ok slightly less ranting prepurchase tribulations!

Interesting what you find out if you stick with it!

Was considering a boxer 512 in California among other cars, and wasn't getting hugely helpful answers from the dealer on the way leakdown and compression were performed--some graphs, an indication that leakdown was 10% (retention 90%) at least but no leakdown by cylinder. Vague assurances to enjoy the car and it looked really good.

Meanwhile I got increasing pressure from the sales force to make a decision one way or the other but hadn't received the service records. Thanks to William_H I contacted Bill Pollard and had the pleasure of talking with him extensively. He has been unbelievably helpful, knowedgeable and inspirational.

Anyway with his help we began to make progress on the details of the inspection. Meanwhile, sales continued to maintain that they couldn't get the fax through of service records (faxes from other people made it through around this time and I tested from within the office with no problem) and the tone became increasingly abrasive. Finally, I found another fax machine and we got some of the records through.

It appeared that there was a more than $20,000 service done within the last three years and as best as the fax could be read seemed to indicate that there was a replacement of ROD BEARINGS, (head?) Gasket, and at least one valve!


When aksing the sales manager whether the fax really said rod bearings, he said that the best they could read the fax they thought so. I told him I was moving on and all he said was fine. After more than a week of discussions and tests no one from sales or service had ever volunteered this information.

On the other hand an internet vendor--currently listing a red boxer--was far more helpful. Although his mechanic was hard to understand the seller repeatedly indicated that he wanted the condition of the car known, was willing to have his mechanic re-run compression and leakdown tests to Bill Pollard's specifications and had no problem when I decided to pass on the car for reasons unrelated to its condition. At every turn he was willing to go the extra distance to make sure the fit was right and extremely polite and responsive.

My experience with one or two other dealers has been in the middle but it is clear caveat emptor is alive and well.

Thanks again William_H for your great advice. I look forward to working with Bill Pollard as I move through what will probably be a long, changing and increasingly selective process.

 

Silicon Valley Autogroup/Boxer 512 bbi

 

yeah. I was told I really had to hurry with the decision because there were other buyers lining up. No is always a safe fast answer