But it's sketchy..
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4360428314.html
Seller said:
I have for sale my 1999 BMW 323i 5 speed clean title but I lost it moving and the key I will write you bill of sale and show you my id. Car is as is motor ran good (BEFORE THE KEY WAS LOST) shift linkage broke then towed it to my house and haven't touched it. You can file for a bonded title and fix it or you can part it out i don't care just come get it out of my drive way! NO KEY, NO TITLE NEEDS TO BE TOWED. 214 842 0975 if you got the key
This is where my questions begin.
To start with, a titleless, keyless car screams STOLEN, but it's been for sale for a while now. I'm not interested in making it a road legal car. It's going to be our shop's "track car" for employees and customers can take out on track.
I know there is an immobilizer on it that communicates with the key. Is there a way to either flash the ECU with an immobilizer defeat file so I can put a traditional kill switch/fuel pump/ignition/start system in it? Or will I have to do some stand alone system? Not looking to invest GT money into it, just enough for a cage, suspension, brakes, safety and tires.
Lost cause?
First and foremost you need to determine if it's stolen. If it is, it doesn't matter if it's just a track car, if you get caught with it, you are at fault. Should be easy to get the VIN and have it checked. If it's clean sounds very interesting.
Have the guy get a duplicate title, if he can't do that it's not worth messing with. It's the least desirable e46 even without title issues.
alex
UberDork
3/8/14 2:34 p.m.
Super sketch. If he's not willing to do the paperwork, walk away and don't look back. Should be easy enough to run the VIN by your local constabulary, and if it comes up hot they'll probably be interested in giving him a call themselves.
I would agree with running the VIN.. as it sits, I would not touch that car.. I would not want my fingerprints anywhere near it
I would run the VIN to make sure it isn't stolen then snatch it up for a song. Pretty sure the factory ECU can be flashed ... my S54 has a factory ECU with an Epic Motorsports flash and I start it with a button and a toggle switch.
Paperwork issues aside, what is with the hood? They aren't backwards opening from the factory.
Even if the local PD comes up clean for not being stolen. There may be a lien on it and he conveniently "lost" the title.
There is a reason he doesn't have the title....
Buy it, paint it, scratch the VINs off and hit the track!
ETA: This is not real advice.
alex
UberDork
3/8/14 4:29 p.m.
No title, no key... How long has that window been open? What horrors lie in the suspension to get it that low? What's with the hood? What's going on with the driver's side rocker?
This thing looks like heartbreak on 4 wheels (which probably have mismatched tires in at least three sizes).
DanielCut wrote:
Buy it, paint it, scratch the VINs off and hit the track!
And then go directly to jail, do not pass go and do not collect $200. Never great to have a car with the VIN scratched off, even a race car.
- much easier and cheaper to get a copy of a title for the title holder, if this guy is even on the title,knows who the title holder is, knows the lawyer for the estate, or knows where the title holder is buried...
- This car sounds fishy, if you can get the vin or lp pm me
Guys,seriously...dont mess with a car with scraped or mismatched vins that with a murky title. I have seized a lot of cars with mismatched, scraped, and cloned vins. AT BEST the car gets seized, you will never get it back, and insurance will not compensate you for the loss.
In reply to eebasist:
Its not a problem finding any liens. Might be tough in a patrol car, but any officer with access to NICB, Clear, or TLO will have no problems. A title search will tell you everything as well but those can be time consuming.
EDIT: I just checked the craigslist ads for the guy selling the BMW and he is also selling a GMC, but he has two different ads for the same vehicle with two different plate numbers...hmmmm
I've texted and emailed him, asking when the last time it was driven and the VIN. Haven't heard back...
In reply to Ojala:
Title loan places come to mind as where a title could have disappeared....even if it doesn't come up as stolen today, doesn't mean it may not in the future. This thing is a disaster all the way around, murky title, likely a blown engine and/or trans, questionable suspension and body issues.
If you buy it let us know how it turns out....
the only way I would buy that car.. is for parts. Then I would have to cut the body up and dispose of like a Mafia hit
That's the only thing I can think of is it's a Title Pawn owned title right now and this dude is doing anything to get rid of it before it gets taken away
