RE: WTB 164 LS

[Spiros Angelopoulos <spiros@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Henrik

Good choice on your part!  The 164LS is a truly awesome car and proves it
daily to me!

Things to look for:

- - Timing belt, timing belt and timing belt!!!  The manual had originally
suggested 50K miles intervals, however, when cars started needing urgent
engine care (in the order of $5K-$7K), they changed the interval to every
30K miles.  So, make sure the timing belt was changed!  The cost of
replacing it at the dealer is around $700.
- - LCD console/center unit.  Some early units tend to go bad after a couple
of years.  Make sure that all buttons and especially the LCD elements are
functioning properly.  The cost of a new one is a ridiculous $1,600.
- - Stepper motors.  Make sure the whole A/C, vent, defrost system work.  The
best test is to set the temperature setting to full hot (in Auto mode) and
see where air goes - in Auto mode air is deflected automatically and the
icons/buttons change accordingly.  Repeat for full cold and defrost setting.
- - Oil leak from the front bank of cylinders, from the corner toward the
passenger side headlight.  Oil tends to accumulate there, damaging the
valve cover gasket over time.
- - Bad exhaust pipe gaskets.  These die often, not too much to replace, but
still a pain.

I would also recommend the '94 vs. the '95 model as the later ones had the
more complicated OBD II (but also had a passenger's side airbag - if
important to you).

I would strongly recommend taking the car to Camissa in Burlingame and have
them do a thorough check-up.  They are a bit pricey but so far have done
top rate work on my car.

Good luck!

Spiros
'94 164LS
'85 Spider

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