I've been trying to get an old BMW home for.... the past month... and I finally got it and most of the parts home (Have an engine and a few other odds & ends to get this weekend)

Here is what I know (think I know) about the car:

It was originally a 528e with automatic transmission. The previous owner installed a 535i engine and 5spd transmission. The car is fully loaded (I think maybe they all were) and the interior is torn basically out of it.

The car has leather interior which I think is from the 535 - though it also came with a full set of vinyl seats.

During hurricane Juan a tree fell on it breaking out the windshield, denting the hood, denting the side a bit. The car came with an extra windshield (front and rear) as well as fenders and doors.

The car has some dents on the passengers side. The doors are a bit rusty - as are a second set that came with the car.

The main body of the car seems to be in pretty good shape - aside from some really wet spots where snow got into the car this winter. I will find out in a while when I gut the interior just how good/bad the floors are - though they appear to be pretty damn good upon initial inspections.

As of yesterday the fuel pump was stuck. I removed it from the tank (unfortunately broke off a couple of the studs that hold the fuel level sensor on) and got the motor unstuck - however there still is no power getting to the pump.

The previous owners though the fuel pump relay was bad and replaced it. I can confirm that the relay and fuse in the car are now fine.

The car turns over fine however has no spark. I have yet to try the coil however it appears to be in great shape and almost brand new.

The wiring seems to be somewhat a mess. Previous owner added an electric radiator and for some reason has it wired in with a switch. There was also at one point or another a monster stereo installed as there are wires everywhere. I really need to sit down and remove all the additional stuff and start from there. Need to get the car in a garage first.

There is no coolant in the reservoir - when I squish the coolant line on the top of the rad I could hear a little something but not much. I have yet to try the bottom line, or add any coolant.

For some reason there are 3 computers - none of which I am 100% sure if they are good or why there are 3 for that matter. I am told the computers are fine however wouldn't mind testing out at least one in another car.

The car came with 2 sets of BBS rims - one is the set of 16" spoked ones that are on most of the car - the other is your typical 80's style 14" BMW rim. I personally like the 16's more - plus it came with 3 brand new tires - I thought there were 4 but that doesn't appear to be the case...

Unfortunately all I have to go on at the moment is a Chilton Manual... I'm tempted to throw it out - but it seems to contain notes from the previous owner as to what was done - so I figure I'd better hang on to it.

I'd post pictures but don't have enough posts yet... if you are interested check out my Gallery at dewie.ca

Sounds like you want to get the car started first to identify other issues. Have you tested fuel pressure and checked out the distributor? Changed the fuel filter? Fuel pressure can help you *start* to identify problems in the fuel delivery system. In my experience, the distributor can be touchy--a thorough cleaning of the contacts, even if they don't exhibit gross stuff, can get a BMW started and if it starts improve performance. Tiny electrical punctures in the metal components of the distributor cap can prevent starting.

Also, an anecdote from a car I bought awhile ago. My Swiss-Irish friend bought a '77 Volvo 260 and spent inordinate time rebuilding the fuel injection module in that pig. On a dare, I offered to take the car if I could start it. All I did was re-gap the plugs and it started and ran fine. Just a suggestion. Every point in the fuel delivery and spark distribution system should be inspected, cleaned, and properly adjusted. Even the pawns on the chessboard can cause a no-start. Often the cheapest solutions, where you start first, get the car moving.

If I missed something in your post, sorry, but it sounds like you might want to start at the "back yard" and move on from there.

Cheers!

How the hell did you get Niva into Canada? Is it still together in one piece? Pictures please!

A Niva in North America!!! I want one too; please enlighten us ... I grew up around them. Very cool and capable offroaders IMO.

* a whole bunch of stuff *

Thanks for the advice! Though I am beyond this point with the fuel pump. If you look in my above post I said:

As of yesterday the fuel pump (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=969503#) was stuck. I removed it from the tank (unfortunately broke off a couple of the studs that hold the fuel level sensor on) and got the motor unstuck - however there still is no power getting to the pump.

I posted the same post over on MyE28 and it was suggested that:

start with the ECU transistor fix, and the OBC relay box (driver's side kick panel). About 70% chance it's one of those things

As for my lovely Nivas check out my website - dewie.ca (still can't post links) and there is a section in my Gallery.

Ladas were imported into Canada starting sometime in the 70's or 80's I believe until 1994 here in Nova Scotia, and 1996/7 in the Quebec region. I currently have 4- 2 for parts and 2 for... well currently nothing - but I hope to get back at them soon once I get moved. I had one road legal and the other was strictly a woods beater - a source of entertainment.

Vehicles rust here on the east coast of Canada more than any other place I've seen in the world. Cars that are 2 & 3 years old will show signs of rust - its sickening. This is mainly to do with the insane amounts of salt they put on the roads to thaw the ice during winter....

Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd just throw this in here:

I noticed my car doesn't seem to have a display above the rear-view mirror. What all is in this? Should my car have it? The interior IS torn to pieces however I don't recall see this among the boxes of parts that came with the car.