Author Topic: Yes.. No ? Maybe ?? (Read 7643 times)

merajj · « **on:** November 11, 2008, 06:10:53 PM »

well, i got an email back from a craigslist inquiry a couple hours ago:

Quote

Thank you all for your interest in my car! This first email I am sending everyone who replied to my Craigslist Ad. After this I will respond to any individual questions you might have.
You may be wondering "What kind of crazy fellow would sell this sweet car, there must be something terribly wrong with it..." but the reality is that I just cannot drive a manual transmission! When I rebuilt the car I intended to learn but a new job in a new city has forced me to not spend any time learning how to manage a manual transmission in the Twin Cities area. With winter coming, I decided that I just need a car that I can get from a to b without much brainwork or hassle. Here are the specs for the car:

Year: 1991
Model: 318 is
Color: Red (Brillantrot)
Miles: 198xxx (After rebuild miles < 400)
5-speed manual transmission
Spare Tire (full size)
Custom Ricoro Racing seats (black Vinyl)
Sunroof (Handcrank)
Power Windows
Power Locks
Heat and AC (the AC may need to be recharged, but it was working last summer!)
Driver and passenger airbags
ABS system

Dents: a few small dents
Paint: rock pocks on the hood, some worn edges, the previous owner put an acrylic clear coat on the car but that is mostly worn off. The car needs a good waxing and shining.
Scratches: No major scratches, minor scratches around key holes.

***Let me give a history, as much as I know of it, about the car. It was originally purchased by a well to do fellow from Georgia in 1991. There is a BMW certified repair history in the owners manual that shows all of the repairs made in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina during the first ten years or so of the cars existence. From what I remember, there were no major problems- just oil changes and stuff like that. The car was eventually sold to a young man who drove the all the way to Minnesota. On the way here, he failed to check the oil and subsequently ruined the engine to the point where it was not operating. That guy sold it to a repair man in Mankato, MN who teaches troubled teens how to fix-up cars. After a few years of the car just sitting around, waiting to be repaired, my father and I bought the car (seeing the potential) and began to repair the engine. It took us over a year to rebuild the engine at our slow pace. We used all BMW certified parts except for the catalytic converter, which is aftermarket. Below is a list of the repairs and the current known issues with the car:

Work by TC Automotive Mankato, MN on 7/24/07
Refurbished crankshaft and Rods
Rebuild Rod (2)

Work done between 6/30/07 and 9/30/07
Engine torn down and cleaned
Replaced Head Gasket (full set)
New Head Bolts
Hood/Trunk Emblems
New Shift Knob
New Vacuum Tubes
All new engine belts
New clutch plate
New transmission seal
New spark plugs
New Oil filter
New Fuel filter
New Fuel Pump
New sunroof crank
New Battery

Work done by Gene�s Repair Eagle Lake, MN between 3/08- 6/08
Crankshaft timing set
Crank seal replaced
Transmission Seal leak- seal removed and replaced
Replaced pilot bearing
New Acceleration cable
Oil filter seal replaced

Work that has yet to be done (that I have not been able to get to)
- Indicator lights need to be cleared with a diagnostic computer.
- Replace interior clock/temp
-The rear ashtray is missing its cover
-The dashboard has several fixable cracks in it, but a replacement dash can be purchased for about $120 or so if you look long enough on the internet.
-The water pump needs to be looked at
-The Idling bolt needs to be adjusted
- The odometer and gas gauge seem to be stuck, this is probably an electrical issue of some sort, or may require the fuel sensor to be replaced.
-The previous owner had an aftermarket sound system that he decided to hold on to, so currently there is a tape player from a saab 900 and the front speakers available. There are no rear speakers at the moment.

If you have anymore questions, I will reply individually to your questions. The car is currently in Mankato, so for test drives and viewing we will have to work out some time that works for those interested. It has never been driven on Minnesota winter roads, which explains the lack of rust. I am selling for $2000, but I will take the first and highest offer $2000 or above or best offer all together. Thank you!

what do you guys think ?

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #1 on:** November 11, 2008, 06:27:19 PM »

I dunno i'd look into it but the guys story kinda makes me think scam.. Dunno could be completely legit. How about a link to pictures? Otherwise id just go and check it out asap

sheepdog · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2008, 07:03:19 PM »

Dual airbags? That would be a new one.

Either way, for that price, go see.

sheepdog · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2008, 07:03:20 PM »

Dual airbags? That would be a new one.

Either way, for that price, go see.

merajj · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2008, 07:51:25 PM »

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2008, 10:48:46 AM »

Nice looking car! I'd loose the red kidney if it was my car!

Choking Hazard · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2008, 09:01:37 PM »

Fully rebuilt engine, looks like leather, $2k sounds like a reasonable price.

merajj · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2008, 10:59:51 AM »

thanks guys, im currently sorting out going to see the car... ill probably be offering him less than 2k however.. but yea. i will def. lose the red kidneys/eyebrows. gross..

edit:

anyone dealt with this before ?

- The odometer and gas gauge seem to be stuck, this is probably an electrical issue of some sort, or may require the fuel sensor to be replaced.

ose30 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2008, 11:24:33 AM »

Quote

I just cannot drive a manual transmission!

Living in the country where about 98% of cars are manual, that statement makes me smile. Here all of driving license holders must be cabale to drive manual tarnsmission. Only handicapped person can have a license just for automatics.

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2008, 11:55:16 AM »

Quote from: ose30;60714

Living in the country where about 98% of cars are manual, that statement makes me smile. Here all of driving license holders must be cabale to drive manual tarnsmission. Only handicapped person can have a license just for automatics.

Wish they would do that here in the USA, traffic would be way worse or all the morons who cant drive would figure out how to walk so they arnt so fucking fat anymore. Stupid americans.

EN318isPDX · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2008, 04:59:50 PM »

anti spammer bump

Birdman16 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2008, 08:24:37 AM »

I learned how to drive a manual in a 2003 325i. Touchy clutch and drive by wire throttle. Thats hard. This car is so easy to use even if u dont know the basic concept. My mom learned in 15 minutes and did a decent job at salvaging the clutch. I wouldn't worry about this.

merajj · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2008, 03:54:36 PM »

so i still haven't gone to see this car.. xD

i wanted to get some opinions about personal buying advice.. was there anything you really wished you noticed before you guys bought your car ?