Engine Swap cars, Value,Legal.Thoughts.

[pdxmotorhead]

Just using the Car currently for sale with the S50 swap. IT really could be any car....

A ti in my area goes for 3500 to 6500. A local shop does the 6 cyl swap for about 4200.

With over 200K I'd say there is a small ding for mileage (Most engines EVEN a bmw need mains and rings at 200 if driven very hard at all.) But as a package if your interested in this type of car I'd make him an offer. Haggle it out!

Its worth what someone is willing to pay, engine swaps eliminate it from KBB.

No emissions legality means that he's wide open to being sued if it wont pass in any state whether or not its legal in his because its a Federal law....

I'd bet I could buy the car, take it to the inspection station and when it failed file in small claims court for the amount required to have my local shop bring it up to legal and win. Unless he made me sign a paper saying specifically that its a parts car and not road emissions legal. Unless I speak English as a second language like some guys who sued my aunt when the parts van her son sold for her would not pass Emissions testing, they won because the paperwork was not translated for them.....

Just throwing it out there
, there are some real SOB's out there...

Dave

[1996 328ti]

It's not illegal to own a car that doesn't pass emissions or state inspection.
It's only illegal if you operate it in such a jurisdiction I would think.

I mean, if I wanted to remove my cat, trailer it to a track and drive.
Nothing is stopping me. It's off road, isn't it?

[angel318ti]

this is out the minnesota pollution control agency but every state pretty much has the same guidelines since its a Federal program.

What to do if you have already purchased
a tampered vehicle
If you have already purchased a vehicle missing emission
controls, you should follow these guidelines:
1. Document the events that have occurred since you
bought the vehicle. This will be useful for future
reference and/or litigation.
2. Do not repair the vehicle, since this may only
complicate the issue. The previous owner may be
willing to resolve the issue, but could become hesitant
if you present a repair bill for work that the seller
could have had done at a lower cost.
3. Have a qualified automotive technician make a
complete, itemized list of missing or altered emissioncontrol
devices.
4. Decide whether you want to return the vehicle and
receive all or most of your money back (it is between
you and the previous owner to decide if time in
possession and miles driven should be a factor) or
keep the vehicle and have the previous owner “make
good” on the repairs at no cost to you. Keep in mind
that even vehicles purchased without warranties (“as
is”) must still comply with the federal and state
tampering laws.
5. If an agreement cannot be reached, write a letter to the
previous owner that briefly describes the situation, set
a date by which you want a response and mail your
letter with a certified return receipt. You may want to
inform the seller of the action you will take if he or
she refuses to cooperate.
6. If you wish to pursue legal action, decide whether you
will file a complaint in a Small Claims Court or an
upper level court. For information on how to file a
complaint, contact your county court offices. Keep in
mind, however, that the MPCA can not take legal
action on behalf of either party.

[Will'sBimmer]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

It's not illegal to own a car that doesn't pass emissions or state inspection.
It's only illegal if you operate it in such a jurisdiction I would think.

I mean, if I wanted to remove my cat, trailer it to a track and drive.
Nothing is stopping me. It's off road, isn't it?

I thought this too. If you do not pass emissions then they will just tell you to fix it and you leave. They do not arrest you or anything. My dad has a M3 swap in his E30. And he passes emissions all the time. And if he did fail they would just tell him to fix it and come back. My exhaust fell off and now it is just a straight pipe. This may make me fail emissions but since I have until next April to get it fixed I am not worried.

[angel318ti]

Originally Posted by Will'sBimmer

I thought this too. If you do not pass emissions then they will just tell you to fix it and you leave. They do not arrest you or anything. My dad has a M3 swap in his E30. And he passes emissions all the time. And if he did fail they would just tell him to fix it and come back. My exhaust fell off and now it is just a straight pipe. This may make me fail emissions but since I have until next April to get it fixed I am not worried.

Thats because he needs to pass emission standards for the year production of his car. so if he upgraded to a newer engine he still only needs to comply to the standard set for the car's prod. year. Not the engine's

[1996 328ti]

I think if someone knowingly buys an illegal car they really have nothing to stand on. Now if the seller knowingly is selling the car illegally, then that is different.

[Philly]

I don't think it would be an issue as long as the buyer was totally aware of everything done to the car.. just get it in writing as part of the receipt.


But if someone complains that their getting an S50 Ti that just might need a little exhaust work, they are insane!!