zpmada
08-06-2007, 01:49 AM
Hi,
I am looking for a reliable driver and was mostly considering the 1995 Volvo 850 (decent in snow, safe, ok with gas, modern). However, this 1986 535i has caught my eye. I love the E28 bodystyle the most. It is a color I like and seems to have a nice history. The car is being sold by the original owner and even has the original window sticker. Service history all the way to the early 90s. The owner is a BMW guy, and worked on the car. He also seems to drive the car the way it was designed to be driven. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. He didn't outright beat the crap out of it, but didn't drive like a grandma either. The Trans shifts smooth, clutch is good and the engine is good. New struts all around. The car has 145,000 miles. Good inspection until 11/2008
Turn offs:
Seems to have electrical problems. The fuel gauge doesn't work, tach doesnt work and the temp gauge is effected by bumps. A new gauge cluster might fix this, or maybe there is a loose connection? I'm not sure how difficult this would be to fix. There is sort of a 'bang' (backfire?) when the car is accelerating quickly out of 1st and 2nd. I doubt its a backfire. It sounds like the exhaust is banging into something because I only heard it with the windows down. The exhaust and cat are new. Also, when accelerating the engine sounds a bit loud. I'm not sure if there is a leak, but if there is a leak, it sounds nice. He said it has OEM exhaust and aftermarket cat. The tires don't look good for rain or snow but will probably work until the end of summer. Warning lights on the dash are Brake lining light, brake light and maybe one other light (I think abs? If some other light was on, it was next to the brake and brake lining light). The coolant is the only system check LED that doesn't shut off. He said he replaced the coolant sensor and it didn't fix the problem so he gave up. Also the paint had some swirles/scratches that I might be able to wax out. Finally, there is something above the master cylender that is coated with some kid of fluid. I'm not sure if this is the ABS module. Everything else seemed dry for the most part. Could use a new valve cover gasket and the powersteering pump, or return line is leaking.
Recent work:
New exhaust pipe, cat converter, muffler, resonator, Center driveshaft bearing, Guibo, Billstein sport shocks all around + rebuild front end, Control arms, thrust arms, 750i bushings, tie rod ends and anti sway bar links
The major components seem ok (except those brake lights scare me into thinking the brakes are bad), the electrical stuff might be something I could fix. (although I don't know anything about these cars electrical systems). The owner took a wheel off to show me the brake pads and they were aprox. 30% worn with 70% left.
What is this car worth? What would be a good deal for the buyer?
In my situation, should I avoid it and go with the Volvo?
I am looking for a reliable driver and was mostly considering the 1995 Volvo 850 (decent in snow, safe, ok with gas, modern). However, this 1986 535i has caught my eye. I love the E28 bodystyle the most. It is a color I like and seems to have a nice history. The car is being sold by the original owner and even has the original window sticker. Service history all the way to the early 90s. The owner is a BMW guy, and worked on the car. He also seems to drive the car the way it was designed to be driven. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. He didn't outright beat the crap out of it, but didn't drive like a grandma either. The Trans shifts smooth, clutch is good and the engine is good. New struts all around. The car has 145,000 miles. Good inspection until 11/2008
Turn offs:
Seems to have electrical problems. The fuel gauge doesn't work, tach doesnt work and the temp gauge is effected by bumps. A new gauge cluster might fix this, or maybe there is a loose connection? I'm not sure how difficult this would be to fix. There is sort of a 'bang' (backfire?) when the car is accelerating quickly out of 1st and 2nd. I doubt its a backfire. It sounds like the exhaust is banging into something because I only heard it with the windows down. The exhaust and cat are new. Also, when accelerating the engine sounds a bit loud. I'm not sure if there is a leak, but if there is a leak, it sounds nice. He said it has OEM exhaust and aftermarket cat. The tires don't look good for rain or snow but will probably work until the end of summer. Warning lights on the dash are Brake lining light, brake light and maybe one other light (I think abs? If some other light was on, it was next to the brake and brake lining light). The coolant is the only system check LED that doesn't shut off. He said he replaced the coolant sensor and it didn't fix the problem so he gave up. Also the paint had some swirles/scratches that I might be able to wax out. Finally, there is something above the master cylender that is coated with some kid of fluid. I'm not sure if this is the ABS module. Everything else seemed dry for the most part. Could use a new valve cover gasket and the powersteering pump, or return line is leaking.
Recent work:
New exhaust pipe, cat converter, muffler, resonator, Center driveshaft bearing, Guibo, Billstein sport shocks all around + rebuild front end, Control arms, thrust arms, 750i bushings, tie rod ends and anti sway bar links
The major components seem ok (except those brake lights scare me into thinking the brakes are bad), the electrical stuff might be something I could fix. (although I don't know anything about these cars electrical systems). The owner took a wheel off to show me the brake pads and they were aprox. 30% worn with 70% left.
What is this car worth? What would be a good deal for the buyer?
In my situation, should I avoid it and go with the Volvo?