Anyone has experience buying on auctions?

[davis23]

Hi, anyone has experience buying on auctions? I found several car auctions with used Z4 https://abetter.bid/en/car-finder/ty...e-bmw/model-z4 https://sca.auction/en/search/type-c...e-bmw/model-z4
I choose flooded Z4 on an auction and want to buy it, is it worth the risk?
https://abetter.bid/en/25873169-2009-bmw-z4_sdrive3



I don't see any water damage

[AM26]

I've bought some cars on auctions. Personally I wouldn't risk buying a flooded car. You never know if car's electrical wiring or engine is damaged. Even if you don't see any flood marks, there is a chance that the car was cleaned up before taking pictures of it. So in my opinion, the risk is too high because I've heard some horror stories about flooded cars from people who bought them.

[rjahl]

Originally Posted by davis23

Hi, anyone has experience buying on auctions? I found several car auctions with used Z4 https://abetter.bid/en/car-finder/ty...e-bmw/model-z4 https://sca.auction/en/search/type-c...e-bmw/model-z4
I choose flooded Z4 on an auction and want to buy it, is it worth the risk?
https://abetter.bid/en/25873169-2009-bmw-z4_sdrive3



I don't see any water damage

No, price and risk are too high for an automatic N52

[Vetracr]

Stay away from a water damaged car. Electrics will be shot due to terminal corrosion and internal shorts when car was flooded with battery still powering circuits.

[stealthcrf]

It's one thing if you want to make a track car of it, but title will be branded and you will not be able to resell it for much, especially if you have to sink a bunch of money into it later. Would be great for parts, but not at current price I think.

[Aliquantus]

Digging up another old thread.

I bought mine from Copart and it’s been great. It had front end damage and used parts are hard to locate, but it’s all together now and I’m enjoying it every day.

I’ve also bought bought flood cars with the most recent being a Cayenne S. Turns out the “flood/water damage” on the car was just a plugged sunroof drain which allowed water to puddle on the floor boards corroding a power wire. There’s some signs you can see in pictures.

Moral of the story is that there are incredible deals on there everyday, but it all comes down to yours skills to repair those issues and your risk tolerance.

[gobbell1]

My son bought a wrecked E89 for less than $4k, and we are almost finished with the restoration and I have been pleased with the purchase, the repair costs (we did it all ourselves and the timing).

I would not rule out a flooded car, but I would inspect it first. BMWs have 7+ computers throughout the car, one being to the left of the drivers left foot (low location). these computers are expensive and will give you fits.

[rjahl]

Originally Posted by gobbell1

My son bought a wrecked E89 for less than $4k, and we are almost finished with the restoration and I have been pleased with the purchase, the repair costs (we did it all ourselves and the timing).

I would not rule out a flooded car, but I would inspect it first. BMWs have 7+ computers throughout the car, one being to the left of the drivers left foot (low location). these computers are expensive and will give you fits.

Don't let the computers scare you. With the right knowledge they can be easily dealt with.

It's the wiring harnesses and plugs that scare me. Bad connections and high resistance contacts can have you chasing ghosts forever. Or even chasing a new one every month or so as the wires corrode inside the insulation.

[Aliquantus]

Very true. The modules aren’t a big deal as most parts are used in other BMW’s, not just the Z4, so they are reasonable, but you have to be ready to pull out the wiring harness and inspect it thoroughly.

[scootr]

Something else to consider is where was it flooded. Coastal hurricane victims can be flooded with corrosive salt water.