i bought a 75 2002 in great condition, mainly because it was not stock--it has a 82 320i engine. That said, the body is incredible and it pulls great. I know almost nothing about mechanics and I live in Vermont and am about ready to throw this beast into the garage until May. What should I be doing to prepare it to sit for six months? And since I have two other cars that get used in the winter, is it possible to cover it and leave it outside those months, or is that too dangerous in terms of rust (it currently has none.)? Any advice would be appreciated.

Sounds like a beauty. Don't run that car through a vermont winter if you have something else to drive. Garage it if you can, change the oil before you put it away, and start it every week or so. Move it as to not let the brakes, drivetrain get sticky, and don't put the e-brake on. chock the tires or leave it in gear. You also might want to put some sta-bil in the gas to keep it fresh and fill the tank to prevent rust in the tank. Plus that cold won't be kind to the vinyl and plastic parts if you leave it outside. good luck. Post a Pic!

That's really helpful. I'm not going to run it through the winter...it has no rust and you know how Vermont is. I apprciate the help. Now if I can figure out how to post a pic, I will.

I would say nothing really. Yours is a 75, still young. I would recomend to do an anti-corrosion treatment to make sure she will last forever. I am thinking to do the same to my 68. Good luck.

You don't need to change the oil in the fall UNLESS it is due for a change anyway. You are going to get some minor condensation over the course of the winter regardless of how you store the car (more if it is stored unheated). You definately need to change the oil in the spring before you take the car out, in order to get rid of that old, now contaminated, oil. If you don't plan on moving the car during the winter and are going to put it up in the air to save the tires, make sure that you block it under the suspension and not the frame/unibody. If you allow the wheels to hang freely, you will be exposing supension parts to the air that are normally covered/compressed and you will develop some surface rust in those spots.