2004 G35 Coupe- Rim Color?

[homeforsummer]

Awesome find.

Good find in terms of spec, but worn-out tyres + subwoofers in the back + aftermarket bodykit + cold air intake on its own + gangsta lean on the front seats = suggests the previous owner may not have been the type to drive like you'd hope a previous owner would drive.

 

[Antonisbob]

That's nice, $9K sure isn't $7K though.

 

[ShobThaBob]

Yeah, we're at nearly double the initial price of the thread.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

I hate to sound like a rich snob, but money really isn't much of an issue. The budget was a general number so that we don't get $15K cars. The thing is, the car will be registered in my father's name (loan purposes), and that as long as my brother can pay it off (which he probably can after graduating med school), its good. As for this Beemer, the only reason why we're considering it is because its pretty good for $9K

 

[Danoff]

Aftermarket parts on the BMW doesn't bode well for the previous owner. Things you need to do/make sure were done on any E46 with that kind of mileage.

Replace front control arm bushings, also potentially tie rods, and control arms
Check for steering wheel play/replace steering guibo
Replace VANOS seals (use aftermarket seals - beisan systems)
Replace all pulleys/belts
Replace radiator hoses, coolant expansion tank
Replace water pump
Replace transmission fluid (this is not trivial for the E46, expect >$300 for a non-dealership mechanic)
Inspect the rear subframe for cracks (these cost thousands to repair, later model years are better for this. 2003 or later perferred)
Replace brake fluid
Replace power steering fluid
Check for DISA failure, replace DISA if needed
Look for rear view mirror discoloration, have it rebuilt at sybesma's electronics (put it in a box and ship it) if any bubbles or discoloration are noticed (it will leak acid that eats through your center console).
You want the serial number GM transmission (if it's automatic), not the ZF. ZFs have a known failure mechanism. Should be stamped on the transmission, later model years (2003+) are more likely to be GM.

Edit:

Also, E46s don't just require synthetic oil, but very specific synthetic oils. There is a list of about 5 synthetic oils that BMW allows in that car. Make sure that the oil that has been used conforms to that list. For example, the Mobile 1 formula that is allowed in the BMW is the 0W-40 European formula.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Well, we just did a Carfax on the car, and it looks like its odometer has been altered with. At 90K, its been lowered to 30. Also has had 2 accidents, one minor, and another major one.. repair costs at $10 000. That was also the time where the odometer has been lowered. Looks like we're back to finding cars.

 

[Danoff]

^ Or you could just carfax it and decide that it's a fraud.

 

[Antonisbob]

That explains things a little more.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

We're exhausted. We can't find anything that is around $7K that hasn't had an accident. low milage, fully working or one that doesn't have cosmetic damage. So, what we've done is asked our family friend who ahs been helping us the whole time to find us a car at an aution this Wed/Thursday. Now, this guy is a pro at this, as it is his side job to buy cars for cheap and sell them for more. He can tell if the car has had bodywork done just by feeling the car and its lines, and it suprisingly works 100% of the time.

Now, we didn't tell him to buy just a G35. He just knows the base criterias of what the car needs to be/have. If he can get a G35, that's great, but literally, the range of possible cars can be from a Camry to an uber-low milage 5 series (he's an expert with BMWs)

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I think you are asking for way too much car for $7,000. There is a reason all of the ones you have found so far have been crap.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

UPDATE: I just got a phone call from my Brother, and it looks like they've scored a silver 2004 G35 Coupe for about $6K! The list price was $8.5 K, but they managed to bargain it down to ~$6000. However, there are two issues with it. The bushings are worn, and the hood seems to have some sort of a problem (Body work). The estimated fixing total is about $900. I'll update this thread as more details emerge. They are currently picking up its winter tires as I type this.

EDIT: So it looks like we got it for $5700.

ISSUES:
-The suspension makes a moderately loud click when you brake.
- The hood's hinge wasn't installed properly, so it goes in between the chassis and the front side panel

The Car will be coming home tommorow, as it needs its safety done and a basic checkup.

 

[wrapture]

I was going to suggest a dual sport. They get amazing mpg and they are less than 5k. The only catch is finding good tires for snow and insurance.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Here are some temporary pictures that the seller has taken, I will take more later:

So, as for the car, here are the things that need to be done with it:

-New Front Tires (The ones on the front are the originals.... ) Done

-Suspension Bushings Replacement Done ($70)

-Front Brake Service Done, replaced rotors, pads and calipers $600

-New Hood Hinges/ Hood Hinge Adjustment (The Hinges are screwed in a way that then you open the hood, it pushes the front sidepanels outwards... we are NOT opening the hood until that gets fixed) - Done! Cost $250[/B]

-DIY Good Wash,Clay,Polish, and waxThe car was really nasty when it was dirty..its now in showroom condition

- DIY Top Glovebox Repair - The top glovebox has its vinyl coming off, Done!

- Tighten a belt EDIT: Looks Like its the AC Belt! Done

- DIY a Door Lock Actuator $10 on Ebay
Done
- DIY Driver's speaker keeps disconnecting

- DIY Passenger's heated seat button needs to be repositioned, as it has been pushed out of its place

- (DIY?)Possibly repaint the front bumper, as it has dead bugs, road rash etc.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Info and Finds Post!

This post will contain all of what we find in and about the car:

- The car has had a number of paint touchups, with some flaking
- Found a $25 dollar gift card under the Passenger seat for Walmart
- The entertainment system that was put in in 2009 cost the owner $2700
- Found the owner's wife's health card under the passenger seat
- the owner was an occasional smoker
- The winter tires were used a few winters, and taken off late, causing them to wear out fast
- The first owner took the car to a dealership. whereas the seocnd owner neglected it and sucked at driving.
- There is a clear bra on the car
- The spare tire has been used
- Found a penny in the trunk

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

UPDATE: Just went to a tire shop and got 2 BFGoodrich Sport COMP 2s for the front tires for $483 incld. tax. We've noticed amazing improvements:

- Low road noise
- No cabin foot vibrations anymore
- Steering is much softer and smoother
- Great grip in turns, and better feel

The tires are 225/45/18 and were $208 each including installation and extras. We will be replacing the rear ones next spring as there are crappy GY Eagle RS-As that have 20% left. The rear tires will cost a mere $218 each, incld. installations and extras.

Previous Front Tires:

Rear Tires:

New Front Tires:

 

[Ven0m]

UPDATE: Just went to a tire shop and got 2 BFGoodrich Sport COMP 2s for the front tires for $483 incld. tax. We've noticed amazing improvements:

- Low road noise
- No cabin foot vibrations anymore
- Steering is much softer and smoother
- Great grip in turns, and better feel

The tires are 225/45/18 and were $208 each including installation and extras. We will be replacing the rear ones next spring as there are crappy GY Eagle RS-As that have 20% left. The rear tires will cost a mere $218 each, incld. installations and extras.

Previous Front Tires:

Rear Tires:

New Front Tires:

Need more pics!

 

[CodeRedR51]

We've noticed amazing improvements:

- Low road noise
- No cabin foot vibrations anymore
- Steering is much softer and smoother
- Great grip in turns, and better feel

New tires are really nice....until they start to wear in. Mine were awesome at first, now they're a bit noisy.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Ahaha, how much have your tires done?


We also recently changed the rear license plate lights to LEDs.. they light up the ground! We're looking to add LEDs to the rear and front lights, as well as replace the clearance light bulbs!

Clearance Lights for you that don't know what it is:

Here's an artsy/hipster pic!

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

So, the current rims have a very notable amount of road rash on them. We're thinking of repairing it, and hten instead of painting it, to instead plasti dip it. Any color recommendations?

EDIT: I drove it today. Couldn't stop smiling like an idiot. Man, its so fun to drive!

 

[Punknoodle]

My recommendation is not to.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Well we have to paint it, and its better to plasti dip it than to repaint the entire wheel again. Any other recommendations?

 

[Anna+Reece]

Navy Blue PlastiDip.

 

[Fastcarguy]

If you look around you can find used Audis from around 2000. I found a 2001 Audi s4 for 2k, and the Quattro handles snow no problem. And I'm in New England!