What to look for during a first look and test drive?

[JupiterBMW]

Ok everyone, I promise, this is my last 'newbie' thread. I've been trying to read and learn what I can, but its hard to find a lot of info in such a short time. Plus, I think this could eventually be a good thread for future newbies.. Personally, I've never driven a ZHP. Never even ridden in one. So, going to buy one is a little bit intimidating and I'd like to find every little thing wrong with the car so as to use that in my negotiating... So perhaps we can compose a good list of things to check or look for when first looking at a ZHP or taking a test drive? These are of course above and beyond the typical stuff... We all know to check for body panel alignment, wheels, brakes, interior smells, etc..

What few things I know so far...

1. Headlight bowls being burned... Brownish color as seen from inside/backside. This occurs on ZKW lights, not the AL lights... The brand designation is seen on inside lower portion of the headlight lens.

2. Bad FCABs... During a test drive, a sudden stop will cause the steering wheel to twitch to one side. (Correct?)

3. Dip in power... I'm still trying to figure this one out. Is it VANOS related or DISA related?


Anyone else? Thanks so much!

[danewilson77]

That AW sedan you're going to buy in NY, most likely has zkw's. Just gonna have to deal with it for a while.

Sent from a Thunderbolt

[WOLFN8TR]

When I bought my ZHP my father-in-law went to look at it. I'm in Nevada it was down in California. He took it to a BMW dealer and had a full inspection done on the car, cost was approx $150. The things they found were belts, struts, oil filter housing leaking. They also checked for the rear subframe issue cracking. They quoted me $3,000 to repair everything, I did it myself for $200.

The dip in power was addressed with a DME software update. I do believe the DISA can cause some of the problem also. I had a slight power dip and most of it is gone after rebuilding the VANOS.

Good Luck "Newbie". :cheers

[DasMechaniKer]

Also, with any new vehicle, I'd try to get the car for a while. As was stated before get someone who knows what to look for to give it a once over. BMW dealers are actually good for this as they want you to spend the money to get it fixed in their shop. They'll find all the little things wrong with the vehicle most likely.

I'd also recommend to drive it for a while, hundred miles or so, if you can. This will allow for any oil leaks that could have been pressure washed away time to resurface.

[Oli77]

Drive slowly (10-20 mph) with the windows down, no radio, and in parking lots or along walls.

Put it in second, brake, first, second, first, and listen for clunks when you brake towards the front (FCABs).

Listen for rotational (speed-match) rythmic thud-thud-thud. Still with windows down turn a nice big 90% maintaining the speed. Does a sound come on when you turn left or right?

For engine, its hard to tell with sound.

[NorCalZman]

Look around that expansion take closely. Like sides and bottom too. Mine was seeping and the PPI guy nor I caught it. It wasn't until BMW had it that they found it.

If the steering is really really heavy/stuff, plan on a PS fluid flush. I insisted on it at the dealer and my steering weight noticeably changed....it's probably a good idea to just change out every fluid in the car no matter what. I did and have piece of mind :)

Keep us updated!!! I'm crossing my fingers for you

[GMATT]

+1 on having either a BMW dealership or a private Certified BMW mechanic look the car over. My guy saved me from buying a car I was sure was right (drove great, bad headlights). He found over $4500.00 in repairs and a dot in the cluster.

Gary

[JupiterBMW]

Hmm, ok guys, I really appreciate all of the info thus far. I did take a look and there is BMW of Ridgefield (CT) about 10 miles away, so I'm going to talk to the guy about bringing the car there. But, the car is at a dealer that claims to be a European specialty dealer. They say they do all their own mechanics too, so all their cars go out the door in excellent shape.. But, I'm still thinking I should try and bring it to the BMW dealer... We'll see what they say.. Of course, if they try to deny me that option, probably not a good sign...

Anyway, very anxious to make this happen... 23 hours until I get on the road and start heading North...

[MrMaico]

Couple things off the top of my head.....check all 4 windows (regulators). Roll them up and down a couple of times and listen for any noises. Someone else will have to chime in with what to listen for, I've been good so far with mine. Open the sunroof and let the glass open the shade portion to check for broken shade clips. Closing the sunroof won't close the shade, you have to do that manually.

Neither are deal breakers, just negotiating tools.

The same goes for curb rash on the wheels.

I bought my car in Vegas, 1500 miles away, without a PPI and just a short test drive. Not a smart thing to do probably but it was love at first sight. But I couldn't be happier with the condition and reliability 2 1/2 years later.

Good luck!

Barry

[JupiterBMW]

Barry- With me, it'll be much the same... 1500 miles away, probably nothing more than a test drive... Its already been love at first sight, and the worst part, I've never driven a ZHP, so I'm sure the whole love at first sight will completely consume me too.. :biggrin

[kayger12]

My .02 is that it is incredibly risky to buy an E46 without a proper PPI.

Too many very expensive things that you can miss.

The fact that they supposedly specialize in euro cars doesn't trump the fact that they make money by selling the car at the highest price with the lowest amount of work.

I really wouldn't even think about buying without a PPI...
I wish this was sent with a Galaxy S3

[danewilson77]

Good stuff here.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?5828-What-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-BMW.&p=136171

Sent from a Thunderbolt

[MrMaico]

I should have also mentioned my car was at Desert BMW so I would hope that they wouldn't be trying to hide anything. I'd listen to Keith and have someone look it over first. I had planned to have a PPI done but like I said, I let my emotions take over. I am always a little leery of independent used car dealers.

[JupiterBMW]

Hah, I started thinking some more, and I'm definitely going to talk to them about bringing the car to the local dealer. I do want a thorough PPI done as well, even though they state they're specialists... Like I said in a previous post, they CLAIM to be a speciality dealer. I have bought and sold many cars, and I too am VERY skeptical... But, we will see what it looks like...

[MrMaico]

Hah, I started thinking some more, and I'm definitely going to talk to them about bringing the car to the local dealer. I do want a thorough PPI done as well, even though they state they're specialists... Like I said in a previous post, they CLAIM to be a speciality dealer. I have bought and sold many cars, and I too am VERY skeptical... But, we will see what it looks like...

Good to hear! I'd hate to think my post had any influence on you buying it without a PPI and you'd end up with a lemon. :-) Just explain to them that you live 1500 miles away so you can't just bring it back to them if you have issues.

I probably just got lucky with mine, thankfully. I have yet to have any type of breakdown or even see any SES or CEL lights......other than the one I got on the way home with it when I added some fuel additive to it with the engine running. Strangely though, that lit an SES rather than the "gas cap open" light. Either way, it went off a few hours later.

Also on my way home (too far to turn back) I noticed the 2800 to 3000 rpm miss under acceleration in the higher gears. After some research and after trying a Vanos rebuild, plugs, fuel filter (no change), I got the software updated to the latest version and that took care of it.

You'll also want to try accelerating quickly through 4000 rpm and see if you feel a slight hesitation or on some it can be a major dead spot. Mine is just a slight hesitation that can be hard to notice but it's a little worse on hotter days.

[aurelius]

The list to which DW linked above is good but also be realistic: You won't be able to give all of those items a 10 out of 10 on a car approaching 100k miles.

Here's a buyer beware list I wrote a while back. Several links within to good E46-specific info.

http://db.tt/ehzjjNfq

[llll1l1ll]

I, too, got lucky with mine. I did not get a PPL done before I bought it. I just trusted myself and knew what I was getting into.

Things to be aware of:

The FCABs will make the wheel twitch a bit under sudden braking pressure. Also, warped rotors will do this a little, too.

Take a flashlight and try to peer behind the airbox at the "waffle area" on the engine under the oil filter housing.

Take a peek around the valve cover to see if there are any leaks.

Listen for rattling against a wall while driving.

Do not drive with the radio on. Check that last.

The car will feel sluggish with a busted VANOS.

Also, try to see if you can meet the guy with the engine cold. Check the coolant level and the area around the tank and water pump.

After the engine is warm, check the oil.

Check condition of brake fluid.

Listen for abnormal noises when driving.


Some of engine bay ones will be hard if the car has been recently detailed. Your best bet is to get a PPI.

[das boots]

+2. Same here. NO PPI before purchase. I had to get a down on this the same morning I saw the car. If not, the indie sales dealer would have sold the car to another guy who had an appointment that afternoon. However, I did a Post PI after I made my down payment. Luckily everything came out fine. Only minor stuffs....maintenance. The moment the car came in (trucked in on a flatbed), the car went up on all fours. And did not go on the road for a month after all to make her roadworthy have been replaced. Good thing I did this. I was learning as I went along with the intricacies of the ZHP with the help of the Mafia Goombas.

[llll1l1ll]

I was coming from an E30 so I was well-versed in maintenance. I trusted my instincts and knew what was wrong with the car before I dove in. When I got the Maryland safety inspection, it brought back exactly what I thought was wrong. Except for the windshield wipers. I didn't see those coming.

[JupiterBMW]

Wow, some more great info. Thanks again guys for all the help...

To give you all an update, I completed my drive up last night. 21 hours door to door... 1400 miles. I'm actually about 3 hours North of the ZHP, but I had to spend a day or so with my old man since I'm so close and I see him once a year or so... But, fairly good time otherwise considering I sat through evening rush hour traffic from Washington DC all the way through Baltimore, and then I hit insane rain/wind/lightning through a large portion of Jersey and Southern NY....

It was a very long day, but I did the drive straight through, only stopped 4 times for gas/food/restroom breaks... :)


I will be going to see the ZHP tomorrow morning... Looking forward to it. :biggrin And of course, I'll keep you all updated! Thank you so much for all the advice and help thus far. Hopefully I'm TRULY a part of the Mafia within the next day or so! :)

[MrMaico]

Damn! That's a long day. My longest was 921 a long time ago. From here to Coeur de Alene Idaho. I hope everything checks out ok on the ZHP.

[danewilson77]

Needs to be entered in the long drive thread.

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[JupiterBMW]

Couldn't find that thread Dane... But yes, especially considering I'm doing the drive again tomorrow...