Re: I need help with the value of a 3.0CS (archive)

Don't listen to any of these E9 owners that freak out when you mention a rusty prospect. There are two different kinds of E9 owners: the obsessive types who will spend $50,000 to restore their car to a $20,000 appraisal because they can't stand even the slightest amount of rust and those that appreciate the E9 and do what they can to keep the car on the road.

It is NOT necessary to have a concour quality car to enjoy it and to keep it on the road.

Read that one more time.

Ok. So now you need to get a handle on the amount of rust and where it is. So get the car up on a hoist and take a screwdriver and poke around. I know this might not be practical when you don't own the car but if you can even jack it up and get it on jack stands and do the same that's what you need to do.

Check the underside of the front fender, the insides of the fenders, the front ends of the rocker panels, all along the rocker panels underneath, the back ends of the rocker panels, rear fenders, spare wheel well, etc. basically all along the perifery of the car, underneath. poke with a screwdriver and make sure you have solid metal there.

check the inside fire wall, both sides and behind the rear seats.

check the tops of the fenders from inside the engine bay.

*LOOK* for rust. I mean, really go at at. Bring a pad and make note of it.

Another good thing is to bring a camera and take lots of close up pictures so you can review them later. A digital camera with a macro mode works great for this.

If you have some front fender rust, the ends of the rocker panels are rusted out but most of the other bits are solid, you probably have a good candidate for some minor body work to get the car into solid shape. certainly you can drive this car regardless.

the best thing is to make sure the car suits you and that whatever you find you can deal with (financially and emotionally manage) and take it from there.

sure, some import car restorer will be happy to take your $75/hr but you can also get some good work done by a good body man for way less especially if all you want to do is keep the car on the road and enjoy it.

Ignore the nay sayers and search for useful information.

As me whatever you need to and I'll be happy to help. If you can send me pictures that would be great.

brett
84 528e
71 3.0CS euro

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