My new to me, 540i for $1800

[Fred/Houston]

I bought this car last Sunday for $1800. The sale price was $5000 and was dropped to $3500. I went to see the car the day before & it drove great but after looking under the hood decided I didn't want another project car,but I couldn't sleep good that night.
I called the owner & told them I would pay $1800 if they "had" to get rid of the car quickly & couldn't find a buyer.
They called me back 10 mins later & accepted the $1800 bid.
I went back with a mechanic and he stated that if I didn't buy the car he would so I snatched it.
I've driven it for almost a week and there are no serious issues at all.
It has 176,000 miles but the engine purrs and you can hardly feel the transmission changing gears.
It ends up most of the work involves changing out the power steering hoses and cleaning up the engine bay which I've already done.
I also found a very small leak at the bottom left corner of the radiator,but the radiator appears brand new and I'm thinking it's a repairable seal in the radiator. I'll probably just get a new one.
The drivers headrest makes noise but doesn't move,same with the drivers window which I suspect is a nylon clip.Broken tilt cable on the drivers seat too so I found a seat ($75) which I will be buying tomorrow.
I found the complete front bumper w/foglights for $75 and that will go on this weekend after getting it painted.
The srs airbag cover on the dash is warped and will not settle in place as the corners are sticking up and makes the whole dash look lousy.
I am semi-familiar with this car as my daughter owned a 735iL and after owning e21's e23's e28's & e32's I have to say that this is one of the finest cars I ever drove!
I am in love with this beast and it is competing heavily with my e28 for my affection. I've decided to make it my daily driver because I feel it's a little safer than my e28,plus I couldn't bear the e28 getting damaged after all the work I put into it,but I was bumped in traffic in that car 4 times in 4 months.I was standing still in traffic.
I was lacking an engine cover, which I just bought but I do need the other 2 valve covers that say BMW on them so if anyone has any for sale,please let me know.
Here's some photos,I have a lot to do but I'm going to enjoy it:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f238/Baguaman/100_0160.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f238/Baguaman/100_0159.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f238/Baguaman/100_0157.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f238/Baguaman/100_0155.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f238/Baguaman/100_0151.jpg
Here is why I said no to the car,but it cleaned up beautifully:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f238/Baguaman/100_0120.jpg
Notice the oil on the air filter box near the oil cap. I lose almost no oil but I still have to deal with this little leak that seems to be sprayed onto the airbox.
I will have a Bently within days but do have the pdf Bentlys to lean on.
I am open to suggestions and advice so please feel free to fire away.
Sorry for the long post.
BTW it's a 94" with auto/manual
Thank you for your time.
Fred/Houston

[TC535i]

Hey Fred... I also need an engine cover (altho I have the two valve covers).

Do you know if one off an E32 740 will work?

[clindahl]

I think you got your self a pretty good deal!! I purchased my 1989 525i, and one of the first things to change on it was the power steering hoses and that seemed to clean up alot of the "oil" in the engine bay!

[Ross]

A lot can be overlooked for the price. Hopefully the oil coming out around the filler isn't a blowby problem.
Grande heuvos for offering 1800 on an overly optimistic 5000 ask. Kudos

[Fred/Houston]

I'm not sure if the one for the 740i is the same, but I bought mine at Strictly-German (706-654-9103)for $50 but I know they had another one in stock for the 540i a when I bought mine days ago. If I come across the engine cover while searching for the valve covers I will definatly let you know.
Good luck
Fred/Houston

[Fred/Houston]

A lot can be overlooked for the price. Hopefully the oil coming out around the filler isn't a blowby problem.
Grande heuvos for offering 1800 on an overly optimistic 5000 ask. Kudos
To be honest, I bought it from a 19 yr old girl living in Ca., she had a new car and the 540i was parked in front of her dads house for a year. I have a 21 yr old daughter and this young girl was the sweetest kid and reminded me so much of my daughter.
I was sincerely trying to help her if she got stuck with the car and I was going to re-sell it for the same price just to get her out of her jam. I honestly didn't intend to keep the car...for real.
Now I am feeling really guilty so I decided to send $100 to her favorite restaurant as a thank you.
For what I paid I have no complaints about spending money to make this car right.
Fred/Houston

[Ross]

I will be happy to help you relieve your conscience by buying it for the price paid. In fact I'll be in Houston in three weeks, if thats where you be.

[saluki540i]

Cupholders too, I am so jealous... Awesome car - great color combo.

[Fred/Houston]

I will be happy to help you relieve your conscience by buying it for the price paid. In fact I'll be in Houston in three weeks, if thats where you be.
Ross, maybe we can do lunch? Please leave your checkbook at home.
:)))
Fred/Houston

[winfred]

it will work, they are held down with the same shitty bolt on things that break off, the e38s are different but could probably be made to work with the much better toolless hold downs and maybe a little trimming on the back to clear the coolant tank


Hey Fred... I also need an engine cover (altho I have the two valve covers).

Do you know if one off an E32 740 will work?

[John B.]

Looks like a hell of a deal! Who sells those cupholders?

[nixter]

Ross, maybe we can do lunch? Please leave your checkbook at home.
:)))
Fred/Houston

He's saying he'll give you the car if you buy him lunch! ;)

[Ross]

Yes, sounds that way to me. Some mighty generous folks here.

[Ross]

Fred,
An old friend of mine lives in Conroe and turns 50 March 3rd. Another friend and I are making a dash down there in his new Oz Goat that has yet to recieve a proper interstate thrashing. We expect to be in town by Friday cocktail hour. Bringing the checkbook anyway in case some old rustfree orphan wants to follow me home. Any leads??

[Macv]

Looks like the engine needs some TLC but for the price, its a steal. The front reminds me of my newly aquired e30, only half the bumper is there. :)

[Fred/Houston]

Bavarian Auto & I think BMP sell the cupholder for around $50. I got them for free at the junkyard & gave them to my daughter for her E32.
She sold the E32 and I took back the cupholder about 5 mins. before the buyer arrived.
Fred/Houston

[Fred/Houston]

He's saying he'll give you the car if you buy him lunch! ;)
ROTFLMAO!!!
Damn, I need to start previewing my post!
Good one.
Fred/Houston

[filip00]

that is one heck of a deal....i'm jealous. enjoy the car man!

[Spasso]

1800 not running would have been a great deal. Hope it holds together for a while.

[markus]

looks real good. i noticed your car has a passenger side airbag and mine doesnt. any idea how rare it is? for 1800 i dont think u can get a better car that runs.

[Kalevera]

Hey Fred... I also need an engine cover (altho I have the two valve covers).

Do you know if one off an E32 740 will work?
I've got one for sale, not the greatest but much better than many I've seen (or none at all) --

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=30555

[bigtisas]

Looks like a real good deal. Have fun with it.

[Johntee540]

Gee - a BMW with a power steering fluid leak! That NEVER happens! :) - I own 3 BMW with 2 leaks between them!!!

You rocked a great deal on the best of the e34 platform! Go ahead and fix it up. You are ahead of the game. Plenty of help here at the best e34 site on the net. Good luck - JT