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In Reply to: Re: Determining an 850's heredity... posted by John Fuston on February 16, 2001 at 20:18:44:
You might want to check the back outside edge of the rear side window sill - the curved area in the very back corner up against the rear side window glass. That's a spot that most body shops will mask to when painting the car and you may be able to see a cutline or tape line there. That spot is extremely difficult to sand or rub out as it's such a tight radius and most shops will not bother to feather it in.
You can also check to see if the Factory Service Bulletin sticker is on the drivers door jam - the radiator cap sticker is black, round and will have some numbers punched out signifying the recall upgrade was completed. If the sticker isn't there is it because the service bulletin was ignored, the car wasn't serviced at a BMW dealer, or was the door replaced, repaired, repainted?
Are both horns there - sometimes only one is replaced in a front end collision. The horn will sound with only one and they are very exposed, but a fussy owner will have them both in position and working. (They are just behind the front dam and about 12" back).
Will both front doors stay open by themselves - if they won't maybe the door brakes are gone and haven't been replaced (tells you something) or maybe the door was replaced and the brake wasn't.
These are just quick checks and may or may not be indicative of a problem.
Derek
'93 850Ci - L/G