I would love to buy your car...how to go about it!

There's a very nice E38 near to me and more than once, I've thought about sticking a note on the screen to let the owner know of my interest if he ever decided to sell. The reason I haven't done it is that I have only ever seen the car in the owner's drive, so it might look a bit odd skulking about with a piece of paper!

So imagine my excitement when tonight I spotted the car in Aldi and was able to park next to it! I had a quick look around it, liked what I saw and thought 'now's my chance!' But could I find a pen and scrap of paper? No such luck, and by the time I ran into Aldi and borrowed a pen, scribbled a few lines on the back of my shopping list, the car was gone. Dammit.

But does this method work? My wife thinks I'm nuts and sees it as being on a par with stalking - I admit I've driven slowly past the guy's house a few times!

Has anyone here ever bought or sold a car where you've found or left a note under the wiper?

Knocked into a house few years ago about a car in the garden, I think if you present yourself well people wont mind but obviously if you go to the door "hows it going boss..." they might get worried :D

Only thing that would put me off is if the car went missing between you knocking in and the days that follow, it might point the finger in your direction, but chances of that happening? Might be worth the risk of buying a car you like :)

I left a note under a windscreen wiper on a car in Fitzwilliam tennis club years ago while passing through. Got a call from the gentleman the same evening and bought the car a few days after - you don't take a chance you ain't got a chance !!

once i had journey to NI for M3 ,at the top there the land finish ,couldnt buy that crap so went home empty.on the way home spotted some M3 e36 and i do knocked the doors ,explained all my not lucky journey and asked would he be interested to sell his car . was told he will never sell it :tounge:

Sorta off topic, But I once went to buy an exhaust for my 318is... Met the guy at a petrol station, Got talking and had a look around his car (Boston Green 318is) and randomly managed to buy it for stupidly cheap, That was a good day! :D
Wish I never sold it though. :(

Anyway, maybe write down on a piece of paper that it's a nice car and you'd be interested in buying it if it was for sale and your contact details and stick it in the letter-box?

I'd do the same as Ross above, piece of paper, "If you're ever thinking of selling...", contact details, etc. Can't imagine too many robbers leave their contact details, so I reckon that should put their mind at ease

Chances are that Andy's already got there before you though! ;) (Sorry Andy :tounge:)

The note is written now so it's just a case of coming across it again! Not sure if I'd be keen on door-stepping the guy but the note in the letter box could be the way to go.:cooler:

I picked up a Granada cosworth this way, about 3 years after I put a note on the windscreen the guy rings me out of the blue.
I'd call to the door in a similar BMW even if you have to borrow it for the day if the man see's you as an enthusiast and not a wheeler dealer/ scrap-merchant he should be ok with it.

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Originally Posted by KevinF

I picked up a Granada cosworth this way

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Still have it? Pics? :cool:


Just remembered after selling the 318is from the above post, I was walking past a house in town where there was another E36 parked for a while.

Anyway went in and knocked on the door.... Guys mam answers and I explain that I just sold mine and would be interested if it was for sale, She rang her son... Turned out it was for sale, But just way overpriced. :smiling:

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Originally Posted by KevinF

I'd call to the door in a similar BMW even if you have to borrow it for the day if the man see's you as an enthusiast and not a wheeler dealer/ scrap-merchant he should be ok with it.

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It might take more than that NOT to give him that impression:D

Nobody will believe me....
I sometimes have to park the car outside the neighbours 2 doors down. I had a foreign guy call to my door one afternoon asking if I had contact details for the person who owns the 5 series over there. Asked why, is it in the way? He explained how it was very nice (I nod suspiciously) and he was interested in buying it. Let him know that it was in fact mine and his eyes lit up asking 'how much, how much??' Broke it to him that theres nothing to replace it for the money...and he totally agreed!!

So from being a bit freaked out, to closing the door with a smile on my face with plenty of compliments...it made my day!!

Im with Chris...if you arrive up with another BMW and show your enthusiasm, they'll take it as a compliment. ..worse they'll say is sorry and you're no worse off! Or at mimimum first refusal!! Who dares, wins!! Go for it!! ;)

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Originally Posted by BMW

Still have it? Pics? :cool:

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No we never planned to keep it, sold it to lads from Donegal who were puting the engine into a Sierra pickup
No pics it was a dark green with RS kit BOA model black leather ,2 owners from new rare RS kit, but the rot had set in bad nice car to drive though !

I have only ever seen the car in the owner's drive.
Is it my car you want to buy:happy::happy:

I knocked into a guy who had a mint e36 and asked if he would sell it. 3 years later and he still has it. If you have a genuine interest in a car I think most owners will take the time out and have a chat with you.
I know if someone knocked on my door and sounded genuine I would have a waffle with them. Sold a van to a traveller before when he knocked and asked, never had any issues or problems after that.

Always seen this silver Audi 80 B4, around Limerick some old guy driving it always wanted to ask if he would like to sell it but I highly doubt it and plus I never seem to meet him when his not driving dont want to give the poor fella a heart attack.

Love the B4s, especially the coupes & Avants :cool:

After I sold my e36 318is I was going mad looking for an e30 318is and after trying everything on donedeal / adverts etc etc I resorted to just walking around the streets of Dublin literally stalking cars and ofcourse when you have something in mind you start seeing it/hearing it everywhere, I recognised the sound of an M42 a MILE away and I would sniff it out! :D There were a few really nice ones in various places with no Owners for them to be found anywhere, I left some notes on some (to no avail), there was a particularly clean standard one that I kept hearing while walking around that drove passed me a few times which I eventually tracked to the rathfarnham shopping centre it belonged to an older gentleman who worked there who had for a long time and kept it in great condition, had a chat with him about cars and BMWs and told him my story, but unfortunately it was not for sale for any money. And that's the story of how I gave up on buying an e30 :D

All in all, it's not a success story... But at least I know I tried! and I'd do it again if I was looking for a particular car, bit frustrating at times but kinda fun :D

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Originally Posted by E36

After I sold my e36 318is I was going mad looking for an e30 318is and after trying everything on donedeal / adverts etc etc I resorted to just walking around the streets of Dublin literally stalking cars and ofcourse when you have something in mind you start seeing it/hearing it everywhere, I recognised the sound of an M42 a MILE away and I would sniff it out! :D There were a few really nice ones in various places with no Owners for them to be found anywhere, I left some notes on some (to no avail), there was a particularly clean standard one that I kept hearing while walking around that drove passed me a few times which I eventually tracked to the rathfarnham shopping centre it belonged to an older gentleman who worked there who had for a long time and kept it in great condition, had a chat with him about cars and BMWs and told him my story, but unfortunately it was not for sale for any money. And that's the story of how I gave up on buying an e30 :D

All in all, it's not a success story... But at least I know I tried! and I'd do it again if I was looking for a particular car, bit frustrating at times but kinda fun :D

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Like The terminator only with beemers :tounge:

I just reminded myself of how much I wanted one of these... :( Would love a dolphin grey or lazur blue e30 318is with sunroof, iS splitter, iS lip spoiler on the boot in black, lowered (tastefully) on 15" BBS wheels, and the iS cloth checkered interior (actually prefer it to the leather on an e30) YUM!

Edit: sorry for O/T :D

a bit different story, but I bought wheels for my e63 i had earlier by sending a pm to a member who was not selling them at that time. A week after i saw the ad for sale. i think I was the first one at his door!

Some one also left a note under windscreen wiper saying where I got my wheels from with his number. I texted him back. Another story, someone was asking me at NCT center about paint code (had impreza at that time).

So all you need is to give it a go. Owner will think about it and you might be lucky!