What to look for...

[TooTall90]

I'm going to go check out a 89 535i today. its dirt cheap ($950) so im not expecting much but i figure i might get lucky. the pics look clean and the guy seems like an older gentleman so i dont suspect too much abuse. just wondering what should i look for for problems as far as the engine (m30) and common issues these cars have.

dont worry im sticking to my e30, the e34 is for my sister.

thanks :)

[E30SPDFRK]

Nothing really stands out as bad on e34's. They don't really rust except for the licence plate area and on the bottom of the doors, sometimes around the windshield. BMW wan't doing good with interiors at the beginning of the 90's, so the door panels are probably falling apart.

Engine wise, m30's are usually pretty bulletproof. Listen for noise around the timing chain area.

The thrust arm bushings go quickly too, so make sure those are good. Steering box's get play in them on high mileage cars. Overall though, on a $950 car not much of this matters.

Good luck!

[Jean]

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Main_trouble.htm

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Front_noises.htm

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/What_will_break.htm

[e30 335i]

Check the motor for things such as a bad clutch fan, milky residue under oil filling cap and on dipstick also colour of coolant, squeeze radiator hoses you can usually feel when someone has used something like chemiweld. About all i can think of at the moment.

[TooTall90]

thanks for all the help guys, went to go check it out turns out it has a bad transmission but everything else seems solid. interior is pretty mint and so is the outside. i know its still a good deal but we need this car running quick and have limited resources.

E30SPDFRK know anywhere i might be able to source a good transmission for cheap locally?

EDIT: also found a 92 525i for $900 that i might check out but that one has a cracked gas tank. easy fix i know but im afraid if i don't get it running to test it i might find other problems later on.

which sounds like the better deal at this point?

[E30SPDFRK]

:/ I have one but its still in the car and it's sitting on the ground. I think Pat was planning on using it too.

[e30s52]

I would say the 535i sounds like a better deal if it only has the tranny problem.

[Jean]

^1... or whichever one has the cleanest body/paint/interior. e30 gas tanks are PITA to change, not sure how big of a job it is on an e34.

[e30s52]

^1... or whichever one has the cleanest body/paint/interior. e30 gas tanks are PITA to change, not sure how big of a job it is on an e34.

Not to bad really. It is alot easyer then the e30.

[TooTall90]

:/ I have one but its still in the car and it's sitting on the ground. I think Pat was planning on using it too.

let me know how that goes. the car was minty

regarding the 525i, he said it was a small crack on the bottom and can be welded up easily, idk if thats true but the car is in westerly (far from me) and i have to see it within the next few days because he is leaving to florida soon. who knows...