New development with my new E30

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  • VVT4ME
    Member
    • Oct 2013
    • 90

    #1

    New development with my new E30

    Backstory: Bought my 1990 325i in mid October from a guy in Albany. Said he bought it for his family but it wasn't big enough (then later saw his wife driving an M class Mbz suv). Test drove it, looked for smoke/steam coming out of the tail pipe, checked the fluids and their levels, asked if it used any oil or coolant (he said no). Checked computer for codes, needed a lot of cosmetic work but seemed like a great runner. Obviously needed shocks. Expired tags, they expiered in 2012. Looked liked it had been sitting a while...asked why..he didn't know. Asked again whynhe was selling it...not big enough for him. Ok, seems enough like a decent car. Bought it. Passed DEQ with flying colors. Fixed the front shocks and front lower control arms. Been driving it a month now, no major problems....except one.
    Realized the coolant temperature starts to creep up if it sits and idles a long time. Ok, I figure, needs cooling system work soon.
    Then I see this guy listing other older BMWs for sale on craigslist (as an owner, not a dealer...realizing this might be a guy that flips cars under the radar) then...........I get the worst news.

    Found an old reciept of the previous-previous owner under the seat. I adder her on Facebook so I could chat her up on the history of the car, which i knew little about. Then found out that the car has a likely leaking head gasket. It over heated on her on the st Johns bridge, then she parked it for a year. They tried to get it to stop over heating by installing a new thermostat. It didn't help. They sold it to the Albany guy for 300 bucks for parts. I feel taken, but its my own fault, I know. Used cars have risks, and older BMWs have their own set of risks. Still, this ass in Albany was less than honest with me. And I have his address and number...so if you go to check out a car in Albany, check with me and make sure its not the same seller...because he's dishonest and a crook.

    Now... what to do. The car currently has been a great daily. No problems.on my 9 mile each way commute, or driving anywhere else for that matter. Temp gauge hangs right around the middle, except when idleing or driving very slowly for a long time.(and even then sometimesn itndoesnt happen) Once driving normally, temperature come right back down to normal. Also, oddly, it seems like the car is slow to warm up (on the gauge only...heater heat is available pretty quick). My M3 came up to normal temp much soomer than this car. I'm pretty sure the over heating will become much more of an issue during the warmer months. So.........first. I have to find out if its really the head gasket. Do these symptoms to you guys sound like head gasket issues or more mundane cooling system problems? Debating selling the car, or diagnosing , fixing, and keeping it. I love the car, just feel really stupid. If anyone has the know how and wants to tackle a head gasket (or at least test it), and can quote me a.price I can afford and still be worth it to the repairer, I'm all ears to your estimates.
    I repeat...yes I know I am an idiot. Flame if you want to, but it will be redundant. I'm raking myself over the coals for this. I think I deserve it.
    -Alpineweiss 1990 325i Sedan "Heidi"
    -1991 Honda Civic Si "Louise" (STC class autocross car, 2013 STC Oregon Region Solo Champ)
    -Hellrot 1997 M3 "Hans Gruber" SOLD :(
  • Gerta
    R3VLimited
    • Sep 2009
    • 2119

    #2
    Dude... Go easy on yourself. It seems like you got taken but it's not your fault the seller was dishonest. Why don't you head over to Gutenparts and see if they could help? ?

    Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
    Parts Collector and Former Houndstooth interior junkie.

    Comment

    • bmwm42
      R3V OG
      • Nov 2010
      • 6300

      #3
      Can you post a link to his for sale ad .......btw I hate people like this.......getting this fixed shouldn't cost more than about 500 depending on head work
      Originally posted by bmwm42
      PNW vulture pm me for parts
      Strategic nw e30 command

      Comment

      • e30austin
        I waste 90% of my day here and all I got was this stupid title
        • Sep 2010
        • 15382

        #4
        Who is it? We have a few guys down there. The community is pretty tight knit.


        Comment

        • Farbin Kaiber
          Lil' Puppet
          • Jul 2007
          • 29502

          #5
          Don't beat yourself up, we all at least buy one bonehead car and hate ourselves about it a while.

          Comment

          • e30austin
            I waste 90% of my day here and all I got was this stupid title
            • Sep 2010
            • 15382

            #6
            ^see sig for proof. lol


            Comment

            • travis816
              E30 Modder
              • Feb 2009
              • 828

              #7
              Wasn't me. Lol, thank god


              88' m3
              91' 318is

              Comment

              • guitardude
                Wrencher
                • Apr 2008
                • 298

                #8
                I am in Albany and know a lot of people in town, especially ones that have e30's...but this guy doesn't sound familiar to me. Would like to see the ad also!

                Comment

                • Ryann
                  No R3VLimiter
                  • Mar 2010
                  • 3350

                  #9
                  As previously suggested, don't get down on yourself or the car! There are plenty of guys around here including myself that'd be happy to pitch in and help you get that thing sorted out.

                  Comment

                  • VVT4ME
                    Member
                    • Oct 2013
                    • 90

                    #10
                    Found the guy on facebook by searching for his phone number. Haven't been able to find any of his crsigslist ads yet. https://www.facebook.com/andrew.bengtson.5

                    I didn't save the original ad for my car, but right after I bought it he had another ad up, for a black e30 convertible if memory serves. And I should make a correction on what kind of suv he had... almost positive it was a Volvo XC90. I have my doubts as to anyone here knowing him...doesn't seem like an enthusiast...just someone who makes money on the side flipping cars.

                    Last edited by VVT4ME; 11-16-2013, 12:59 PM.
                    -Alpineweiss 1990 325i Sedan "Heidi"
                    -1991 Honda Civic Si "Louise" (STC class autocross car, 2013 STC Oregon Region Solo Champ)
                    -Hellrot 1997 M3 "Hans Gruber" SOLD :(

                    Comment

                    • travis816
                      E30 Modder
                      • Feb 2009
                      • 828

                      #11
                      Huh, doesn't look familiar. My next question, how much did you pay?


                      88' m3
                      91' 318is

                      Comment

                      • Twelvizm
                        R3VLimited
                        • Oct 2009
                        • 2108

                        #12
                        Too many words, not enough pictures.

                        Comment

                        • mr.vang
                          R3V Elite
                          • May 2010
                          • 4371

                          #13
                          Replace the clutch fan. Usually if the temp gauge goes up when the car is not moving, it's the clutch fan.
                          Bought parts from me before? leave your feedback here

                          Comment

                          • bmwm42
                            R3V OG
                            • Nov 2010
                            • 6300

                            #14
                            Originally posted by VVT4ME
                            Found the guy on facebook by searching for his phone number. Haven't been able to find any of his crsigslist ads yet. https://www.facebook.com/andrew.bengtson.5

                            I didn't save the original ad for my car, but right after I bought it he had another ad up, for a black e30 convertible if memory serves. And I should make a correction on what kind of suv he had... almost positive it was a Volvo XC90. I have my doubts as to anyone here knowing him...doesn't seem like an enthusiast...just someone who makes money on the side flipping cars.

                            If itwas a black convertible I believe that guy is in r3v older guy?
                            Originally posted by bmwm42
                            PNW vulture pm me for parts
                            Strategic nw e30 command

                            Comment

                            • Ryann
                              No R3VLimiter
                              • Mar 2010
                              • 3350

                              #15
                              He's got great taste in music.

                              Comment

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