The Elusive Manual E53 - Page 6

Jungerishere · #51 07-31-2014, 06:04 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong regarding sport seats...

2000-2003 optional feature 3.0i with sport package
2000-2001 optional feature 4.4i with sport package
2002-2003 4.4i standard with sport package
2004-2006 standard with sport package

Black-chrome trims, sport wheels, black headliner and black A,B,C pillars, and sport steering wheel are standard in sport package for all years...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshdub

Isn't it annoying? I have seen many of the LCI's with "wonder full 5-speed transmission" in the add that are clearly 6-speeds. How hard is it to get the facts straight when making an ad for the car? I know they burn through any cars but come on.

Yeah It does have the sport wheels, sport seats, and black headliner (which I think was part of the sport package), but no sport steering wheel. I don't understand the sport package on these cars, unless owners swap out parts a lot. I have seen many combinations of mixed and match sport and non sport stuff on "sport packaged" cars. Like RB was saying, his sport package doesn't have sport seats, which I would imagine would be one of the most important parts of the sport package.

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Riggodeaux · #52 07-31-2014, 07:12 PM

RB, you the man finding E53 stick shifts. Personally, I like the Sterling Grey color. As we know from the frequent rear light issues, many of these now 8-14 y/o cars have replacement backlights, and, as RB has noted, you can get a nice set of replacement LEDs for them for maybe $250 or so plus capacitors, an easy DIY. Joshdub, RB will have you driving in style before you know it!

Joshdub · #53 07-31-2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jungerishere

Correct me if I'm wrong regarding sport seats...

2000-2003 optional feature 3.0i with sport package
2000-2001 optional feature 4.4i with sport package
2002-2003 4.4i standard with sport package
2004-2006 standard with sport package

Black-chrome trims, sport wheels, black headliner and black A,B,C pillars, and sport steering wheel are standard in sport package for all years...

Well that makes sense. Thanks for the info. It could also be people mislabeling packages too I suppose since they can't even get the transmission right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

RB, you the man finding E53 stick shifts. Personally, I like the Sterling Grey color. As we know from the frequent rear light issues, many of these now 8-14 y/o cars have replacement backlights, and, as RB has noted, you can get a nice set of replacement LEDs for them for maybe $250 or so plus capacitors, an easy DIY. Joshdub, RB will have you driving in style before you know it!

RB is on fire. I just wish I had more to spend as he has found some really nice ones that are just out of reach. You are right about the tails, and they would be on my list of things to upgrade anyway.

I just got off the phone with that dealer in Chicago. The auto check looked good and they still have the car on the lot. The salesman I spoke to was nice enough and seemed eager to help me out even though I am out of state. as well as up for having a PPI done. Muy possible. I don't want to get too excited as I still have some questions before we go forward with a PPI, but so far I think this one looks pretty good. Any objections?

Ricky Bobby · #54 07-31-2014, 09:58 PM

Hey man I just checked that silver one in Chicago, it looks good for the price!

As far as the carpet, it could be stained but $150 in new mats will take care of that. The wood trim can be painted or swapped as well, and like you said, nice sport seats in there and 18" style 69!

Not bad on the miles as well, if it's in your range I'd get the wheels turning....

Joshdub · #55 07-31-2014, 10:47 PM

I'm studying the pictures that we have closely. It's looking good. There is nothing to do now but wait until everyone opens again tomorrow. He said I can put a deposit and they will hold the car. I forgot to ask if it was refundable. I am also looking for someone local to swing by and check it out or a good euro shop.

Edit: Looks like there is a BMW dealership on the same road. Hopefully their service department will be more helpful than the other one.

Jungerishere · #56 08-01-2014, 08:05 AM

If you're looking for black interior, you should just buy one with black interior. You'll end up spending more money trying to swap interior. Don't buy because it is the best price you found, buy because it is exactly what you want (options, color combo, condition, etc)...

Looks like this dealer is located just 15 minutes from my work. I can stop by and take a look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshdub

I'm studying the pictures that we have closely. It's looking good. There is nothing to do now but wait until everyone opens again tomorrow. He said I can put a deposit and they will hold the car. I forgot to ask if it was refundable. I am also looking for someone local to swing by and check it out or a good euro shop.

Edit: Looks like there is a BMW dealership on the same road. Hopefully their service department will be more helpful than the other one.

Ricky Bobby · #57 08-01-2014, 09:41 AM

In looking at the pictures more closely, I noticed the following about the gray one:

-Drivers sport seat bolster is yellowed and faded/shot, passenger seat looks ok
-Typical yellowing/stains on the gray carpet floor (ALL gray carpet takes on this type of coloring, no matter how well you clean it, again $100 worth of fresh floor mats will hide most of it)
-Peeling trim on lower steering wheel
-The picture of the Style 69 wheel shows something near the inner barrel, almost like the paint is rippling or peeling?

That is just from my watchful eye on these pictures that I can barely expand upon, but like you said, its in your budget, so its worth a shot. What is the carfax history like on this one?

cn90 · #58 08-01-2014, 09:41 AM

Don't forget to use cargurus dot com.

If you narrow down to 2004-2006 6sp MT, there are quite a few for sales with 80K-120K range with asking price $10K-$14K.

You may have to increase your budget a bit to get a better car.

Ricky Bobby · #59 08-01-2014, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn90

Don't forget to use cargurus dot com.

If you narrow down to 2004-2006 6sp MT, there are quite a few for sales with 80K-120K range with asking price $10K-$14K.

You may have to increase your budget a bit to get a better car.

I agree with this statement, I'm finding the sweet spot price range for a premium example MT E53 is about 11-13k

Joshdub · #60 08-01-2014, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jungerishere

If you're looking for black interior, you should just buy one with black interior. You'll end up spending more money trying to swap interior. Don't buy because it is the best price you found, buy because it is exactly what you want (options, color combo, condition, etc)...

Looks like this dealer is located just 15 minutes from my work. I can stop by and take a look.

Normally I would. But at this point I am not going to be so picky. I have torn apart enough interiors to know that I'd rather get one that ticks most of the boxes but with a less desirable interior color and spend an afternoon swapping stuff out than getting one with stuff thats not so easy to change like worse condition paint or just more general wear.

If you could check it out that would be awesome. Ill PM you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

In looking at the pictures more closely, I noticed the following about the gray one:

-Drivers sport seat bolster is yellowed and faded/shot, passenger seat looks ok
-Typical yellowing/stains on the gray carpet floor (ALL gray carpet takes on this type of coloring, no matter how well you clean it, again $100 worth of fresh floor mats will hide most of it)
-Peeling trim on lower steering wheel
-The picture of the Style 69 wheel shows something near the inner barrel, almost like the paint is rippling or peeling?

That is just from my watchful eye on these pictures that I can barely expand upon, but like you said, its in your budget, so its worth a shot. What is the carfax history like on this one?

That is what I was noticing as well. The pictures are pretty crappy but I am guessing it is really worn in that spot. It kind of looks like the passenger side is starting as well. As far as trim peeling, I have noticed it on a few others and I am assuming that is pretty common. It does look like the paint is peeling and from what I have seen in the past it looks pretty similar to peeling from corrosion. With the carpet, that is what I was thinking too. With any luck maybe removing it and doing a deep clean will help. I have had good luck with that in the past.

It is worth checking into for sure. The autocheck I ran came back clean, but carfax has says it has more results so I will run one of those as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn90

Don't forget to use cargurus dot com.

If you narrow down to 2004-2006 6sp MT, there are quite a few for sales with 80K-120K range with asking price $10K-$14K.

You may have to increase your budget a bit to get a better car.

I am always a dollar short and a day late. I would be able to spend more on a car that is closer. I was telling RB earlier that with the added costs of flying out there, lodging, and getting home, I didn't want to stretch the budget that thin considering I will still probably need to do maintenance items and who knows what could happen with the unknown car on the way home.

Thanks for the cargurus, I hadn't used that one yet. Do you need to sign up to search more than 100 miles? It is not letting me do so.

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