Print

[Wangswong]

Been in communication with the seller of this (unsure if they're a member)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300960460554?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D300960460554%26_rdc%3D1#ht_1469wt_1123

Service wise, this was the reply -

"Hi there thanks for the email the service book is stamped
03/11/12 64716 miles
04/10/11 58993 miles
23/02/11 44339 miles
26/02/10 30166 miles
16/02/09 23093 miles
29/02/08 16553 miles
26/02/07 7696  miles
The cam belt was changed at Waterhouse on 04/10/2011
I have just spoken to them on the telephone and confirmed this matches the service book hope this helps it really is a nice car"

Price wise, think they'll probably take £3500.

For 500 quid more than the one with 101k miles on it, this seems a better choice.

Opinions please folks.

[Wangswong]

Disregard the servicing info.

Appears they've editted their advert to put it on over night lol.

[mr singh]

its an 8 year old car with 7 owners... id be asking why its had so many owners.

[Wangswong]

Crap.....

Cheers Mr Singh. Didn't even think to look at that part.

Will send the guy an email to ask why now.

[Problemchild]

Because the ride is hard
The fuel Economy is poor
The speed is too much

JJ

[Wangswong]

You want a hard riding, fuel hungry beast, you should try my wifes 1.0 Vauxhall Agila!
0 - 60 in around 17 seconds and around 35mpg with her tootering around lol.

I've asked the guy the question and waiting for a response. Be interesting to see what's said.

[Wangswong]

"I think it maybe because people like it at first thinking it isd a great family car as as did we but then realise we dont use it that much as not got a large enough boot and we tend to use our BMW for motorway so just sits there and the person I brought it off sold it because he moved to London as was cheaper to use the tube other than that I think maybe people just fancy a change and the value is good to sell it back on being rare etc, it is a great car we used it the weekend and it really turns heads and drives superb"

Seems Problemchild was correct

[evilution]

Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.
For a car that is supposed to have a service every 6000 miles, it seems to have gone over by a long way.

It's a common problem though because people go by the service info on the dash and ignore the sticker on the door shut saying that the brabus requires a mid cycle oil service.

[Wangswong]

Ohh the dilemma.

Is it really that bad for a brab to not get an oil change for 14k intervals?

Assuming it's a quality oil, surely it's not too bad?

Finding it hard to find a decent example that's worth purchasing. I suppose the rarety of these beasts doesn't help. Really stuck as to which one to buy now!

[mozilla]

Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.
For a car that is supposed to have a service every 6000 miles, it seems to have gone over by a long way.

Not all minor stuff like oil changes goes in the service book. Though as its from a dealer he probably wouldn't know about non-documented stuff. Might be better looking privately

Oil changes are for the life of the turbo... although these cars are hardy beasts

It does seem a nice car , got sat nav too

[Wangswong]

From what I gather, it is a private sale (if thats what you mean?)

Will keep plugging away at the guy and maybe try and get more off the price for fixing the standard issues that show up on the pics (scuffed alloys / paint flaked off the wiper arms etc)

Think it's at least worth a punt.

[funkydoodycool]

I'm sure if you went to see it with a skeptical hat on you'd notice any signs of it being disrespected - and if you're armed with this site's list of common issues to look for I think you'd be ok.

I've actually not read anywhere why the interim oil changes are so important - everyone and their dog says "it's the most important thing in the world ever" but apart from Mozilla's suggestion it's for the turbo, I haven't read any reason other than it's on a sticker in the door frame.

[Problemchild]

Mine has never had an interim oil change as its never done 6000 miles in a year .... Normally 3000ish.

This one has done about 7k a year so I would probably not let it bother me.

Like its been said, there is no space to say if its been done or not. They could just say yes and you would be none the wiser.

The CZt doesn't have the interim and their spark plug change interval is 100k apparantly 

I'm sure if you asked some other BRABUS owners, they wouldn't have been so worried.

The engines are rock hard and can (and have) taken a lot more than 180bhp.

It's a good price.

You need to go see it and make a decision based on exterior condition, how it drives, sounds, feels etc.

JJ

[mozilla]

When I bought my first brab (as a project) I discovered an oil leak when I got it home (damaged oil filter). When I went to top it up it needed 2L of the stuff before the dipstick showed full; 2L is a lot for a 3.5L capacity! Needless to say once I got her fixed up, it served me well for 6000 miles, including hard driving, never skipping a beat before I sold her.

They say its an old engine design but Mitsubishi have only recently stopped using it in their cars so its stood the test of time and competed well with modern engines.  smart maintenance schedules are more in line with Mercedes protocols whereas mitsu do stste longer intervals and less frequent plug changes

[Wangswong]

Bit the bullet so to speak.

Trying to arrange a visit on Saturday and trying to sweet talk friends / family to join in the 450+ mile round trip lol.

Got family around Harrogate so can always split the trip and make a day of it. Nip into the tea rooms for a £8.00 cup of earl grey!

Really tempted to buy stuff for it already (as Problemchild did before he bought his I read) like the earth leads, induction kit, newest nav discs etc.

Already got the "must do" pages on the forum bookmarked and ready to go like the rear wiper, gear change mech, oil change for peace of mind etc!

In case you can't guess, I'm excited folks!

Edit - Ohh, already done the usual checks and no finance / shunts on record. Just need a VIN check whilst I'm there and possible an RAC one.