The BMW UUC Digest Volume 3 : Issue 579 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Re: Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Re: Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Re: Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Sight unseen Re: Sight unseen Re: Sight Unseen Re: Sight Unseen E36 compression numbers <WTB> looking for an E36
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:32:23 +0000 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi, Does anyone have any experience with Advantage Certified Auto Group, located in Manassas Park, Virginia? http://www.advantagecertifiedautogroup.com/ Thanks, Roan. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:46:49 +0000 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sorry, the proper web address is: http://www.onlybmws.com I am looking to purchase a used car for them and would like to know if anyone has had any dealings with them Thanks again, Roan. -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Hi, > > Does anyone have any experience with Advantage Certified Auto Group, located > in > Manassas Park, Virginia? > > http://www.advantagecertifiedautogroup.com/ > > Thanks, > Roan. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:13:56 +0000 (UTC) From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Generally a solid organization with their own fairly substantial service group, so they're not just dumping cars. Can't speak directly to the quality of their cars since I haven't bought one from them. almost bought an E28M5 from them back when I bought my first E36. They have a very open policy about "test driving. I've had friends take home cars one at a time for a couple days each. Heelps to decide if you want a 530 or a 550, for instance. my old boss drove a 528, then a 540, then an M3, which he bought...each for a couple days. That's something not many dealerships will allow. marc plante E36 m3/4 (for a while, I hope) Vienna, VA ----Original Message---- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sep 22, 2007 22:46 To: <[email protected]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subj: Re: [UUC] Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Sorry, the proper web address is: http://www.onlybmws.com I am looking to purchase a used car for them and would like to know if anyone has had any dealings with them Thanks again, Roan. -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Hi, > > Does anyone have any experience with Advantage Certified Auto Group, located in > Manassas Park, Virginia? > > http://www.advantagecertifiedautogroup.com/ > > Thanks, > Roan. Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] com __________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:49:58 -0400 From: Kevin Henry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Advantage Certified Auto Group in VA Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I bought my '90 325i from them back in '98. They had just taken it in on trade, and hadn't done anything to it yet. I bought it before they did (so I could get rid of the rental I was driving), and they took it back in 2 weeks later to do their normal prepurchase stuff on it (and gave me a free loaner). I think in the first 6 months (the warranty on the car at the time), they put over $4000 worth of (billable) work into it in order to make it perfect. On a $10K car, I was very happy, and I still have the car. Very good people to work with, and if I was in the market for another car right now, I'd be looking there before looking at new. Kevin ---- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hi, > > Does anyone have any experience with Advantage Certified Auto Group, located > in Manassas Park, Virginia? > > http://www.advantagecertifiedautogroup.com/ > > Thanks, > Roan. > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:45:48 -0700 From: Harvey Chao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected] Subject: Sight unseen Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If the car is anywhere near Concord NH, and you are willing to pay an independent shop to evaluate it for you, I can heartily recommend Concord Motorsport in Chichester NH, just a few miles east of Concord. http://www.concordmotorsport.com/. The owner, Mike Cooney has been in business many years, and apparently roams the East Coast to find used BMWs to sell. He must cherry pick pretty carefully, as they all met several important criteria that he took the time to explain and demonstrate to me as part of a general discussion we had about used cars before I even indicated interest in his inventory (I had gone to see a car at his shop listed by and individual for sale "on commission"). I bought a different one from him in July of '06, and felt that he was honest, fair, and the price he offered in the end was fair for the vehicle delivered. Or, on his web site, you just might find something you like better. In my particular case, although the car passed NH inspection, the brakes were pretty close to the limit, and he included at the final price: brake pads and rotors all around - and brake flush new radiator and overflow tank - and new coolant oil change (was done before the car was listed) either the tranny (manual) or differential fluid change (don't recall which) replaced a bad window switch that I discovered a few weeks after purchase On price negotiations: at that time, he listed a price for the car and said "make an offer". As we looked through his inventory we found a specific vehicle listed and he puled his file on it, and said words to the effect that he could offer a better price, and went off to his office for a few moments and came back with a better price. As the price was about what I was prepared to spend, the car was what I basically wanted plus several options (ie it was a "loaded" vehicle from the factory) and he offered the work mentioned above as included - I took it. It pretty well matched Edmunds/KBB/NADA price or better, and even my insurance company (USAA) commented as I listed it with them that my price paid was below their assessed value for that car as equipped and for it's milage and condition. Harvey Chao [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:50:37 +0000 (UTC) From: "Christopher Anrig" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Sight unseen Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks all for the advice, really helpful. If you're interested, it's actually a 91 E30 325is. It "appears" to be a really nice example. Rust free, low mileage, nice paint, clean interior, mechanically sound, it's being represented to be in good to excellent condition by the seller. Mostly stock, the seller made some appropriate upgrades to the suspension and added a JC chip. It's hard to gauge the seller. He sounds like a young enthusiast who bought it from the original owner a couple of years ago. By report, the original owner was a more senior enthusiast who personally maintained the car. He admittedly emailed pictures taken when he bought the car and agreed to take some current pics and send them (although I am yet to see them). He appears to be describiing the car fairly, and he openly described some flaws in the car. He's agreed to have the car inspected and to split the cost, although it will be done by a shop he has recommended. I've checked the Carfax. It's not a h! uge investment...yet, but I tend to be fairly risk averse. I would love to make the trip up to see it in vivo, but it just can't happen right now. Again, thanks for all the suggestions. Best, Chris ----- Start Original Message ----- Sent: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:05:23 -0400 From: "Chet Dawes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "'Digest'" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [UUC] Sight unseen > " Depends on the car and the owner " > > Can't stress this part enough. I couldn't bring myself to do it when I > bought my 318ti. Lots of aftermarket modifications, etc and I had probably > 30 different e-mails and phone calls with the owner. He was an enthusiast > and had references, etc. But in the end I flew out (with a round trip > ticket) to see the car to be sure and drove it home. As it were, I could > have definitely purchased it without seeing it in person, just wasn't > comfortable enough with it. I couldn't find anything wrong with the car > that was not fully disclosed by the owner prior to my visit and paid asking > price for the car and still got a good deal. It was in that good of > condition. > > I sold the same car sight unseen though. But again, I traded tons of > e-mails with pictures to the new prospective owner, and we talked many times > on the phone before I received a FedEx'd certified check and put the car on > a transporter. He was anything but disappointed. > > If you can get enough info about the owner and the car, then get a > pre-purchase inspection by the shop of your choice you can manage it. But > for the extra $400 flight......it's worth seeing the car in person I think. > > I bought my M3 sight unseen too, but it was wrecked and I knew the > owner.....and I bought it as a parts donor. Ended up being pleasantly > surprised at the condition and rebuilt the car instead of parting it out. > Hence the sale of the 318ti. > > Buyer beware, but it can be done and work out just fine. > > Cheers, > Chet > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 8:56 AM > To: Digest > Subject: Re: [UUC] Sight unseen > > Depends on the car and the owner. If the car is new enough, the owner > should have service records that they can fax to you. I bought an M3 sight > unseen, but I saw a detailed set of photos and got the results of an > inspection II from a dealer, plus the car had a little warranty left. > > You can hedge by getting pics and asking the right questions, then realize > that you might still get up there and need to walk away if you see a > dealbreaker. > > Generally, if its and E36, you probably know the problem areas to look into. > Also talk to the owner. I bought from a 40 something father who was a > cvorporate lawyer. Very different than a 20 something who's modified the > car, etc. The peace of mind from a prepurchase is worth a ton, though. > > Marc plante > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > ----- End Original Message ----- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:14:27 EDT From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Sight Unseen Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Well Chris, you've received alot of advice, most good. Here's my $0.02 worth: I almost bought an '02 (vintage 2002) "sight unseen" once...I made the 4.5 Hr drive to Pittsburgh to actually "buy it" by meeting the seller part-way between our locations. Best thing I ever did...I wanted that car so bad - the pics were great, but when I saw the car up close and drove it, I was sick in my stomach, so I backed out of the deal. I paid the guy for his gas and trouble, and turned around and drove back home '02-less. This raises a couple questions: You didn't mention what year or model Bimmer you were considering (unless I missed it). There's alot of difference in a distance purchase between "vintage" cars and newer models. I assume this car is newer. Plus, knowing the buyer "is probably the most important thing" besides knowing the car (by seeing it up close). If I know the buyer and have detailed pics, going to see the car isn't as important to me then. It also depends on what you are going to do with the car...keep it "as is"? - it's more important to see the car in person! If you are going to "modify" the car for whatever reason, it's not as important to see it in person IMHO. "Rarity" also means alot....I was purusing ebay last night and stumbled across a 2002 Grey M-Coupe for sale in Chicago with 28,000 miles on it....being sold by a dealer in upper end/exotic cars. There were tons of pics and documentation. If I wanted a Coupe, I wouldn't hesitate "in one heartbeat" to bid and win that car!!! The deepness of your pockets also matters of course! You are only 5 hours away?....that's a fun trip to go buy a car. That's a "no brainer" to me!!! Putting the other advice aside, that alone makes my decision on what to do. Take a break from the "grind" take your checkbook and go meet the seller & "DRIVE THE CAR"! :-) Make the experience a fun one. Good Luck, John Weese Landisville, PA In a message dated 9/22/2007 11:22:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:31:07 +0000 (UTC) From: "Christopher Anrig" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Sight unseen Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gruppe- I am thinking about buying a car sight unseen. I can't personally go to make the purchase. It's in NH. Do you have any suggestions on how to best manage the payment, title transfer, and transportation, etc? I'm in NJ over 5 hrs away, so I imagine having it towed will be exorbitant. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Chris ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 09:36:54 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Sight Unseen Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Another good reason to see a car in person, especially if it is a private sale, is you get to see the sellers house, garage, other cars, etc. That can provide a lot if insight into the care and use of the car you are buying. Gary Derian > You are only 5 hours away?....that's a fun trip to go buy a car. That's a > "no brainer" to me!!! Putting the other advice aside, that alone makes my > decision on what to do. > > Take a break from the "grind" take your checkbook and go meet the seller & > "DRIVE THE CAR"! :-) Make the experience a fun one. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 07:51:04 -1000 From: Jay G <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: E36 compression numbers Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> hi gruppe...a friend of mine recently picked up a 93 325is...he discovered that the exhaust had a restriction, as one of the "pipes inside the muffler" (his words) had rusted...he changed it out to a E36 M3 factory exhaust, and said it flows much better now... he did a compression test for fun, and he said the numbers were s between 200 and 210...he though it was pretty high for a 93, but it has only 60k on the clock...he was thinking maybe the previous owner was running it with the blocked exhaust for a while, and so it may have led to some carbon buildup, resulting in the high numbers... anyone know what the numbers should read?!? any help/opinions greatly appreciated...thanx in advance... ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 18:29:34 +0000 (UTC) From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: <WTB> looking for an E36 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Looking for a used E36 4 dr for my father in law. Solid running shape. Does not have to be cosmetically perfect. looking to spend something in the vicinity of $7k. 4 or 6 cly models considered. Marc Plante E36 M3/4, 80k Vienna, VA ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(10 messages) **********
