Your opinion on these engine photos?

[digdesign]

I'm considering a used 2011 with 30k miles. This dealership is a 5 hour drive
from my house, so I'm trying to glean as much insight as I can from the
photos before driving out to look at it.

These ones of the engine bay bother me for a couple of reasons. What do
you think?

I've requested higher res pics from them and am waiting to hear back.
Thanks

[zx45]

Whats the problem? Or maybe i missed something.

[M5D]

Looks like the DAP is leaking or they did it poor ass job filling it. You can hire a professional to go and look at the car or better yet have them do a PPI.

[digdesign]

Originally Posted by M5D

Looks like the DAP is leaking or they did it poor ass job filling it. You can hire a professional to go and look at the car or better yet have them do a PPI.

Thanks. That's what I suspected. It's tough to buy a car long distance.

[digdesign]

In the first pic:
I thought the chalky material around the urea fill cap looked strange. And the frame rail (?) next to it looked a dirtier than it should be for a 1 yr old car.

In the 2nd pic:
It thought the intake tube connection looked misaligned or was loose. And the Urea fill cap on that side also appears white. In other pics I've seen the little catch tray, or whatever it is, around the fill cap is black.

I may be over thinking it. I just don't know E70's well enough to tell if that's normal.

[TriX5]

Never buy a car unseen. Fly, drive,bike or walk there but never, never buy without having seen it.

Good luck!

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by TriX5

Never buy a car unseen. Fly, drive,bike or walk there but never, never buy without having seen it.

Good luck!

Really?

Unseen by who? I would say a PPI by a professional is more important.

My E46 was bought without me seeing it in person - but discussions with the owner, 50+pics, discussions with the SA where the car was serviced, a PPI and discussions with the person performing PPI and I thought I had my bases covered. Car was delivered as described/expected and has performed flawlessly for my nearly three years of ownership.

Bought our X5 similarly. It was only 200 miles away. Deal was in place but was only finalized (full payment made) when we picked it up.

Now that I think about it, I didn't see my E30 before the day which I met the owner halfway between Denver and Phoenix for the sale. In that case, I had previously met the owner and a mutual friend knew the car.

So, it's situational and, at least for me, a blanket 'never' statement doesn't apply...

['10-X5-35d]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

I would say a PPI by a professional is more important.

Good for you, if you never had any problems.
I'll NEVER (sorry, couldn't resist ) let anyone take a judgement call on an expense of that importance.

Yes, I'm my own PPI (some here have an idea of my background), but it doesn't matter.
For that kind of purchase, before final signature on the contract, you need to see it in person.
One's minor flaw could be a dealbreaker for you.

And the opposite's also true (like in this post), a picture's worth a thousand words, but sometimes, the picture talks too much, and is prone to assumptions.

After more than 2 decades in he automobile industry, a decade as an highly specialized mechanic, I still recommend seeing it in person.
And yes, of course, PPI inpection from someone you trust.

As mentioned, good for you, hoping that you won't get struck at 1 point (Murphy's law).

[BryanCO]

Originally Posted by '10-X5-35d

Good for you, if you never had any problems.
I'll NEVER (sorry, couldn't resist ) let anyone take a judgement call on an expense of that importance.

Yes, I'm my own PPI (some here have an idea of my background), but it doesn't matter.
For that kind of purchase, before final signature on the contract, you need to see it in person.
One's minor flaw could be a dealbreaker for you.

And the opposite's also true (like in this post), a picture's worth a thousand words, but sometimes, the picture talks too much, and is prone to assumptions.

After more than 2 decades in he automobile industry, a decade as an highly specialized mechanic, I still recommend seeing it in person.
And yes, of course, PPI inpection from someone you trust.

As mentioned, good for you, hoping that you won't get struck at 1 point (Murphy's law).

Agree, I certainly recommend seeing it in person. No doubt that's ideal.

Seems like I buy most of my vehicles from out of my area... If its used, I generally do all of the 'homework' (including PPI) up front, agree on the deal, place a deposit and make the deal contingent on final inspection at pickup. If you are dealing with the *right kind* of people, they'll be honest with you and avoid *surprises*. If there are any doubts, I'll keep looking.

['10-X5-35d]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

If there are any doubts, I'll keep looking.

Key phrase here.