Re: 1991 318 PURCHASE

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Henry,

Most definitely, find out whether the profile gasket has been replaced.  
These WILL fail, and it WILL cost over $1000 to repair.  The head must be 
removed to repair the gasket.

Read about it here:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/all/engine/all_m42_profile_gasket_faq.html

or do an Internet search on 'E30 profile gasket'

If it hasn't been replaced (or the previous owner can't prove that it's been 
replaced), either walk away from the purchase, or negotiate the cost of the 
profile gasket replacement into your sale price.

Besides that, the normal wear and tear items on an E30 (front control arm 
ball joints, control arm bushings, rear trailing arm bushings, rear subframe 
bushings, wheel bearings, electrical gremlins (central locking, power 
windows, blower motor runs at all speeds, SRS light, CE light) should be 
checked.  Does the radio show 'CODE'?  Does the owner have the radio code?

You can tell if the rear bushings are worn if the rear of the car feels 
loose when going around turns.

Also, check to see if the car has any stored engine computer codes:

http://www.bonnevillemotorwerks.com/fault.html


Also, be sure to check the condition of the battery, and the battery 
compartment, to make sure that it doesn't have a leaking battery, or has 
been damaged in the past by battery acid leakage.

Good luck.  The 1991 E30 318i is a fun car!

- -rb

>
>Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 08:30:52 -0700 (PDT)
>From: Henry Brandel <brandel_88@domain.elided>
>Subject: 1991 318 PURCHASE
>
>I'm thinking of purchasing a 1991 318 2 door Standard. 187,000km
>Is there anything I should be careful about and should I be looking for any 
>specific problem.
>Any help is very appreciated.
>Henry
>'84 325e
>Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
>http://taxes.yahoo.com/


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