1999 323ti on autotrader ??

**1996 328ti** · 04-23-2012, 07:11 PM

Interesting ad
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ngId=320594266

A few things I'm suspicious of.
First, there are not many 323ti's in the US.
The battery is up front? Shouldn't a 323ti have the battery in the hatch?
Clicking on the VIN comes up with a 323i auto yet the picture has a stick.

**cooljess76** · 04-23-2012, 07:21 PM

Definitely a swapped engine and definitely shady. Seller is trying to pass it off as a sedan, I bet the VIN has been swapped from another car. Would make for a nice bust if anyone in GA wanted to bring the cops in on it.

Notice how the positive terminal has been stuffed in the battery box and the secondary air pump is ziptied towards the front of the engine.

Edit; Also noticed he claims it has an "M3 engine", but it has a M52 "BMW" cover. It has an M50 intake manifold(the fuel rail cover doesn't fit).

dave45056 · 04-23-2012, 07:22 PM

Something is wrong with that VIN number. It comes up as an E46 Sedan.
Also, the engine is a transplant:

Seller's Description and Comments
A/C ice cold, All scheduled maintenance, All records, Custom wheels, Excellent condition, Fully loaded with all the goodies, Looks & drives great, No accidents, Non-smoker, Title in hand, Very clean interior, Well maintained, this is a professional installation of an m3 engine with only 50000 miles, new suspension, brake system, 17inch tires, car is very fast and very stable. I have used car as a daily driver, car won award at BMW club show,car gets over 20 miles per gallon.The cars exterior looks almost like new.

dave45056 · 04-23-2012, 07:23 PM

Geez Jess... beat me by a minute!

**1996 328ti** · 04-23-2012, 07:44 PM

I can always count on you guys.

It's also not a 1999 unless he swapped the rear bumper cover.

**cooljess76** · 04-23-2012, 07:46 PM

The weird thing is it's probably a legal swap aside from the M50 manifold, but switching VIN#'s and mileage fraud is highly illegal. I wonder why this guy chose to be dishonest

I mean it's a clean car otherwise. Does he really think someone's not going to notice the missing 50hp? or the fact that the VIN comes up as an e46 sedan? I wish I lived in Georgia, I'd take it for a test drive straight to the police department

teen ti · 04-23-2012, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljess76

The weird thing is it's probably a legal swap aside from the M50 manifold, but switching VIN#'s and mileage fraud is highly illegal. I wonder why this guy chose to be dishonest

I mean it's a clean car otherwise. Does he really think someone's not going to notice the missing 50hp? or the fact that the VIN comes up as an e46 sedan? I wish I lived in Georgia, I'd take it for a test drive straight to the police department

really, it looks like he swapped the motor from a 323i sedan and chose to use the VIN from the donor car. If he just posted it as a 318ti with a swapped motor he'd be fine because it looks like a pretty nice car

geetarspaz · 04-23-2012, 11:36 PM

aside from all the shadyness above, it really does look pretty damn nice for a sedan

**cooljess76** · 04-23-2012, 11:38 PM

The seller is obviously trying to cover something up. The 318ti either has a salvage title, it's stolen, or it won't pass inspection due to the engine swap. Either way, I have no sympathy for shady sellers.

geetarspaz · 04-23-2012, 11:41 PM

the sad thing is this will probably be sold to a person who has no idea, assuming most would figure it out, and then find out shortly later when getting it insured/registered/inspected its inconspicuousness

*heck, i shouldn't be talking. i bought my car without even testing driving it i was so damn excited i didn't care*

teen ti · 04-23-2012, 11:50 PM

i bet if somebody called him out on it they might be able to pick the car up for a lot less and since theres no way its gonna be able to be driven on the street they could turn it into on hell of a nice track car

teetime4one · 04-24-2012, 12:06 AM

people are funny...and Jesse is on it!

Shellback · 04-24-2012, 08:03 PM

I'm not sure about that ad. I'm going to play it safe and buy this one instead:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-Bm...item46031ae795

**1996 328ti** · 04-24-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shellback

I'm not sure about that ad. I'm going to play it safe and buy this one instead:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-Bm...item46031ae795

You do know it's the same car?

Shellback · 04-24-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

You do know it's the same car?

You do know I'm kidding?

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