Re: Opinions/advice needed on buying an '85 524td

["Pat Newton" <pnewton@xxxxxxxxxx>]

An update on this- we had a buyer's check done on the car at the shop that's
been maintaining it for several years. They know the car and know the
previous owner- it was a "wife's car" from purchase until a few months ago,
when the lady became ill and quit driving. They said the car is in good
shape generally and was very well taken care of, but there are some leaks.
The most serious sound like the transmission tailshaft and the differential.
They said it would be around $1500 to fix all the various leaks, I figure
maybe half of that is for the transmission and diff leaks.

I've looked at a couple 528e models around here lately, and the ones that
are in my price range don't appear to be as nice as this 524td. The dealer's
also willing to fix the sagging sunroof headliner as part of the purchase.

I think I'm ready to pull the trigger, despite the high price. Any other
opinions out there? Am I crazy?

Thanks in advance,

Pat Newton

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Pat Newton" <pnewton@domain.elided>
To: <bmw@domain.elided>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 5:16 PM
Subject: Opinions/advice needed on buying an '85 524td


> Hello- I went out shopping for an "econobox" commuter car yesterday, and
> instead ended up looking at an '85 524td. I had asked the used car
> salesperson if they had any Honda Civics between $5K and $6K, and she said
> no, but pointed at the BMW, so I had to take a look. I've always loved the
> E28s, and this one is in great shape. Highlights:
>
> - 133K miles
> - Automatic
> - One owner, appears to be well maintained from the mountain of receipts
> (including original sales receipt and window sticker!)
> - Good condition outside (6 points out of 10, I'd say)
> - Near-perfect inside. The leather looks almost brand new, the carpet is
in
> great shape. The only flaw is a loose headliner at the front of the
sunroof
> cover. Would this be difficult to fix?
> - Everything works, except passenger's side power headrest. I've already
> found info on the Net on how to fix this problem.
> - Drives really nice, feels solid, no weird noises
>
> Within the last few years, the car has had the following replaced:
>
> - Glow plug relay
> - Glow plugs
> - Brake pads/rotors all around, master cylinder
> - "Fuel bleeders"   ???
> - Fuel injectors, valve cover gasket, valve adsjutment, "Maintenance
Service
> II"   ???
> - Water pump at 105K
> - Alternator at 99K
>
> I do not know if it has had the timing belt or the diesel injection pump
> done, or if it has had any tranny work. I need this car to last for
another
> 80,000-100,000 miles, and I am specifically worried about the engine,
> transmission or turbo blowing up on me. Should I be worried? I haven't
> reconstructed the car's entire service history, but from the receipts I
> looked at, it looks like it has seen its share of oil changes.
>
> A local shop in my city has been maintaining the car for the past few
years,
> and I hope to take it to them tomorrow for a buyer's check. I'm sure they
> will recognize it- I bet it's the only 524td in my area. I've never seen
one
> before.
>
> Here's the kicker- the dealer wants nearly $5K for the car. Now, this is a
> lot more car for $5K than the Civics I've been looking at, but $5,000 is
> $900+ more than the highest "high retail" Kelley Blue Book or NADA value I
> could find. I might be able to get them to move a bit, but not $900. I'm
> wondering if the car is worth the money, given the fantastic service
history
> and records.
>
> Please let me know if there are any other 524td owners on this list, and
> tell me what I should consider when deciding to purchase this car.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Pat Newton
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