due dillengence on modified car

[rubez]

i am looking at a car which has been modded somewhat.

since i know nothing mechnical about cars, can someone here tell me if it is a decent (mod-wise) example or not... or likely to cause problems (other parts getting consequently stressed out by the upgrades)

the car is a 135i BMW, which does a little over 300bhp stock i believe. this one is tuned to 450bhp, which seems a big hike, especially for a RWD. i hear the stock 135 definitely has overhead for tuning... but an extra 150bhp?!

here is the car, you see the mods listed.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/450-bhp-bmw-135i-m-s...

what questions should i be asking?

would one of those used AA/RAC car checks be useful?

what do you think?

thank you.

[rubez]

The Spruce goose said:

how come no cold air intake

what's this? is it an issue if there is not one?

e.g. SHOULD it have one with these mods? i have no problem with a modded car, but as long as it's done corrrectly so there are no nasty knock on effects or excessive wear and tear etc. as i said though, my mechincal knowledge is close to zero :s

The Spruce goose said:

whats the packets in the backseat cubby?

lol.

[rubez]

sc0tt said:

Buy this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bmw-135i-m-sport-/272646...

Spend the remainder on modding it yourself.

this has higher miles, and the mods would cost waayyy more than the change. (i can get the guy down in price)

plus, this one is at the other end out the country.

[rubez]

wouldn't the HPI check tell if it has been damaged?

i did have a modded JDM impreza before this without any mechanical knowledge... i was even more ignorant than i am now!

and what about these used car AA checks? would that be worthwhile?

thanks.

Edited by rubez on Thursday 27th April 15:15

[rubez]

WTF the ad is now gone?!

seems dodgy...

[rubez]

guy says it's provisionally sold.

so waste of time sorry.

[rubez]

what about this?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

flappy paddels though...

[rubez]

tbh... the flappy paddels put me off the most. if it weren't for them, i'd probably have snapped it up already.

urgh! he cheekily has it listed under "manual" so it popped up in my search

[rubez]

silentbrown said:

rubez said:

what about this?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

flappy paddels though...

At least the tyres look good. Two new owners in the last 12 months, though... https://cazana.com/uk/car/LB08SLU

A good rule of thumb is that most modified cars are worth *less* than an unmolested example. And a lot of the fun with modified cars is choosing what you're going to change, doing the work and seeing for yourself what difference it makes. If you have no mechanical skills I wouldn't touch anything as heavily modded as this.

i have noticed, the guy's email who is selling it, is the same as the garage it is sitting out in front of...

http://bridgeofdongarage.com/

what significance do you think this is?

maybe he works as a mechanic himself at this place? in which case the mods could be thought of as more competent?


do you think he's a mechanic himself, or what?

[rubez]

silentbrown said:

rubez said:

what about this?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

flappy paddels though...

At least the tyres look good. Two new owners in the last 12 months, though... https://cazana.com/uk/car/LB08SLU

A good rule of thumb is that most modified cars are worth *less* than an unmolested example. And a lot of the fun with modified cars is choosing what you're going to change, doing the work and seeing for yourself what difference it makes. If you have no mechanical skills I wouldn't touch anything as heavily modded as this.

i have noticed, the guy's email who is selling it, is the same as the garage it is sitting out in front of...

http://bridgeofdongarage.com/

what significance do you think this is?

maybe he works as a mechanic himself at this place? in which case the mods could be thought of as more competent?

do you think he's a mechanic himself, or what?

[rubez]

hmmm maybe, i did think of that... though this looks just like an MOT place though unless i am mistaken (very possible!)

i can ask him, though would like unbiased opinions first.

[rubez]

def looking for 135i m sport. there is a great mildly modded example, though i haven't heard back from the guy, he said he was not sure he is even selling anymore last time we spoke... frustrating!

[rubez]

MinuteMan said:

He's the owner of the garage

do you know him?

[rubez]

so... what do you think insuring this would be like?

a headache for one, listing all these mods... and trying to explain them to someone who probably knows less than me!

is this price likely to sky rocket compared to a stock 135i m sport?

thanks.

[rubez]

yes, this is N54 (so is this other one i'm eyeing) i have heard the N54 is better for modding for this reason.

this N55's are probably a little out of my price range anyway given they are newer/less miles.

Edited by rubez on Monday 8th May 16:34

[rubez]

more power, less grip. duh