Is it worth it? 1989 BMW 325

[bmw-tim]

found it on craiglist for $1000 dollars there wasnt any pics posted but they said they would send me some. basicaly there ad says... " 1989 BMW 325. 5 Speed. Sunroof. 6 Cylinder. Engine runs fine. Needs water pump. "

now when they say needs water pump? does it mean it might need other stuff as well? im really new to these cars... and am just trying to learn what i should look for and if it would be an easy fix. lemme know Thank you.

[fiftytakedowns]

waterpump = no big deal

Them figuring out it needed a water pump because it overheated on the freeway. = bad.

[beenjamin]

If you take it, be prepared to change fuel pump and water pump, that should run you 150-200 without labor.

[karzrtoyz]

Dont forget to ask when the timing belt was last changed, you snap that and you can bend valves or worse

[bmw-tim]

okay and changing the fuel pump and water pump pretty straight forward to do. and would it be okay to drive the car say i do get it? or have it towed back to my house and then replace the water pump and all that stuff?

[Wh33lhop]

Dont forget to ask when the timing belt was last changed, you snap that and you can bend valves or worse

Water pump change is pretty much synonymous with the timing belt. Not sure why you'd do a WP without the $20 timing belt.

[bmw-tim]

Water pump change is pretty much synonymous with the timing belt. Not sure why you'd do a WP without the $20 timing belt.

okay thats good to know then. so pretty much if teh water pump needs to be changed on the car the timing belt needs to be changed as well. how much do water pump cost? by chance?

[karzrtoyz]

check out bmaparts.com I think the pump is around $50-$60

[6gen91]

you can get one cheaper than $50-60. Keep your options open, as for driving it home, I do not advise it, BUT if its your last option, you can. Watch your temp gauge, if it passes a little over halfway, shut off the car on the side of the road and chill til it goes down. be prepared to do this about 1,000,000 times though. Goodluck

[e30trooper]

dude it a rip, send me the # :D

[bmw-tim]

you can get one cheaper than $50-60. Keep your options open, as for driving it home, I do not advise it, BUT if its your last option, you can. Watch your temp gauge, if it passes a little over halfway, shut off the car on the side of the road and chill til it goes down. be prepared to do this about 1,000,000 times though. Goodluck

okay thanks man yea i was thinking of probably be a good idea to tow it til i get all that replaced. the car is like 2 in half hours away from wear i live too so

[einstein57]

Well if you bring someone who knows e30s you can change the waterpump and timing belt in about 4 hours.

[bmw-tim]

so the guys just sent me some pictures of the car... i thought at 88 they changed the bumpers.. aren't these the diving boards?

[davem]

They changed the tail lights, front fenders and some technical stuff in 1988, but kept the bumpers until 1989. You can simply bolt on 1989+ plastic bumpers on to that car.

[Ian Bowers]

Looks like an 88, it has the facelift valence, taillights, and low rear arches. Plastic bumpers swap directly on.