Opinions please guys (CAT D Content)

[n1k85]

Hi all,

As some of you will know i'm on the lookout for an X5 D, and my budget really limits me to a 2002/2003 car.

However... This one near me has come onto the market, AUTO, 115k, 20" Rims etc but has been accident repaired and listed as CAT D.








Usually this would put me off straight away, but giving it further thought, if your car 'nearly' gets written off but doesn't, it just gets repaierd anyway and returned to the road as an unrecorded car, nobody would ever know. So is it really that big of a deal?

Of course my main worry is resale, but i'm still considering px-ing my 320CD for it...

The dealer can't tell me anything about the damage other than "it came to us like this" and that it does still have some "minor marks on the drivers side" (although looks the passenger side to me).

So my question(s) are...

1) Does anyone know the car
2) Any opinions on the price?
3) Stuff to look out for
4) Avoid or not?

Any help would be great guys

Thanks

[Sanj]

Initial thoughts are:

1. CAT D is OK if done right - does it drive straight afterwards, do the tyres wear well/evenly
2. The damage seems to be to the rear drivers corner (bumper) and passenger wheelarch - are you happy to live with these and perhaps more
3. No running borads/comms pack - don't think about retro fitting OEM SatNav - so the resale won't be so easy
4. Lot of mileage (prime candidate for the turbo/gearbox issues to come up) plus other wear and tear - remember this was a £40k plus car new, repair bills will still be high

In summary, it'll be hard to shift later - if you plan to keep it long-term, there is lots that can be done afterwards to make it what you want, but be warned, this could cost a fortune in repair bills too, so warranty may be worth considering.

Go see the cars with your head not your heart (don't listen to me, I'm rubbish at that bit)! Forget that it's a facelift and has the 20's, check all the other bits. Hope you have AW8's Buyer's Guide printed out!

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

EDIT: In case you need the categories explained, I posted this a few days back:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2947&p=29180&hilit=google#p29180

[n1k85]

Thanks Sanj, will do!

Good shout on the running board too, I hadn't even noticed!

I'll see if I can nip down later and have a gander at it...with my head

[EXPLORER]

CHECK V5, PREVIOUS OWNER FOR INFO GET INSURANCE QUOTE, FOR ?? HANGING OVER IT

DOES IT WONDER WHEN BRAKING, HAND OFF WHEEL

SOME INS CO WONT COVER IF THEY R THE ONES PAID OUT

[EXPLORER]

PS, YOU CAN GET AA INSPECTION, ALSO BRAND NEW 12 MONTHS MOT,
CHECK MEASURE OF WHEEL FROM TOP AND SIDE OF ARCH ALSO, IS IT RECORDED??

[EXPLORER]

THE CAR WAS FIRST REG ON 15/11/2004
AND HAS HAD 3 PREVIOUS OWNERS, JUST CHECKED FOR YOU, SO WITH THE 1 IN THE BOOK AT THE MOMENT, ITS 4 OWNERS
REGARDS

[n1k85]

Thanks mate,

Will take your comments on board, and to answer your question, yes it is recorded as a CAT D

[gobiman]

Haven't looked in detail at others available but it doesn't strike me as that cheap for a Cat D.
Given the uncertainty over repair quality etc. for me it would have to be seriously cheaper
Quick look on the trader and there are certainly some 100k+ 2004s around (without comms pack) for not much more.
Odd it has 20s on. In combination with the accident, you would have to worry it had been trashed by a boy racer- issues down the line with turbo etc.
Have a really good look at the history.
Good luck

[Powercat]

I have got a Cat D,and Cat D means it was never a mangled wreck, only light damage, mine is a 2002 and cost me under £5000 in an insurance auction,
I did all the work myself including the paper work, in these type of auctions you generally get no paper work at all with the vehicle.

In your case all the work has been done,and the car comes with papers, the main question is it a good car regardless of Cat D ?
and is the price better than ones similar.

A few motor traders don't mention Cat D's as there is no record made on the logbook unlike Cat C which is stamped in the logbook

Remember that the Cat D can effect your resale price in the future

Good luck

[strummer]

i would advise to avoid,and get the best straight car you can find with good unblemished history and decent miles,you just need to be patient and you will be glad come time to move it on

[shej]

id say avoid really as it doesnt seem that cheap..the only way id ever buy a damaged or cat d car is if i had the pictures of the damage and receipts form an insurance approved bodyshop for the repair..without any knowledge of the actual damage i think youd be crazy to buy any car..

If you are considering it seriously then:

Make sure it drives true and straight especially on braking..check all the panel gaps and service history record..etc etc

[EXPLORER]

ANOTHER THING TO DO, IS CHECK ALL GLASS HAS BMW LOGO ON

[Sanj]

Also, just another brain dump for you (taking other points into consideration too):

1. Check the history as mentioned here, HPI
2. Paperwork, V5 original, MOTs, any receipts for damage repair, previous keepers address (phone him)
3. What your prospective insurance company will do for you/how much - if at all
4. Gaps all straight - remember to check the roof too
5. Signs of paintwork respray/over runs, etc
6. If you sus where the impact/damage was check inside where the seems are, what's the job like where you wouldn't normally look, underneath, under carpets
7. Is everything working? if the impact was where wiring loom is, then what could have been knocked out?
8. Compare it to other high mileage 04 cars (mentioned here) - you REALLY getting a bargain - even try haggling and walking away, will always reap rewards if seller knows you are interested and they call YOU back! You only went to see it right!
9. Re-sale will be a big issue potentially
10. Check the interior for signs of wear indicative to the mileage too - not always easy with prestige
11. Are all the leathers the same? Same grain, door card trims, etc
12. Dash not bent cracked, torch still there
13. Wobble at speed/braking
14. Tyres look like they've warn evenly - new set of 20's in Toyo's wear £670 to me
15. What the spec - do you get somewhere close to what your wish list says? Check if it has xenons too. Does all that work? All lights too.