What to do...

[ScottyWM]

After 4 months of unemployment due to my plant closing, I start a new job today! Only negative is that the commute is 25 miles one way compared to my old commute of 7 miles.

My touring has been my main driver for the past 12 years. Right now it needs the self leveling suspension deleted (about $600 in parts) and the 4 way coolant hose under the intake replaced (another $60 in parts). I haven't done this work because of the expense while I did not have a job. Now that I have a job, I don't have the time to tear into it. And don't even ask about how much an independant wants to do the work!!

I love the car, it has been very good to me. But it seems now like every time I fix one thing two more things break. With the longer commute, I'm afraid things will start breaking even faster and be a bigger PITA. The paint is shot, but there's no rust or dents. Everything (and I mean everything) works.

Do I fix these things and sell it for $2500? Do I not fix it and sell it for less (who'd buy it like that?) Do I trade it in for nothing and get an E91 sport wagon?

If I thought I could fix these things and that would be the end of it for a while, I'd keep it. But with all the plastic and rubber giving out, I could be chasing problems for years...

What to do... what to do...

[Tiger]

Scotty, capital preservation is still #1 priority. Buying any cars regardless of price will mean you drained even more money out of you pocket.

As for trade in, fed gov't got something in the work where you would get $3500 to $4500 credit toward new car, but not used car as long you owned the car more than 1 year.

[ScottyWM]

Just had a thought (few and far between these days)! A local guy is parting a '94 E34 sedan. Could I take the shocks, springs, shock mounts, and hardware from it and stick it in my touring? (Assuming the shocks are good, if not I'd replace them.) Of course I'd have to plug the accumulators and remove the attaching lever and connecting link. But would the sedan parts fit and work, or does the touring need heavier springs?

[Tiger]

By eliminating your self leveling system, yes, you can save alot of money. I don't think the sedan and touring is the compatible.

[Mr._Graybeard]

25 miles isn't so bad. I've been doing ~45 miles one way for 20+ years.

The E34 is a great long-distance commuter. You want something with a long wheelbase to soak up the bumps. I started out 20 years ago with a Ford Escort, and my back was constantly killing me. Whatever you do, don't surrender to the temptation to make do with a gas-sipping roller skate.

I've got a car with SLS but it's a Mercedes 300td, not a BMW. On that car, the consensus is that it's worth fixing rather than replacing. I read some Internet Mercedes threads recently that talked about rebuilding leaking SLS shocks for cheap, replacing the seals. Dunno if the BMW system allows for that, or even if you're dealing with leaky components. The W123 Merc crowd is about a stingy as they come, and they're always looking for a way around spending money.

If I were you I'd stick with what I've got or look for another well-kept 5er, or even an E38. Get some time on the job before you think about taking on a car payment.

[Mr._Graybeard]

One more thing, if the car goes on the fritz you can always rent for a few days.

[Mordan]

self suspension ? what's that?
another useless gimmick making owning a car longer than 4 years more expensive than it has to be ? :)

I'm all for keeping a good car until you can't reasonably fix it anymore. if hadn't the time but had the space I would keep it and buy a very very cheap new car such as a Fiat Punto and find the time to fix the bimmer.

without space you can't do anything though.