Need Advice for possible E36 M3 purchase in TX | FerrariChat
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Need Advice for possible E36 M3 purchase in TX

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic Region - USA (PA, DE, MD, DC, VA)' started by LEbert, Jul 12, 2007.

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  1. LEbert

    LEbert Karting

    May 17, 2005
    163
    Herndon
    Full Name:
    Laura E
    #1 LEbert, Jul 12, 2007
    So some of you know and others don't but I've always wanted:

    - Estoril Blue/Light Grey interior
    - M-contour wheels
    - 3 spoke steering wheel
    - spoiler
    - minimal to zero modifications
    - late 98' or 99'
    - low mileage E36 M3.

    Well think I may have found one in Houston, TX for the right price and the mileage is only 47,300, I don't think this guy knows what he's sitting on!! I've been in touch with the seller and the car, as he put's it is "immaculate," "one of the cleanest M3's he's ever seen." Of course he's going to say that he's the seller but the pics do look awesome! He's sending more high res one's to me tonight.

    He did provide me with the following information on recent work:

    -Rear shocks and shock mounts replaced
    -New fuel filter
    -Replaced a motor mount
    -New brakes, new rotors at 36k miles and 4 new Michelin Pilot Sport tires at 42K!

    I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on buying a car sight unseen or if any of you have contacts in the Houston, TX area who may be willing to check the car out for me and report back. PM me if you do and I'll find out exact location of the car.

    List of items to check:
    -Carfax
    -Reason he's selling the car
    -Records of repairs and work done on the car.
    -
    -
    -

    Thanks for your input!
    Laura
     
  2. potxoli

    potxoli Formula 3

    Mar 22, 2007
    1,716
    Washington DC
    Full Name:
    Eric B.
    #2 potxoli, Jul 12, 2007
    laura, I bought my car site unseen. A few things

    1- Post on the texas fchat board. There are a lot of texans on the 348/355 board, I'm sure some of them will help you
    2- Get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) by a reputable bmw shop. Posting on a bmw board should allow you to find someone
    3- Consider using escrow.com to complete the transaction and convince the seller to use it. That is what I used. The way it works is that you send the money to escrow.com, seller sends you the car, you look at the car for 3-5 days and decide if you want to keep it. If you do want to keep it, escrow.com pays seller and you get the title. If you don't want to keep it, you of course will be out of shipping costs both ways (probably $1300-1500 one way from houston to DC), but what I figured was if the car was a total disappointment, better to loose $2500 on shipping and not have to keep the car than keep a crappy car. It gave me peace of mind to complete the transaction

    I hope this helps,

    -Eric
     
  3. LEbert

    LEbert Karting

    May 17, 2005
    163
    Herndon
    Full Name:
    Laura E
    #3 LEbert, Jul 12, 2007

    All good ideas...definitely helps! Thanks
     
  4. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2006
    10,476
    DC Metro
    Full Name:
    L.C.
    #4 355dreamer, Jul 12, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Laura,
    i am sure that you already know how awesome E36s are. I had a 98 convt that I loved!
    I would have someone check the steering rack and the radiator in this car. They are know to fail... Also, if the car really is everything you want, you might want to put a deposit down through escrow dot com to hold the car while you have it checked out. Finally, if it works out, I highly reccomend Horseless Carriage. They are the official transport company for Ferrari and they do an excellent job. Good luck!
    Luke
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  5. wetpet

    wetpet F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    May 3, 2006
    10,210
    #5 wetpet, Jul 12, 2007
    post in the tx section. i'm sure someone would do it.
     
  6. turbos7903

    turbos7903 F1 Rookie

    Mar 16, 2006
    3,742
    delaware
    Full Name:
    jon walton
    #6 turbos7903, Jul 12, 2007
    Shoot man, thats a nice looking car. Cant say I have seen an E36 M3 convertible before. Nice looking car!!! Good luck. jon in Delaware
     
  7. LEbert

    LEbert Karting

    May 17, 2005
    163
    Herndon
    Full Name:
    Laura E
    #7 LEbert, Jul 16, 2007
    Just want to thank everyone for the helpful advice, the car has an appt at Advantage BMW in TX tomorrow for it's PPI....yay! A fellow FCA member/Fchatter checked it out for me yesterday and the report back was just as the seller had stated, "car is in excellent condition." So if all goes well with the PPI then looks like I may have found myself a keeper! Guess I'll have to start becoming friends with the Bimmer Forum crew too!

    Thanks again!
    Laura
     
  8. amyk

    amyk Rookie

    Mar 13, 2007
    46
    maryland
    Full Name:
    Amy K
    #8 amyk, Jul 17, 2007
    I hope it all works out for this one! Dreams DO come true!! Can't wait to see pics---will you have it for next weekend if it turns out good?
     
  9. LEbert

    LEbert Karting

    May 17, 2005
    163
    Herndon
    Full Name:
    Laura E
    #9 LEbert, Jul 17, 2007
    Probably not for next weekend, can't wait till the WV event, but I WILL have to make a special trip out to visit you guys when I get it (if all goes well)...those roads to your place are way fun.

    Check out pics of the car at this link!

    http://picasaweb.google.com/LeapBaby76
     
  10. holminator

    holminator Formula 3
    BANNED

    Jun 3, 2005
    1,119
    Washington, DC
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    Prince Falafel
    #10 holminator, Jul 17, 2007
    Congratulations L! I know you've been searching for a long time for that one!

    Tony
     
  11. potxoli

    potxoli Formula 3

    Mar 22, 2007
    1,716
    Washington DC
    Full Name:
    Eric B.
    #11 potxoli, Jul 17, 2007
    nice! My favorite M3 color combo and the best looking stock wheels in my book for M3s.
     
  12. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
    8,174
    Wash DC area
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    Robert
    #12 E60 M5, Jul 17, 2007
    Looks great Laura!!!!! Love the "M" colors on the seats!!!

    Hope it works out!


    Robert
     
  13. onboost

    onboost Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2004
    758
    DC Metro area
    #13 onboost, Jul 17, 2007
    Laura,

    Advantage BMW is an excellent choice for your PPI.. (I used to work for BMW once upon a time and they always had good CSI both internally and w/the public) .. be sure to ask them to run/or if they ran a DCS on the car.

    As far as transport.. For enclosed transport also try Thomas H. Sunday, or Exotic Car Transport.. both based on the East Coast with trucks returning from the W. Coast or Mid-West etc.. sometimes you can get a discount if they are running near the pick-up location without a full load. I've used both of them and was very pleased with the handling of my vehicles.

    I've used one open carrier who provided very good service w/excellent equipment... they are Mid-West based and run through the south into the east..Try RGG Transport (307) 630-3982.. Ron.

    Hope some of this helps you..

    Paul
     
  14. Qksilver

    Qksilver F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2005
    4,574
    PC, UT
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    Joe
    #14 Qksilver, Jul 17, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. Scuderia NoVA

    Scuderia NoVA Formula Junior
    Owner

    Nov 25, 2004
    598
    Northern Virginia
    Full Name:
    Anthony
    #15 Scuderia NoVA, Jul 18, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

    Laura,

    Great looking car! You have excellent taste. ;-) Estoril Blue is a great color. Looks just like my daily-driver but with 2 fewer doors! First pic is with our (now-departed-but sorely missed) MINI Cooper S. Second one is with my Uncle's old E34 ///M5 at Deutsche Marque Concours.

    I hope the TX car works out.


    AP
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  16. LEbert

    LEbert Karting

    May 17, 2005
    163
    Herndon
    Full Name:
    Laura E
    #16 LEbert, Jul 18, 2007
    That E34/M5 is hot too, is that the Avus Blue? I wish they had continued making the E36 in Avus past 95'. Also, that's the best looking 4 door E36 I've seen. I'd say you have some good taste in cars too :)

    I should be taking possession of mine in two weeks!!
     
  17. Scuderia NoVA

    Scuderia NoVA Formula Junior
    Owner

    Nov 25, 2004
    598
    Northern Virginia
    Full Name:
    Anthony
    #17 Scuderia NoVA, Jul 18, 2007
    Congratulations! Way to move and lock that coupe down. Yours appears to have the 18-button onboard computer which is great because the 11-button one -- like on mine :-( -- is prone to pixel failure and replacement of the entire unit is the only fix.

    Congratulations again! I bet the next 2 weeks will be the longest ever for you.

    AP
     
  18. 4re4me

    4re4me Formula Junior

    Jun 12, 2006
    485
    Wickenburg, AZ
    Full Name:
    Barbara
    #18 4re4me, Jul 23, 2007
    Congrats Laura - my 325ci is about to kick 100K this week. You'll love the M3. Too bad it won't be running against the 4REs this weekend. My Bimmer has to sit this one out so the 328 can have it's turn. You'll have to post pics when you get it. See you Friday - we are staying Thurs night in Hagerstown
     
  19. LEbert

    LEbert Karting

    May 17, 2005
    163
    Herndon
    Full Name:
    Laura E
    #19 LEbert, Aug 10, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  20. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2006
    10,476
    DC Metro
    Full Name:
    L.C.
    #20 355dreamer, Aug 10, 2007
    Awesome Laura! Congrats!
     
  21. SGM

    SGM F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 27, 2006
    2,797
    Rockville, MD
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    Steve
    #21 SGM, Aug 10, 2007
    Great pic's!! Its very hard to tell which looks better.
     
  22. NoFerrari

    NoFerrari Karting

    Nov 24, 2004
    165
    Oakland,Ca/LA
    Full Name:
    Benny
    #22 NoFerrari, Aug 25, 2007
    yup everything is beautiful!
     

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