Reliability and buying old vs. new

["teborden2" <teborden2@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with Henri:  the best policy is to buy new, get best years out of car
and also, by knowing previous owner (yourself!) know exactly what you're
getting into as car ages...

I bought a 1988 528e for $5000 in Sept., 1997 and spreadsheet informs me I
have spent $7,991 in upkeep over these past 3 1/2 years.  That does include a
new front end.  At least the costs have been spread out over time!

Below is spreadsheet listing, if Webmaster includes... date, repair
description, mileage, cost... if it helps.

Car obviously had at least two prior owners when I bot at 95,000 and front
right fender was slightly diff shade of dauphin gray.  While electrical
connections can get funky over time, the good thing is the parts on these cars
to tend to last long and, even on a sluggish 528e, the driving is fun!



      10/8/97 0:00 major tuneup, new muffler, replace instrument panel board,
all belts & water pump 97,259   1630.41
      10/28/97 0:00 4 new tires & balance, alignment 97614   305.27
      10/29/97 0:00 temper switch on radiator/touch-up paint 97671   43.33
      12/18/97 0:00 right front wheel bearing 99069   233.81
      4/7/98 0:00 oil change and front brake pads/sensor replaced   101646
155.92
      4/15/98 0:00 replace transmission cooler line  101646   154.49
      5/9/98 0:00 right license lamp kit n.a.   8.51
      7/11/98 0:00 oxygen sensor + bought rear brake pads 103856   131.25
      9/30/98 0:00 install rear brake pads, add new sensor  105474   75
      10/3/98 0:00 2 roundels and 1 Guibo & shipping n.a.   64.9
      10/10/98 0:00 install Guibo 105696   79.5
      12/19/98 0:00 replace thermostat 107080   25.76
      12/4/98 0:00  replace battery - 72-mo, warranty  108,480   114.43
      4/17/99 0:00 repair left passenger door, right lock touch-up, detail
109,700   516.71
      5/12/99 0:00 new antenna (old one drains 12V!) 111,151   170.93
      6/15/99 0:00 Gearhart replaces instument panel board - also changes oil
111,798   635.99
      7/20/99 0:00 Gearhart reconnects drive lights on instr panel board
113265   0
      7/23/99 0:00 Gearhart does valve cover gasket & adjustment 113265
155.71
      8/2/98 0:00 Gerhart replaces battery - internal damage 113452   0
      3/24/00 0:00 whack curb and ruin front right tire  121000   45
      4/1/00 0:00 Buy parts for new front end, including front strut inserts,
as well as center support bearing, oil pressure switch, fuel sender/pump
gaskets for gas tank   801.45
      4/18/00 0:00 install front end & front strut inserts, center support,
inspect gas tank     730.34
      5/10/00 0:00 Buy idle control valve, rear shocks, gas tank, oil pan
gasket, oil pressure switch, engine mounts   433.93
      5/27/00 0:00 install new idle control valve 122871   109.5
      6/9/00 install rear shocks, gas tank, oil pan gasket, oil pressure
switch, install engine mounts   498.59
      10/9/00 Minor tuneup, change oil, adjust steering box & column shaft
nuts, roof drain cleared 127178   439
      10/13/00 fix passenger front lock -- bracket to come 127263   225.41
      11/6/00 inspection for next 2 years, replace coolant, adjust headlights
124.31


Tom Borden

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