Re: 1986 535i Buying advice (archive)

Been reading and looking for about 4 months. I own 2, 2002�s, do most of the work on them, and want a 535i as a daily driver. Probably about 5,000 miles a year. Found one in Washington State owned by a guy who I believe has done an excellent job caring for the car. Complete records from day 1.
The good: stock engine, re-finished leather, near mint interior, 5-speed, straight body. No rust. Don�t think it has ever been abused.
The bad: slight shimmy from 40 to 50, then it goes away, speedo doesn�t work, paint is showing it�s age with clear coat going on trunk. Ugly, cheap wheels. 212,000 miles and hasn�t been rebuilt.
asking price is $3200. I was thinking of getting a one-over at a local shop for compression and if no suprises offering $2500. Any thoughts or advice?

I WOULD NOT BE OVERLY CONCERNED WITH THE SPEEDO BECAUSE IT IS MOST LIKELY A 5-7 DOLLAR FIX OF NEW BATTERIES IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE SPEEDO, THE SHIMMY IS MOST LIKELY A BAD U-JOINT, AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, YOU NEED A REBUILT DRIVE SHAFT FOR THIS FIX AS BMW U-JOINTS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE WITHOUT MANY YEARS OF PRACTICE. THE ENGINE IS IN ALL BUT THE RAREST CIRCUMSTANCES GOING TO SEE THE LIONS SHARE OF 300,000+ MILES IF LUBRICANT IS CHANGED REGUARLY (MY 533I HAS ALMOST 490 THOUSAND MILES AND STILL PURRS LIKE A KITTEN). THE PAINT WILL BE THE MOST ANNOYING AREA BECAUSE IT WILL NEED TO BE SANDED DOWN AND THEN REPAINTED,..- NO $190 MACCO PAINT JOBS THAT FLAKE OFF LIKE DANDRUFF AFTER 5-MONTHS EITHER, A BMW DESERVES A DECENT PAINT JOB. THE PRICE DOESNT JUMP OUT AS A GREAT PRICE, BUT NOT OVERLY EXPENSIVE EITHER.

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