Moody M5?

[Glassman]

A mate is eyeing up a 2005 E60 M5; it's being sold by a trader (on a forecourt).

Everything seems OK on the HPI and the car looks good (my mate runs a crash repair shop). One thing that stands out, like a pair of testicles on a snake, is there is no VIN visible through the windscreen. The windscreen is an OEM branded one.

AFAIK I know, there is no 'without VIN' option on these windscreens; they are all made with. The car is however, a Belgian import (RHD). But it still doesn't explain the lack of a VIN cut-out on the screen?

I'm going to have a look with him on Monday. I'm thinking, if it's legit, it could be that there are (for some unknown reason) screens made this way for the <x> market; or that this screen has removed to address a problem and the VIN got damaged so they decided to blackout the VIN notch.

Or, worst case scenario, the car is a very good clone?

[roofer]

To many 'Ifs' walk on by.

[Glassman]

The lack of/obscured VIN window could be genuine/innocuous. So far, that's the only 'if'.

He's checked the turret for the VIN stamp and it looks good, but the only doubt would be that this could still be a good clone - how do you safeguard against this?

(other than walking away from what could well be a legit car!)

[roofer]

A rhd Belgian import? Was it off a British Base? A proper inspection by some companies gives you some finacial recourse should it turn out to be a dud.

[Glassman]

Sorry, not Belgique; the car is and RHD import from the Netherlands

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_large_im...

BMW confirm some of the car's movements in terms of service/warranty etc. But only up to 2007.

[Mr-B]

Glassman said:

The lack of/obscured VIN window could be genuine/innocuous. So far, that's the only 'if'.

He's checked the turret for the VIN stamp and it looks good, but the only doubt would be that this could still be a good clone - how do you safeguard against this?

(other than walking away from what could well be a legit car!)

You can't with HPI, you have to inspect very carefully physically.

[jamoor]

If the windscreen has been replaced, then it may have been a non bmw one?

I wouldnt worry about it being an imporrt, means nothing on a 2007 car.