Mrs decided on an import Mk5 Golf, how to avoid a bung auto?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Mrs decided on an import Mk5 Golf, how to avoid a bung auto?

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Smithy100

180 posts

Master Geek

#1693707 22-Dec-2016 10:42

TimA:

I just bought a 1999 328I touring.
The body is immaculate and the whole drive train is mint.
Its auto for now but will be manual. Not a single stone chip or dent across the entire car, Not even paint fade.
Its done 210KMS. Its the best E36 i have ever driven.
So i bought it for 4k.

This car i expect to last many years, Once manual the car will take a bit of abuse and can almost guarantee it wont have a problem apart from basic wear parts. Its about the condition of the car.

A/C blows bone cold, All electrics work. Really comfortable and quiet. Far superior quality and comfort than a new Jap car.

You lucky/smart bugger - one of these is quite likely to be my next car mid next year :)

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1693747 22-Dec-2016 11:45

martyyn:

50k in 13 years !! What have they been doing with it ? Unless it was something super-special and unless it had a full service history it would have minus points from me to be honest. Age and kms mean nothing, it's all about condition and how it's been looked after.

No its legit, the old lady prior just used it 10km to see family. The business man bought it to do long trips to his holiday house. I have seen some privte info as it was his grandmothers prior.

It has full service history by the log book from one of the largest Euro/VW mechanics/Shops in Auck, including stamping to every service point, all parts changed as per service book. Cam belt changed early due to age, something a genuinely good owner wouldnt do.

Its a 4 spd auto, it drived like silk, no signs of head gasket, no steam or oil from exhaust.

Its the kind of car most dream of finding, its not on trademe thats probably why.

One smally niggle the first owner bumped something and its glazed the bumpers paint which you cant see unless look really close as it has no dent, but it has shifted the bumper just on one sign so needs rebolting.

My uncle who has been a mechanic for 50 years and still working says KMs beats age, if serviced regularly, any day. Also he said NZ new with full service history over Japanese import with no history for 70kkm easily wins. You dont know how the cars been treated for a very long time.

Well done Tim, we talked about it a fair bit in PMs Im glad it worked out for you.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1693766 22-Dec-2016 12:26

Smithy100:

Condition is more important than kms (and age).

A well looked after/serviced higher km 15 year old car will be better than a 10 year old lower km car that hasn't been. Once a car is over 7/8 years old kms become less relevant. Condition and servicing much more so.

If the Mk 4 suits your budget - you need to ask yourself what else you can buy for $5.5k... and what would you prefer? FSH implies it's NZ New? Or is it a fresh import? If the former I'd be all over it - if it's the latter I'd be a little more wary. 50km in 13 years is not a lot but does raise the question as to why it's so low... consider also that a lot of parts age, as well as wear - think things like suspension mounts, various seals, electrics... rubber, plastic, and metals deteriorate over time regardless of km's travelled (or not). So ensure the car is in great condition aside from just the mechanicals.

TLDR; If you like it, get it checked out by a specialist if possible; and if all is (mostly) good then go for it.

Yotally agree

yead its definitely NZ new, have the purchase receipt. Its log book is stamped by a very large Euro/VW mechanic every 5000km for service and stamped and ticked for every part that needs changing as per log. its actually closer to 70kkm, sorry I didnt find it the Mrs did, i think its 65kkm to be exact.

Yep thats why he replaced the cam belt well ahead of schedule, due to possibility of perishing. It is detailed twice a year and all the plastic and rubber looks brand new. As side from the bumper being out of place which you have to have a keen eye to see it looks brand new. There is some glazzing of the paint where it hit something gently enough not to dent it but strong enough to displace the bumper on one side by a few mm. No its not a major, and im 100% confident the chassis is straight rofl. I think its simply the angle the old lady has run into something, or possible been reversed into while parked.

50000km isnt that od per annum for a lot of people, thats about 80km a week, id be lucky to do 20km a week personally, commuting is a waste of life.

Ive considered getting a quote to realign the plastice, we tried, but hand, but they so solid, who knows how they bolted on, Im sure I could straighten it if it was a corolla or demio. The ford focus feels half way between the 2 and I like it. Corolla or focus or Golf or maybe a 325i, all depends on what pops up thats clean. ;-p

Smithy100

180 posts

Master Geek

#1693775 22-Dec-2016 12:35

Sounds a no-brainer to me... if they won't budge on price; make sure it's got a recent warrant and wof, that may give you a bit of a win - but regardless, for that kind of $$$$ it sounds like a good one :)

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1693852 22-Dec-2016 14:07

thanks smithy, i finally find a minter and people try to say its not done enough KMs haha.

ive put in an offer subject to VTNZ. was just WOFd and serviced, service clock is on about 20km in, got receipt for nz purchase, log book stamped for every items needed and the owner must have had OCD as they serviced it every 5000km at a very expensive euro dealer.

Its actually 2003, the mrs sent me the vin.

so its 14 years old, id rather a well maintained 14 year old car thats done 5000km a year than a 2009 DSG thats done 70kkm with no service history and who knows what has happened to it or how it was driven or if it was ever serviced for $4k more.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1694006 22-Dec-2016 20:21

TeaLeaf:

My uncle who has been a mechanic for 50 years and still working says KMs beats age, if serviced regularly, any day.

That's old advice, but all good if you're happy!!

I'd never buy a car for low k's.

8 years ago I popped the top of a m20b25 and it looked like it'd just been honed at 200,00kms.

Then rebuilt a m30b35 at 250k and it didn't need it... at all. It cost me in gaskets.

My current 21yo has 252,000 and the 2003 X5 diesel has 204,000 and no issues at all.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1694007 22-Dec-2016 20:27

TimA:

Its done 210KMS. Its the best E36 i have ever driven.

E36??? last of the boxes... ? (ew) :D

Thought you'd become an Audi man?

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TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1694023 22-Dec-2016 21:01

blakamin:

2003 X5 diesel has 204,000 and no issues at all.

thanks for reassuring what im saying then.

lol you drive a 2003 x5?

i find it funny NZ's obsession with old german family vehicles. you cant trade them for $50euro in Germany, literally.

Low kms are low kms. if its been treated very well low kms are extra special low kms, dont fool yourself.

The new wisdom of buying used cars, dont buy cars well serviced with low KMs, they just trouble. that just keeps me loling every time i read what you wrote.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1694071 22-Dec-2016 22:57

TeaLeaf:

blakamin:

2003 X5 diesel has 204,000 and no issues at all.

thanks for reassuring what im saying then.

lol you drive a 2003 x5?

i find it funny NZ's obsession with old german family vehicles. you cant trade them for $50euro in Germany, literally.

Low kms are low kms. if its been treated very well low kms are extra special low kms, dont fool yourself.

The new wisdom of buying used cars, dont buy cars well serviced with low KMs, they just trouble. that just keeps me loling every time i read what you wrote.

Low k's mean they've sat around doing sweet FA..

Personally never owned a car under 100k. Never will. Low k's on an older car mean never driven, never revved and never happy in the long term, especially by someone that will drive with some "foot in it".
I rebuilt my first engine at 9 (with my brother, 327 chev) I'm 45 now and have rebuilt everything from that to holden, ford eights and sixes, Desmos and german cars, Merc 6s & 8s, BMW 6s and 8s...

I'm the BMW fan in the family. I have a 95 V8 740iL... With over 250k. The Mrs owns the X5.

And X5s are American.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1694152 23-Dec-2016 08:30

blakamin:

TeaLeaf:

My uncle who has been a mechanic for 50 years and still working says KMs beats age, if serviced regularly, any day.

That's old advice, but all good if you're happy!!

I'd never buy a car for low k's.

8 years ago I popped the top of a m20b25 and it looked like it'd just been honed at 200,00kms.

Then rebuilt a m30b35 at 250k and it didn't need it... at all. It cost me in gaskets.

My current 21yo has 252,000 and the 2003 X5 diesel has 204,000 and no issues at all.

Sounds about right for a BMW engine, Cant beat them. I moved on from Audis cause they are expensive to maintain and hard to work on.
Dont give the E36 flak either :) The best 3 series chassis developed id say.
Avoid the X5 3L petrol. Dont take it off road either, Will blow the gearbox.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1694339 23-Dec-2016 14:37

blakamin:

Low k's mean they've sat around doing sweet FA..

Personally never owned a car under 100k. Never will. Low k's on an older car mean never driven, never revved and never happy in the long term, especially by someone that will drive with some "foot in it".
I rebuilt my first engine at 9 (with my brother, 327 chev) I'm 45 now and have rebuilt everything from that to holden, ford eights and sixes, Desmos and german cars, Merc 6s & 8s, BMW 6s and 8s...

I'm the BMW fan in the family. I have a 95 V8 740iL... With over 250k. The Mrs owns the X5.

And X5s are American.

You are way over generalising.

Trust me I know people first hand in BMW and VW, Ive owned a lot of cars new and old from both and asian cars. An old car is subject to more wear if its been used a lot, thats just how it is.

Dont assume low KMs mean it hasnt been well looked after. Someone who uses there car consistantly at 5000km a year is plenty. Not everyone needs to drive 40000km a year, and who would want to. They key to either is whether its been serviced, this vehicle has european mechanics servicing paper work coming out of its ears.

Tim agrees I should buy it, I dont see your logic, dont buy a low KM car that has been over serviced and parts replaced that may fail due to age (not necesity) is a really silly logic. The original owner had OCD in keeping the vehicle in as new condition and its still as new, from engine to body.

its the same with outboard engines, if they arent used often they still need an annual service. Buying a rarely used outboard isnt always a good thing if you dont know its history. Nor is buying an over used old engine that is near need of everything replaced regardless of servicing.

You defy 99% of the populations (including most mechanics I know belief).

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1694408 23-Dec-2016 16:26

TimA:

Dont give the E36 flak either :) The best 3 series chassis developed id say.

Until they made the e46

TimA:
Avoid the X5 3L petrol. Dont take it off road either, Will blow the gearbox.

It's a diesel and who would take one offroad? It's an all wheel drive not a 4x4

@tealeaf Like I said, do whatever you want that makes you happy. Makes no difference to me. I told you what I personally think and do... I'm not you or your mates. I don't give a rats :D

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#1694576 24-Dec-2016 14:00

the 6cyl in a 3 series is pretty rock solid all the way through. each had its own niggles. but id much rather that than expensive electronic cars the old man has that would buy me a house. especially the i8, thats just taking electronics and hybrid too far. although germany is planning to be 100% renewable by 2050, sweden 2020 I think it is. which mean building tesla factories. germany already has the wind and solar power, its the production of products that uses fossil fuels, ie plastics. but we now have biodegradable plastics, but im not sure what teslas plans are for batteries and especially vehicle batteries.

blakamin

4431 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1694589 24-Dec-2016 15:14

The main problem with the 80's-early 90's 6's was their tendency to overheat and warp a head if you had even a slight leak in the radiator (m20 and M30 engines). My 740 (m60b40) split the radiator entirely and the only warning was "low coolant". I made it home (35kms) without the temp even going above half!

As for the i8, or the latest 7... yes please!! :D I could even squish the kids in the i8 if I had to

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