Unseen £200 e38
Discussion
TooMany2cvs said:
Sillyhatday said:
Then sell it for £20. That's more than you would otherwise have got, without the number plates at all
Well, you could list it for £20, but would anybody buy it?Let's face it, after the transfer costs, the difference between £30 and £20 and £10 and 99p is not actually particularly relevant. The main reason nobody's paying £30 sad-pad plates is not that some magical price barrier's been breached. It's that nobody actually particularly wants the front and rear of their car to say "OIJQZ248356284". They'd rather have a more memorable plate, something like "EK61SWN"...
Seriously though, I want to see how this turns out. Cousin was looking for one and while helping get one I grew to like them. He bought a Volvo instead .
Toaster Pilot said:
Good luck with it - the world needs more idiots like us rather than people who scrap cars at the first sign of trouble 
Sure, some people scrap cars like they'd put their dog down for a mild sniffle.But you and the OP here? You're running round Tesco's meat freezers, grabbing packs of burgers and shouting "It's OK! Daisy's just a bit under the weather... She'll be fine!"
Can we stop bashing about how much this will cost to get on the road? Im an unemployed student who has a car fund to play with. If it cant be fixed for peanuts it will not be going anywhere (except raced round the field for some fun, like i did with a prelude I bought at 16) but into parts after being sprayed, yes I gather this is a waste of money but I want to learn and my time is free.
People told me not to fly to london at 18 and buy a 1983 datsun cherry turbo with 2 days mot and many faults. I did. I still have it and its brilliant fun.
People told me not to buy a cheap l322 Range Rover (in south wales). I did. Other than the gearbox which I sort of knew when buying, its needed under £500 spent in 20k miles.
People told not to buy a rotten as f
k e30 323i (in norfolk). I did. Wasnt that bad, low milage with a nice interior, all repair panels are on there way for £240 inc VAT, again my time is free to fit them and paint it. Giving me a 55k miles 83 e30 323i for under £1000.
People told me not to buy a 87 defender 300tdi conversion (in norfolk again). I did. Was much better condition than expected, couldnt get on with driving it though so managed to sell for £1000 profit. Wouldnt of got that if I listened to all the people quick to slag everything off.
TLDR: Im young, I make retarded purchases in peoples eyes and I enjoy it.
In other news got the radio out and picked up everything I need to fit the aux in. Just struggling to find a cd changer plug diagram labeling whats what in it.
People told me not to fly to london at 18 and buy a 1983 datsun cherry turbo with 2 days mot and many faults. I did. I still have it and its brilliant fun.
People told me not to buy a cheap l322 Range Rover (in south wales). I did. Other than the gearbox which I sort of knew when buying, its needed under £500 spent in 20k miles.
People told not to buy a rotten as f
k e30 323i (in norfolk). I did. Wasnt that bad, low milage with a nice interior, all repair panels are on there way for £240 inc VAT, again my time is free to fit them and paint it. Giving me a 55k miles 83 e30 323i for under £1000.People told me not to buy a 87 defender 300tdi conversion (in norfolk again). I did. Was much better condition than expected, couldnt get on with driving it though so managed to sell for £1000 profit. Wouldnt of got that if I listened to all the people quick to slag everything off.
TLDR: Im young, I make retarded purchases in peoples eyes and I enjoy it.
In other news got the radio out and picked up everything I need to fit the aux in. Just struggling to find a cd changer plug diagram labeling whats what in it.
Slow said:
Can we stop bashing about how much this will cost to get on the road? Im an unemployed student who has a car fund to play with. If it cant be fixed for peanuts it will not be going anywhere (except raced round the field for some fun, like i did with a prelude I bought at 16) but into parts after being sprayed, yes I gather this is a waste of money but I want to learn and my time is free.
People told me not to fly to london at 18 and buy a 1983 datsun cherry turbo with 2 days mot and many faults. I did. I still have it and its brilliant fun.
People told me not to buy a cheap l322 Range Rover (in south wales). I did. Other than the gearbox which I sort of knew when buying, its needed under £500 spent in 20k miles.
People told not to buy a rotten as fk e30 323i (in norfolk). I did. Wasnt that bad, low milage with a nice interior, all repair panels are on there way for £240 inc VAT, again my time is free to fit them and paint it. Giving me a 55k miles 83 e30 323i for under £1000.
People told me not to buy a 87 defender 300tdi conversion (in norfolk again). I did. Was much better condition than expected, couldnt get on with driving it though so managed to sell for £1000 profit. Wouldnt of got that if I listened to all the people quick to slag everything off.
TLDR: Im young, I make retarded purchases in peoples eyes and I enjoy it.
In other news got the radio out and picked up everything I need to fit the aux in. Just struggling to find a cd changer plug diagram labeling whats what in it.
Ignore it mate. Nothings a waste of money if you enjoyed yourself. The person who's never done anything wrong has never done anything.People told me not to fly to london at 18 and buy a 1983 datsun cherry turbo with 2 days mot and many faults. I did. I still have it and its brilliant fun.
People told me not to buy a cheap l322 Range Rover (in south wales). I did. Other than the gearbox which I sort of knew when buying, its needed under £500 spent in 20k miles.
People told not to buy a rotten as f
k e30 323i (in norfolk). I did. Wasnt that bad, low milage with a nice interior, all repair panels are on there way for £240 inc VAT, again my time is free to fit them and paint it. Giving me a 55k miles 83 e30 323i for under £1000.People told me not to buy a 87 defender 300tdi conversion (in norfolk again). I did. Was much better condition than expected, couldnt get on with driving it though so managed to sell for £1000 profit. Wouldnt of got that if I listened to all the people quick to slag everything off.
TLDR: Im young, I make retarded purchases in peoples eyes and I enjoy it.
In other news got the radio out and picked up everything I need to fit the aux in. Just struggling to find a cd changer plug diagram labeling whats what in it.
I can't remember but isn't there a fairly standard CD changer connector? Or at least they are across one brand?
Slow said:
Can we stop bashing about how much this will cost to get on the road? Im an unemployed student who has a car fund to play with. If it cant be fixed for peanuts it will not be going anywhere (except raced round the field for some fun, like i did with a prelude I bought at 16) but into parts after being sprayed, yes I gather this is a waste of money but I want to learn and my time is free.
People told me not to fly to london at 18 and buy a 1983 datsun cherry turbo with 2 days mot and many faults. I did. I still have it and its brilliant fun.
People told me not to buy a cheap l322 Range Rover (in south wales). I did. Other than the gearbox which I sort of knew when buying, its needed under £500 spent in 20k miles.
People told not to buy a rotten as fk e30 323i (in norfolk). I did. Wasnt that bad, low milage with a nice interior, all repair panels are on there way for £240 inc VAT, again my time is free to fit them and paint it. Giving me a 55k miles 83 e30 323i for under £1000.
People told me not to buy a 87 defender 300tdi conversion (in norfolk again). I did. Was much better condition than expected, couldnt get on with driving it though so managed to sell for £1000 profit. Wouldnt of got that if I listened to all the people quick to slag everything off.
TLDR: Im young, I make retarded purchases in peoples eyes and I enjoy it.
In other news got the radio out and picked up everything I need to fit the aux in. Just struggling to find a cd changer plug diagram labeling whats what in it.
I was in the bath earlier remembering what I did at 20 (25 years later) things get more significant as you get older, carry on as you are and enjoy it, you will leanr a lot from it which may not be immediately apparent but at some point you will and it will be useful, nothing you ever learn is wasted in the main, this may lead to a lucrative career, people who dont do anything never make mistakes....People told me not to fly to london at 18 and buy a 1983 datsun cherry turbo with 2 days mot and many faults. I did. I still have it and its brilliant fun.
People told me not to buy a cheap l322 Range Rover (in south wales). I did. Other than the gearbox which I sort of knew when buying, its needed under £500 spent in 20k miles.
People told not to buy a rotten as f
k e30 323i (in norfolk). I did. Wasnt that bad, low milage with a nice interior, all repair panels are on there way for £240 inc VAT, again my time is free to fit them and paint it. Giving me a 55k miles 83 e30 323i for under £1000.People told me not to buy a 87 defender 300tdi conversion (in norfolk again). I did. Was much better condition than expected, couldnt get on with driving it though so managed to sell for £1000 profit. Wouldnt of got that if I listened to all the people quick to slag everything off.
TLDR: Im young, I make retarded purchases in peoples eyes and I enjoy it.
In other news got the radio out and picked up everything I need to fit the aux in. Just struggling to find a cd changer plug diagram labeling whats what in it.
This isnt a retarded purchase, it is £200, you will make money on it and have fun doing it whilst learning.
I look forward to the updates and it looking awesome.
J4CKO said:
I was in the bath earlier remembering what I did at 20 (25 years later) things get more significant as you get older, carry on as you are and enjoy it, you will leanr a lot from it which may not be immediately apparent but at some point you will and it will be useful, nothing you ever learn is wasted in the main, this may lead to a lucrative career, people who dont do anything never make mistakes....
This isnt a retarded purchase, it is £200, you will make money on it and have fun doing it whilst learning.
I look forward to the updates and it looking awesome.
This... I wish I had done more stuff like this as a "kid" rather than gormlessly watching my dad do it, i'm starting to do bits now, I just wish I had the 20 years experience that I could have had! This isnt a retarded purchase, it is £200, you will make money on it and have fun doing it whilst learning.
I look forward to the updates and it looking awesome.
Well done you ! I envy you getting that amazing BMW for only £200 !
I have a mint E36 318iS and a good pal has an E38 740iL ( he is retired and loves his cars !) I drove the E38 a few years ago to Manchester Airport and it was amazing. They really are special cars, the design is timeless ( they look so much better than the current crop of big BMs )
Your interior is fine and will look ten times better with a decent clean. As for the plate, it suits the car and hides the age ( obviously ! ).
You will learn a lot in ' resurrecting ' this wonderful car ( as has been said .) They were ahead of the game when they were new ( My pal's E38 740iL was about £60,000 new in 1996!!)
Keep up the good work and post plenty of pics while doing it.
I have a mint E36 318iS and a good pal has an E38 740iL ( he is retired and loves his cars !) I drove the E38 a few years ago to Manchester Airport and it was amazing. They really are special cars, the design is timeless ( they look so much better than the current crop of big BMs )
Your interior is fine and will look ten times better with a decent clean. As for the plate, it suits the car and hides the age ( obviously ! ).
You will learn a lot in ' resurrecting ' this wonderful car ( as has been said .) They were ahead of the game when they were new ( My pal's E38 740iL was about £60,000 new in 1996!!)
Keep up the good work and post plenty of pics while doing it.
Good on youFinally got round to checking it over, well a half hour look.
So far this is the list:
Fuel pipe not secure (brackets broke)
4x tyres
Front right brake pipe looks a little crusty so wheel off to check more in depth
Front left fog light put back in (its in the boot)
Front left indicator + parking light
Washers wont give me water, doesnt sound like the pumps working either
Swap my less rusty red front wing onto it
Exhaust has a small crack where it joins the center piece so quick weld
Rear shocks/springs creak, when pressing down on boot it bounces quite abit so seem worn
Powersteering fluid + find the leak
So far this is the list:
Fuel pipe not secure (brackets broke)
4x tyres
Front right brake pipe looks a little crusty so wheel off to check more in depth
Front left fog light put back in (its in the boot)
Front left indicator + parking light
Washers wont give me water, doesnt sound like the pumps working either
Swap my less rusty red front wing onto it
Exhaust has a small crack where it joins the center piece so quick weld
Rear shocks/springs creak, when pressing down on boot it bounces quite abit so seem worn
Powersteering fluid + find the leak
Fyi your e46 wheels probably wont fit, there is a massive difference in offset and the fronts rub at full lock, at least mine did. Check the coke can bushes at the back end, they are a total mare to change, need to drop the exhausts, diff, prop and subframe any i suspect that will be hellish to do because of rust. Check the cooling system very carefully, thats what killed mine. They are lovely to drive, full of character, but very maintenance hungry, and new spares are very pricy. When i was shedding mine there weren't as many in the scrappys, you should be ok. Mid display is a cheap (possibly free) easy fix, ribbon cable is worn, flip the rubber strip and pack behind it with a layer of tape.
Slow said:
Upon starting and moving it today there is a noticable power steering pump whine, checked the fluid and its low. Couldnt see oil on the floor so not sure if it leaked overnight or I just wasnt listening yesterday. Either way, it states that it requires ATF on the cap, what sort of ATF do I require. Hopefully a top up will see it working, if not it will find the leak for me at least.
How did you get on with this? I had an e39 that did the same, power steering noise sounded terminal for the pump. Turns out these do that with low fluid and on topping mine up it never made any noise afterwards again. The fluid wasn't even that low either so I don't think it takes much.Enjoying the read on this, keep up the good work, more pics please!!
Plenty of MOT history also for his one, hope you don't mind me posting will delete if required.
Date
Result
Notes
09/05/2014
Pass
Mileage
126399 miles
Mileage Notes
1.The mileage recorded at this MOT is below average for a vehicle of this age. (Average mileage of 140800)
Advisory Notices
1.Nearside steering pivot point has slight play (2.2.b.1g)
2.Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
3.Centre rear exhaust boxx blowing
4.O/s/f lower wing corroded
16/05/2013
Pass
Mileage
121488 miles
Advisory Notices
1.Rear exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
2.Nearside front suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.g.2)
3.Offside front suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.g.2)
4.Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
01/05/2013
Fail
Mileage
121488 miles
Refusal Notices
1.Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)
2.Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'a' (8.3.1e)
3.Front windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)
4.Offside front brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.b.2c)
Advisory Notices
1.Rear exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
2.Nearside front suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.g.2)
3.Offside front suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.g.2)
4.Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
17/04/2012
Pass
Mileage
119851 miles
Advisory Notices
1.Centre exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
2.Air bag light on dash
3.Wipers not self parking
31/05/2011
Pass
Mileage
115765 miles
Advisory Notices
1.Offside front brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.b.2c)
20/05/2010
Pass
Mileage
112670 miles
Advisory Notices
1.Offside power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)
2.Nearside power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)
3.Offside front brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.b.2c)
4.Offside front dust shield loose at hub unit
12/05/2010
Fail
Mileage
112598 miles
Refusal Notices
1.Offside rear rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)
2.Nearside front front position lamp(s) not in good working order (function impaired) (1.1.4a)
3.Nearside rear stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
4.Nearside rear registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.c.1e)
5.Offside rear registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.c.1e)
Advisory Notices
1.Offside power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)
2.Nearside power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)
3.Offside front brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.b.2c)
4.Offside front dust shield loose at hub unit
11/08/2009
Pass
Mileage
108128 miles
Advisory Notices
1.Offside front brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.b.2c)
10/06/2008
Pass
Mileage
106231 miles
Advisory Notices
1.Nearside rear door check strap loose
2.Offside front washer jet not working ,other two jets providing enough washer fluid for test
3.Offside rear of vehicle sits slightly lower than nearside rear
4.Power steering pipes at reservoir damp
5.Offside front plastic wheel arch linner loose
6.Nerarside rear tyre wearing on inner edge
7.Nearside front brake dust shield loose
8.Slight fluctuation at rear parking brake
9.Both front wiper blades slightly smearing
10/06/2008
Fail
Mileage
106225 miles
Refusal Notices
1.Nearside front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.a.3b)
2.Offside front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.a.3b)
3.Nearside stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
4.Offside stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
5.Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
6.Nearside front steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.b.1g)
Advisory Notices
1.Nearside rear door check strap loose
2.Power steering pump noisy
3.Offside front washer jet not working ,other two jets providing enough washer fluid for test
4.Offside rear of vehicle sits slightly lower than nearside rear
5.Power steering fluid low
6.Power steering pipes at reservoir damp
7.Offside front plastic wheel arch linner loose
8.Nerarside rear tyre wearing on inner edge
9.Nearside front brake dust shield loose
10.Slight fluctuation at rear parking brake
11.Both front wiper blades slightly smearing
14/06/2007
Pass
Mileage
95810 miles
06/06/2007
Fail
Mileage
95567 miles
Refusal Notices
1.Nearside front track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.b.1f)
2.Nearside front coil spring incomplete (2.4.c.1a)
3.Offside brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.b.2c)
4.Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
Advisory Notices
1.Nail in nearside front tyre
2.Nail in offside rear tyre
22/06/2006
Pass
Mileage
85583 miles
20/06/2006
Fail
Mileage
85556 miles
Refusal Notices
1.Offside stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)
2.Offside rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.a.3d)
3.Nearside rear brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.b.4d)
4.Offside rear brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.b.4d)
5.Nearside rear brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.b.2c)
6.Nearside rear brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)
7.Offside rear brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)
8.Nearside front steering pivot point has excessive play (2.2.b.1g)
Advisory Notices
1.Nails in both rear tyres
2.Nearside rear tyre wearing on inner edge
3.Handbrake operation sticky(at cable underneath car)
4.Both tailpipe heat shields loose
5.Main front to rear brake pipe rusty
25/05/2005
Pass
Mileage
74793 miles
25/05/2005
Fail
Mileage
74787 miles
Refusal Notices
1.Nearside rear rear position lamp(s) excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.a.3d)
2.Nearside front rear position lamp(s) flickers when tapped lightly by hand (1.1.4c)
3.Nearside front brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.b.2c)
Advisory Notices
1.Main front to rear brake pipe starting to corrode
2.Rear & centre exhaust heat shields loose
Edited by M3333 on Thursday 18th February 08:28
M3333 said:
Slow said:
Upon starting and moving it today there is a noticable power steering pump whine, checked the fluid and its low. Couldnt see oil on the floor so not sure if it leaked overnight or I just wasnt listening yesterday. Either way, it states that it requires ATF on the cap, what sort of ATF do I require. Hopefully a top up will see it working, if not it will find the leak for me at least.
How did you get on with this? I had an e39 that did the same, power steering noise sounded terminal for the pump. Turns out these do that with low fluid and on topping mine up it never made any noise afterwards again. The fluid wasn't even that low either so I don't think it takes much.Enjoying the read on this, keep up the good work, more pics please!!
Plenty of MOT history also for his one, hope you don't mind me posting will delete if required.
Edited by M3333 on Thursday 18th February 08:28
Feel free to leave the history, anyone can check it anyway.
Changing the front wing is a pain in the arse though! Front bumper off, inner wheel arch detached, door off, bonnet off.
Just needing a hand removing the door and bonnet now due to the weight, got everything else off ready. Front bumper was a b
d due to it previously having a crash (assuming the same one that broke the number plate and cracked the bumper).The 2 big torx bolts came out no problem, one end of the bumper slid out of its mount no bother, the other end mount is broken so someone stuck a big bolt through the mounts which was a pain in the arse to remove. The foglight is broken at the back so wont mount in the bumper so might pick up a new one, or just bodge this one so its not removable.
While I was pissing about with this I removed the indicators and removed the rubber seal which was doing feck all, washed them out then going to reseal it to hopefully stop the condensation appearing.
TooMany2cvs said:
M3333 said:
Mileage Notes
1.The mileage recorded at this MOT is below average for a vehicle of this age. (Average mileage of 140800)
WTF? I've never seen anything similar to that on an MOT - even on the 43k 1980 Landy I put through a test last month...1.The mileage recorded at this MOT is below average for a vehicle of this age. (Average mileage of 140800)
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