hello all, some advice please

[stepmeek]

Hi, long time lurker who is looking for some advice, was long overdue getting involved anyway. I currently have a volvo V40 as the family car but have a small budget to spend on something fun for the me to drive at the weekend. Been looking at type R's and Clio sports, but it is the BMW compact 325ti that has caught my eye most. Like the idea of rear wheel drive with the straight six engine and the car gets good reviews so settled on that, if I can ever find a decent one that is. Which brings me on to my next point.

I have seen a car and will be taking the train a couple of hundred miles to view and hopefully buy, but the HPI check and DVLA MOT history brings up something unusual. The car is listed as an automatic on both these websites when it is in fact a manual. The DVLA history then shows the car being changed from a manual to an automatic on the same date that a private registration plate was taken off. I am struggling to think of why this would have happened, other than a clerical error from the DVLA or owner.

But should I just walk away as it seems very strange, or am I reading to much into this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[stepmeek]

Anyone? Please, don't make me waste money on a sh*$ car!

[Swanny87]

I would say it's a clerical error when they updated the cars record to the new reg. I guess you could look for any evidence of the gearbox being changed or see if there's an invoice that points to this type of work being done before you get the train?

[tumble dryer]

Have you tried asking the seller?

TD

[stepmeek]

I have asked the seller but he doesn't know of anything, to be fair the date is from when before he bought the car. There is no invoices or anything like that to suggest it has happened, how would I check any physical signs of it being changed?

[SlowV6]

There is a site that lists the exact spec of a BMW I believe. It was discussed in this thread once. You'll need the VIN and the registration number.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=114...

I imagine you could also just ring up BMW customer services to find out?

[stepmeek]

Yes I did try ringing up and they put me through to someone but my mobile wouldn't connect due to the extortionate prices and I am currently away with work, I will check that other thread, thanks for the replies.

[Troubleatmill]

Ask for the VIN number.
( most cars these days the vin number is visible on the windscreen )

Phone BMW customer services with the VIN number - and confirm what the car was built as.


FYI - When I bought a new Alfa 156 - it was a Renault 14 on the V5C - so cockups can be made.

[stepmeek]

I have the VIN number but the BMW website can't find my car, still no clearer as to how the car left the factory!