Car fax request to come back to BMW family.

[Phil Sanderson]

...just kidding. If you think it's a good deal, buy it - you'll love it!

Phil

[M-what]

It's worth pointing out that my car and, it seems, Whit's as well, were seriously neglected at some time in the past. But that doesn't make them a bad purchase decision, so long as your eyes are open.

After some TLC and some -- okay, lots -- of money, my car looks and runs terrific. Only the bad paint gives away its past life, but regular washing and waxing can hide even that unless you've got your nose to the bodywork.

Well did the buyer check, and looks like it needs some work. All the tranny(manual) and engine mounts are cracked, belts are cracked. Its got its various small leaks from the various seals, nothing major. Only the power steering resevoir & hose seems to leak. The big item is front ball joints and control arm thrust rod bushings need to be replaced $950 w/ alignment. How hard is it to replace the motor and tranny mounts on these cars?

[Kalevera]

Run away from whoever offered to charge you $950 for a control arm job.

Motor mounts are a 1/2 hour task, trans mounts are equally as easy.

Oh, and over years of use, the power steering hoses (what color is the fluid? probably brown) will start to pass fluid through them. It's expensive to replace if it's not the generic/easy hose (between reservoir and PS cooler).

What kind of BMW did you own?

best, whit

[M-what]

Run away from whoever offered to charge you $950 for a control arm job.

Motor mounts are a 1/2 hour task, trans mounts are equally as easy.

Oh, and over years of use, the power steering hoses (what color is the fluid? probably brown) will start to pass fluid through them. It's expensive if it's not the generic/easy hose to replace (between reservoir and PS cooler).

What kind of BMW did you own?

best, whit

Thanks for the heads up on the control arm/ball joint, I can check around for better price. The tranny mount & motor mounts, belts I can handle. The p/s system is original, although the fluid was fairly clean. It will need a tune up and some tlc. I am going to see if the current owner will cut me some $$ to fix some items.

Previous car was a E30 M3, that met an untimely death. Kid in a GMC pick up took the whole passenger side for crash test.

[Jay 535i]

Previous car was a E30 M3, that met an untimely death. Kid in a GMC pick up took the whole passenger side for crash test.

Better than the driver's side.

[M-what]

E30 M3 was probably the most intertaining car I have ever driven. It wasn't very fast off the line but boy did it love to rev and turn. I always liked the look of the e34 series, so when this 90 535i came along, it just started the juices flowing. I will be speaking with the owner tomorrow and see what he can do on the asking price after the new findings. Thanks all for the insights.