To recond or not to recond?

[Bishop]

In a dilemma now. Need advice. I was thinking of getting an unregistered E39 but seem to have problems finding one that matches its VIN. Most of the time the salesman claims a year then the VIN shows another. Someone advise in my previous thread to get a local car as there will be track record.So which would be a better buy? An unregistered car(which for the longest time I thought would be in a better condition) or a local car?Please advise.

 

[juggernaut]

from my bad experience, here's my advice - if you're not willing to go the whole nine yards in doing your homework, then avoid unreg. recond. like a plague..

 

[Daredevil]

There has been too many stories about year of manufacture not in accordance to that claimed by 2nd hand car dealers. Even reputable 2nd hand car dealers have been named culprits in some instances. Thus I agree with Juggernaut, if the dealer is not your relative or someone you're close too, don't trust them... :angry:

 

[skycon]

But sometime think back, is the VIN manufacturing date ready that important to you ? Would u pass out a great car (if it indeed is great in/out) if the VIN show it is one year or few months earlier then what is stated in AP/registration ?

As I remember someone mentioned before here, even the car that brought in directly by BMW Msia could also have the VIN mismatch, as the car registration will state whatever year that they declared to the custom. Something like that.

Like most Jap import car, we can't even verify. Just some thought.

 

[thinice]

Personally, if it is a great car, VIN would not matter that much to me.

But you should still spill it out the salesman face and negotiate based on the manufacturing date, rather than what the papers say.

 

[jeffreyewe]

Personally, if I like it and it's within my budget, I'll buy it....in-regards of the year of manufacturing or registration.

It personal preference I suppose.

 

[dingswie]

Originally posted by thinice+Mar 15 2005, 09:04 AM-->QUOTE (thinice @ Mar 15 2005, 09:04 AM)Personally, if it is a great car, VIN would not matter that much to me.

But you should still spill it out the salesman face and negotiate based on the manufacturing date, rather than what the papers say.

[/b]

Yeah, but if you happen to be looking for E39, you may end up thinking you got yourself a 525 (192bhp), which actually it is a 523 (172bhp). Worse still, it may even be a single vanos engine only!

i would go with juggernaut here:

 

[Bishop]

But sometime think back, is the VIN manufacturing date ready that important to you ? Would u pass out a great car (if it indeed is great in/out) if the VIN show it is one year or few months earlier then what is stated in AP/registration ?

If it is a few months I dont think that it is a big issue. Problem is if it is a year or more.

Well the guy I went to tried to convince me that you look at the registration date to buy/sell thus pricing the car at 99 instead of the VIN year 97. That's about +40K!!!

Also if it is manufactured in 97 there would be more wear and tear even if it still looks nice.

 

[juggernaut]

Originally posted by Bishop@Mar 16 2005, 12:21 AM
Well the guy I went to tried to convince me that you look at the registration date to buy/sell thus pricing the car at 99 instead of the VIN year 97.

that's blatant BS to me.. the guy deserves to be slapped!

 

[Bishop]

that's blatant BS to me.. the guy deserves to be slapped!

Well the guy didn't blink when I told/asked him that. I think slapping wont help, needs to be shot!! :rofl: :rofl: