Thomas Benner 1257 - 9 St. Santa Monica, CA 90402
Complaint 142624 Details

My grandson and I responded to Mr. Benner's ad on Craigslist: "1996 BMW 318-4-Cyl, Engine 82,000 Manual Transmission, 5-Spd, Have all Repairs and Maintenance Records on all. Power Steeing, Brakes, Windows, Air Conditioning. Smogged, and Registered, Runs Excellent. Clean in and out. (Personal Info Removed) Asking price $2500.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/3120554713.html"
Re: VIN WBACG532XSAM52549
Mr. Benner assured us that he had electronically filed the Smog test and Registration with the DMV. He was clutching some documents; i.e. a vehicle transfer form (I have copies), and assured us that the repairs/maintenance records were under the spare tire - there were no records. He accepted $2400 and immediately disappeared. As we then checked the paperwork, we realized that the vehicle was a 1995 model and not a 1996 as per his ad. The last time the vehicle had been registered was to Marvin Antonio Valesquez, and then was transferred to Mr. Benner (dates unknown). Also, the odometer was not working so we could not verify the mileage. The air conditioning did not work. The car radio has been torn out. Referencing the VIN, the Car Fax report showed that the vehicle had close to over 188,000 miles on it a couple years ago - therefore, the vehicle undoubtedly had over 200,000 miles at time of purchase. Also, it was a salvaged vehicle, probably worth just a couple hundred dollars. It took three tries and many replacement parts to make the car pass the Smog. We were constantly repenishing the oil. The estimate for repairs to the oil leak(s) was $2000+. Finally last Wednesday, the engine died completely on the freeway - broken rods etc and AAA had to tow it to my home in Irvine. In addition to the purchase price of $2400, we paid out at least $1000 in replacement parts in order that it would pass a SMOG test. Now, all we have is a shell of a car - no engine, worth only a couple hundred dollars. An engine replacement would cost a minimum of $3000.
Thank you for any help you may give me.
Elizabeth Michaels (Personal Info Removed)