Not having much luck!

[Ed FM]

I have been on the hunt for an E46 M3 for about a month now. The first one I found belonged to a guy living around the corner. It had 23k on the clock on a 53 plate and was like brand new. Unfortunately for me the owner decided he didn't want to sell it privately and he wanted to part ex it at a main dealer because it would be easier! He got 15k for it and paid full screen price for his new car. It is now up for sale at 20k with the main dealer

I found another one at the weekend that seemed to fit the bill. This one was on an 05 plate with 67k but similar spec. The car was a five hour drive away so I placed a small deposit on it and arranged for a local indy to inspect it before I travelled. The inspection revealed a worn diff and a few other small bits and pieces. It also turned out to have had a K&N air filter fitted and window tints that were peeling off. The combination of these set alarm bells ringing so I have said goodbye to the car and my deposit.

From speaking to the guys at the garage it seems that diffs are a common problem with these cars, is that correct? I am starting to feel I am destined to fail in finding the right car. Just thought i'd post on here to make me feel better.

Cheers,

Ed.

[Koing]

I'm on the hunt for an E46 M3 also...not finding the right colour, mileage and spec for the right price...

Avoid putting down a deposit before the Indy takes a look at it. BTW how much did you pay the Indy to do the inspection? Just wondering, thanks!

Good luck mate!

Koing

[paoloh]

Ed FM said:

I have been on the hunt for an E46 M3 for about a month now. The first one I found belonged to a guy living around the corner. It had 23k on the clock on a 53 plate and was like brand new. Unfortunately for me the owner decided he didn't want to sell it privately and he wanted to part ex it at a main dealer because it would be easier! He got 15k for it and paid full screen price for his new car. It is now up for sale at 20k with the main dealer

I found another one at the weekend that seemed to fit the bill. This one was on an 05 plate with 67k but similar spec. The car was a five hour drive away so I placed a small deposit on it and arranged for a local indy to inspect it before I travelled. The inspection revealed a worn diff and a few other small bits and pieces. It also turned out to have had a K&N air filter fitted and window tints that were peeling off. The combination of these set alarm bells ringing so I have said goodbye to the car and my deposit.

From speaking to the guys at the garage it seems that diffs are a common problem with these cars, is that correct? I am starting to feel I am destined to fail in finding the right car. Just thought i'd post on here to make me feel better.

Cheers,

Ed.

Why have you kissed your deposit goodbye?

[NickXX]

The diff seals were all replaced on my M3 under warranty this year (53-plate, done at around 55,000 miles).

[topboss]

Why have you lost your deposit? Surely you're covered under the distance selling regulations.

Chris

[Great Pretender]

topboss said:

Why have you lost your deposit? Surely you're covered under the distance selling regulations.

Chris

Assuming the car was described otherwise of course.

[Soovy]

Ed FM said:

I have been on the hunt for an E46 M3 for about a month now. The first one I found belonged to a guy living around the corner. It had 23k on the clock on a 53 plate and was like brand new. Unfortunately for me the owner decided he didn't want to sell it privately and he wanted to part ex it at a main dealer because it would be easier! He got 15k for it and paid full screen price for his new car. It is now up for sale at 20k with the main dealer

I found another one at the weekend that seemed to fit the bill. This one was on an 05 plate with 67k but similar spec. The car was a five hour drive away so I placed a small deposit on it and arranged for a local indy to inspect it before I travelled. The inspection revealed a worn diff and a few other small bits and pieces. It also turned out to have had a K&N air filter fitted and window tints that were peeling off. The combination of these set alarm bells ringing so I have said goodbye to the car and my deposit.

From speaking to the guys at the garage it seems that diffs are a common problem with these cars, is that correct? I am starting to feel I am destined to fail in finding the right car. Just thought i'd post on here to make me feel better.

Cheers,

Ed.

Go and offer the main dealer 18k!

[Ed FM]

The problem is the garage have said there is slack in the diff. The seller says it is a second hand car and such things are to be expected, he says the garage are being picky. To be fair the seller went out of his way to take it there for me, I would think maybe getting half my £250 back would be fair. Your thoughts?

[MarkwG]

Thoughts? He's just made an extra £125 on that car...the deposit is to hold it in case another customer comes along in the mean time, not to keep if it's not as described! He's taking liberties, I reckon...

[paoloh]

Hang on:

Is this a private seller?

The garage you are talking about is the Indy that inspected it?

[Ed FM]

It is a trade seller. I had him take it to an Indy BMW garage for them to check it over.

[paoloh]

Ed FM said:

It is a trade seller. I had him take it to an Indy BMW garage for them to check it over.

IMO then, you are due your money back.

[Ed FM]

Unfortunately this is not the opinion of the seller. I'm not sure how to take it any further.

[paoloh]

Ed FM said:

Unfortunately this is not the opinion of the seller. I'm not sure how to take it any further.

Unfortunately for him, he has to give you it back.

You could of course buy the car and then within the first 28 days return it to him for a free repair.

Tell him that and make it his call.

[Spartikus]

+1 on getting your deposit back. Don't be hard on yourself though, easy mistake if you didn't know.

[Slurms]

Yeah if the vehicle was not as per the description your ok..

You'd only lose your deposit if you decided you just didn't want it..

[Ed FM]

The guy selling it isn't taking my calls. I spoke to trading standards and they said it would have to go before a judge to decide if I would receive my deposit back due to the problem not actually effecting the car at the moment.

[paoloh]

Ed FM said:

The guy selling it isn't taking my calls. I spoke to trading standards and they said it would have to go before a judge to decide if I would receive my deposit back due to the problem not actually effecting the car at the moment.

How did you pay deposit?

[Ed FM]

Bank transfer.

[missing the VR6]

I was always told that as a dealer we had no legal right to hold onto a deposit.