Rant: Never buying privately again...

[alex]

Oh woe is me.

I bought this;


BMW 3 SERIES 3.0 330i M Sport 4dr
330i MSport With Sat Nav in fantastic condition. Full main dealer and specialist service history. Just had major service inc new brakes and 4 new Bridgestone tyres. Car will come with 1 years MOT and we can arrange a warranty should you require one. Specification highlights include Sat Nav, Cruise Control, Heated Leather Seats, Front & Rear Parking Sensors and Dual Zone Climate Control. 4 legged friend arrives soon so we're buying an estate hence sale. Available to view in Haslemere Surrey., 3 owners, Next MOT due 15/09/2017, Full service history, Air conditioning, Satellite navigation, Leather trim, Heated seats, Child seat points (Isofix system), Sports seats, Cruise control. GREY.

I asked if there were any areas of concern, warning lights etc, it's a 10year old car after all. None was the response.

I don't have the paperwork for specifics at home...but...
It was major serviced on 65,xxx miles - no faults.
It was MOT'd on 66,0xx miles - no warnings.
I picked it up on 66,091 miles.

At 66,180 miles it was parked at BMW in Bishop Stortford after over heating. Now it appears to have thrown the water pump fault code at 66,173miles - that's shit luck and I can deal with that....I mean assuming it wasn't covered up by the BMW service specialist.

What I'm slightly more concerned about is;

• The rear tyres are 4.5mm rear not 7mm as per NEW.
• The rear wheels are both cracked (MOT Fail), one has a previous weld.
• There is a leak from the diff.
• There is a leak from the gearbox.

Ok now I'm a douche bag and should have checked the rear tyres, but they are consumables and I didn't really get the car for it's new tyre freshness...

I'm looking at ?2500 to put it all right.
What gets me is the Service and MOT. The wheels are a failure, I did 89miles...you're telling me both failed in that time? When I can't recall any jarring potholes. And the leaks...that's not started in 89 miles either so the service by his BMW Specialist "mate" was bull too. How convenient.

Basically his "mate" has told him to bin it off to a mug (me) before he has to invest a lot in repairs.

Still gathering evidence...and deciding on a course of action.

 

[MacRR]

Oh dear, where the ad says 'we can arrange a warranty', was that offered by a private seller? That's pretty unusual... Is there are a reputable BMW specialist you can get to look at it to lower the bill a bit? Not very local to you but I use an excellent specialist in Northampton (Autobarn) to look after my 320d, they really know their stuff and offer excellent vfm.

 

[alex]

He said he'd arrange it via his mate at the garage. Now I f**king know why. They were both trying to run a mile from it, he lied to my face.

Worst case right now, get the pump sorted ?800. Drive home, sort out the rest and a dealer I can trust without the ?140ph labour. Not sure I would trust a "Specialist" either now...

 

[DoubleRDurham]

Google his phone number - if he's advertised a few cars it may point to his being a trader; and if he is actually a trader masquerading as a private seller, your rights are significantly greater - but you may well still need to take legal action to enforce them.

 

[stuartb]

Nightmare Alex...what a bummer and takes the shine of an otherwise nice looking car...im not a bm car man but 330s and 5 series estates appeal to me..great engine in that car you have... hope you get it resolved mate.

Sent from Galaxy S7

 

[soofsayer]

That's not on at all. Git. There are cheaper ways to get bummed, Stuart told me so .

 

[alex]

He's not trading from what I can tell...he doesn't do social media by real name, has a website as his job is web related, is on LinkedIn.
I've not challenged him on it all yet. But the law around all this really does suck.
The pump is the only desperate issue. The others I can sort later.

I now need to find an E90 parts catalogue / service manual...so that I am ready for worst case - I've a contact up in Norwich that can do a great job with mechanical stuff...the sump and diff issues will be a doddle for him and 2 rims look like being 400 on eBay.

I'll go for the previous owner but set expectation around being unable to get any form of financial recompense.

 

[soofsayer]

Can you not find a pump from a scrap dealer, or if you need new, buy it from that distributor I found for BMW parts where I got my alloy wheel from (ironically the one it replaced was cracked but the mot tester didn't notice, found out afterwards).

 

[alex]

You know, looking at that picture I thought the water was just there like the rest of the damp tarmac...now though, knowing the water came out of the expansion bottle that side, I'm not so sure.

 

[alex]

Can you not find a pump from a scrap dealer, or if you need new, buy it from that distributor I found for BMW parts where I got my alloy wheel from (ironically the one it replaced was cracked but the mot tester didn't notice, found out afterwards).

Need to gather the part numbers to get started. But PM me his details if you don't mind.

 

[Gazzy]

Would it be worth speaking to VOSA regarding the MOT. I assume the mileage is on the MOT and the mileage on the car can be verified as being little over that mileage. It may be worth questioning the validity of this test and could possibly cause some inspection and problems for said MOT provider.

 

[alex]

Yeah don't worry I will be if I get no satisfaction...

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[stuartb]

It does sow the seeds of doubt in your head regarding how well it has been looked after..it really didnt have to be like this...anyways for what its worth I d/l an app called MOT History.. surprisingly good and is free.

I was convinced my Shogun had a broken spring, took it into see the lads across the road and despite jacking it fully up and dropping the 4 wheels I couldnt see anything. By chance I dl that app and bingo there was a fail...broken spring. So whoever owned the car then replaced 1 and not a pair...miserable cxnt.. we always done shox or springs as a pair when I was in the game.

Not sure its of any use to you Alex but may help someone else..

Sent from Galaxy S7

 

[JimmyMac]

Is that the one that tells you all the failure points and advisories Stuart?

JimmyMac

 

[stuartb]

Is that the one that tells you all the failure points and advisories Stuart?

JimmyMac

It is Jimmy, I tried my black gixxer with the Dream Machine paint job F960 USD, I bought it new from Mickey Oates in York St in 1988 and it was still alive and kicking 2 years ago, it's SORN now.

Stuart

 

[stuartb]

Is that the one that tells you all the failure points and advisories Stuart?

JimmyMac

It is Jimmy, I tried my black gixxer with the Dream Machine paint job F960 USD, I bought it new from Mickey Oates in York St in 1988 and it was still alive and kicking 2 years ago, it's SORN now.

Stuart

 

[alex]

Cheers Stu, The only thing the MOT apps have are that the child seats were fitted preventing full inspection.

At 66,065 miles, no warnings about wheels.

 

[stuartb]

Total sour taste...hope you get it sorted out...have you approached the seller ?

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[alex]

Tomorrow chap, I am still getting details from the garage, cross checking facts.

 

[stuartb]

Good man... positive approach works best. I hope he is receptive.

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