My Copart Specials - BMW 420d & Maserati Gransport

[Gustavo7]

Shinyfings said:

I reckon you should stay off Copart, like a gambler with a big win should stop. You may not repeat your current success based on the usual comments on Copart. Car looks great.

I tried to stay off Copart but the urge was stronger than me, as a true gambler I decided to go all in on an italian v8

Shall I start a separate topic?

[Gustavo7]

Here are the details:

Runs and Drives
Zero previous owners (1 owner from new)
29055 miles on the clock
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres all around
Best colour & interior combination in my opinion
Full tank of petrol

I’m taking a bit of a gamble here but my instincts tell me the CAT S mark was due to a damaged crash bar. If I’m right it will be an easy fix, if not (i.e. if it bent a chassis leg) then I’m in for a bit of pain.

All going well, a new crash bar, bumper, bumper trims/grills/clips, undertrays, radiator shroud and left-hand-side headlight with washers should do the trick.

The bonnet looks intact, so do both front wings.

Looks like someone hit him on an angle at a junction maybe?

Ah, yes, the price… my max bid of £8100 didn’t hit reserve. Got a counter-offer of £8200 which I wasn’t going to argue with. After buyers fees and delivery £9400.

Parts excluding headlight will be around £2000.
Need to find a new blue headlight or see if I can put a new lenses on the existing, if recoverable. A bumper paint job later and we may have a car ready for an MOT...

I’m doing all work bar the spray job.

What do you think? Am I mad?










picture upload


free photo upload

Edited by Gustavo7 on Wednesday 1st May 21:56

Edited by Gustavo7 on Wednesday 1st May 21:57

[Gustavo7]

cossy400 said:

I'll be surprised if that's done anything bar the bumper amd headlight.

Big gonads though.

What's retail after its fixed??

I think I will keep it, but I don’t think you can find an equivalent Gransport for less than 20k.

[Gustavo7]

romft123 said:

emicen said:

romft123 said:

Heaveho said:

I bought a 12,000 mile 2010 987.2 Boxster S from Copart a few years ago. Usual forklift damage, so I had to repair the sill, but they cocked on the price and I got it for about a grand less than I expected, so not a disaster. I was on course to take about 4k in profit until my best mate chimed in and said he wanted to buy it. I lost £500 on it in the end, but he's still got it 8 years later and it's a decent car.

Do they just fork lift the non runners? I am looking at a couple of cars but only X category and runs and drives ones....

Everything gets forked unless it’s heavy/bulky enough they say you need to arrange your own loading.

And if they damage the underside, exhaust etc, tough titty I guess. But if its a runner and drives, why?

Probably because it’s quicker and easier (for them) than going around with 100’s if not 1000’s of car keys.

[Gustavo7]

Dr G said:

Their definition of "runs and drives" is vague/subjective.

Tends to mean "doesn't require someone to push it" on a 3' road test; rather than safe/legal/clever to drive it.

And descriptions are only given as a courtesy with no guarantees, representative of how they assessed the car at the time they received it. So you may still get a “runs and drives” with a seized engine by the time you get the car, as a lot can happen in between.

[Gustavo7]

interstellar said:

When is it coming OP?

Having paid a total of £9420 (including buyers fees and delivery) the car is now being ready for dispatch.

Copart is closed on Monday (bank holiday), I’m expecting delivery on Thursday or Friday!

[Gustavo7]

Just noticed another Gransport on Copart with a £7600 buy-it-now price (around £9200 with buyers fees and delivery depending on location) if anyone is feeling brave

https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/50210434

[Gustavo7]

I can already tell getting parts for these cars might be a problem. Most are on “Special Order” rather than stock.

Gave Maserati a call on Friday (why not?) to get a quote for a few parts “we will call you back in 5 minutes”… still waiting for that call.

Not like bmw parts department then…!

Luckily there seems to be other outlets which seem more helpful and have a good selection of used parts, shall get my first quote this evening.

[Gustavo7]

Managed to find a brand new US-spec bumper for xenon-fitted cars (with the holes for the headlight washers) from an outlet in California.

Might get the side reflectors too as this is the only difference to EU-spec cars. I think I would prefer that than filling the hole and risking future cracks etc, what are your thoughts?

[Gustavo7]

gregs656 said:

Have you considered getting the bumper repaired?

I did, I’ve contacted a company but I’m still waiting for feedback. Have a feeling it’s too damaged to be repaired, but might be worth a try!

[Gustavo7]

A couple of bodyshops specialised in plastic bumper welding/repairs have stated the bumper is beyond repair.

These bumpers are rare, called numerous italian (ferrari/maserati) parts specialists in UK, USA, The Netherlands and Italy and they pretty much wished me good luck

I managed to find one in Poland (online platform ovoko.pl) and have pulled the trigger: £1940 they dont deliver to the UK but I have family in Poland who will then forward it.





Might still be able to sell my gransport front spoiler which looks to be alright from the photos to offset the cost of the new bumper.

The car is not here yet, might only come next week…

[Gustavo7]

interstellar said:

Ouch that’s pricey isn’t it?

Not far off a brand new one, if there was one available! But yes, quite expensive. I "budgeted" 4k for cosmetic repairs.

Hoping to get it done on time to take it to the 24H of Le Mans this year!!

[Gustavo7]

Update!!

[Gustavo7]

sparks85 said:

If the Maserati was circa £9.4k, and a bumper is £2k/tricky to find, is there not a greater value in these for slowly breaking and selling parts? (Assuming you don't want to repair the car for yourself?)

Yes, there will certainly be more money in parts, but this one is getting fixed, then I’ll decide if I keep it or sell my 987.2S boxster!

And… It arrived!!







facebook chat images

Starts and drives fine but battery was flat.

The alarm keeps going off and the keys need to be synchronised as they dont lock/unlock the car on the button.

Doesn’t look like there is any structural damage behind the bumper.

It hit an animal. Hairs everywhere!

Sounds glorious, will put a video up later!

Edited by Gustavo7 on Monday 13th May 11:32

[Gustavo7]

[Gustavo7]

cossy400 said:

So what you thinking just a bumper and a headlight now then??

Sounds bloody lovely though

To do / to buy list:
• Bumper + respray (booked for 3rd June)
• LH Headlight (might do away with a new lenses from a non-xenon unit - cheaper)
• Front LH indicator
• Front grille
• Alarm / central locking: need to send the keys and alarm module to Abaccus Alarms in South London for reprogramming (they deal with 3200/4200gt alarms)
• MOT
• full service
• trip to Le Mans departing June 12th 5:20am

[Gustavo7]

Superferret said:

This is awesome, I have massive envy ??. Beautiful colour combo.
Also for 2 grand per bumper I reckon I'd enjoy experimenting with plastic welding, etc to see if the broken one could be salvaged. I appreciate that could be a fools errand though.
Good luck OP.

I will give it a try this summer then sell it on ebay for £1.5k I really wanted the car back on the road asap tho

A few more photos below showing the interior, the underside and the bd siren I had to remove before the neighbours set the car car on fire

[Gustavo7]

interstellar said:

What car on copart are you bidding on this week and is coming next week?

No more bidding in the foreseeable future!

But it’s a thrilling way to buy a car, a bit like xmas for grown ups… the search, the wait, the expectation, the surprise and (hopefully not a lot of) disappointment.

[Gustavo7]

Mr Tidy said:

Wow it looks and sounds fantastic.

Good luck getting it fixed in time for Le Mans. I have to admire your exceptional braveness, and am looking forward to the updates already!

Thanks, I just realised this morning...the sound was with the exhaust flaps closed, I haven't put it into Sport mode yet!

GhostWKD said:

Must admit this thread had me looking at a Cat S 911 with what looked like simple to repair damage... Not sure that should be the first foray into it

What about this: https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/51118534/clean-title-...

Plenty of Pistonheads Pedigree

[Gustavo7]

The bumper has been delivered to my in-laws in Poland. Should be with me in around 10 days.



The xenon headlight works perfectly.


Managed to find the becker stereo code card, it was in the drivers door pocket. Good, because it was asking for a code.


Got a few more needed parts on order. Also made an offer for a headlight, let’s see if it gets accepted.


Looks good even when filthy.


Tried the sport button to hear the exhaust….mean…just mean!!

Edited by Gustavo7 on Tuesday 14th May 18:55