Buying from eBay

[Big Papa G]

Hello all,

I'll preface this string with some background which will roll me into my question.

I live in Canada and i want an M3, more specifically, i want a Cab. For whatever reason it was never available here in the e36. So i will need to buy my car in the US.

I am not too familiar with what the restrictions are on exporting and importing a car, and i'm weary of paying some dude on the net like 20k!!.

If any of you have any information to pass on either about this question, or recomendations on what to look for when shopping, everything will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Big Papa G

 

[selavia]

Hey Big Papa,

In all sincerity, I would suggest going looking at the car before purchasing it; I know it would probably be a few extra $$ to travel where ever the car is, but it is worth it, especially with ebay. I have bought two cars from ebay and I have been very satisfied with the price and the quality, but I went and looked at the car before I bought them. As far as importing / exporting the car, you would have to check with whatever the canadian equivalant is to the U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles; but I would assume it will only require some sort of inspection and an unnessarily large fee.


That's pretty all I know regarding this. Good luck man.


Sean

 

[Kirby]

Get a Carfax subscription and run it first for cars you are interested in. If you are OK with the results of the Carfax, then definitely see and drive the car before you buy. Be careful of scammers on EBay. People have been duped into putting money into an escrow account, only to find out the escrow company was bogus and part of the scam.

 

[SKycity_BMW]

hey Big Pappa G . . .

you should go to www.maxbimmer.com and check out the for sale section.
this forum has alot of canadians on it.

Check it out . . . I'm sure you can find an M3

Good Luck ! ! !

 

[deutsch100]

If at all possibe, go and see the car first. We bought 2 cars off Ebay, both in Texas and both unseen.

One was exactly as described, and beautiful...the other, well.... it was described as near showroom condition Diesel Mercedes, all records, no dings, etc....

When I got it.....no dings, but scratches & dents, cracked windshield, broken & missing buttons in interior, running on 5 cylinders, leaking diesel and needing $1,200 of immediate repairs.

be careful, and try and look at it!!!

 

[Big Papa G]

Hi all, thanks for all of your inputs. i am going to delve deeper into this to make sure that i am not getting ripped off.

 

[Blake2043]

I bought my m3 on ebay and i have never had a problem! but some people will try to bend you over, make sure u run carfax and try and see if the seller knows what they are talking about. Ask specific questions. The guy i bought mine from knew everything i knew about m3's off the top of his head.

 

[skm0303]

FAB been there did that,had NO problems . I would do it again. Wife did all the work while I was overseas. Used SEARAIL to transport , and will use them again.

 

[grc]

carfax ain't worth a crap. my car was beyond totalled, got repaired and it doesn't show up on carfax.

 

[Big Papa G]

once again thanks fro all of the input, it really does help out alot. of course i have re-thought if i want a M3 cab, or do i just do it and go for a ZM? i think that i already know most of your opinions, but the trunk is useless in the Z.

 

[grc]

if you think the trunk is useless, just thow your stuff into the back seat. one guy described the car as having "enough room for your ass and a can of gas." it works out as a good work car for me, my tool box fits in the trunk and my lunch box in the passenger seat.