Underbody query - would this put you off buying the car?
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been looking at purchasing a 130i and thought I had found a good candidate at a good price (£3800 with good service history but a little rough exterior). All seemed well and I sent someone over to look at the car (I'm based in Scotland, car is quite a lot further south!). The response was positive, it drove well, gearbox was good, no flatspots, no clunks etc. There were two very minor oil weeps that the seller hadn't mentioned (according to the babybmw forums these are likely a rocker cover gasket and a fuel filter gasket based on the images I provided, so nothing too out of the ordinary for the N52 engine apprantly, but still a bit annoying as the guy specifically said there were no leaks).
Anyway, I forgot to ask the guy I sent to look at the car to look underneath the car, so the seller kindly provided the following pictures. While they aren't anywhere near as good as being able to physically get underneath, one picture did catch my eye (I *believe* it's a front control arm, but hard to be sure) as it looked a bit crusty. I'm based in Scotland and fairly close to the sea, so rust is probably a greater consideration to me than most when purchasing cars. I appreciate the car is 15 years old, so it's never going to be perfect. However, the seller is also located close to the sea (3 miles), so I'm slightly worried it may have led a harder life in regards to underbody rust, oxidisation, corrosion etc due to the salt. Admittedly the pictures are not great, but I'm just looking for a second opinion as to whether this looks to be unusually 'crusty' and is something to worry about, or is fairly standard fare for a 15 year old car.
Thanks in advance!
I've been looking at purchasing a 130i and thought I had found a good candidate at a good price (£3800 with good service history but a little rough exterior). All seemed well and I sent someone over to look at the car (I'm based in Scotland, car is quite a lot further south!). The response was positive, it drove well, gearbox was good, no flatspots, no clunks etc. There were two very minor oil weeps that the seller hadn't mentioned (according to the babybmw forums these are likely a rocker cover gasket and a fuel filter gasket based on the images I provided, so nothing too out of the ordinary for the N52 engine apprantly, but still a bit annoying as the guy specifically said there were no leaks).
Anyway, I forgot to ask the guy I sent to look at the car to look underneath the car, so the seller kindly provided the following pictures. While they aren't anywhere near as good as being able to physically get underneath, one picture did catch my eye (I *believe* it's a front control arm, but hard to be sure) as it looked a bit crusty. I'm based in Scotland and fairly close to the sea, so rust is probably a greater consideration to me than most when purchasing cars. I appreciate the car is 15 years old, so it's never going to be perfect. However, the seller is also located close to the sea (3 miles), so I'm slightly worried it may have led a harder life in regards to underbody rust, oxidisation, corrosion etc due to the salt. Admittedly the pictures are not great, but I'm just looking for a second opinion as to whether this looks to be unusually 'crusty' and is something to worry about, or is fairly standard fare for a 15 year old car.
Thanks in advance!
Edited by Adam2k90 on Sunday 6th September 00:18
Sounds like the OP has a good grip to me, just looking for some reassurance that nothing looks too bad as to indicate that parts hidden behind the undertrays are likely to be in a sorry state.
I’d echo the above that the car looks about right for its age, nothing that looks to be setting off alarm bells.
I’d echo the above that the car looks about right for its age, nothing that looks to be setting off alarm bells.
Ive a 2 year old Range Rover thats worse than that, had to laugh at the recent service video they send showning that sort of stuff and the technician says ‘underbody in excellent condition’ - as they must all look like that. XC90 at 3 years old looked nothing like that.
So yeah, yours looks fine
So yeah, yours looks fine
I agree that from the pictures it looks pretty good for its age. My previous car had much more rust underneath when it was 12 years old, never mind 15, but it took 4 more years before any welding was needed.
But - always look at the car yourself, however much you trust your friend. Have a nice day out to the seaside, so all is not lost if the car turns out bad. You also get to judge the seller, which is quite important.
But - always look at the car yourself, however much you trust your friend. Have a nice day out to the seaside, so all is not lost if the car turns out bad. You also get to judge the seller, which is quite important.
John Laverick said:
Christ. It's a 15 year old BMW with a bit of corrosion on a suspension arm. Get a grip.
Beat me to it. OP you’re buying an end of life snotter for not much more than cashpoint money. If it lasts longer than the end of its current MOT, treat it as a bonus.You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
steveo3002 said:
i think youd be better off with a brand new car that comes with a warrenty...almost anything thats been driven on uk roads will look just like that
just know you will be wanting money back /reject the car if you buy it
Have you seen his thread about the stone chip?just know you will be wanting money back /reject the car if you buy it
This has got multiple “the ashtray rattles/the last owner didn’t use BMW approved screen wash once back in 2009 - can I reject?” Type threads written all over it
ClaphamGT3 said:
Beat me to it. OP you’re buying an end of life snotter for not much more than cashpoint money. If it lasts longer than the end of its current MOT, treat it as a bonus.
You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
What world do you live in where a near-£4k car is an 'end of life spotter'?You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
Sofa said:
ClaphamGT3 said:
Beat me to it. OP you’re buying an end of life snotter for not much more than cashpoint money. If it lasts longer than the end of its current MOT, treat it as a bonus.
You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
What world do you live in where a near-£4k car is an 'end of life spotter'?You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
ClaphamGT3 said:
Beat me to it. OP you’re buying an end of life snotter for not much more than cashpoint money. If it lasts longer than the end of its current MOT, treat it as a bonus.
You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
Whilst I agree with most of the other posts here - this one is taking it too far. You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
Nobody spends £4k on a car and expects it to only last a maximum of 12 months. I suspect you’re a bit grumpy this morning.
Sofa said:
ClaphamGT3 said:
Beat me to it. OP you’re buying an end of life snotter for not much more than cashpoint money. If it lasts longer than the end of its current MOT, treat it as a bonus.
You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
What world do you live in where a near-£4k car is an 'end of life spotter'?You need to seriously recalibrate your expectations
"If a £4k lasts longer than a year its a bonus"
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