Water damage?

[itsmeitsb]

Hi-

Shopping around for a lightly used M3 and came across one that has my interest. However, even in the pictures, I have concerns that maybe this thing has been underwater a bit.

The car looks pristine, and the dealer has these pics available right on the site, so I'm thinking maybe I'm overthinking it? Why would they broadcast this if it was?

You tell me.. has this seen some significant water?

Thanks in advance

[bmwbrad22]

Yikes

Where is this car located?

[M5D]

It might be from the rust belt, but it is not that bad! It does not look like a deal breaker, but I would look at the calipers/rotors those are fused on then walk, run! I have seen cars, just a couple of years old from the East Coast and they all have surface rust, which eventually like cancer will eat the rest of the joints/bolts/nuts! We have lots of water here, but we don't have rust issues like areas that use salt on their roads!

[PhatLyfe]

that's bad... looks like it sat in water for a while for that much rust development.. Run far away..asap..

[mapster37]

could also be someone who lives very close to the beach, i have seen this many times. like the other guy said check for heavy oxidation at brakes....

[itsmeitsb]

Oops, thought I put it in the original post. It's in New Jersey. Been there it's whole life according to Carfax. Not at the beach, more inland (at least for it's servicing..).
2018 model/19k miles

My thought was some of the recent storms/flooding up there, but I doubt it'd have this effect this quick.

I mean, every other angle the car looks pretty immaculate. Just couldn't wrap my head around how only down the center/rear/exhaust gets that nasty looking.

More pics from around the underneath/behind wheels:

[NickyC]

None of my three F8xs have looked anything like that. All looked pristine underneath, I’d run from that car, there are so many options right now as a ton of F8Xs folks have dumped to take advantage of high trade in values!

[spidy512]

Yo!

I echo others. I would walk quickly from that car. Lots of salty water for sure (Do they still salt the roads in NJ?).

I feel lucky to be out west. My 83k miles f80 has zero rust, and most of the nuts look mostly new.

Keep looking. There are a ton on the market right now...

josh

[Koach]

purchased one from Carvana in May and was shocked when I saw the underside of this car originally from Ft. Lauderdale.

[itsmeitsb]

Heard.

On to the next.

Thank you all.

[nickl630]

Damn these comments are great. This car is clearly from the beach/up north. No biggie. These photos show zero indication of "water damage"

[bmwbrad22]

Originally Posted by nickl630

Damn these comments are great. This car is clearly from the beach/up north. No biggie. These photos show zero indication of "water damage"

Well… the OP seems to have take the better advice to search for a different car. Anyone can go back and fourth on this water damage or damage from being close to the shore.

Considering all the flooding that has been going on in New Jersey that's the safer bet.

Good luck with the search !

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by M5D

It might be from the rust belt, but it is not that bad! It does not look like a deal breaker, but I would look at the calipers/rotors those are fused on then walk, run! I have seen cars, just a couple of years old from the East Coast and they all have surface rust, which eventually like cancer will eat the rest of the joints/bolts/nuts! We have lots of water here, but we don't have rust issues like areas that use salt on their roads!

It's not, that is a flood car.

Sad thing is that somebody will buy it.

[Kilabyte]

Besides, whether it's a "flood" car or a "beach" car, do you want to own a car with that much rust on it already, let alone try to resell it later down the road?

[White340]

How long did that have to sit in water to look like that. I'm no expert but even if it was in water for a day I can't see it rusting that badly. The bottom of the car is always getting wet in some way when raining. That looks like something with a more prolonged exposure to it like being driven in the winter in Michigan.

[IVM3]

Kudos to the dealer for including those underbody pictures. I suspect they included them so buyers would know about the rust underneath, since most dealers don't usually include under body pics like that. A less honest dealer would probably have left out the pics and sold it to an unsuspecting buyer. As others have said, I would stay away.

[_E90S65_]

OP, as Lord Humungus said, "just walk away."

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by nickl630

Damn these comments are great. This car is clearly from the beach/up north. No biggie. These photos show zero indication of "water damage"

I've seen a 5 gallon water jug do much worse to an F8X.

[EricP3]

Originally Posted by unfoundnemo

I've seen a 5 gallon water jug do much worse to an F8X.

loool

[PhatLyfe]

I live in NJ, and take my F83 to the beach every weekend for the past 2 years and it does not look anywhere remote to the pictures you've posted.. we had Hurricane Ida recently and lots of cars and businesses were underwater with massive rainfall... that car maybe the victim of sitting in water for a while.. insurance company probably didn't;t look underneath the vehicle and possible didn't say it was a loss.. that why if probably ended up for sale with current used car prices..

[mdrobc13]

Yeah I think I'd walk too. Lots of others in the market with less of a risk of rust damage...unless dealer is willing to sell for a very good discount and you have a good independent shop willing to undertake a rust refurbishment project of all the affected pieces and you plan to keep the car for awhile..I'd walk away.

[SCS55]

Flooded car, prolonged submersion for sure. I'm going on 3 years with my F80 and I live 3 blocks from the beach. Same basic area, totally rust free.