OK, it's now in my possesion, 1st drive was yesterday when I picked it up. My first impression was: Nice torque, loud, and "Hail Mary" brakes. Yikes!

I really don't know for sure, but it appears the front rotors are warped, and the rears probably aren't any better. Severe pulsing felt in the steering wheel, and pads grab like they're made of wood (which is to say...they don't bite at all.) I think I may be best to replace all 4 rotors, calipers and pads sets.

Exhaust system needs new, probably from cats back, but how do I tell if the cats are stock? Right now there's just two new straight pipes coming out the back, sounds like those ricer-boy coffee can mufflers. Ugh. So loud the vibration can be felt in the seats.

So where can you folks recommend I go for OEM-quality parts (not necessarily actual OEM, though that's my preference.) I need CHEAP, because I bought this car for $1900, and don't have 2x that to spend on getting her ship-shape for it's winter driving task.

Other than those "must have" items, it needs new hood struts and electric antennae.

Last question: The dash dispay shows a yellow and red LED lit just under the "Oil service______Inspection" lights, which both appear to be glowing. What's wrong and how do I reset them?

Thanks for your help!

Ok. First thing you want to do is look at the rubber boots over your ball joints in the front end. If they are cracked you will probably need to replace the upper and lower control arms, tie rod outers, and the swaybar links. Also I read in the Bentley manual that front shake can also be from bad front struts.

http://www.ultimategarage.com/ is your new friend. He has quite a few e28 oem parts for sale. I bought all of the above items for around $600 if I remember correctly.

I got a replacement muffler and antenna from http://www.bimmerpartswholesale.com make sure you take your antenna apart and make sure you need the one with teeth on the cable. I had to send the first one back that I got. More than likely just the plastic cable is broken on yours...

As fas as the oil indicator reset, you can take a wire and short out pin 7 on your I/O port in the engine bay and turn the key on to battery (not starting the car) for a few seconds and the light will reset to green.

Hope this helps...

Go to mye28.com (http://www.mye28.com)

This is where all the e28 guys hang out. Steve Haygood is your source for OEM parts.

Todd

Many thanks to the both of you!! A big help, to be sure. Those oilservice and inspection lamps drive me nuts. (Fortunately, that's a short trip.)

I will definitley check those sources for all said parts, I want this thing tip-top.

May I bug you for one more answer (for now)? How about: None of the "check" lamps above the rearview mirror are lit if I start it up daytime. When I turn on the lights, the one marked "low beam" (I think that's the term) is illuminated even though both headlights work fine. Would the fact that one fog lamp is out make the check lamp light up, even though the fog lights are off?

For your parts, try Vertex Auto in Miami as they are really cheap.