[M3inMG]

My friend bought one that looked amazing but ate through tires because it was screwed up. Never could get it fixed. It was junk

[reeltime]

Ahhhhhhh man I'm probably just gonna contact BMWFS and see what they have to say. You guys all have valid points and are swaying me away from this car--probably for the better. Thanks for the insight

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by e90driva

Hmmm maybe I'll buy the thing and send it back to the motherland Lebanon

Ah cool! I knew I liked you for a Reason My gf grew up in Beirut! Where are you from?

[Turb0Surge]

Well... I hate to rain on everyone's parade but MY 335i was in an accident before I bought it.

Me personally- I WOULD buy a damaged car. Actually, I already do that as a hobby. The only difference is that your car is fixed by some unknown party and you have no idea how they fixed it.

I buy salvaged cars from auctions myself and then restore them (to OEM specs), drive them until I'm bored of them, and then sell them for a tidy profit. But That's the thing. I fix it myself so I know it's not some half-assed, ziptied together car.

Here are the before and after of my 335i. (I bought it damaged for 8k. Fixed it and my total money spent on that car was 16k) Market at the time of fix was 30k with 40k miles.

[reeltime]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

Ah cool! I knew I liked you for a Reason My gf grew up in Beirut! Where are you from?

Lebanese people are great people ...and don't even get me started about the girls...they're even better! You got yourself a keeper man! Im from Jbeil (Byblos). It's about a 25 min drive from Beirut...if there isn't any traffic

Originally Posted by Turb0Surge

Well... I hate to rain on everyone's parade but MY 335i was in an accident before I bought it.

Me personally- I WOULD buy a damaged car. Actually, I already do that as a hobby. The only difference is that your car is fixed by some unknown party and you have no idea how they fixed it.

I buy salvaged cars from auctions myself and then restore them (to OEM specs), drive them until I'm bored of them, and then sell them for a tidy profit. But That's the thing. I fix it myself so I know it's not some half-assed, ziptied together car.

Here are the before and after of my 335i. (I bought it damaged for 8k. Fixed it and my total money spent on that car was 16k) Market at the time of fix was 30k with 40k miles.

Exactly! sometimes you can find a car and fix it up yourself. You can often find pretty good deals

[Turb0Surge]

Originally Posted by e90driva

Lebanese people are great people ...and don't even get me started about the girls...they're even better! You got yourself a keeper man! Im from Jbeil (Byblos). It's about a 25 min drive from Beirut...if there isn't any traffic



Exactly! sometimes you can find a car and fix it up yourself. You can often find pretty good deals

I've only had 3 clean title cars since I was 16. (I'm 20 now..) The rest were all salvaged cars that I fixed myself. The 1 car that I bought salvaged AND fixed (by someone else) was the one that gave me problems the most because the guy who fixed it took shortcuts. After that, I never bought FIXED salvage cars...

[reeltime]

Originally Posted by Turb0Surge

I've only had 3 clean title cars since I was 16. (I'm 20 now..) The rest were all salvaged cars that I fixed myself. The 1 car that I bought salvaged AND fixed (by someone else) was the one that gave me problems the most because the guy who fixed it took shortcuts. After that, I never bought FIXED salvage cars...

i'll just take a hammer to it and re-fix it. Seriously though, if problems do arise i can always have a shop take a look at it and go from there. You can never fix a screwed up car completely, but you can come pretty damn close!

[krhodes1]

If the price is right, and the car was fixed properly, why not? I figure the right price is about 1/2 retail for a salvage-titled car. Have it checked out by a bodyshop for the quality of the work. BUT, I don't think the OP said the car has a salvage title, just that it had been hit and repaired. Not sure what the discount should be in that case, but certainly something. My two experiences have been quite positive:

I bought a repaired salvage-titled 2000 Saab 9-5 V6t wagon back in 04. At the time, with 30K they were going for ~$18-19K at retail. I paid $8500. I drove the car for 3 years and another 60K with no issues and easily sold if for $7K. One of the best car purchases of my life. The longer you keep the car, the less the branded title means to the resale of the car.

Ultimately, whether a car is "totaled" is a pretty subjective thing. Sure it is easy to total a newer car when paying full retail for the parts and labor to fix it. But in the case of my Saab, it was a "make work" project for a large body shop in OK. They keep a couple of these kinds of cars around to work on in-between other work, and sell them on eBay when they are done. No way would anyone but an experiended body guy have ever known that car was in an accident, they fixed it properly.

My first BMW was actually a salvage title '91 318is. It was a theft recovery - the thieves had stripped the interior, wheels, and spoilers, which was enough for the insurance company to write it off. The owner bought it back from them and fixed it with used parts and pocketed a big chunk of change. Got that one for ~1/2 retail too, and it was also a great car.

[reeltime]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

If the price is right, and the car was fixed properly, why not? I figure the right price is about 1/2 retail for a salvage-titled car. Have it checked out by a bodyshop for the quality of the work. BUT, I don't think the OP said the car has a salvage title, just that it had been hit and repaired. Not sure what the discount should be in that case, but certainly something. My two experiences have been quite positive:

I bought a repaired salvage-titled 2000 Saab 9-5 V6t wagon back in 04. At the time, with 30K they were going for ~$18-19K at retail. I paid $8500. I drove the car for 3 years and another 60K with no issues and easily sold if for $7K. One of the best car purchases of my life. The longer you keep the car, the less the branded title means to the resale of the car.

Ultimately, whether a car is "totaled" is a pretty subjective thing. Sure it is easy to total a newer car when paying full retail for the parts and labor to fix it. But in the case of my Saab, it was a "make work" project for a large body shop in OK. They keep a couple of these kinds of cars around to work on in-between other work, and sell them on eBay when they are done. No way would anyone but an experiended body guy have ever known that car was in an accident, they fixed it properly.

My first BMW was actually a salvage title '91 318is. It was a theft recovery - the thieves had stripped the interior, wheels, and spoilers, which was enough for the insurance company to write it off. The owner bought it back from them and fixed it with used parts and pocketed a big chunk of change. Got that one for ~1/2 retail too, and it was also a great car.

The price is actually pretty damn good. Yeah it has a clean title so I'm not gonna be getting it for ridiculously cheap but still cheap enough that it's worth my time. I know body shops all over the place that specialize in these types of things..so I always have some sort of "backup plan" I guess.

[Martin528]

Confirm the airbags were replaced and correctly. Often they are not replaced and sensors are played with so no lights come on. Also check the alignment. If it looks good, rides well, and is safe go for it. You already know resale would be hell. See if the autoplace that repaired it gave/gives a lifetime warranty. If everything is fully disclosed you should be able to find and talk to the collision center that repaired it. The only warranty you are gonna get is thru the collision center. The BMW warranty is probably void and you probably cannot buy an extended warranty unless the title is clean and does not indicated rebuilt or salvaged.

[rovensail]

I'll be anxious to see what the OP does, now that the opinions are in, but my vote is no. You wouldn't buy a bike, cheap, that had frame damage, or a plane or helicopter, would ya? I know I sure as hell wouldn't...

[Turb0Surge]

I guess it would all depend on how much you where getting it for.

[tmo24]

I would like to hear the personal horror stories from the people telling you not to buy it. I suspect that some people are giving you the automatic response of "wrecked car=junk and don't buy". But they don't have the actual personal experience. Just like the auto response when people tell you that everything on eBay is junk/cheap, even though they have never bought anything from eBay. And then the "you get what you pay for" auto response is not always true. There are actually some good deals out there. You just have to smart and make sure you fully inspect that car. Especially if you are in the business. You have the resources to check it out and make sure the repairs were done correctly. And if they weren't, you have the resources to fix them. There are a ton of people on here that have been rear ended and the typical response is "time for a new m-tech bumper!". Not,"Oh shit. My car is now a piece of shit and is completely junk. How will I ever get rid of this thing??" Think about it for a minute. With the philosophy of accident=don't buy, then there is a ton of people on this forum that will never be able to sell their cars. I personally was rear ended badly and had to replace my quarter panel, exhaust, bumper, battery, lights, etc. $10k in total damage. I got the car back and it looked and drove like brand new. On paper, it looks terrible. But the work was done with quality. Sorry for the long post. Just a different perspective here.

[Turb0Surge]

Originally Posted by tmo24

I would like to hear the personal horror stories from the people telling you not to buy it. I suspect that some people are giving you the automatic response of "wrecked car=junk and don't buy". But they don't have the actual personal experience. Just like the auto response when people tell you that everything on eBay is junk/cheap, even though they have never bought anything from eBay. And then the "you get what you pay for" auto response is not always true. There are actually some good deals out there. You just have to smart and make sure you fully inspect that car. Especially if you are in the business. You have the resources to check it out and make sure the repairs were done correctly. And if they weren't, you have the resources to fix them. There are a ton of people on here that have been rear ended and the typical response is "time for a new m-tech bumper!". Not,"Oh shit. My car is now a piece of shit and is completely junk. How will I ever get rid of this thing??" Think about it for a minute. With the philosophy of accident=don't buy, then there is a ton of people on this forum that will never be able to sell their cars. I personally was rear ended badly and had to replace my quarter panel, exhaust, bumper, battery, lights, etc. $10k in total damage. I got the car back and it looked and drove like brand new. On paper, it looks terrible. But the work was done with quality. Sorry for the long post. Just a different perspective here.

+1000 I think it's the general mentality of people that accident= junk. Although there are horror stories out there about junk cars. Those stories are usually from people who buy the cars off of a shady dealer who takes shortcuts and zipties the whole car together. Oh. And the people who tell the horror stories never had it inspected by a mechanic, or at least anyone who knows anything about cars.

[reeltime]

Originally Posted by Turb0Surge

+1000 I think it's the general mentality of people that accident= junk. Although there are horror stories out there about junk cars. Those stories are usually from people who buy the cars off of a shady dealer who takes shortcuts and zipties the whole car together. Oh. And the people who tell the horror stories never had it inspected by a mechanic, or at least anyone who knows anything about cars.

That's exactly what I'm saying. I could get a really good deal. The car is being sold by a reputable seller so I don't think they would've taken shortcuts..but hey you never know. Everyone's trying to take the easy way out and save a couple bucks. But I agree 100% some of the people that post "accident= junk" don't understand that the car can be fully repaired and run just like new and you can get it at a much lower price.. I'm gonna call the people tomorrow and see what the deal is and then I'll go from there. I'll make sure to keep you guys posted and if I do buy it...I'll make sure I upload some photos of the car

[Catalina Wine Mixer]

I wouldn't buy it but at least have a reputable mechanic look at it inside and out

[reeltime]

Originally Posted by P3rsian Pr0digy

I wouldn't buy it but at least have a reputable mechanic look at it inside and out

My pops is a mechanic

[Turb0Surge]

Originally Posted by e90driva

My pops is a mechanic

Yeah, my dad is (was) a mechanic. (now owns a trucking company) But, that's soooo useful. (as I'm sure you know, your dad is a mechanic too) Everything I know about cars I learned from him. My first 2 salvaged cars- He fixed for me and showed me how.

I never have to run to an indy shop or dealer I just ask my dad if I have any questions. It's so convenient. Even more so, now that I'm married and look after 3 cars instead of 1.

[reeltime]

Originally Posted by Turb0Surge

Yeah, my dad is (was) a mechanic. (now owns a trucking company) But, that's soooo useful. (as I'm sure you know, your dad is a mechanic too) Everything I know about cars I learned from him. My first 2 salvaged cars- He fixed for me and showed me how.

I never have to run to an indy shop or dealer I just ask my dad if I have any questions. It's so convenient. Even more so, now that I'm married and look after 3 cars instead of 1.

Oh trust me everything I learned came from him. Whenever I have a problem with my car he's the first person I take it to. Also, considering I still live in the house..it's not that hard hahah

[Turb0Surge]

Originally Posted by e90driva

Oh trust me everything I learned came from him. Whenever I have a problem with my car he's the first person I take it to. Also, considering I still live in the house..it's not that hard hahah

Lol I know what you mean.

"Daaaaaaaad c'mere real quick!" Lol

[reeltime]

Originally Posted by Turb0Surge

Lol I know what you mean.

"Daaaaaaaad c'mere real quick!" Lol

Lmao works every time!

[Turb0Surge]

Originally Posted by e90driva

Lmao works every time!

*in sacrcastic mechanics tone* "well here's your problem..."

Lol.

Yeah, I miss the good old days.