Restore or Sell

[judy~judy]

I have a 1984 528e with 125,000. She is still running but with our last trip to the mechanic they made it seem like her days were numbered. My question is this... Should I buckle down, keep her and try to restore her, or get rid of her?
Any suggestions on restoration, what it would take? or if i do go the route of selling her i'd ideally want her to go to soemone who would restore her. Any suggestions on where to find such people?

[mwwestiii]

I'm currently working on bringing back my 1988 528e (auto) with 185K back to life. The second owner since 60K ten years ago so I've got some memories invested. Never an accident, no rust, fluids always changed. So far this year about $4K invested in a car probably only worth about $1K before all the work. Complete new front end (shocks, tie rods, bushing support arm, center drag link, etc.), rear pitman arms, flex disc, center/rear OEM muffler, timing belt/water pump, belts, full tune-up/ignition wires, heater blower, oxygen sensor - all about $3K total. New paint, windshield trims, badges, mats, interior door panels, window switches - another $1,000. Still to do - coolant hoses, brakes - $6-700.

Car now looks and drives like new. AC still blows cold, driver's seat replaced with a Recaro a couple years ago. New CD player.

Properly cared for these engines will run 300k+ with great gas mileage and reliability. For $4K I figure I've got a daily driver good for another 100K with minimal maintenance issues. You probably don't need to do all this stuff right now but will sometime in the next 50-75K.

Parts are relatively cheap, lots of stuff available on ebay, most work can be done by any competent mechanic. I had all the suspension work done by a BMW specialty shop however. If you have an automatic, beware as pre-87s fail around 125K - expensive. IMO the 528e is worth investing in if you like the classic styling, your engine is solid and body straight.

[BimmerGurl]

I've got a '84 533i with 160k + miles on it and very little problems. So far I'm currently investing in a new blower motor and thats about it. Of course i have little problems here and there, like the previous owner cut the crusie control line so I have to replace it, but i love my car and I plan on restoring it as much as my pocket can possibly handle! I say go for it if you have the time, effort and drive to keep the car running why not!! let me ask you this do you have a bently on your car? because they come in very handy when you don't qutie have the money to fix easy problems if not i have one that covers your car so if you have any queastions that you want me to look up feel free to ask!!! Good luck and enjoy!