. If that stuff is still there you would want to take it back to the software the engine should have for the remaining Dinan mods which would be S2 software.I don't think you should even make an offer unless you can drive it and have a PPI done.

BMW X5 4.6is (E53) 2002-2003 Performance Parts - Dinan Cars

According to the Dinan website, S3, S3A and S4 software were without supercharger. S3 was for high flow throttle body, S3A for high flow throttle body and cold air intake, S4 is high flow throttle body, cold air intake and high airflow MAF. As this has all 3 of those items, I'd assume it has S4 software. It also has the Brembo brake package, trans software (supposedly) and full exhaust. But, I put a call into Dinan for clarification on what that SN came with so we'll see what they say. The parts prices do make me choke a bit as they're more expensive than some of my Ferrari parts, ffs.

Regarding a PPI, I trust myself more than most mechanics. I do know one of the guys that has worked on it in the past so will put a call into him to see what he knows of the vehicle.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by bobzdar

BMW X5 4.6is (E53) 2002-2003 Performance Parts - Dinan Cars

According to the Dinan website, S3, S3A and S4 software were without supercharger. S3 was for high flow throttle body, S3A for high flow throttle body and cold air intake, S4 is high flow throttle body, cold air intake and high airflow MAF. As this has all 3 of those items, I'd assume it has S4 software. It also has the Brembo brake package, trans software (supposedly) and full exhaust. But, I put a call into Dinan for clarification on what that SN came with so we'll see what they say. The parts prices do make me choke a bit as they're more expensive than some of my Ferrari parts, ffs.

Regarding a PPI, I trust myself more than most mechanics. I do know one of the guys that has worked on it in the past so will put a call into him to see what he knows of the vehicle.

Stages of software or not the same as the S3 package. I have stage 4 engine software but I don't have the supercharger.

The only way that X should have the S3 registration is if it was supercharged at one time. As you can see by the website they no longer offer the supercharger which is why you don't see the S3 package. In 2002-2003 it was the premier/exclusive Dinan offering and the only one that came with a serial no. registration.

It's great you are comfortable with your check. I can't get there, always worry I missed something. Was no intention to insult your capability if that was your interpretation.