anybody like BMW.s

[ebxr8240]

Sheesh just get Bosch crank angle senser and fit generic exhaust...
Its the mechanics etc ripping you off.. I had an 83 318i and it was my runaround and drive to work car.. I bought it with 140,000 on clock and sold it 7 years latter with nearly 400.000 The only parts that needed attention was brakes and rotors which at the time was $200 + pads... Look around and don't let yourself get rippped!!!
Clutch slave cylinder was replaced .. I found BMW parts NO more expensive than most Ford parts... A muffler is a muffler in the real world there's no such thing as a BMW muffler...But like anything that age it could cost to repair...The early motors the where efi are mechanicle efi. There are always way cheaper options....

[bob 351]

i think as i said in the earlier post i might spend the money instead on my xc resto had a good think about it and i am goin to give it a miss anyn way for those of you that may be interested here is the ebay link to what i was looking at

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BMW-2500-1974...QQcmdZViewItem

[Sam_Boss260]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

Can't name the firm for obvious reasons, but on average each partner earned $1.6M last year charging out at $650 an hour...Mostly because they have a great finance guy running the joint ....lol (joke)

Classic !!!! Hope that you get paid a commission on their profit line !!!

I love dealing with CFO's..... a breed of their own !! And I deal with them week in week out.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Sam_XR6

Classic !!!! Hope that you get paid a commission on their profit line !!!

I love dealing with CFO's..... a breed of their own !! And I deal with them week in week out.

Unfortunately no commision mate but I'm looked after..Plus need one of them to deal with my pending divorce so its all good

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by bob 351

i think as i said in the earlier post i might spend the money instead on my xc resto had a good think about it and i am goin to give it a miss anyn way for those of you that may be interested here is the ebay link to what i was looking at

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BMW-2500-1974...QQcmdZViewItem

good choice.
that has expensive written all over it.
"had thousands spent on it over the last five years,"
and many more to go which is why its cheap.

"generally good condition"
same as saying "some good parts included"

"bearing in the tail shaft needs replacing soon, this is a cheap part"
as opposed to the rest of the parts?

"On washing the car I have noticed that there is a small amount of rust showing through on the rear passenger side door"
this is "generally good condition". look harder, youll find more.

[GT0132]

If you're a BMW enthusiast, at just over a grand I'd say buy it...I accept theres a bit of risk in terms of future issues, but it could be that you may not have any.....If worse comes to worse you could always sell it and get your money back

If needed, the cost of repairs is probably not gonna be an issue any more than parts availability. You'll need to weigh that all up

[Big Mike]

As an owner of mine for many years I can give some advice and some insight.

The properly trained ex-BMW staff who run a BMW specialist service centre, which I CHOOSE to take mine to, charge about $120 an hour labour, and they can SHOW me the difference between genuine and non-genuine parts; OFTEN I will pay the extra for the BMW part, but there are some things just as good repro.

Example - BMW tailshaft wholesale is $1,987.50 but I can get one made for $650. Then I drove one with a non-genuine shaft and it was horrible by comparison. However, all I needed was a bearing mount not a whole shaft. Bit more labour to take the entire exhaust, baffling, and sheild plates out of the way to get to it but the mount itself is standard issue.

Its all well and good to say "ooh, its got computers, and they're unique, and expensive" but you know what? YOU WON'T EVER BUY ONE.

Why do you need a new computer on your VL Calais? Because oil or coolant got inside it and it got old, and damaged from heat, and so on. Why will I never buy a computer for my BMW? Because they're sealed from moisture AND DUST, and insulated from heat. They're better, and unlikely ever to "just fail".

The price of valve cover gaskets isn't too scary. But the carbon-block gasket for the vacuum manifold, which must be replaced when accessing the valve covers, is very dear. Your XF or EA, your VL or VN with 280,000kms will have probably had four sets of gaskets, and be on its second engine. My BMW with 280,000kms has never had a gasket leak, valve stick, hell its never even misfired in all the time I've had it.

So think about that - $10,000 for 3 engines and transmissions in 30 years for your old Commodore or Falcon, versus $3,000 for a head job at around 600,000kms.

Five $300 ignition modules in 10 years for your Commodore or Falcon, which you will need because they will pack it in; or $1,000 for one computer module which only died because you hit it with the high-pressure hose while scratching your nose at the car wash.

Mine can't rust - show me anything from the 80's that can make that claim.

Three-series are made to a different level altogether, but 5's are good, 7's and 8's are unbelievable machines.

[XA5800]

Hey as wife of XA5800,I have had 6 BMWs over 20 years.I guess that says it all.What do I own now.M3.........owed her for 3 years she is almost 10 years, doesn't burn oil {which unlike his previous BA GT hahahabut seriously they are brilliant cars,only thing I haven't been able to break so far.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by davway

they do.
i was looking at a late 80 model 7 series V8 some time ago (ok, it was around 2000) and done a bit of research on actual costs.
the car was reasonably priced but i found it had 6 shocks (2 up front, 2 on each rear corner of the car).
priced these shocks at the cheapest i could find and they were OVER $600 EACH shock.
that in itself steered me well away from it.
i would hate to imagine if something mechanical had happened.

You think the V8s are bad (they're not, it was just this model was BMWs first 'complex' car, just like Mercedes W140 Benz - and what a POS that was). I was going to buy the V12 model - 750iL, did some reasearch, talked to owners all over the place, and only one had something good to say regarding reliabilty (electrics) and costs. Considering I was still at school earning $120/week as a car groomer, I gave it a miss and went for its more reliable competitor, Mercedes 560 V8. This thing wasn't cheap to run either, but never let me down, and didn't have a whole lot of electrics ready to shite itself. Granted the BMW is a better car, and a 1990 example will put my AU Fairlane to shame, they were just over engineered for their day, with mileage and time taking their toll on expensive items such at the hydrolic rear suspension etc.

I think those E3s were top of their class back in the day, but I wouldn't be suprised if its full of rust, and parts would probably hard to find and ex Europe.

I was looking at a 70s Jag XJ12 advertisement recently, and the owners last sentence was 'if you can't afford the toll call, you can't afford this car'

[deanp100]

Most of the BMW models in the 80/90's had a speedo that could be disconnected in seconds and re-connected just as quick so most odometer readings are usually incorrect.

[Big Mike]

All B.S. all the way - "I've spoken to owners who had nothing good to say" I have NEVER seen a 7-series V12 broken down, or hunting for parts, or waiting in dry dock, etc. etc.

Do you want a phone number of my mechanic? A passionate perfectionist and V12 enthusiast - ok so he may be biased, but he's also brutally honest, owned dozens of them, intimately connected with hundreds at any one time, part of a global tech-group consortium, shall I go on?

Yeah a set of proper shocks are $1800 if I want to maintain the self-levelling AND ride control; much less if I'm prepared to sacrafice either - and NORMAL shocks if you're happy to renig both those features and ride like any lesser model - like the 730's, 740's, and 5-series. But, you all seam to forget - my car is freakin 20 years old with over 280,000 klms, and is just getting to the point of needing shocks rebuilt or replaced - THE FACTORY SHOCKS....

Speedo is a digital light meter measuring the actual distance travelled, not calculating a mechanical revolution of the tail shaft - thus is CANNOT be dis/re-connected in "seconds" regardless the size of the tool attempting to do so.

[bob 351]

geez bike mike whats with all the agro

[Big Mike]

Guess I'm just proud mate. Sick of know-alls telling a different story without any evidence or backing. A real bum at work reckons he knows all these people with 8'series and they're the worst cars for mechanical reliability. I explained they're the hardest to work on, but have the same bullet-proof build, mechanicals, and electrics as millions of 7-series sold the world over - oh no, the bum knew better - of course. Rubbish like that makes me go potty. I'm not a judgemental person, but this particular character is the most antisocial of all hermits, and does NOT have "friends" with 8-series BMW's. Neither do I, but Ive driven a couple and spoken with owners. And, as per my previous post if you want REAL information I can post the contact info for my mechanic.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

All B.S. all the way - "I've spoken to owners who had nothing good to say" I have NEVER seen a 7-series V12 broken down, or hunting for parts, or waiting in dry dock, etc. etc.

I'm was talking about the E32, and I've had several chances to buy examples that has 'gone into limp mode' but for the sake of my savings decided to pass.
But thanks for that, I have now seen two people to say good things about them I'll still buy one in a couple of years though. A mint example in New Zealand will not go for over 10 grand, most sitting around 5-7 grand. Theres a reason for it... all the shelling out the poor bastard does after the purchase price. Same story with W140 Mercedes, but not the more relaible E38 (V12)

[Ruger]

I agree with mike.

Sure things might be expensive to replace when they go but its only a car and things need replacing. Parts die over age and a set of 20 year old shocks are more than likely going to be shot. Is that a problem? are you surprised? if so go buy a new hyundai with your dosh and forget about owning an older euro car (im not aiming at anyone by the way just in general)

I own a 1990 e30. Yes almost every bit of rubber in the car has deteriorated after 18 years but one would expect that. It comes with owning an old car. you just have to be prepared for it and not be afraid to shell out the dosh when need be.

Also my 3 has less rust that 99% of cars of that age

second hand parts are quite cheap overseas also. I got a spare computer for the e30 for $50 usd. not that it needs one but its good to have a spare (i now have a "chipped" computer and a "regular" computer.)

Put in a new rubber coupling in the tailshaft and center bearing and mount..... $200..... Would you call that an unreasonable overpriced typical european price? i think not.

[bob 351]

thanks for the offer mate but i have decided not to buy the one in that ebay link dont get me wrong i love beemers but i would rather put the bucks in to fixing up my xc

[Big Mike]

Fair call. I am torn between the two myself. When I'm driving the XB I love it, after a few months I'll take the BMW to work and its just breathtaking again, but I miss the conspiciousness of the coupe (in my avatar) in traffic.

[deanp100]

Well, maybe I was mistaken but the 318i I had certainly did a very good impression of having the speedo disconnected. Speedo didn't work, odometer didn't progress, service lights didn't progress, all those sorts of things. A small 2 pin plug in the back of the diff did the trick. A BMW mechanic in Brisbane put me onto that. Maybe you should try it.

[T-BOOST]

Go for it man. my last car was a beemer, and i loved it. early 90's model.
I only came back to Ford because i stepped up to an suv, and the x5 isn't all that for the price.

it says that your from se vic. there are a couple wreckers in the area to help you out if need be. 1 in dandynong and 1 in mornington (peninsula BM).
They are a great bunch and have a huge wrecking yard if you want second hand parts, and because they only deal with BM's they know what there talking about, and are not over priced.
Good luck

[paul_r_d]

parts, parts, parts my friend will blow you out the water! I dont know about older ones, but my neighbours 2003 bmw (not sure what model it is) seems to go fine.

[Jim5_0]

Originally Posted by bob 351

The one i am looking at is a 1974 two and a half litre e3 havn't actualy seen it in the flesh yet but hope too tommorow it is supposed to be in good condition and runs well being an older model i would assume there would be no computer i hope

A 1974 2.5 would be equipped with twin 2 barrel carbies nothing exotic there.

They are built like brick shithouses very solid. I wrecked a 1978 528i a couple of years ago and found it very well put together. The front sheetmetal was bolted on but it was also glued on with lots of sealer to stop rust and rattles.

They can be known to blow head gaskets but why would fixing that be any harder than any other OHC engine?

The later 70's injected models had virtually the same injection (including the "bananas") as an XE but 5 years earlier. The throttle body and bananas were both bigger than XE/XF versions.

A mate of mine has a 3.0L which is suitable for parts for a 2.5 & would part with the whole lot for a couple of hundred.

Yes genuine parts can be expensive but cheaper non genuine parts which came from the same factory as the equivalent "genuine" part can be bought from german car workshops/parts suppliers.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

By crikey...and I thought Falcon depreciation was a shocker !!!!

Suprisingly it's only 1-2% worse than a Falcon.

[Ringo]

Originally Posted by deanp100

Most of the BMW models in the 80/90's had a speedo that could be disconnected in seconds and re-connected just as quick so most odometer readings are usually incorrect.

Ummmm.....not correct. It takes a bit of time and knowledge to disconnect the speedo in 80's/90's Beemers. It can effect many other things.

[Ringo]

Originally Posted by deanp100

Well, maybe I was mistaken but the 318i I had certainly did a very good impression of having the speedo disconnected. Speedo didn't work, odometer didn't progress, service lights didn't progress, all those sorts of things. A small 2 pin plug in the back of the diff did the trick. A BMW mechanic in Brisbane put me onto that. Maybe you should try it.

Like I said...it effects other things.

There would have been faults codes and lights on the dash and that sort of thing.

[Ringo]

Originally Posted by Jim5_0

A 1974 2.5 would be equipped with twin 2 barrel carbies nothing exotic there.

They are built like brick shithouses very solid. I wrecked a 1978 528i a couple of years ago and found it very well put together. The front sheetmetal was bolted on but it was also glued on with lots of sealer to stop rust and rattles.

They can be known to blow head gaskets but why would fixing that be any harder than any other OHC engine?

The later 70's injected models had virtually the same injection (including the "bananas") as an XE but 5 years earlier. The throttle body and bananas were both bigger than XE/XF versions.

A mate of mine has a 3.0L which is suitable for parts for a 2.5 & would part with the whole lot for a couple of hundred.

Yes genuine parts can be expensive but cheaper non genuine parts which came from the same factory as the equivalent "genuine" part can be bought from german car workshops/parts suppliers.

Most accurate and fair post in this thread of late.....

[deanp100]

By having the speedo disconnected the intermittent speed sensor wipers thought the car was not moving and stayed on intermittent. The economy meter didn't register and the service lights didn't ever progress. I know of friends who ran their 3 series cars for thousands of kms wothout any problems or any sensors going nuts. One of them was an M3 and again no problems. It was as easy as unplugging the fridge.