Where can I get my chassis/frame checked out?

[UntzUntzUntz]

Hey guys,

Just bought a "clean bimmer." It's in perfect condition inside and out.... but.... door is painted. Title is clean but clean title doesn't mean it hasn't been hit. Does anyone know a place in the Los Angeles area to check the frame/chassis?

Thanks in advance

[seank]

Call your local independent bmw shop. They will know a shop that can check your frame straightness.

If they race cars, they will know the frame shop very well.

[UntzUntzUntz]

Originally Posted by seank

Call your local independent bmw shop. They will know a shop that can check your frame straightness.

If they race cars, they will know the frame shop very well.

Thank you for your reply. I already took it and got the good news that it's clean. I took it to a body shop I take all my cars to and confirmed the frame is near perfect.

[Westersund]

2 good things to check for when buying a car and you worry about if the car has been in a crash is to check if the gaps between body panels are even and if there's rust in wierd places (probably had body work).

[UntzUntzUntz]

Originally Posted by Westersund

2 good things to check for when buying a car and you worry about if the car has been in a crash is to check if the gaps between body panels are even and if there's rust in wierd places (probably had body work).

Oh theirs a whole list I go by:
- If all doors close properly. The trunk and rear passenger door wasn't closing properly. Turned out the door adjuster needed to be aligned. Trunk I guess just wasn't a big deal.
- If there are some bumps by the sun roof (it's a 2003 e39 m5). If the car's been in a severe accident you can't escape the evidence it leaves around the sun roof. You'll start to see nipples pop out.
- If the reflections on all panels are the same. That same door that wasn't closing properly has been resprayed. At this point it's obvious the car has been in an collision.
- If the wheel gap from the tire to the fender is matching with the other side. When I mean gap I don't mean on top of the tire, rather on the side of the tire to the side of the fender spacing. No issue on this.
- Finally, of course, your recommendation on the body panels. All panels were perfectly aligned.

The body shop I took it to confirmed that none of the doors, fender, or even trunk was ever replaced. It's still using all the same OEM panels.

I called the dealer I bought it from and told me the car has been in a minor collision. I couldn't care less if the car's resprayed as long as the frame is straight I'm a happy camper.

[Steeler]

Originally Posted by UntzUntzUntz

Oh theirs a whole list I go by:
- If all doors close properly. The trunk and rear passenger door wasn't closing properly. Turned out the door adjuster needed to be aligned. Trunk I guess just wasn't a big deal.
- If there are some bumps by the sun roof (it's a 2003 e39 m5). If the car's been in a severe accident you can't escape the evidence it leaves around the sun roof. You'll start to see nipples pop out.
- If the reflections on all panels are the same. That same door that wasn't closing properly has been resprayed. At this point it's obvious the car has been in an collision.
- If the wheel gap from the tire to the fender is matching with the other side. When I mean gap I don't mean on top of the tire, rather on the side of the tire to the side of the fender spacing. No issue on this.
- Finally, of course, your recommendation on the body panels. All panels were perfectly aligned.

The body shop I took it to confirmed that none of the doors, fender, or even trunk was ever replaced. It's still using all the same OEM panels.

I called the dealer I bought it from and told me the car has been in a minor collision. I couldn't care less if the car's resprayed as long as the frame is straight I'm a happy camper.

Sure sign of a collision in my experience

[UntzUntzUntz]

Originally Posted by dbarton62

Sure sign of a collision in my experience

Damn must be a lemon

[Efthreeoh]

Seriously, why'd you ask us?

[UntzUntzUntz]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Seriously, why'd you ask us?

Cause I didn't know where to get a cars frame checked out. It was kind of urgent at the time so I posted. A Z4 Facebook page answered all my questions.