I try to follow the philosophy of buying the best car you can. I had that in mind when we decided to sell the 1991 318iC. I knew I wanted to get a coupe, preferably a '89. I was thinking about a budget up to $10k for a nice 325is. Be patient, wait for a deal on the right car. Fly somewhere to get it and drive it home.
Instead this car came along, 1989 325i auto. That has been sitting in a field since 2009.
My friends sister bought the car in 1998 somewhere around Seattle. It was her daily until it had an mechanical failure in 2009 They parked it in their dads field where it has sat since. Pulled it out today and towed it home.
There is no consensus on the mechanical failure. They all confirm it drove there, my buddy said it had a rod knock, his dad says the problem was in the head. His sister had taken it to a mechanic that said it needed an engine and tried to buy the car.
It has about 160k on it. They said she took care of it so seems unlikely to be a bottom end problem. Hoping it's something in the head.
Washed 9 years of dirt, moss, mold and bees nests off it. Cleaned found some good things and some bad. Doesn't appear to be any rust, battery box is clean, rockers are good. The hood and right fender have been painted, and it is not holding up well. The front valence has been replaced and the paint is failing.
Interior is a bit better than expected. Doesn't appear to have been any leaks so its not musty or moldy inside. Headliner and visors are nice, door panels are good, carpet is nice, comfort sears are shredded in front, sun disintegrated in back. Dash is cracked, but not terrible.
Hooked up the jump box and dash lit up, blower works, wipers work. Put in some gas and cranked it a few times. Cranked easy but didn't start.




Moss was taking hold.


Instead this car came along, 1989 325i auto. That has been sitting in a field since 2009.
My friends sister bought the car in 1998 somewhere around Seattle. It was her daily until it had an mechanical failure in 2009 They parked it in their dads field where it has sat since. Pulled it out today and towed it home.
There is no consensus on the mechanical failure. They all confirm it drove there, my buddy said it had a rod knock, his dad says the problem was in the head. His sister had taken it to a mechanic that said it needed an engine and tried to buy the car.
It has about 160k on it. They said she took care of it so seems unlikely to be a bottom end problem. Hoping it's something in the head.
Washed 9 years of dirt, moss, mold and bees nests off it. Cleaned found some good things and some bad. Doesn't appear to be any rust, battery box is clean, rockers are good. The hood and right fender have been painted, and it is not holding up well. The front valence has been replaced and the paint is failing.
Interior is a bit better than expected. Doesn't appear to have been any leaks so its not musty or moldy inside. Headliner and visors are nice, door panels are good, carpet is nice, comfort sears are shredded in front, sun disintegrated in back. Dash is cracked, but not terrible.
Hooked up the jump box and dash lit up, blower works, wipers work. Put in some gas and cranked it a few times. Cranked easy but didn't start.




Moss was taking hold.



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