Re: 88 735i for sale...cheap (archive)

Ty:
Second Max's motion... a few hundred bucks, carefully spent, and a few hours labor, will get this car MUCH more live-able, and if you still don't like the result, you can probably sell it for more, with a shorter list of stuff "to do". I got lucky on my headliner, got one on special from BavAuto for $150 (normally $380). Took about 3 hours to install (going slow, my son was "helping" me). Others have reported taking it to a car upholstery shop and getting the job done for $200 complete.

Blaupunkt has several cassette or CD receivers that would look great in that car for under $200, or you could get an elcheapo installed (Blau Toronto or Sydney will match the car better, though). Less than an hour to install if you forego the CD changer.

Look into getting your wheels balanced, that could be the source of the shimmy.

Any way you go, good luck with the car... I'm still crazy about mine.

eric
'88 735i 5sp

Hey Ty - some suggestions from a cheapskate owner on a budget too (eg bought for commuting, not snobbing - no offense to anyone here, just a fact)...

>>I have a 2 inch dent on the edge of my front right fender.
who cares - leave it, it's not rusting, right?

>>I drip 3 drops of tranny fluid when parking in the garage.
So does mine - shows me the fluid isn't burnt **grin**

>>My headliner is comming loose in the back seat.
Tape? Staples until you can get it fixed whenever?

>>My OBC display is black.
Check archives - 3 bulbs in back, remove, replace. Backlighting is always ON - hence the "blackout"

>>The electronic display on my speedometer usually only comes up once you rev the car past 3000 RPM, then stays on for the remainder of the drive.
Check archives for capacitor fix or visit Brunos E34 site www.e34net.com for pics of the fix. About $5US parts. If not soldering yourself, take it out & to a local (good) TV repair shop you trust with the instructions on what to replace...

>>My radio sounds great but the tapedeck portion does not work.
Cheapo radio? If going from stock, keep the amp as it has the crossover in it...

The steering wheel shimmy's a bit getting on the freeway.
Couls be the worn shocks or freeplay in the steering box - can be taken up with a spanner. Check the archives (again)

>>The drivers seat sits at a slight tilt.
Check the archives on twisted seat backs - it's a cable to the adjustment motor thing, one side slips and so you get the twist

>>The front shocks are worn. (slight bounce to car)
Get them replaced; not rocket science to DIY but granted it's still safety-related stuff. Lots of guys here have done it.

>>and the hood and trunk shocks dont work.
Mine are soft too... hood's not terrible, trunk can be a bastard. Look in the Yellow Pages for a local gaslift reconditioning shop - they could probably rejuvenate for you.

Hope this helps - it's not a lost cause, maybe $100 for the stuff apart from a new headliner & radio (whenever), and the shocks parts (and labour if you don't DIY).

Max

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