TomKnight
06-23-2016, 12:08 PM
I went to my local dealer yesterday (weds) to test drive a 650 (awesome). Before pulling the trigger on the 650, I asked about a 330CI I had seen with ZHP package a few days ago. They told me they had just sent it to auction, because it needed "$6k worth of work".
I asked if they could rescue it before it got auctioned, as I may buy it if I could see their inspection report. It was supposed to be auctioned today (thurs), so I had about 2 hours last night to look over the report, estimate my own repair costs, and make a decision. I took the list to my Indy, and he gave me a price for a few things I wasn't sure I'd do, and I priced out the rest. In all, I think it's about $2k-$3k of some Indy work and a lot of self work.
So, I called them back and asked them if it could be rescued, and they made a call, and it's on the way back to them today. I should be able to pick it up tomorrow, Saturday at the latest. I have to travel all week next week, but as soon as I get it I'll order parts, then July 4th weekend will be project repair weekend.
It's an '05, with sapphire black exterior and natural brown interior with a black top, 6MT, and about 100k miles. From the pics they had briefly on their website, it looked great. My salesman said he had driven it, and it was in great shape, other than the repair items.
So hopefully this post doesn't jinx it, but I hope to pick it up tomorrow.
While doing some of the repairs, I'll replace with performance parts where possible - power pulleys, etc. I haven't decided if a Stewart water pump is worth the money or not.
I think my biggest issue cost-wise may be tires and wheels. This looks to be a high-cost item for replacement Type 135's (if I don't get something lighter). The tech at the dealer said there "may be damage" to the wheels - I am hoping it's just curb rash and not real damage, so I can let those wait a bit. I would hope the stock wheels aren't easily bent, but if so, I'll deal.
The other stuff is pretty easy stuff like coolant system rebuild, spark plugs, a random oil leak (like valve cover), thermostat, a few sensors, brakes, and some cosmetics. Nothing that can't be done in a day or two at home.
I have an '05 E53 with about 185k miles on (college student uses it at school), that I have finally finished chasing down all the oils leaks on, replaced two window regulators last night, and some other stuff (brakes, valve cover leak, oil filter housing gasket leak, and some other stuff). Seems like I've done nothing but work on that car for 6 weekends now.
I am about sick of car repairs, but I think I may actually enjoy this work, as this will be my car. I just was having a hard time thinking of a classic like this getting auctioned to some buy here pay here lot, and some poor buyer having it blow up on them 2 months from now. With a little care, I think it's got a lot of life left in it.
Once I fix all of this stuff and recover a bit financially, I'll start seeing if I can make it a little faster. I think I may want a hard top too, but that's going to have to be some incredible smoking deal, because that won't be worth $1,500 to me.
If I get it, I'll come back and post some pics. That color combo is really striking, IMHO.
I asked if they could rescue it before it got auctioned, as I may buy it if I could see their inspection report. It was supposed to be auctioned today (thurs), so I had about 2 hours last night to look over the report, estimate my own repair costs, and make a decision. I took the list to my Indy, and he gave me a price for a few things I wasn't sure I'd do, and I priced out the rest. In all, I think it's about $2k-$3k of some Indy work and a lot of self work.
So, I called them back and asked them if it could be rescued, and they made a call, and it's on the way back to them today. I should be able to pick it up tomorrow, Saturday at the latest. I have to travel all week next week, but as soon as I get it I'll order parts, then July 4th weekend will be project repair weekend.
It's an '05, with sapphire black exterior and natural brown interior with a black top, 6MT, and about 100k miles. From the pics they had briefly on their website, it looked great. My salesman said he had driven it, and it was in great shape, other than the repair items.
So hopefully this post doesn't jinx it, but I hope to pick it up tomorrow.
While doing some of the repairs, I'll replace with performance parts where possible - power pulleys, etc. I haven't decided if a Stewart water pump is worth the money or not.
I think my biggest issue cost-wise may be tires and wheels. This looks to be a high-cost item for replacement Type 135's (if I don't get something lighter). The tech at the dealer said there "may be damage" to the wheels - I am hoping it's just curb rash and not real damage, so I can let those wait a bit. I would hope the stock wheels aren't easily bent, but if so, I'll deal.
The other stuff is pretty easy stuff like coolant system rebuild, spark plugs, a random oil leak (like valve cover), thermostat, a few sensors, brakes, and some cosmetics. Nothing that can't be done in a day or two at home.
I have an '05 E53 with about 185k miles on (college student uses it at school), that I have finally finished chasing down all the oils leaks on, replaced two window regulators last night, and some other stuff (brakes, valve cover leak, oil filter housing gasket leak, and some other stuff). Seems like I've done nothing but work on that car for 6 weekends now.
I am about sick of car repairs, but I think I may actually enjoy this work, as this will be my car. I just was having a hard time thinking of a classic like this getting auctioned to some buy here pay here lot, and some poor buyer having it blow up on them 2 months from now. With a little care, I think it's got a lot of life left in it.
Once I fix all of this stuff and recover a bit financially, I'll start seeing if I can make it a little faster. I think I may want a hard top too, but that's going to have to be some incredible smoking deal, because that won't be worth $1,500 to me.
If I get it, I'll come back and post some pics. That color combo is really striking, IMHO.