Hello everybody. I recently got into 8 series and thought they were so bad ass I tried to see if my 840ci could beat up a semi truck. The truck won, and now I am selling every thing from my poor car. I wanted to fix it, (car still runs perfect and interior is perfect...just body damage and suspension) but I don't have the resources...so I bought an 850. If anyone needs parts from my 840ci or has any suggestions to help my situation...I'm all ears. I don't want to sell it. I like it better than the 850. Anyway, I am new to here..and BMW's in general...I'm like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie...No frame of reference! Thank you in advance for any help or ideas you may have. Oh, I also need a great bmw mechanic in San Diego...

-Mat

So how badly damaged is it?

Main damage is to the right front fender area. That is pretty mangled, but other than that just small (but I'm sure ridiculously expensive) dents and scratches to the back corners. But didn't hurt the rear bumper or trunk or hardly a scratch on the drivers side. I think it looks worse than it is...but hey...we walked away and are still alive. I have pics, but don't think I can do attachments here yet.

My 850i 1991 is pretty damn flawless...I just got it and it has a few issues (trans fail safe prog every once in a while, not shifting smooth(just started), smoke comes from underneath the car and sometimes hood if I drive it hard...which is all the time) I like the looks of the 850 (very clean tan leather with light burl-wood grain Burgandy"calypso red" i think paint. But the 840 drove soooo much better. So I have the parts to swap onto the 840 now...but I can't take apart a perfectly good car. Seems stupid. I don't know what to do.

Do you have the 4 little "brackets" that hold up the black acoustic engine cover?

Do you have the 4 little "brackets" that hold up the black acoustic engine cover?

Lol...those are spendy little buggers from BMWNA aren't they? I replaced two of those a few months back.

Madeforlife8~ before parting 'er out, why don't you confer with other 8'ers as to the salvagibility first? We'll need some pictures, a VIN would be good as it will tell us some options...you could try over at road fly . com where you can at least link pics in even if you aren't a member. There is a little more technical info to be found there too. I'd just hate to see the parts vultures swoop in when there could be some hope, or an individual with a vision or $resources$.

Additionally, if you don't know much about the series then parting the car can be more of a headache than you think.

Sounds like your 850 is bleeding fluids. Wonder what your tranny fluid level is like? Under the hood could be a number of things, you'd need to give us more info to help determine...

Check out those links in TerryY's sig line. Excellent info.

Thank you for the encouragement...you are about the only person who is thinking like me on this one. I see a perfectly good car that , with the right connections or help, can definitely be fixed. I am completely retarted with computers and extremely impatient...so forums are not the best venue for me to explain my situation. Biut please...before it's too late!...I REALLY NEED SOMEONES HELP to figure this out. I love these cars and yes...FITCHIK...parting out a car sucks. Also still in need of a San Diego mechanic to look at my 850i. Starting to shift realy hard and sort of irradically from 1st to 2nd(takes to long), idl'es at a very low rpm(almost dies), smokes heavily when I drive it fast(looks like its seeping from exahst pipes all under the car...but engine temp stays normal)...The End

Novel Written By: Mat Hawkins
858-663-9498
mathawkinsart@yahoo.com

For the 840ci: WBAEF6329RCC89377

Thank you for the encouragement...you are about the only person who is thinking like me on this one. I see a perfectly good car that , with the right connections or help, can definitely be fixed. I am completely retarted with computers and extremely impatient...so forums are not the best venue for me to explain my situation. Biut please...before it's too late!...I REALLY NEED SOMEONES HELP to figure this out. I love these cars and yes...FITCHIK...parting out a car sucks. Also still in need of a San Diego mechanic to look at my 850i. Starting to shift realy hard and sort of irradically from 1st to 2nd(takes to long), idl'es at a very low rpm(almost dies), smokes heavily when I drive it fast(looks like its seeping from exahst pipes all under the car...but engine temp stays normal)...The End

Mat,

What is the color of the smoke? Any Smell? Any leak spots after the car is parked overnight?

With your symptoms I am thinking 2 things. Tranny fluid leak and a vacuam leak. Do you know how to check for the vacuam lines if they are seated correctly? What is the mileage on the 850? Maybe time for a tranny fluid change and have the tranny seals checked out/replaced? The dealer will charge between $600.00 to $750.00 for that. Eventhough BMW says it is a Lifetime fluid the lifetime is around 75K miles.

And get the 840 fixed...LOL.

The smoke is white...kinda has that overheating smell to it...but the temp(at least the gauge) reads normal. If I look under the car when its doing it, it looks like there is condensation or some liquid running through/dripping from the exhast pipes and that liquid plus the hot pipes makes the smoke...By the way, I know nothing about cars, so if my explanations are ridiculous, I apologize. One day the coolant temp got super hot and I had to pull over and it was boiling and smoking....and then it cooled down, I refilled the coolant and it never happened again.(I have heard fan clutch, thermostat, or water pump for that issue, but it seams fine for now)As far as the trans/shifting issue...other things it's doing is when going from 1st to 2nd the rpm's go up it does kind of like a fake shift(like about to go to second) but instead it shifts into first at the same rpm's and then will go past redline and then shift hard into second(a best slipping/squeal noise upon shift). Other gears aren't bad and this just started, but getting worse. AND...when cruising on freeway it will lose power/ no acceleration. If I lift my foot of gas and back on again...i get power back. This happens sort of freequently now. Used to get the "trans fail safe prog" on display, but I put new batteries in (read about doing that here!!) and it doesn't display that anymore. It has 160k miles(looks like it has way less and used to drive much better)... And YES!!...another in agreement with fixing the 840...this is like a support group/ fix Mat's car Pep ralley. I wish I knew someone who could physically look at it and tell me what I need to do...(someone who was not trying to make money from it.) and DAMN I wish I didn't sell the left fender yesterday. I financially cannot keep both. I have to make the best car possible with what I have, and then either sell the other for parts, or fix the 840...do necessary repairs to 850 and then sell one as a beautiful car. I got the 840ci for $9000 and the 850i for $7300. Sooooo....where do I go from here?? What I really want is the 840 engine(112k miles) inside my 850. I'm sure that is way to much trouble though...or what about puting all the body parts on the 840???...this sucks!! Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it.

emailed you
jason

I'm new here too. I have a 96 850 with traction control light and ABS light both on. They came on at the same time and off at the same time several times. Now they are on all the time. I was told it was probably a sensor in the wheels and had all four cleaned. Helped a little for a time but not now. Dealer said I need a hydropump. Would a 94 840 hydropump fit and work? Is it something I can do or does it need to be a dealer? Other possiblities would also help. Thanks

madelife you selling door panels?? I can always use and extra set of doorpanels

Pics are the only thing that can help you. We love the cars and hate to see one go to parts. send me some pics, I'm in Sac area, and can probably help you out.

I have to agree on the side with not parting the car out. Yes you could make a decent amount of money, but doing so will be a pretty big hassle. I would sell the 850 and keep the 840 if money is going to be an issue. The 850 will cost you quite a bit more to maintain on a regular basis than the 840. Plus, parts are a little more available for the engine on the 840. Of course this is coming from someone who has never owned an 850...but these are options that I weighed before purchasing either one.

MODS! DO NOT MOVE/DELETE/CLOSE this information. I’m posting it to protect people from a scam. You closed the for sale thread the last time when we were scammed for thousands of dollars which made if very difficult to get back!! Also the thread with seller feedback is gone which had all this information in it for anyone that searched for it!



Today I received a PM from a new member called madelife08 with 15 posts. That contained the following message:

“Please read...I am getting scammed...

Way too long of a story to type in a message. Please call me asap...if you are still active on here. Adam has apparently stolen $2300 from me. But of course I would have no way of finding out since they blocked those threads. Just saw some posts by you and was really hoping to get in touch. Maybe you can help my situation a bit. I live in San Diego and he is on bimmerforums doing this shit still. I need some help, anything would be appreciated. My cell is 858-663-9498 Name is mat. Thank you”



The only Adam he could be referring to is Adam Benjamin Winer. Adam was an idiotic scammer who came to this forum. At that time he created a thread to part out his white e34 525i under the user name “White525i”. He was parting out and selling his car so that he could buy an 8 series. Everybody sent him payment but he never shipped the items. I organized the scam victims and we began to collect information on him. We discovered he had been arrested for scamming before and he had done the same thing on a VW forum to our knowledge. I paid $250 for an exhaust, but other people paid for parts over $500, and he double sold many of the items. I was going to take him to court after speaking to my lawyers, but the fact that he was on probation and could go back to prison for scamming again must have been enough to scare him back into paying us back after a few weeks.

Looking through ALL 15 of this new madelife08 members posts, I could see that madelife08 posted a few threads. The first one being a thread to part out an 8 series. He also has a thread posting for another 8 series. In his thread he talks about crashing into a truck with one of them, and he wants to part it out, and that he is new to BMW’s. if you search google for his phone number (858-663-9498) you will find craigslist adds for cars he is selling under the name Mat, and also an ebay auction for that same car. There was an ad for a lexus is300 up at one time but that is down. He mentions no damage in any of his sale ads and they are posted all over the place at random prices. They are the same people. Avoid this member at all costs. They are the same person. He screwed over Me, InfernoM3, WdpIan, Brodee, SS525, Shankster, maximabello, and others. I don't know what your expecting to get by PM'ing me again Adam, and playing these games.

I’m going to copy the content of the adds into this post so that if the adds are pulled you still can find the information.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=744845&referrerid=56200 850i he posted on here.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/car/417878208.html 850i on craigslist.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/417342906.html Dodge Stratus
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-:-8-Series_W0QQitemZ320156366461QQcmdZViewItem 850i again. His feedback is shows he was buying parts for an is300. which was a craig’slist add this is no longer up. He was asking $11,900 for a 2001 is300 listing that phone number again. The title was “2001 Lexus IS 300- NEED TO SELL THIS WEEKEND!!- price just reduced 1k”. You can see he bought a gauge cluster for the car, and cool new v12 logos. I hope that has nothing to do with the fact that he has no under the hood shots of his cars.
on buyhotcars.com he listed the 840ci at $5000. with a note that he is willing to part out his car. The post I removed now. http://www.buyhotcars.com/car/other/1994_bmw_840ci_5000_24732.html

ABOUT THIS IDIOT

http://images.ibsys.com/2004/0117/2772482_200X150.jpg

The original ADAM BENJAMIN WINER is a SCAMMER!!!! This new guy sounds like the same guy since Adams stupid strategy was to part cars out and never deliver the product. Their writing style is exactly the same. You could have seen his old thread but our forum moderator closed the thread DURRING the scam which made it difficult for us victims to figure out what was going on. (to this day my PM complaint to the moderator is still unread for well over a year now, maybe two. THANKS!).

Here are some interesting articles about him. http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/2933204/detail.html
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/03/19/news/top_stories/3_18_0421_51_07.txt
http://www.sandiego.gov/cityattorney/media/pdf/news04/040318.pdf

Back then he asks for money to be sent to:

Adam Winer
PO Box 502832
San Diego, CA. 92150

he claimed his home address was. But he has a business called 3C SOLUTIONS was registered under the same address.

10800 Scripps Ranch Blvd
San Diego, CA. 92131

He’s had numerous abstract of judgments and Reconveyances on his record.

The laywer that tried him in court was:
Joan N. McNamara
Firm: City of San Diego City Attorney
Address: Suite 1620
1200 Third Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101-4112

Phone: (619) 236-6220
Fax: (619) 236-7215

I’m sure they would be happy to hear that he is scamming again.


Bimmerforums thread:

1991 BMW 850i E31 So-Cal
________________________________________
V12, 5spd Automatic Transmission. It is well maintained and runs excellent. Has a
Dinan chip. I just had it completely checked out,
tuned up, all fluids checked, oil and trans. fluid
changed, (always synthetic Mobil 1), throttle bodies cleaned, new belt tensioner, brand new brakes, just had front calipers and engine powder-coated
many engine components and undercarriage and tranny
cleaned, found 2 tranny fluid leaks at gaskets and
both have been fixed properly fixed. Had one other thing fixed which turned out to be a minir electical glitch. Has not given me any problems since! Other than that, it checks out
fine with no other leaks or problems... Calypso Red
exterior, two tone tan leather, cd changer, brand new
batteries, all electronics work perfectly (not one
pixel missing from display!), Near impossible to find
Racing Dynamics 18" wheels wrapped with 255/40/zr18 fronts and 275/40 zr18 rear Michellin Pilot Sport tires all with about 60-70% tread
remaining. Interior leather is in very good condition
with slight wear on small section on left side of
driver seat.(typical on most any car from driver
getting in and out...not enough to bother me yet). Has a light color Burl Wood - Grain trim. Putting in a brand new headliner. All smogged and ready to become someones very beautiful, and VERY fast toy.
Here are some pictures. Sorry there is only a couple pics up. I have tons, just no time to re-size them all.Please call or email me if you are
interested or want to check it out. Thank
You. Mathew 858-663-9498

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7736/sspx1672editedmg9.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sspx1672editedmg9.jpg)



Craigslist:
1991 BMW 850i V12 Excellent Condition - $11900
________________________________________
Reply to: sale-417878208@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-09-09, 9:14AM PDT


1991 BMW 850i, E31, V12, Automatic, Rare Mauritus Blue exterior w/ two tone dark and light grey interior. Both inside and outside are in excellent condition. Magnaflow Exhaust system, custom built rear spoiler, stock stereo head unit but all upgraded speakers including 2 12" subs in trunk and separate amp running those. Front end lowered 1". 18" chrome wheels with low profile tires that actually fit. Tires don't rub at all over bumps or turning. Brand new plugs and belts. Carbon fiber blue BMW emblems, Having windows tinted all around this week with best quality tint available and there is a Lifetime Warranty on the tint and it is good for the life of the car(even if change of ownership)! Brushed aluminum interior trim(not shown in these pics)...but I will put them up as soon as I can. All the interior is in beautiful condition. As far as the mechanical condition of the car, it is amazing. It is running in tip-top shape. Has been very well maintained and on a regular basis. I have had 2 other 8 series before, and this one by far is the cleanest, smoothest running one that I have seen. No problems, runs excellent, shifts smooth, and goes very very fast. I have all service and maintenance records and have always used synthetic Mobile 1 for fluid. This 850 has 146K miles, which I know is a bit high for this type of car, and that is why I have the price so low. But that is the only reason. The car drives like it has less than half those miles and is probably more reliable and better taken care of than most 8's out there. A lot of time and money has been put into this car to make it look and so beautifully. No accidents. 2nd owner ( I have the previous owner's maintenance records for the car as well) Just performed smog test last week and passed fine...so, literally turn key ready to enjoy. Buy it...turn some heads...boost your ego. You might need it. Please call or email with any questions. And please, feel free to make low-ball offers...I just won't respond to them...and most people probably hate you. Serious buyer's...welcome! You are all great people, and I am willing to negotiate. My Name is Mat, Cell Number is...858-663-9498.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7244/01011101020301030520070ec7.th.jpg (http://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01011101020301030520070ec7.jpg)
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/8972/01010201020801041220070ty0.th.jpg (http://img76.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01010201020801041220070ty0.jpg)

EBAY:

Vehicle Description
1991 BMW 850i, E31, V12, Automatic, Rare Mauritus Blue exterior w/ two tone dark and light grey interior. Both inside and outside are in excellent condition. Power everything. Magnaflow Exahst system, custom designed rear spoiler, stock stereo head unit but all upgraded speakers including 2 12" subs in trunk and seperate amp running those. Front end lowered 1". 18" chrome wheels with loe profile tires that actually fit. Tires don't rub at all over bumps or turning. Brand new plugs and belts. Carbon fiber blue BMW emblems, Having windows tinted all around this week with best quality tint available and there is a Lifetime Warranty on the tint good for the life of the car(even if change of ownership)! Brushed alluminum interior trim(not shown in these pics)...but I will put them up as soon as I can. All the interior is in beautiful condition. As far as the mechanical condition of the car, it is amazing. It is running in tip-top shape. Has been very well maintained and on a regular basis. I have had 2 other 8 series before, and this one, by far is the cleanest, smoothest running one that I have seen. No problems, runs excellent, shifts smooth, and goes very very fast. I have all service and maintenence records and just had service II performed. Has 146K miles, which I know is a bit high for this type of car, and that is why I have the buy it now price low. But that is the only reason. The car drives like it has less than half those miles and is probably more reliable and bertter taken care of than most 8's out there. A lot of time and money has been put into this car to make it look and run so beautifully. No accidents. 2nd owner ( I have the previous owner's maintenence records for the car as well) It is literally turn key ready to enjoy. Buy it...turn some heads...boost your ego. You might need it. Please call or email with any questions (858)-663-9498. And please, feel free to make low-ball offers...I just won't respond to them...and most people probably hate you. Serious buyer's...welcome! You are all great people, and I am willing to negotiate.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3710/b0da3es0.th.jpg (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=b0da3es0.jpg)
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3448/c98d3ec1.th.jpg (http://img503.imageshack.us/my.php?image=c98d3ec1.jpg)

Craigslist add for Stratus.
2000 DODGE STRATUS SE- PERFECTLY MAINTAINED INTERIOR!!! - $2900
2000 DODGE STRATUS SE, power everything, 2.4L 4 cyl, well cared for, 117k mi, newer tires, wheels and brakes, green with grey cloth int. PERFECTLY MAINTAINED INTERIOR!
call Mat
858-663-9498
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/254/01010501040801030820070ly2.th.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=01010501040801030820070ly2.jpg)