Thoughts on this wagon?

[325i_swap]

So someone smashed my e30 and I need another car asap. I was gonna go e30 again but i've had mine for 6 years so I thought I might change things up a bit.

The posting for the car says it has 200k miles and that the radio doesnt work but the exterior is spotless, it also recently passed smog. He's asking 2,700. Should I pull the trigger?

Also when I go to check it out, what should I look out for specifically on e34's?

[325i_swap]

more pics

here are some more pics

[EyExR]

I have both an E30 and E34 Touring. You'll appreciate the plush and comfy ride of the E34 but at the same time I bet you'll miss the E30, too. Just totally different rides. I like my E34 better as a daily though.

Looks clean. I'd get it at that price if everything checks out ok.
Look for rust at the bottom of the doors - both inside and out.
Make sure panoramic roof works in all directions and see if the headliner is secure and not drooping.
Ask about any error codes! The Trans Program is common and annoying but I wouldn't say it's a deal killer.
Ask about the rear suspension. If self leveling, does it work?
Make sure all windows work. These fail a lot on the E34.

Anywho! I say go for it!

[TimeMachinE30]

Take off money just cause Bronizt.


Otherwise, heck yes buy the car. Fresh, I'd have five more if I could.

Cars are like avatars.

[djjerme]

Take off money just cause Bronizt.

Don't knock it if you can't spell it!

:devil:



Headliner was the first thing that came to mind.

Check for signs of Valve cover leaking (common).

Drive it and see if it's floaty or wanders (control arm bushings).

Look for any signs of water leaking/pooling in the interior (door seals or sunroof drains clogged).

Steering gear doesn't feel sloppy.

[TimeMachinE30]

It is a curse word, Android must have autocorrected :)

[straight6pwr]

check the tailgate to see what's working. there is a lot going on that can add up to $$$

1) Do both the tailgate and glass popper handles work
2) When you lift the tailgate up, does it stay up, or are the shocks dead
3) When you lift just the glass up, does it stay up, or are the shocks dead
4) Do all lights work
5) Does the rear wiper and spray nozzle work
6) Does the key open the tailgate
7) Does the rear defroster work - Hard to test, but ask the guy.

Front suspension can be pricey too - try and ascertain how worn it all is. Slop in steering, looseness or clunking over bumps, etc.

Also, I'd check to make sure all touring specific parts are accounted for. They are hard to come by. Rear seats, any of the rear cargo area covers/panels, rear door panels.
-

[noypi2]

Looks nice and reasonable price...

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[325i_swap]

check the tailgate to see what's working. there is a lot going on that can add up to $$$

1) Do both the tailgate and glass popper handles work
2) When you lift the tailgate up, does it stay up, or are the shocks dead
3) When you lift just the glass up, does it stay up, or are the shocks dead
4) Do all lights work
5) Does the rear wiper and spray nozzle work
6) Does the key open the tailgate
7) Does the rear defroster work - Hard to test, but ask the guy.

Front suspension can be pricey too - try and ascertain how worn it all is. Slop in steering, looseness or clunking over bumps, etc.

Also, I'd check to make sure all touring specific parts are accounted for. They are hard to come by. Rear seats, any of the rear cargo area covers/panels, rear door panels.
-

Thanks so much for your help! by looking at your sig I can tell these are words of wisdom :D

[straight6pwr]

Thanks so much for your help! by looking at your sig I can tell these are words of wisdom :D

ha, thanks. when I bought my car, all 4 struts were dead, the rear defrost did not work, and the rear wiper was semi-functional. now one of the poppers stopped working, and the lock is worn out. #touringlife

[BlackSpeed66]

Yep, seconded all of the above... as another Touring owner. When i got mine i pumped some money into the cooling system and some other engine maintenance. Next up is a 5 speed swap from my old e34 sedan DD.

If it matters to you, double check the condition of the the rear interior trims in the cargo areas. Obviously all is Touring-specific and if it's broken or cracked to hell, it can be tough to find nice replacements. check for staining around the headliner on the sun roof for any water damage, indicating clogged drains.

As with other e34s, if you can get it on the highway for a test-drive, check to see if it has any shimmy between 50-60mph. This can eventually develop into a 'death-wobble' (ask me how I know!) not unlike an old Jeep. That's usually a good indicator the thrust arm bushings are shot, and if you're in there you might as well take care of it all. Don't cheap out on suspension parts (no eBay 'kits', or the like) otherwise you'll be back under there doing it again in a year. I did a complete overhaul of the front & rear suspension on my '95 (no SLS) and it has been a fantastic DD.

Oh, and a Mark D chip does help w/ throttle response and makes the slush box bearable....

Come summer, i will have to tackle a few issues with the gate - the hatch popper finally quit working and the rear defrost did as well.

[straight6pwr]

should we setup a touring 'fix your f*in hatch' day?

[noypi2]

should we setup a touring 'fix your f*in hatch' day?

PITA!!! Everything works now sometimes..LOL!!!

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[straight6pwr]

were you able to repair the harness pretty well without pulling the whole thing?

[noypi2]

were you able to repair the harness pretty well without pulling the whole thing?

Yess..the breaks are just by the door jamb...

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