1988 735i Should I buy it ?

[Squaretop]

Just wondering what you guys think... should i buy a 1988 735i with 188 000k, but recently had the heater core and some other expensive work done to it, and the brakes. He says they have spent 6 or 8 grand to fix it up. so he trying to sell if for $11 000.... to me that seems like way to much.. i see them going for lot less..

[Squaretop]

that's all in canadian funds...

[missesdo]

Too much money for that many miles.

I own a 1988 735i with about 80,000 miles. It has been very well maintained thanks to our mechanic. It has been great car. The weakness is the electronics. We've replaced several control boards. Mechanically the car is great. It's comfortable and handles very well. The power is good. Its solid and safe, but still fun.

If your still looking at that car or others check the maintenance history carefully. With proper care the car will look and feel like new for many more years. I'd try to stay away from one with that many miles unless I knew the owner and how it was driven and cared for.

I just purchased a new 528it. (will miss the bigger engine) I would give the 735 to my daughter but she's little, little and the car is very big. So I'll be sell it soon.

Missesdo

[relajorock]

Just to let you know,.. I bought my first BMW 735i, an 86, 5 speed manual for less than 1000.00... 200K on it, but it runs great.... I say shop around!!....

my 2 cents....

[dametzger]

I have an 1988 735i. (I have a posting listed as well). I bought it with most of the receipts from maintenance. Just a few missing from over the years. I would suggest trying to track it's maintenance history. If it has been serviced by a local BMW dealership, they can probably pull up it's history. Of not serviced there, you are at the owner's word or receipts.

The engine has been bullet-proof. Electronics is a challenge. My experience is that they tend to just rip and replace system boards at the dealerships and they can be expensive. Unless it has been re-wired, I would expect small, nagging problems. For example, I have an intermittent short in my running lights on the driver's side that has been hell to diagnose.

They have a great ride and are fun to drive. I did a 24 hour, 1500 mile marathon trip just this summer and the car this summer, and the car almost seemed to love it and need it. They are made for the open road! At approx. 145K miles at the time, I consider it a complement to the car that I did not hesitate to take the trip

As far as the price goes, I really can't say any more than make them prove the expenses and repairs, and then decide if you think it is a good deal. I'm trying to calculate the value of mine right now (see my email).

Good luck!