Is there a thread devoted to this? I didn't find one so I'll start...
Assuming you're in the market for a running car to be your daily driver
Is there oil in the engine? How about coolant? (Check this first!) you never know... I had a friend test drive an m3, came back and checked the oil and there was none in there. Not for their whole 5 minute drive oops! WATcH THE OIL LIGHT WHEN YOU START THE CAR UP. It should go off pretty quickly (2-3 seconds)
Auto trans: check fluid level, color, and smell. Make sure it smoothly shifts into all gears.
Manual trans: listen for weird noises, make sure it shifts into all gears, I think 2nd and 4th gear syncros go bad first. Check for clutch slippage by driving about 25mph, car in 3rd gear, clutch in, rev up to 5k, drop clutch and hold throttle down. If it is going out it will slip.
Bushings: look for cracks in upper strut mounts. Check the condition of the ball joint boots. While test driving try to make the car follow the long cracks (lines) in the road- checks control arm bushings. For 5 and 7 series get going a good 60-65 mph and give the brake a good mash, if it shimmys it needs track rod (upper control arm) bushings. Listen for clunks in the rear.
Brakes: try to reach past the wheel to feel a slight ridge on the outer circumference of the brake rotor, if there's no ridge then the rotors are relatively new. Pads you can't really check without the wheels off, but e30's have a wear sensor, so that can help, though they don't always get replaced when the pads are done.
Don't buy a car without looking underneath it on jack stands, if you can help it. Check for oil leaks around the back of the trans, and the front of the engine around the timing covers. If the car is caked in old oil/grease- good luck!
Whatever I missed I'm sure you guys can help me with
Assuming you're in the market for a running car to be your daily driver
Is there oil in the engine? How about coolant? (Check this first!) you never know... I had a friend test drive an m3, came back and checked the oil and there was none in there. Not for their whole 5 minute drive oops! WATcH THE OIL LIGHT WHEN YOU START THE CAR UP. It should go off pretty quickly (2-3 seconds)
Auto trans: check fluid level, color, and smell. Make sure it smoothly shifts into all gears.
Manual trans: listen for weird noises, make sure it shifts into all gears, I think 2nd and 4th gear syncros go bad first. Check for clutch slippage by driving about 25mph, car in 3rd gear, clutch in, rev up to 5k, drop clutch and hold throttle down. If it is going out it will slip.
Bushings: look for cracks in upper strut mounts. Check the condition of the ball joint boots. While test driving try to make the car follow the long cracks (lines) in the road- checks control arm bushings. For 5 and 7 series get going a good 60-65 mph and give the brake a good mash, if it shimmys it needs track rod (upper control arm) bushings. Listen for clunks in the rear.
Brakes: try to reach past the wheel to feel a slight ridge on the outer circumference of the brake rotor, if there's no ridge then the rotors are relatively new. Pads you can't really check without the wheels off, but e30's have a wear sensor, so that can help, though they don't always get replaced when the pads are done.
Don't buy a car without looking underneath it on jack stands, if you can help it. Check for oil leaks around the back of the trans, and the front of the engine around the timing covers. If the car is caked in old oil/grease- good luck!
Whatever I missed I'm sure you guys can help me with
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