NPC - To buy a Bimmer or not?, I know very little about them... Options

[mike_the_man]

Hi all,

I know there are a few BMW guys here, and I need a little help.

I'm looking at a 1988 BMW 325. It looks to be in very good shape. It has 174,000kms, a 4 door, dark grey. I talked to the owner last night, and he said that it was imported from Germany around 10 years ago, so it's an actual euro-spec car. It has some sort of Sport Suspension package, and it's a lot lower than stock. It sounds like the suspension is stock, but I'm not too sure. The owner also tells me that he had the car dyno'd and it came in at 195hp, I'm assuming at the rear wheels.

There's been quite a bit of work done to it. New rad, all engine seals replaced, timing belt and water pump done, all new bushings in the front, new exhaust, and some other stuff that I forget right now.

It has no power options, I'm not sure if it has A/C or cruise.

He's asking $7000CAN for it. Would that be a reasonable price? Would it being a euro model make it more or less desirable, and would parts be tougher to get? Are there any trouble spots with these cars?

I plan to take it for a drive next week. I'll try and post some pics as well.

All thoughts appreciated.

[skline]

That is too high, I had a 89 325 and sold it with the same amount of miles. At that point they start to nickel and dime you to death. I would not buy one with that many miles on it. You are only asking to spend a lot of money on something that is only so so in performance. I also think he is lying about the dyno but i could be wrong. Stock they were only about 145HP. They go pretty good. If he is putting that kind of power out of it, he has modified the engine and I would not be surprised if it will have problems very soon. 7K is way too high for an 88. I can get a mid 90's or even newer for that here.

As for trouble spots? Check the transmission driveshaft coupler, they are very common to go out and when they do, it is catastophic. You could wind up replacing the transmission and that is not cheap either. The coupler is pretty much the same on all of them, some are a bit larger than the others and they are not very easy to change out. Expensive to have done too since they have to remove the exhaust system and everything to get them out. The part itself is only about 50 to 60 buck. The labor will be around 300. Again, I would pass on it.