[kBrazy]

Originally Posted by eff32fl

Just a heads up the S0777 code won't come up with a regular scanning tool. Ista has to be used.

I would know regardless after the PPI if it was tuned or not right?

[eff32fl]

Originally Posted by kBrazy

I would know regardless after the PPI if it was tuned or not right?

If the mechanic hooks up the car to a computer and uses the appropriate software yes, otherwise no. There's no way of knowing for sure without scanning the car with BMW software. The PPI just looks for mechanical issues.

[McGyv3r]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Maintenance history is the most important thing.... used car market is probably affecting value, but personally i would never purchase a modded and crashed/salvaged [modern] car. If you just want a project car sure, assuming the risk of the cars history, but if this is supposed to be your nice/reliable daily....this car has had a hard life, not just from the accident, but probably mechanically as well.

OP, this is the best advise you're going to get.

~80k miles isn't necessarily bad, it depends on how the car got to 80k. Was it 6-7k oil change intervals, or 10-15k intervals? Was basic maintenance performed correctly, or were issues just left to pile up? An intake, downpipe, and lowering springs means the car was likely driven hard. I agree that $4k wheels means the PO cared about looks, but says nothing about taking care of the car. Also, 80k is in the range where you might need to worry about connecting rod bearings.

If this is going to be your project car, and you plan on doing all the work yourself, and its fine for the car to be broken for weeks at a time, MAYBE this car makes sense. But that's an expensive toy. This probably isn't the right car for a cheap and reliable only DD. If you have the cash to pay a shop for repairs, why not pay a little more for a cleaner car?

The exterior shots of the car looks pretty. With the crash damage, I would take it to a body shop you trust to inspect the repairs. I would be really worried about shoddy repairs.

Another warning, that car WILL NOT pass smog. You know it has a down pipe, you know it has a code for catalyst below efficiency, so you know it isn't going to pass.

This might not be the right car for you.

[Psi5]

The more I read, the more red flags come up. All have been noted. Any one of them would give me pause and I'd negotiate a much lower price. Any two of them would make the car a "no" unless the car was basically free and even then, I'd think long and hard. Any three, hard pass, no matter the price or what inspections revealed or didn't.

[Shllshck]

kBrazy,

Red Flags:
Salvage title, higher mileage, unknown service history, was modded, likely driven hard, throwing error codes, short ownership by last owner

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Shllshck

kBrazy,

Red Flags:
Salvage title, higher mileage, unknown service history, was modded, likely driven hard, throwing error codes, short ownership by last owner

Exactly.

[kBrazy]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Exactly.

Alright, I rest my case. I will not be buying the car. I appreciate everyone who wrote something. Im just really excited to get my hands on a BMW so maybe im not seeing things clearly. Seeing 335i's, they go for well over 20k with around 60-70k in my LA area. But i'll let the guy know.

[eff32fl]

Originally Posted by kBrazy

Alright, I rest my case. I will not be buying the car. I appreciate everyone who wrote something. Im just really excited to get my hands on a BMW so maybe im not seeing things clearly. Seeing 335i's, they go for well over 20k with around 60-70k in my LA area. But i'll let the guy know.

Be patient and you will find one that suits your needs that isn't a salvage title and hasn't been tuned and service can be verified one way or another.

[eff32fl]

It took me a year to find the 440i I wanted to upgrade to. Your case won't be nearly that drastic though.

[440i6MT]

I bought my 2017 440i 6mt salvaged two years ago.

No mechanical or impact damage, save for a cracked passenger headlight and a plethora of body scratches (I assume he ran through a metal fence).

Including registration in California, it came out to under 27k. Give its mileage (16k), M-Sport, THP, this same vehicle registered clean from a dealer would have cost me closer to 47k.

I saved over 40% going the salvage route. Don't rule it out (for future vehicles), OP

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by kBrazy

Alright, I rest my case. I will not be buying the car. I appreciate everyone who wrote something. Im just really excited to get my hands on a BMW so maybe im not seeing things clearly. Seeing 335i's, they go for well over 20k with around 60-70k in my LA area. But i'll let the guy know.

It's probably for the best. I know you were probably hoping to come here and have people support your purchase so you felt more comfortable pulling the trigger, but this probably wasnt the one for you.

Searching and finding the right car will take time as noted above. I searched BMW CPOs daily for about 3 months before i narrowed it down to a list of cars i wanted to look at. I then drove to 7 dealerships within about a 150 mile radius to look at cars before i purchased the one i own now. It will be a little different going private party, but same procedure applies.

[Shllshck]

Originally Posted by 440i6MT

I bought my 2017 440i 6mt salvaged two years ago.

No mechanical or impact damage, save for a cracked passenger headlight and a plethora of body scratches (I assume he ran through a metal fence).

Including registration in California, it came out to under 27k. Give its mileage (16k), M-Sport, THP, this same vehicle registered clean from a dealer would have cost me closer to 47k.

I saved over 40% going the salvage route. Don't rule it out (for future vehicles), OP

Your scenario had a lot less red flags than the OP. Low mileage, no impact damage, not modded/tuned, you didn’t say if it was throwing error codes… glad you found a good buy and finding a 6MT… nice

[Ploox]

Originally Posted by kBrazy

2015 335I. 83,000 Miles. M Sport Package with installed downpipe, intake, lowering springs. Negotiating about 16-17.5k. Salvage title. First picture is where the damage was.

This would be my first BMW. Although, i have learned a lot and plan on learning a lot about BMWS. Would you guys think i should go ahead and purchase this car? Any suggestions?

Just bought a bmw myself and my deal compared to this makes this looks horrible imo

[kBrazy]

Originally Posted by Ploox

Just bought a bmw myself and my deal compared to this makes this looks horrible imo

Where do you live? What car did you get? and btw i bargained to 15k for it

[OldDudesBimmer]

Originally Posted by kBrazy

Where do you live? What car did you get?

LOL, as if this post would be useful for you without any details . I feel your pain. Great deals are indeed great, we've all seen them, and sometimes we've even been lucky to be the dude or gal to score a great deal. But, if the deal is not where you are located, or you are too late, great deals are hard to come by. They don't just fall from trees these days. Be patient is all I can say. If we are forced to buy sooner than later, we almost never get the best deals out there.

[bavarianride]

16k-17k for a salvaged title is quite expensive.

Another important thing to check is if the hit to the left rocker panel causes any frame damage, if so then it may be prudent to walk away from this car.

[OldDudesBimmer]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

16k-17k for a salvaged title is quite expensive.

Another important thing to check is if the hit to the left rocker panel causes any frame damage, if so then it may be prudent to walk away from this car.

Yeah, OP bowed out on this one as per his comment about a week ago, rightly so. Then, someone woke the thread bragging about how they found a much better deal, but without sharing details LOL.