Serves me right for buying at auction

Genericuser1 · 02-19-2014, 09:24 AM

I took my car in to see why there was condensation in the headlights and apparently it's been in a front end collision. Ergo they are not covered under warranty and would be at least $1,000 per headlight to replace!

I'm so mad at myself right now. If I hadn't already bought snow tires and rims and of course the loss in taxes and fees I'd sell it and be done with it.

So I guess I’ll be trying to figure out how to get into the headlights and drying them out myself. I just hope there hasn't been any significant damage. Not sure how there could be and not be reported.

Either way I don't think I'll keep it more than a year.

carzaddict · 02-19-2014, 09:30 AM

you're better off taking the car to an independent shop that can reseal the headlights for you. it'll cost you a lot less than $2k

Boostin FD · 02-19-2014, 09:37 AM

or better yet, get the OSS mod done as well.

W/// · 02-19-2014, 09:52 AM

Send it to the oneeighty guys in NY, modify it, be done with it. Put car on lift to see if there's any damage from the accident.

Carfax was clean? I know not to trust those, but would be really crappy if it showed clean.

SUBFRAMERIPPER · 02-19-2014, 10:00 AM

Is it really bad or just slight condensation after a carwash?
I had slight condensation in my headlight on my old e46. Burned off after I turned the headlights on.

Sebringjetta · 02-19-2014, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W///

Send it to the oneeighty guys in NY, modify it, be done with it. Put car on lift to see if there's any damage from the accident.

Carfax was clean? I know not to trust those, but would be really crappy if it showed clean.

what he said....bought cars i the past with clean histories and have had minor accidents that were never reported......

Rupes · 02-19-2014, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBFRAMERIPPER

Is it really bad or just slight condensation after a carwash?
I had slight condensation in my headlight on my old e46. Burned off after I turned the headlights on.

Ditto, my e92 had some condensation in there after I bought it (they washed it in a warm bay, then put it in sub zero temps).

Haven't seen it since then though, and it went away pretty quickly.

gatorfast · 02-19-2014, 10:24 AM

Which auction company? Manheim? They usually catch stuff like that which is reflected in their ratings and notes.

Evolve Automotive · 02-19-2014, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Which auction company? Manheim? They usually catch stuff like that which is reflected in their ratings and notes.

not necessarily, they do the bare minimum, if you want them to do a more indepth inspection you have to request it and pay for the services. OP do you know the extent to the damage? How much did you pay for the car (if you dont mind me asking)

Genericuser1 · 02-19-2014, 10:32 AM

Car was listed as a 4.0 out of 5 at Manheim. Picture is attached.

When I go to pick up my car I'll talk with the SA and maybe the tech, see if they can show me what they are looking at, perhaps they will put it on a lift so we can look at it.

If nothing else I'll take it to my body guy and we'll take off the bumper and lights and see what's going on.

briancl · 02-19-2014, 10:39 AM

price? miles? sorry to hear, hope everything turns out okay.

Genericuser1 · 02-19-2014, 10:58 AM

28k miles and change, might be 29k now. Auction price was $41,250 but there are about $2k in various fees. Original sticker was $81.5k.

As to damage I just heard about it this morning so I have no new info until I go and pick it up. They are looking into a creak/rattle in the roof and will call me. Hopefully it's minor and I just need to reseal the lights.

IzzyGray · 02-19-2014, 11:03 AM

Uh, so it's just condensation? Otherwise headlights work? If so, just reseal them either yourself or get the OSS mod done. Definitely get the front end damage looked at though.

ETA: Doh. Just saw your reply.

khanhdom · 02-19-2014, 11:09 AM

you might be overreacting, it's probably nothing too serious

Genericuser1 · 02-19-2014, 11:23 AM

Well I just heard back from the SA. The used compressed air to dry out the light and in the test drive to determine the rattle (which they fixed) the condensation came back. They estimate that the right fender and hood have been replaced as well as a strut under the hood. I’ll need to take it to a shop and hope that the lights can be sealed up.

They will be able to tell me the full extent of the damage.

gatorfast · 02-19-2014, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evolve-US

not necessarily, they do the bare minimum, if you want them to do a more indepth inspection you have to request it and pay for the services. OP do you know the extent to the damage? How much did you pay for the car (if you dont mind me asking)

Yea I know they dont do a crazy inspection but for a trained eye its usually easy to spot previous repairs/paintwork. If I remember correctly, their reports will even have comments like "front bumper previous repair. Recommendation: none" or "6in scratch passenger side wheel. Recommendation: repair".

briancl · 02-19-2014, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Genericuser1

28k miles and change, might be 29k now. Auction price was $41,250 but there are about $2k in various fees. Original sticker was $81.5k.

As to damage I just heard about it this morning so I have no new info until I go and pick it up. They are looking into a creak/rattle in the roof and will call me. Hopefully it's minor and I just need to reseal the lights.

year? hope everything turns out okay for you. just be patient and be thorough and it will be fine.

LightWerkz · 02-19-2014, 12:50 PM

With that much condensation build up, theres got to be a crack in the lights, or simply a rear cover loose. Thats all it really takes sometimes. If you need help with the reseal, let me know!

grantmax · 02-19-2014, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

or better yet, get the OSS mod done as well.

BOOM. Turn your frown upside down.

Side note - @Edward's 335is had condensation inside the headlights at ~10k miles. They refused to replace under warranty calling it "within spec".

nicebraces · 02-19-2014, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

or better yet, get the OSS mod done as well.

^ +1 ... Hit up Luis@OSSdesigns ... Best headlight mod period ... Heck, here's his email: sales@ossdesigns.net ... Tell him Jeff sent ya!!!

Genericuser1 · 02-19-2014, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briancl

year? hope everything turns out okay for you. just be patient and be thorough and it will be fine.

2011

The main thing I want to do is get it on the lift with my body shop guy and also pull the bumper. My main concern is to see if there is any significant damage. If there is it will be gone ASAP. Hopefully it's something simple that a couple hundreds bucks will fix. I've wanted an M3 for 8 years now, almost got a 2003, then a 2009 finally got this 2011 and was so excited.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightWerkz

With that much condensation build up, theres got to be a crack in the lights, or simply a rear cover loose. Thats all it really takes sometimes. If you need help with the reseal, let me know!

I appreciate the offer and I may take you up on that.

Genericuser1 · 03-06-2014, 01:14 PM

Looks like the car has had the hood, front fascia, right front fender and front brace replaced with used parts (you can see the old sticker under the hood). My bodyshop guys said the paint work was very shoddy, both doors are out of alignment and part of the right front suspension is just slightly bent. Also looks like the previous owner rode over something as the driver’s side cat and exhaust have a large dent. Other miscellaneous dents and so forth. The headlight is probably damaged as there is a small impact near it that probably happened after the original accident.

At least I can stop worrying about buying an extended warranty now.

02-19-2014, 09:24 AM	#1
Genericuser1 Captain 22 Rep 661 Posts Drives: M3 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Serves me right for buying at auction I took my car in to see why there was condensation in the headlights and apparently it's been in a front end collision. Ergo they are not covered under warranty and would be at least $1,000 per headlight to replace! I'm so mad at myself right now. If I hadn't already bought snow tires and rims and of course the loss in taxes and fees I'd sell it and be done with it. So I guess I’ll be trying to figure out how to get into the headlights and drying them out myself. I just hope there hasn't been any significant damage. Not sure how there could be and not be reported. Either way I don't think I'll keep it more than a year.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-19-2014, 09:30 AM	#2
carzaddict Lieutenant Colonel 158 Rep 1,573 Posts Drives: 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	you're better off taking the car to an independent shop that can reseal the headlights for you. it'll cost you a lot less than $2k __________________ 2015i Cadillac Escalade ESV
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 09:37 AM	#3
Boostin FD Bored all the time 382 Rep 2,173 Posts Drives: Batmobile Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kirkwood iTrader: (2)	or better yet, get the OSS mod done as well. __________________ Current: 2014 991 Turbo RS Past: 15 GT3, 17 R8 SC, Two 16 M4 GTS’s, Two 18 GT350R's, Two 13 RS5’s, 13 M3, 10 R8, 15 M4, 09 M3, 04 M3, 09 S5, 02 M3... It all started with an RX-7 (FD).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 09:52 AM	#4
W/// Lieutenant General 7496 Rep 12,311 Posts Drives: F82GTS, E36/E92M3, Z4M Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (13)	Send it to the oneeighty guys in NY, modify it, be done with it. Put car on lift to see if there's any damage from the accident. Carfax was clean? I know not to trust those, but would be really crappy if it showed clean. __________________ Current: 16 F82 M4 GTS, Black Sapphire/Black, DCT 08 E92 M3, Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige, 6MT 07 E85 Z4M Roadster, Alpine White/Red, 6MT 99 E36 M3, Techno Violet/Dove Grey, 6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 10:00 AM	#5
SUBFRAMERIPPER Private First Class 6 Rep 197 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	Is it really bad or just slight condensation after a carwash? I had slight condensation in my headlight on my old e46. Burned off after I turned the headlights on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 10:24 AM	#8
gatorfast Major General 4998 Rep 6,864 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	Which auction company? Manheim? They usually catch stuff like that which is reflected in their ratings and notes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 10:32 AM	#10
Genericuser1 Captain 22 Rep 661 Posts Drives: M3 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Car was listed as a 4.0 out of 5 at Manheim. Picture is attached. When I go to pick up my car I'll talk with the SA and maybe the tech, see if they can show me what they are looking at, perhaps they will put it on a lift so we can look at it. If nothing else I'll take it to my body guy and we'll take off the bumper and lights and see what's going on. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 10:39 AM	#11
briancl Lieutenant 48 Rep 523 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: California iTrader: (17)	price? miles? sorry to hear, hope everything turns out okay.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 10:58 AM	#12
Genericuser1 Captain 22 Rep 661 Posts Drives: M3 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	28k miles and change, might be 29k now. Auction price was $41,250 but there are about $2k in various fees. Original sticker was $81.5k. As to damage I just heard about it this morning so I have no new info until I go and pick it up. They are looking into a creak/rattle in the roof and will call me. Hopefully it's minor and I just need to reseal the lights.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 11:03 AM	#13
IzzyGray Lieutenant 27 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (3)	Uh, so it's just condensation? Otherwise headlights work? If so, just reseal them either yourself or get the OSS mod done. Definitely get the front end damage looked at though. ETA: Doh. Just saw your reply.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 11:09 AM	#14
khanhdom Captain 230 Rep 646 Posts Drives: IG: khanhdom Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 F83 [0.00]	you might be overreacting, it's probably nothing too serious
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 11:23 AM	#15
Genericuser1 Captain 22 Rep 661 Posts Drives: M3 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Well I just heard back from the SA. The used compressed air to dry out the light and in the test drive to determine the rattle (which they fixed) the condensation came back. They estimate that the right fender and hood have been replaced as well as a strut under the hood. I’ll need to take it to a shop and hope that the lights can be sealed up. They will be able to tell me the full extent of the damage.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-19-2014, 12:50 PM	#18
LightWerkz Banned 56 Rep 530 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oakland, NJ iTrader: (1)	With that much condensation build up, theres got to be a crack in the lights, or simply a rear cover loose. Thats all it really takes sometimes. If you need help with the reseal, let me know!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-06-2014, 01:14 PM	#22
Genericuser1 Captain 22 Rep 661 Posts Drives: M3 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Looks like the car has had the hood, front fascia, right front fender and front brace replaced with used parts (you can see the old sticker under the hood). My bodyshop guys said the paint work was very shoddy, both doors are out of alignment and part of the right front suspension is just slightly bent. Also looks like the previous owner rode over something as the driver’s side cat and exhaust have a large dent. Other miscellaneous dents and so forth. The headlight is probably damaged as there is a small impact near it that probably happened after the original accident. At least I can stop worrying about buying an extended warranty now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote