Cheap(ish) 350i - this a good idea?

[JohnL]

I've seen 350i advertised. Bloke claims it's mechanically, structurally and bodywork sound with lots of service history. But it's got a really sh1te DIY paint job, so is in dire need of a whole body respray (at least I'd get to choose the colour). MOT expired. It's a 4 hour train ride to get there, so I can't easily pop along for a look over it. Spare set of wheels too. Asking £3k (actually £3450 but he dropped to £3k while on the phone with very little prompting - a small dealer type).

I'm very, very tempted. Especially after he started it while I was on the phone

Askign for trouble? Ie if someone's been stupid enough to sh@g up the paintwork like that then what else has been mistreated?

[19560]

It's worth a look. The price could even come lower depending on what you find.

[pistolar]

is it a yellow one?

[petercam]

John, from someone who bought a cheap(ish) 350i 15 months ago, the only point to consider is the chassis, make sure it is ok, or it will end up costing you an arm and a leg. Make sure you know what you are looking for regarding the chassis, or get someone who knows what to look for. I was lucky in that I only needed some minor outrigger repairs on mine, which were done by removing the sills. If it needs a body off restoration, it will cost you more that you will pay for the car itself. Anything else needing done will not be as major an expense as the chassis. It will probably require more money spent on it, especially if the car has been laid up. Only you can decide if it is worth it and if you are prepared to invest the extra to get it into a reliable running state. From experience, unless it is mint, you can bank on spending anywhere between £3k (what i've spent) and £5k (what I could have spent if the wife let me) getting the car to the way you want it. A front brake upgrade (disks/pads/calipers) is also an advisable expense if not already done, as the standard solid disks are pretty crap. If it has been running regularly, has an MOT and a reasonable service/parts history, then it is probably worth £3k. If its been laid up for a few years, then consider paying £1.5k to £2k. Speak to previous owners of the vehicle too, if you get the chance, and get out to club meetings and look at other cars to make a comparison.
Good luck.
Peter

[HarryW]

John if it's a 4 hour train ride I would have thought it more economic for you to arrange for independant specialist nearer to the car to go over it for you whilst you sit at home. At least then you'll have a better idea as to what you're letting yourself in for probably cost you no more than your train ticket. Just an idea.

Harry

[JohnL]

pistolar said: is it a yellow one?

No, it was white until someone sprayed silver all over it.

[ralph dodds]

Likewise, as someone who bought a cheap 350 (albeit one of the extremely rare +2s), it sounds like this car even at £3k has the possibility of costing you more than it is worth. A decent respray is going to set you back £1-1.5k rising to £2.5k if you want to spray inside the engine bay (essential if you plan to change the colour) and as you say, someone who has done that to a TVR is likely to have neglected other areas of the car. You must check the outriggers which probably have a 50% chance of being bu**ered - that's another £700 unless you can do it yourself. Don't rely on an MOT inspector noticing anything wrong. Because they're hidden inside the sills, both my 280 and 350 passed MOTs with serious danmage to the outriggers that the inspector didn't know what to look for. When I took the sill off the 350 offside, the complete outrigger fell out. I would be surprised if you're not looking at total outlay to get this car in decent condition of £3.5-4k. For that total outlay there are a plethora of good wedges. That said, at least once you've done all this work, you know that it is good for a fair few years and you get to choose the colour!!!

Ralph Dodds

[scoobysnax1963]

Hi
Although there are tales of woe, there are bargains to be had. I bought the blue 350i from ebay in January for £3200. It is not immaculate but it is solid na dhas new roof/hood, full history, MOT etc. The bodywork is ok but needs tidying and the interior could do with tidying/replacing. Otherwise, it has the roll bars, 4 point harnesses and fairly low mileage. I am assured it has not been tracked, and the engine and mechanics sound sweet as a nut!!! Lucky? me? not mormally, but maybe, just maybe this time. Love it now, wish I'd bought one years ago when I first saw Ralphs at HMS OSPREY. Incidently, Hi Ralph, How are you????? Long time no hear/see.....

[gaz666]

Well you could take a few mates, have a day out, and just might come home with a bargain. If he drops a few hundred on the phone then take some cash! There is only one way to find out, go check it out, if its a lemon have a few beers on the way back!!!!

[JohnL]

Decided to spring for an HPI check. It's a cat C write off in '01. That with the crap paint suggests a rubbish rebuild. Last owner's moved (I got his name from the TVRCC) so I can't ask him about it. They also admitted when I called again that it could use a new hood. Not going to bother following this one any further - time to look elsewhere.

It was on autotrader with a very short descrption referring to the need for a respray.