Ack 325es fell through... looking at a 535i in a week

[wood_e]

Hey guys...

I guess I got too anxious in the 325es I was looking at. The guy has not called me back about it. I have been interested in a VW cabriolet, and a 535i I found for sale a few days ago.

About the 535i...
it is an 85
175,000 miles
5 speed
Some rust on the passenger fender
$1400/bo

Now I know the 3.5L "big six" is a tough engine. I am just weary of a car with 175k on it. What is the life expectancy on the engine? How quickly do rod bearings wear out on these? I know SHO engines can have bearings spin at 120k then again I don't think the big six revs up to 7.2 grand.

The guy seems to be quite mechanically inclined, so he doesn't have maintenance records for it per se, but he does know what hes replaced in the past few years.

Is there anything I should look for specific to the model as far as wear is concerned?

TIA!

 

[frolf]

sucks about the 325 dude, that would've been the car. though i must say, a VW cabrio gets girls in the summer, my bmw usually gets a bunch of guys going "SWEET RIDE DUDE"

 

[wood_e]

Girls don't like me

 

[slats]

That's cause you're trying to pick them up in a Taurus

 

[wood_e]

or not trying at all

 

[jrt67ss350]

Well, I'm not familiar with the 3.5L six, but my 2.7L six has about 260,000 original miles on it, and it still runs like it's brand new. It shows no signs of having any problems whatsoever. From what I've learned, if BMW engines are maintained with regular maintenance, then they can last for a very long time.

With 175,000, I'd be more concerned about other parts on the car such as suspension bushings and joints, but if the engine has been well-maintained, then these parts have probably been well-maintained as well.

 

[e30fr3@k]

85 535i:what to look for..

1)common maintenence piece in the driveline is the "guibo"-a rubber flex disc which couples in the middle of the drive shaft. it's designed to relieve driveline stress, and with parts and labor is estimated at 300-500.

2)watch for radiator leaks-common problem among BMWs (at least the older models)

3)thrust rod bushing wear out and brake rotors warp-common in the E28 5s.

thats a start, and all i can give you at the moment.
information provided to me by the "bmw buyer's guide"-written by Fred Larimer

 

[e30fr3@k]

Hey guys...

I guess I got too anxious in the 325es I was looking at. The guy has not called me back about it. I have been interested in a VW cabriolet, and a 535i I found for sale a few days ago.

About the 535i...
it is an 85
175,000 miles
5 speed
Some rust on the passenger fender
$1400/bo

Now I know the 3.5L "big six" is a tough engine. I am just weary of a car with 175k on it. What is the life expectancy on the engine? How quickly do rod bearings wear out on these? I know SHO engines can have bearings spin at 120k then again I don't think the big six revs up to 7.2 grand.

The guy seems to be quite mechanically inclined, so he doesn't have maintenance records for it per se, but he does know what hes replaced in the past few years.

Is there anything I should look for specific to the model as far as wear is concerned?

TIA!

on a personal note, screw the 535!. find another 325 (es/is/i/e/xi). they rule!

 

[bahnstormer]

heck no! 535i's rule heheh
actually i take that back since i had a 89 325i 5spd and i liked it more
than my current 91 535i - the 3 is smaller and lighter, similari power

but if you rock that 85 then u can really get a nice lightweight car

btw unless u have an antitank rifle, u can't break the 3.5L motor

 

[wood_e]

Well the 535i has strong points to me. The guy seems to be on top of the services. It doesn't have as much rist as the 325es I was looking at. The interior is nicer, and the car as a whole needs a lot less work than the 325es I was loooking at buying.

I found the e28 buyers guide last night and read through most of it. Called the guy up about it and he said the following:
Oil spray bolts are the new style
Water pump may not have been changed recently
Fan clutch was just replaced
No drive shaft noises
Idles smoothly
Heat and Ac all work properly
TRX rims were replaced with rims off a 92 5 series

The only thing it needs (relativley soon) is 2 front shocks
Assuming I change out the mounts bushings and what have you I think that will be a $250-$350 repair.

For $1400 I don't think this is a bad deal.

The 325es was $1200 with 129k, but it for sure needed a GUIBO and drive shaft support bearing. Not to mention new shift bushings, a glovebox, new front seats (to pe picky), and new shocks in that one too. It also had a large amount of rust.

So with 175k I think this 5er has a fair amount of life left in it, and right now the repair it needs isn't nearly as bad as the 325es.

 

[e30fr3@k]

heh. then i say go for the 535. repairs suck, all you wanna do when you first get your car is to drive the hell out of it. not drive it to the mechanic's garage. i'll still waive to a 5 series on the road

 

[mrferg]

Go for it, sounds like a steal to me. Old Bimmers rule!

 

[e30fr3@k]

ya, older cars totally kick ass. not as much computer driving for you. all these traction systems and what have you. to heck with 'em - we can take care of ourselves .

 

[codex57]

Both are pimp cars. Good luck either way.

 

[e30fr3@k]

ya, good luck. keep us posted on your progress and send pix when you make the purchase.

 

[wood_e]

Thanks for the support guys! A friend of mine might purchase a 98 328i so I got a little jealous today no worries though, hes paying $11,800 for it. I don't have a loan... nor do I want one. I'll be sure to keep this thread current with the latest info on my purchase It will probably be dormant for a week or so...