Another newbie... :)

[Hawkster]

And a happy one at that. Pickin this baby up on Wednesday I think... Price is $6000 obo, but I think I'm gonna offer him $5000, so let me know if that's too low to offer.

It's a '97 318ti, obviously. 117k miles. No radio, he wants an extra $1000 if i take the crappy Kenwood headunit, 2 JL subs, and a Sony Amp... no thanks lol. Lowered with H&R Race springs. M3 Front end, and clear corners. I think it's a base, cause it doesnt have hardly anything in it, no cruise, no electronic heater controls, no sunroof, manual seats, cloth, etc. Light Beige interior. He's got a K&N cone on it, and a Magnaflow muffler... not sure if it's a full exhaust or just a welded in muffler though. What do you guys think?

[cali-ti]

Price is $6000 obo, but I think I'm gonna offer him $5000, so let me know if that's too low to offer.i would say your offer may even be too high ...
couple initial questions: is he the first owner? does he have all the maintenance records? have you run a carfax report on the VIN? has it ever been in an accident/repaired? where do you live? i'd run it through www.kbb.com to get a blue book estimate.
It's a '97 318ti, obviously. 117k miles. No radio, he wants an extra $1000 if i take the crappy Kenwood headunit, 2 JL subs, and a Sony Amp... no thanks lol.my first question here would be: what did he mod (cut/splice in/remove/hack up) to install all that into the car? does he have any of the original radio/amp equipment? even if you don't want it, ask to make it sound like you don't care at all about audio and you like stock (better negotiating point) :p
Lowered with H&R Race springs. M3 Front end, and clear corners. I think it's a base, cause it doesnt have hardly anything in it, no cruise, no electronic heater controls, no sunroof, manual seats, cloth, etc. Light Beige interior. He's got a K&N cone on it, and a Magnaflow muffler... not sure if it's a full exhaust or just a welded in muffler though. What do you guys think? did he keep the stock struts/shocks on when he lowered it? if so, you're going to want to replace those. if he did, what did he replace them with? none of the ti's have electronic heater controls :) did he use the factory m-tech front bumper or is it an aftermarket piece (is it fiberglass)? have you driven it yet? if not, when you do, ask what that loud noise is from the front when you accelerate. when he tells you that it's the K&N cone filter say, "oh ... kinda ricey ... do you have the original intake still?" ;) (again, even if you like it) see how you like the sound of the magnaflow and whether it reasonates the whole interior of the car or anything. YOU should like it if YOU are going to buy it (otherwise, you'll need to think what it'll cost to replace it). as i said, i'd most likely offer him a good bit less (this car in my zip code and "good" condition comes up as $4380 private party).
if after you go see it and find out about accidents/maintenance records and you STILL want it, i'd ask if you can take it to a local bmw dealer/specialist independent shop for an inspection. will most likely cost you an hour or so of labor ($80-$100), but they should be able to tell you if it needs anything and if there are any big problems with it that would make you run away from the deal altogether.