Possibly my 1st bimmer
 

Hi all, this is my first post here.

I'm looking at a 01 330i Auto with 166k on the odo. I have read about the cooling system and auto tranny no reverse problems. I am wondering if there are anything I need to look for.

Here's the ad from the dealer
http://anchorage.craigslist.org/ctd/3325202379.html

I'm going to call them tomorrow and get the VIN so I can check the dealership to see if they have any maintenance record for the car.

Just FYI this will be my first BMW experience. I have been using Subaru for my last few cars. I appreciate any advices!

Couple of things: Why is it 2500 under book value, and that's a lot of miles on an auto tranny.
Nothing stands out as bad by looking at the pictures but make sure you go through that car with a fine tooth comb before you touch your wallet.

I don't know why it's 2500 below book. The dealer was closed when I went looked at it and I totally forgot about writing down the VIN :thumbdwn:

And ya I know it's a lot for the auto so I'm a bit leery

Ofcourse can't know for sure...

but my wild guess would be that there's something wrong with ABS/traction control/DSC???

some little ABS sensor issue like what's typical for these cars once in a while

Winter is coming to Alaska and those systems are useful, and maybe dealer doesn't know how to fix easily, so he's wishing to sell it very soon.

Please tell me afterwards if i was right or not.

How do I tell if any of those are wrong? Is there going to be warning light?

Yes, if something is wrong with those systems there will be two yellow warning lights, one for DSC other for ABS.
They use same sensors so, if something is wrong they often show exactly both at the same time.
All of those warning lights can show shortly after starting up, but they should go out.
Those lights which are still on after while are something to worry about.

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/7248/bmw1bf.jpg

ABS light bit hidden behind that knob, but that's exactly where they're located and will show you if there's something wrong.
That red one is showing that parking brake is on.

Car runs even if those malfunction, but then driving on slippery surface can be potentially more dangerous.

IF these lights go out shortly after starting engine then i was wrong with my guess and atleast that part is fine with the car.

That's not necessarily an indication that there might be a problem with the tranny.
It has been noted here of tranny well into 300K miles performing fine without any issues.

Do your due diligence and satisfy yourself if it is a good buy.

Good luck

Man, it is really impossible to tell what to look for. There are many things and some of them are really difficult to know for sure. Even a through inspection may not guarantee things. You may drive the car for thousands of miles w/o a single issue or your dash board lights start coming on one by one within a few weeks.

Buying a used car is always a risk in my opinion. But most of the time it is a risk worth taking. Otherwise nobody would buy a used car.

I am driving my 4th car. None of them were new...