Ticks all the right boxes, has loads of Tax, MOT, history etc... but have never had one before... What should I be on the look out for when buying it?
Buying a Cab
Moderator: martauto
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orangecurry
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 2512
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: West Sussex
What colour/engine is it? (it might be my old one )
Whereabouts in West Sussex?
)Whereabouts in West Sussex?
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orangecurry
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 2512
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: West Sussex
not mine
Make sure the rear-view mirror is on securely - not serious if it isn't, but it's a bargaining point.
Stick your fingers in the rear-wheel arches - make sure the gap between tyre and arch is the same on both sides of the car.
Look along the side of the car from the rear - make sure there are no ripples in the paint/metal directly ABOVE the rear wheel arch - if the cab has had a rear accident, they can twist slightly.
Check the hood operation - obvious one Is it a manual or powered hood?
Make sure the rear-view mirror is on securely - not serious if it isn't, but it's a bargaining point.
Stick your fingers in the rear-wheel arches - make sure the gap between tyre and arch is the same on both sides of the car.
Look along the side of the car from the rear - make sure there are no ripples in the paint/metal directly ABOVE the rear wheel arch - if the cab has had a rear accident, they can twist slightly.
Check the hood operation - obvious one
Is it a manual or powered hood?CHECK IT WORKS PROPERLY.....................really make sure ...no clicking noises and that it locks down ok ....Don't take their word...must be demonstrated.................... even ask to take the cover off and have a look at the motor...see the site i postedPaul386 wrote:will do will do... is a powerhood...
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orangecurry
- E30 Zone Addict
- Posts: 2512
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: West Sussex
Look at the mounting plate which sits under the rear 'flap'; a large rod comes off of this to operate the hood frame. You should try and see if this looks damaged...
If the hood doesn't work, it can cost a lot of money to fix if this rod has torn out of the drive plate on top of the motor, so again, your call.
If it's broken, I would walk away; my Calypso Red 318 cab was like that - you can live with it by raising/lowering the roof manually, but it was fixing the flap shut that I found annoying.
Of course if that is the only thing wrong, and the price is right, it's still a cab
If the hood doesn't work, it can cost a lot of money to fix if this rod has torn out of the drive plate on top of the motor, so again, your call.
If it's broken, I would walk away; my Calypso Red 318 cab was like that - you can live with it by raising/lowering the roof manually, but it was fixing the flap shut that I found annoying.
Of course if that is the only thing wrong, and the price is right, it's still a cab
cheers people. will check the above!
Just got a really good insurance quote for it too... So fingers crossed!
Seller seems a really nice chap too, called me this morning saying he's had a few people say they'd come and give him the money today, but as I called first, he's keeping it for me to look at tomorrow. Not so good as haggling might be a no-go now, but he sounds like a genuine bloke, and has owned it for the past 6 years! It's a 2owner car too
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orangecurry
- E30 Zone Addict
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- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: West Sussex
he does sound like a good person to buy from.
I live north of Storrington, south of Coolham.
I drive an E30 cab of course
I live north of Storrington, south of Coolham.
I drive an E30 cab of course