E31 840i viewing
Discussion
Check ALL electric work. No dead pixels etc. All windows work, including rear quarter lights.
Auto transmission shift quality.
Idle should be smooth. Lumpy could be a vacuum leak.
Check all rubber seals etc.
Cooling system and bottom of radiator for swelling.
Steering wheel shimmy, probably indicates suspension refresh is required but could be simple wheel balance.
Brakes.
Air Con.
Rust, check everywhere! The bottom of the doors can go and the usual under body places, front of the bonnet etc.
Rear window can de-laminate.
Auto transmission shift quality.
Idle should be smooth. Lumpy could be a vacuum leak.
Check all rubber seals etc.
Cooling system and bottom of radiator for swelling.
Steering wheel shimmy, probably indicates suspension refresh is required but could be simple wheel balance.
Brakes.
Air Con.
Rust, check everywhere! The bottom of the doors can go and the usual under body places, front of the bonnet etc.
Rear window can de-laminate.
RichardM5 said:
Check ALL electric work. No dead pixels etc. All windows work, including rear quarter lights.
Auto transmission shift quality.
Idle should be smooth. Lumpy could be a vacuum leak.
Check all rubber seals etc.
Cooling system and bottom of radiator for swelling.
Steering wheel shimmy, probably indicates suspension refresh is required but could be simple wheel balance.
Brakes.
Air Con.
Rust, check everywhere! The bottom of the doors can go and the usual under body places, front of the bonnet etc.
Rear window can de-laminate.
Agree with all of the above. Plus...Auto transmission shift quality.
Idle should be smooth. Lumpy could be a vacuum leak.
Check all rubber seals etc.
Cooling system and bottom of radiator for swelling.
Steering wheel shimmy, probably indicates suspension refresh is required but could be simple wheel balance.
Brakes.
Air Con.
Rust, check everywhere! The bottom of the doors can go and the usual under body places, front of the bonnet etc.
Rear window can de-laminate.
Check lower front spoiler in good condition
Check leading edge of sunroof isn't rusty
You would do well to visit clube31.com
Incredibly knowledgeable and will probably know the car
Good luck...they're superb. Gratuitous pic of my last one!
E31Shrew said:
Agree with all of the above. Plus...
Check lower front spoiler in good condition
Check leading edge of sunroof isn't rusty
You would do well to visit clube31.com
Incredibly knowledgeable and will probably know the car
Good luck...they're superb. Gratuitous pic of my last one!
Those alloys!! Which wheels are they? It comes with throwing stars but would be keen on ones like yours - alpinas?Check lower front spoiler in good condition
Check leading edge of sunroof isn't rusty
You would do well to visit clube31.com
Incredibly knowledgeable and will probably know the car
Good luck...they're superb. Gratuitous pic of my last one!
Listen carefully for grating/rattling noises from the front of the engine around 1500-2000 rpm - the chain guides on the M62 are quite frail, and are known to fail at this sort of age. The cooling system runs very hot and at great pressure under part load, and the cooling system suffers. They can pop a hose quite easily, the one running from the back of the head to the heater being a prime candidate. This was done for emissions and you can fit a cooler, non electronic thermostat to give the poor thing a chance - a very worthwhile mod that costs very little.
Underbody rust in the seams is an issue on these now. It's just old age.
Go in eyes wide open. These things can cost a LOT of money to run and maintain. Near enough everything is unique and very little is shared with the contemporary 5/7 Series, and BMW really know how to charge. I'm lucky I had mine 15 years ago (a 1997 car) when they were still youthful. Mine was Orient blue with the Sport suspension and throwing star wheels - I had some epic European trips in it, fond memories!
If you've not driven one before you may be disappointed.The 4.4 isn't slow but you really feel the weight and the brakes feel quite dead around town although they do stop very well from three figure speeds.
Underbody rust in the seams is an issue on these now. It's just old age.
Go in eyes wide open. These things can cost a LOT of money to run and maintain. Near enough everything is unique and very little is shared with the contemporary 5/7 Series, and BMW really know how to charge. I'm lucky I had mine 15 years ago (a 1997 car) when they were still youthful. Mine was Orient blue with the Sport suspension and throwing star wheels - I had some epic European trips in it, fond memories!
If you've not driven one before you may be disappointed.The 4.4 isn't slow but you really feel the weight and the brakes feel quite dead around town although they do stop very well from three figure speeds.
iSore said:
Listen carefully for grating/rattling noises from the front of the engine around 1500-2000 rpm - the chain guides on the M62 are quite frail, and are known to fail at this sort of age. The cooling system runs very hot and at great pressure under part load, and the cooling system suffers. They can pop a hose quite easily, the one running from the back of the head to the heater being a prime candidate. This was done for emissions and you can fit a cooler, non electronic thermostat to give the poor thing a chance - a very worthwhile mod that costs very little.
Underbody rust in the seams is an issue on these now. It's just old age.
Go in eyes wide open. These things can cost a LOT of money to run and maintain. Near enough everything is unique and very little is shared with the contemporary 5/7 Series, and BMW really know how to charge. I'm lucky I had mine 15 years ago (a 1997 car) when they were still youthful. Mine was Orient blue with the Sport suspension and throwing star wheels - I had some epic European trips in it, fond memories!
If you've not driven one before you may be disappointed.The 4.4 isn't slow but you really feel the weight and the brakes feel quite dead around town although they do stop very well from three figure speeds.
Underbody rust in the seams is an issue on these now. It's just old age.
Go in eyes wide open. These things can cost a LOT of money to run and maintain. Near enough everything is unique and very little is shared with the contemporary 5/7 Series, and BMW really know how to charge. I'm lucky I had mine 15 years ago (a 1997 car) when they were still youthful. Mine was Orient blue with the Sport suspension and throwing star wheels - I had some epic European trips in it, fond memories!
If you've not driven one before you may be disappointed.The 4.4 isn't slow but you really feel the weight and the brakes feel quite dead around town although they do stop very well from three figure speeds.
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