Woe is me!

[bcalis]

When I received my e24, I quickly realized that I traded my beloved E21 for what was obviously a project car that someone had gotten in over their head with. I just didn't realize how much.

After the debacle with my inaugural drive I took a closer look at the car.

The high pressure power steering hose had been cut and jerry rigged back together using clamps, thus the constant leaking.

I noticed that the coolant was non existent, almost only water.

The interior looked like it had never been cleaned and all the trim was loose, as the PO had supposedly tried to chase down some questionable electronics.

There is some obvious rust at the wheel arches and the rear taillights but I Iooked under the car and have discovered that the floor boards are completely shot.

I took the car to the mechanic who used to service my E21 and he refused to work on it!!!

I then took it to a local specialist for a once over. After not hearing from them for days, I finally called them.

When I mentioned the car the guy on the phone just sighed. Here are some of the highlights why:

- Power steering hose leaking

- Transmission hose leaking/transmission fluid low - oil leak at valve cover gasket

- oil leak at back of head

- leak at timing chain tensioner (where screws into cylinder head on right front)

- clunk in transmission from back mount of drive shaft (I know this is something the PO had replaced himself)

- spotty starter - possibly the bendix or bad spot on the ring gear

- AC compressor is locked up and the belt is missing

- the rear muffler is shot but the entire exhaust has been welded together so the entire exhaust system is shot

- the front spoiler is cracked and the brackets are vent and disconnected

- the driver door lock cylinder is coming out and the tumblers are bent

- the turn signal/ park lights are not working

- the instrument panel is loose and some parts are missing.

They hadn't even finished looking at the brakes or suspension yet. Although they thought that one of the brake hoses might be leaking but they couldn't be sure because of all the other leaks....

At this point, the technician was so exasperated that he just started mumbling and his voice trailed off. He said he would get back to me later! Poor guy!

Right now I just want to pass inspection so I will focus on those items first and can create a priority list for later.

I guess that I'll be holding off on the new wheels and the reupholstering of the interior for the time being.

Not sure if I should cut my loses or keep persevering a bit at a time. I know that most of the stuff is not so bad. It's really the under carriage rust that has me the most concerned.

So....what to do, what to do.

[master6]

Bcalis,


I do not know what you paid, but now is time to bail out, pull the cord.
There are better examples out there, put it to rest in the bone yard.

Best,

[RSheiman]

You want a project and some eventual satisfaction with money as no object, then keep it. You want a nice car to drive and to do slight maintenance yourself, then get rid of it. I bought a Bavaria in similar condition for $1500 and have sunk about 200 hours into it and perhaps 8k, but that's what I wanted from the onset.

[Alex E24 E30]

For as cool as these cars are, it's not worth the hassle to do extensive rust repair to the underside of these cars. It's not like you can go to Year One and buy a reproduction floor pan for $50. Values have come up on them a bit in the last couple of years, but for the cost and hassle of repairing chassis rust, you could just go buy a rather nice E24 that's mostly sorted out. Sorry to hear you traded for that.


Alex

[alpinacsi]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. This is another reason to stress the importance of a PPI. Hope you can get it sorted as most of the issues mentioned are not a huge undertaking if addressed individually. The rust might not be as initial perception but should be looked at closely.

[pthm]

Sounds about like the condition of my six when I bought it. Needed a new exhaust (PO did side dumps), all new hydraulic lines, new wheel and 4 new tires. Swapped the engine, new clutch, replacing the output shaft seal this week. put an LSD in it. all in all with the cost of the vehicle and EVERYTHING I have done, I am at about 3k into it.

only 1 spot of rust I have to tackle eventually (front window sill)

[bkats]

Don't be too discouraged. I have seen further dead 6er's come back to life.

What really concerns me are the things that would be easiest to repair: the mechanicals. These cars are pretty durable if you give them regular maintenance, and even with delayed maintenance, they are hard to kill. If all the mech. stuff was just worn from neglect, it wouldn't be so bad. It would be expensive, but straightforward. But, it looks like the PO tried to keep it running and didn't do a good job at it.

I don't know the specifics of the individual repairs, but neglect is preferable to mistreatment. Most of these repairs, in my opinion, are not bad for a project car if they are the result of neglect because it will likely be a straightforward repair or replacement. However, if they are the result of abuse or irresponsible driving, they are likely just the beginning of problems. Example: An E24 with a minor head gasket leak that was only overheated once and driven gently is not the same as an E24 with a HG leak that was ignored and overheated constantly. One is probably just a HG replacement w/ minor head work, the other likely needs a new head altogether.

Time + Money = Total Cost

Clearly, your total cost to fix this car is going to go up. If that is not something you want to commit to, either dump the car ORRRRRR keep it for parts and buy a better one of the same style.

If you do lots of work yourself and don't mind this car sitting for months, you can lower the "Money" side of the equation.

If you need this car to work soon (sounds like you do), it's going to cost big bucks.

I suspect that you got taken advantage of (or the PO has no idea how to fix a car) with the trade if you had no idea these issues were present. I would definitely contact him/her to explore the concept of additional compensation. Either way, I pray for your E21 :(


My personal recommendation is to keep the car and look for a "decent" E24. If you really want an E24 (and who doesn't?), the parts will be absolutely worth it whether you sell them (to fund another E24 purchase, I hope) or use them in a better car. The interior trim alone is worth big money. I don't know your current financial situation, but a decent "fixer" (one that runs reliably) can be had for a MUCH more reasonable price than a babied car. For around $5k, you should be able to find something in good running condition minus some belt and fluid changes.

We all hate to see sharks junked, but the next best thing is being used to keep another one alive.

Good luck, and be sure to check back here if you decide to part it out. I'm sure the Northeast guys will jump all over it.

[bcalis]

Thought I'd give a quick update.

I'm an obstinate guy by nature and a car guy at heart so I thought that I could really bring this car back. However, after a rather frustrating weekend with the car I have decided that this car should die and not bother anyone ever again.

In reality it just needs someone with patience and know how to bring it back to life but I don't know if I have it in me right now.

If anyone is interested in buying it outright let me know. Otherwise, I'm leaning toward parting out the choice bits (blue power recaros, LSD, etc) then take out my frustrations on this pile of crap with the closest 2x4 then setting it on fire and watching in delight as it burns.

[EuroGeorge]

Brian, YGM

[rmorin1249]

This thread has me counting my blessings. At my age tackling this project would be overwhelming. Kudos to you!

[bcalis]

Brian, YGM

Likewise.

[6erWEBB]

Do you have any pictures?

Any details about what the car was born as? Manual? euro?

[DianaG63]

This has been a very informative thread for me, and I think I am very lucky with the car I have to work with, and in spite of my being a newbie, and totally niave, I am going to add a suggestion.

Many years ago, I was looking at an old Jaguar. It was adorable (my basic standard in vehicle purchase). I looked at it, and then called the best Jag mechanic in our areas. I told him about the car and he asked me how many windshield wipers it had. Immediately, I knew I was in trouble. Thinking it was a trick question, I said, "uh, I'm thinking two?" Then he explained to me that the company changed hands in the middle of the model year and some had one, some had two. Yeah, I was really over my head. We chatted a bit, he gave me some excellent information and advice, ending with, "Everyone should own a Jaguar at some time in their life, and they make great planters."
Diana

[theseeker411]

This has been a very informative thread for me, and I think I am very lucky with the car I have to work with, and in spite of my being a newbie, and totally niave, I am going to add a suggestion.

Many years ago, I was looking at an old Jaguar. It was adorable (my basic standard in vehicle purchase). I looked at it, and then called the best Jag mechanic in our areas. I told him about the car and he asked me how many windshield wipers it had. Immediately, I knew I was in trouble. Thinking it was a trick question, I said, "uh, I'm thinking two?" Then he explained to me that the company changed hands in the middle of the model year and some had one, some had two. Yeah, I was really over my head. We chatted a bit, he gave me some excellent information and advice, ending with, "Everyone should own a Jaguar at some time in their life, and they make great planters."
Diana

That quote is awesome.