| Author |
Message |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
| | Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2001 - 9:04 pm: | |
Another way to verify mileage is to get title histories from the states the car has resided (carfax will tell you where it has resided). This will give you a clear ownership history as well as mileage at various times. You will easily be able to tell if mileage is incorrect. In my title search on a 13.5 yr old 328, mileage was listed about 25 times along the way- I now have no doubt now that the mileage on my car is genuine.
I had the same experience as Martin. My car had no records ( except 30K service) but was clearly cared for. After 6000 miles nothing surprising has shown up. I have retraced and recovered alot of the records and have a lead on the remaining records.
I guess I'm "in the clear" with not having any surprises with my car but I certainly would be more insistent in getting records next time. |
Doug Meredith (Doug308)
| | Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2001 - 8:25 am: | |
Service records can verify true mileage. I think a lot of paperwork disappears on the 308s because mileage and records will not line up. I just find it hard to believe that there are so many 308's out there that have under 35k on the odo.
I don't believe that it is that important to know that the car had a 30k tune up in 1991, but I do believe that it is important to know that the car had 30k in 1991. This is especially true if it is being sold today as a 37k lowmileage car.
Service records can also help diagnose problems you may be having. When my car would not pass emissions, I noticed that only 1 injector had ever been replaced on the car. Replace the injectors and the car now passes. |
Martin (Miami348ts)
| | Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2001 - 6:51 am: | |
My car did not have servicer records. My car did not have the owners manual and the 2nd key. They were coming from Atlanta, where the previous owner traded my car with two others for a Lambo. Although I was promissed the books and keys I never got them. Lesson learned, never trust a dealer!
Pretty dumb from them, as I will never buy a car from Prestige Imports in Miami again. Bunch of crooks.
The reason why I bought the car anyway was, becasue the car was super clean. You could see that the car was cared for and taken care off. I would even say babied! The last (2nd) owner had the car for almost 2 years and drove only 1,500Mls. Heck I drove that in the frist two months I had the car. Anyway; I think that one can live without the service records if the overall condition of the car is superb. And proven point, I never had any "strange" thing happen. BUT I do value these books and service records as well, if they are available. If you can get them...do so. If not do not touch a car that does look funky. But I would not touch that car if it had the records either! |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Saturday, July 21, 2001 - 12:08 pm: | |
Yeah Herbert I agree with you. I keep all my receipts and I have a large number of them from the previous owners, but still it doesn't mean all that much. Parts replaced by the original owner 13-14 years ago are going bad again anyway so it's not like them doing it back then changes if I will have to replace them. I just like to make sure its got a clear title and all the serials match up. Seeing how it drives and listening to how the engine runs are the most important to me. |
Herbert Edward Gault (Irfgt)
| | Posted on Saturday, July 21, 2001 - 5:59 am: | |
The car I purchased had no receipts at all. I purchased it with every intention to do what ever was necessary to make it as good if not better than new. I believe I have accomplished that and have kept the parts and sublet receipts that I spent on it. Since the car is now completely rebuilt, past records of maintainence would be worthless. Since records and odometers are so easily falsified as well as the actual repair, what can you really believe anyway? |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
| | Posted on Friday, July 20, 2001 - 6:44 pm: | |
I've kept a journal documenting all parts purchases, what was done, date, mileage, etc... I even mark down gas purchases. All of my reciepts are kept in an envelope, in a safe place J |
Steve Magnusson (91tr)
| | Posted on Friday, July 20, 2001 - 9:08 am: | |
Craig -- I keep a journal listing date, odometer mileage, and describing work performed and materials used. You'll still have the receipts for the parts/materials to organize, and I keep the "shop worksheets" from my projects (both the planning and the execution). Throw in some jpegs/photos (just for the big work) and a "complete" DIYer record set is even better IMHO than the (usually few) words written on the receipts that the Owner gets from the Service Shop. (However, lately I've come to the opinion that it's better to both buy and sell a car when it needs major service and discounting the price accordingly so that records become less of an issue.) |
Martin (Miami348ts)
| | Posted on Friday, July 20, 2001 - 8:41 am: | |
Make your own ticket, why not. If you used parts you will have the parts receipt.
I guess you do not need the receipts for everything. Document things like an oil change yes, but when you replaced the carpet mats? I have all my receipts in the books for my company. Forgot to make copies and placed them in a seperate file. I guess I have a few hours of work ahead of me... |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
| | Posted on Friday, July 20, 2001 - 6:55 am: | |
We've all discussed how important it is to have documented maintenance for a car before you purchase it. I have all the receipts(that I know of) for my car- before I bought it. They detail every part, labor, date and mileage.
What are you doing if you maintain your own car? Do you make your own receipts?
I need to get started on a system soon before I forget what I did an when I did it. |
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