Newb says Hi (with pics)

[JerseySi]

Hi folks!
Must first say that this site seems, by a long shot, to be the most helpful & resourceful out there - you guys have already taught me so much about my car that I didn't know!
[/creeping mode off]

Anyway, I'm Si, and I from 'the original' Jersey - not New Jersey, but a little island about 14 miles off the coast of France..
Bought meself a 1990 535i auto, with 61 thousand miles on the clock, for £500 (i guess around $1000)..
It needs a few minor jobs doing to it, but I'm sure I'll find the answers buried here somewhere!

Here's a couple of pics of the car the day i got it - the clean up is already well underway, so it looks different already!



I'll no doubt be back with questions when i've done a bit more to it!

[Gayle]

Welcome. That is a good price. Nice to have another white, narrow grill in the group. Did you vote in the poll?

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthr...t=narrow+grill

[JerseySi]

I didn't, but i have now

I don't mind narrow or wide grille, but I gotta get the votes up for narrow seeing as I have one eh!

Mechanically there's nothing wrong with the car, but it needs a couple of touch-ups on the bodywork (quick respray if I'm totally honest), and the rear left door appears to be deadlocked shut :s ah well, gives me something to do eh!

[Kalevera]

Welcome!

I'd say you got an incredibly good deal, unless the car needs an engine or something -- $1000 is stupidly cheap, even in the UK (from what I can tell).

Despite being a euro car, I'm trying to determine why it has US ellipsoid low beams? Was it in an accident? Kinda weird to have the (what most consider inferior) US ellipsoids over the euro units.

best, whit

[Interceptor]

I'd say you got an incredibly good deal, unless the car needs an engine or something -- $1000 is stupidly cheap, even in the UK (from what I can tell).

Despite being a euro car, I'm trying to determine why it has US ellipsoid low beams? Was it in an accident? Kinda weird to have the (what most consider inferior) US ellipsoids over the euro units.

Early european model years (88/89) also had non-smiley older type headlights. Smiley lights came later, but only on euro models.

[Torque]

Welcome. That really is a excellent price ... unless it has a major major problem of some sort.

[JerseySi]

Engine is sweet - a very slight tick from the top end, but nothing to be concerned about!
Gearbox & all other running gear is sweet, although it will need a new rear silencer pretty soon..
Tyres that were on it were shot to bits, but I have a friend who works at a local non-dealer BMW specialist - set of 5 wheels & good tyres for £100..

Other than that, the front cloth seats are torn (aren't they all? ), and the bodywork isn't great - although there's no rot..

So yea, for £500 I nearly ripped the guys arm off!

As for the headlights - quite a few BM's have them over here, e30 e34 and e32's.. Think they went by model years, but certainly they're not uncommon to see here...

[uscharalph]

Hi folks!
Must first say that this site seems, by a long shot, to be the most helpful & resourceful out there - you guys have already taught me so much about my car that I didn't know!
[/creeping mode off]

Anyway, I'm Si, and I from 'the original' Jersey - not New Jersey, but a little island about 14 miles off the coast of France..
Bought meself a 1990 535i auto, with 61 thousand miles on the clock, for £500 (i guess around $1000)..
It needs a few minor jobs doing to it, but I'm sure I'll find the answers buried here somewhere!

Here's a couple of pics of the car the day i got it - the clean up is already well underway, so it looks different already!



I'll no doubt be back with questions when i've done a bit more to it!

Welcome! Looks sharp.

[nuwde]

Sounds like a great deal! Have fun

[Alexlind123]

You made a killer deal. My car "ticks" too, im not sure if this is becasue the valves need adjusting, it has a serious problem, or thats what its supposed to sound like.