I missed a $500 e30 but a few hours this am, and that made me take a second look at this one.....
1992 325i -- 242k miles http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1253302534.html
Is this priced right, assuming its just a simple water pump/thermostat/timing belt job? If not, where should it be? What other maint items should I consider for a "new" purchase w/ this mileage?
Thanks, Will
Timing chain, not belt on those.
On BMW's the entire cooling system is a maintenance item. I'd do the water pump, thermostat, radiator, expansion tank and hoses unless they had already been done recently. Fortunately those parts are pretty cheap.
All the suspension bushings are basically expendable too. At that mileage most of them may need replacing. Depends on how "tight" you want it to feel. Same for the struts/shocks.
Do your own research but IIRC the '92 E36 had some unique and expensive suspension parts. Also if it needs a water pump assume it's been overheated and needs a head as well unless the seller can prove otherwise. If it were a '94 325i or a '90 E30 i'd say the price is fair.
pigeon wrote: Do your own research but IIRC the '92 E36 had some unique and expensive suspension parts.
Unique, yes. Expensive, not really. Very early cars had the sway bar link attached to the strut housing instead of the control arm - a la e36 M3s. Through 6/92 build date, they had a different size upper strut bearing.
That said, challenge priced e36 cars have become very common - I'd look this car over carefully because there will be other opportunities.
On the twin cam endgines IF they are overheaded badly you will crack the head. Or blow the head gasket.
So If the car is running hot check for Oil in the cooling for the other way around. It may be more than a water pump.
Also BMW used water pumps with plastic impellers. Theses would break apart and clog up the system. With the high miles I would guess it was replaced and should have an all metal one.
Last of all I am guessing this is an Auto. If the owner has a recipt showing a trans rebuild at 150 to 180 miles then your OK. If this is the original transmission RUN AWAY. its a time bomb and you will be spending at least 2k for a rebuild. If its a 5 speed then NP.
Got an email from the seller this am. Turns out that this is an automatic( which is a strike for me... ), and the rad and fan clutch were replaced b/c of temp fluctuations. Good to know about the timing chain. All of the e36's have timing chains, correct? I'm gonna pass on this one. Thanks again to everyone for the info.
Will
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