Buying 2002 325 CI Convertible, have some questions

[zachd]

Hey all, new to the site, so I hope this is the right section. I am going to view a 2002 325CI Convertable tomorrow. It has 112,000 miles on it, but appears to be in very good condition. I was wondering what are common issues with these cars, and if there is anything in particular I should look for while viewing it. The wheels in the pictures do not come with the car at the advertised price. The dealership wants an additional $1800, which I refuse to pay. So they said they will throw the stock wheels/tires back on the car for me.

Link to car:
Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com


Thanks in advance!

Zach

[darkhorse737]

condition of the top is foremost consideration... it will tell you how bad the car has been used or abused. at 112,000 and IF it's been replaced; i would raise an eyebrow;-)

[zachd]

Originally Posted by darkhorse737

condition of the top is foremost consideration... it will tell you how bad the car has been used or abused. at 112,000 and IF it's been replaced; i would raise an eyebrow;-)

Well it is a 1 owner car. Always been an Arizona car. Why would you raise an eyebrow if it has been replaced?

[darkhorse737]

in my own opinion, at 112,000 miles a replaced top would have been subject to the elements... i.e. not garaged. May have been subject to vandalism as well; or, maybe the previous owner just didn't care too much about the car. Consider the cost of a new top also... if u end up footing that bill while the car is in your possession-it will not be cheap. A good replacement is about $1100. from the dealer maybe twice as much EXCLUDING labor.

Cosmetically, if the car wasn't taken care of... then it would in most likelihood mean that the things unseen (engine maintainance, upkeep,etc...) may also have been neglected.

Again, my views are entirely my own. I'm a stickler for cars in their original form, and maybe just a little more particular to detail than others are...