new to the brotherhood . . . well, almost ;)

[verygq]

Long time listener, first time caller . . .

It appears that unless something catastrophic comes up I will be purchasing a E32 soon. Specifically it's a 1989 735i.

I'm searching for advise and words of wisdom so I don't screw myself in this process as buying a 16 year old BMW is like buying shrimp

from a foreigner at a flea market.

I never really looked at the 735 (mostly I was shopping early 90's 540i's) but having ran into one this weekend while I was visiting my

family at a great price have gotten me obsessing over this one.

Specs: 1989 BMW 735i. $1,000 Auto, 175K, great paint condition, no rust (from what I've been able to see so far), interior is in a state of

partly being dissasembled (owner says he was going to replace/mod a bunch of stuff and never got around to doing anything to it, but

allegedly has all parts, pieces etc so it can go back together). I'm not too concerned about re-assembling the interior (assuming all parts

needed are in fact there) since I've torn apart my share of dozens of cars to install stereos, radar, etc and hopefully this will make it

easier for me to know what I'm doing in the future when I do add in stuff and need to take off panels. All door panels are intact, the

pieces that are off is the entire ceiling paneling, and the front/side/rear pillar panels.

I have still yet to get inside in the car, crank it, check the electronics, hear it run, etc so there's still a lot to look at.

I was unable to check on the car as I was in the mountains of western NC where cell phones are better used as paperweights and spent

the better part of 24 hours playing cell tag until I had to leave town to make it back to my home (6 hours away in Chapel Hill, NC) in time

for stuff I had to be back for.

The earliest I'm going to be able to make it back to the car is the upcoming weekend (or maybe the weekend after that at the latest) and

in the meantime I'm sending a buddy of mine who is a big old school Benz guy by to drive it and make his judgement of it.

I did get a Carfax and will post it below (i deleted part of the VIN not knowing if that was proper protocol for a bb nowadays).

The plus was that it was only driven 40K in it's first ten years by it's first owner. The huge minus (i think anyway) is that 33K miles

appear to have been put on in only one month in 2002. Not sure how this was possible. I drive a lot but dang. 1100 miles a day???

Anyway, I know by looking at that right off it needs tires, and the front and rear discs appear pretty work so I'm planning on it also

needing brakes and discs all the way around. It was stated that everything else in the car is functional except cruise control (which I'm

not too concerned with). Whether this is true we'll see.

My concern is that this price seems a little too low even for the state that the interior is in. The front seats are in pretty bad shape (and

will either be eventually replaced or recovered or simply covered). I think replacement is going to be cost prohibitive but something will

have to be done. Lots of cracking and one or two tears in each seat but both are "sittable". Back seats don't look great but will take a

"back seat" to the functionality of the car.

Also, it appears that there was some sort of on-board radar installed with a radar led, sensitivity and audio adjustments, if anybody knows anything about these please feel free to let me in

Well, anything that I/my buddy should specifically look for in telling me the true condition of an engine or tranny of that age would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much, have a great Sunday.

Toodles
-"GQ"

__________________________________________________ __
Good News -- Vehicle qualifies for the CARFAX Buyback
Guarantee! No severe problems (major accidents, fire,
flood damage, major odometer problems or lemon
history) were ever reported by a Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) for this 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC
(WBAGB4313). If you find that any of these
severe problems were reported by a DMV and not
included in this report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle
back.

CARFAX Talking CarTM
The story of this 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC
(WBAGB4313) according to our interpretation of
the information reported to CARFAX:
This sedan has had at least 4 owners. The first title
for this sedan was reported to CARFAX by a Tennessee
DMV in 1993.
It has had no minor or moderate accidents reported to
CARFAX.
It has had no DMV-reported total loss events, like a
major accident, fire or flood.
It has not been reported by a DMV as having an Exceeds
Mechanical Limits or Not Actual Mileage title.
It has a consistent mileage history with no indication
of an odometer rollback. The last odometer reading,
reported on 08/09/2002, was 130,348 miles.
It was not reported by a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback
(LEMON).
Go to the Detailed Vehicle History for the complete
history and a glossary of terms.

Report Summary
1. ACCIDENT CHECK

Total Loss Check No Severe Accidents Reported by a DMV
- Buyback Guarantee!
Other Accident Indicators No Accident Indicators
Reported
2. MILEAGE ACCURACY CHECK

Truth-In-Mileage Check No Odometer Problems Reported
by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
Odometer Rollback Check No Potential Odometer Rollback
Found
Mileage Consistency Check No Inconsistent Odometer
Reading Found
3. LEMON CHECK®
No Mfr. Buyback Reported by a DMV - Buyback Guarantee!
4. OWNERSHIP CHECK

Number of Owners 4 Estimated Owner(s)
Type of Owners Checked 8 Types of Vehicle
Registrations
5. RECALL CHECK
BMW Does Not Report Recalls to CARFAX
6. WARRANTY CHECK
No Data Reported to CARFAX
DETAILED VEHICLE HISTORY 10 HISTORY RECORDS REPORTED
Tell us what you know about this vehicle

Year/Make/Model: 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC

Body Style: SEDAN 4 DR
Engine: 3.5L L6 PFI SOHC
Fuel: GASOLINE
Driveline: REAR WHEEL DRIVE
Manufactured in: GERMANY
Safety Equipment: 4 wheel ABS, Driver front air
bag/passenger side active (manual) belt

Standard Equipment: Power Windows, Power Steering, Air
Conditioning, AM / FM Cassette, Power Brakes, Power
sun / moon roof, Tilt Wheel, 6-digit Odometer

Total Loss Check:

GOOD NEWS! No severe damage events were ever reported
by a DMV for this 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC
(WBAGB4313). If you find that any of the
following severe problems were reported by a DMV and
not included in this report, CARFAX will buy this
vehicle back. You must register to activate this free
guarantee!

Salvage Title Loss Due To Fire Title
Junk Title Flood Damage Title
Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title Hail Damage Title
Dismantled Title Canadian Total Loss

Other Accident Indicators:

This 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC (WBAGB4313KDB61572) had
no accident indicators reported to CARFAX from its
sources. This section checks for accidents and/or
related damage reported from many public and private
sources. Not all accidents are reported to CARFAX. A
vehicle inspection completed by your dealer or
professional mechanic is recommended.

No Salvage Auction Record Reported No Crash Test
Vehicle Record Reported
No Fire Damage Record Reported No Airbag Deployment
Record Reported
No Police Accident Record Reported No Damage
Disclosure Record Reported

CARFAX depends on public and private sources for its
accident data. Each one of these sources has different
processing times. CARFAX can only report what is in
our database on 29.May.2005 15:44:33. New data will
result in a change to this report.
Not all accidents are reported to the Police. Tell us
if you know of other fender benders, accidents or
damage.

Truth-In-Mileage Check

GOOD NEWS! No major odometer problems were ever
reported by a DMV under the Truth-In-Mileage Act for
this 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC (WBAGB4313). If
you find that any of the following odometer problems
were reported by a DMV and not included in this
report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must
register to activate this free guarantee!

Not Actual Mileage Title - issued by DMV when the
owner discloses mileage fraud or a broken odometer.
Exceeds Mechanical Limits Title - issued by DMV when
the owner discloses an odometer rollover.

Odometer Rollback Check:

CARFAX found no odometer rollbacks for this 1989 BMW
735I AUTOMATIC (WBAGB4313). Rollbacks reported
in this section originate from readings collected by a
DMV or other verifiable source.

Mileage Consistency Check:

CARFAX found no inconsistent odometer readings in the
mileage history of this 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC
(WBAGB4313).

Date: Mileage:
10/06/1999 40,236
07/11/2002 96,989
08/09/2002 130,348

GOOD NEWS! No manufacturer buyback was ever reported
by a DMV for this 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC
(WBAGB4313). If you find that a manufacturer
buyback was reported by a DMV and not included in this
report, CARFAX will buy this vehicle back. You must
register to activate this free guarantee!

Ownership History:

CARFAX estimates that this 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC
(WBAGB4313) had 4 owner(s). CARFAX analyzed
this vehicle's title history and other supporting
events to identify potential ownership transfers. In
compliance with the U.S. privacy laws, CARFAX does not
collect or report owner names or addresses.

Estimated Owners: Date: Location:
1st owner No data No data
2nd owner 10/06/1999 Tennessee
3rd owner 07/22/2003 North Carolina
4th owner 11/30/2004 North Carolina

Types of Owners:

This 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC (WBAGB4313) was
checked for 8 types of registrations.

No Personal Use Registration Reported No Fleet
Registration Reported
No Lease Registration Reported No Commercial
Registration Reported
No Rental Registration Reported No Non-Profit
Registration Reported
No Taxi Registration Reported No Built to Non U.S.
Standards Record Reported

BMW does not report recall information for specific
vehicles to CARFAX.
Go to the CARFAX SAFETY & RELIABILITY REPORT for
recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration for the 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC. You
can also contact an authorized dealership or BMW at
1-800-334-4269 to find out if this 1989 BMW 735I
AUTOMATIC (WBAGB4313) still has recalls that
require repair.

Register FREE Guarantee | CARFAX Help Center

CARFAX cannot calculate the remaining coverage for
this 1989 BMW 735I AUTOMATIC (WBAGB4313)
because no original manufacturer warranty information
was reported to CARFAX by its source.

Estimated start date of warranty: 09/03/1993
Last reading reported on 08/09/2002: 130,348 miles
Today's Date: May 29, 2005

Type of Coverage: Original Warranty:
Basic No data reported to CARFAX
Drivetrain No data reported to CARFAX
Emissions No data reported to CARFAX
Corrosion No data reported to CARFAX
Transferable No data reported to CARFAX
Roadside Assistance No data reported to CARFAX
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data reported to
CARFAX
Specific Components No data reported to CARFAX

CARFAX Warranty Check provides an estimate of this
vehicle's remaining warranty coverage. It does not
take into account some vehicle history events. For
example, major accidents resulting in Salvage or Junk
titles that may void the original manufacturer
warranty or ownership transfers that may decrease
warranty coverage. This warranty information is only
valid for vehicles manufactured for sale in the US.
Complete warranty coverage information is available
for this vehicle at the BMW web site.

Register FREE Guarantee | CARFAX Help Center

CARFAX searched more than 3 billion records from over
5,300 sources and found 10 record(s) for this 1989 BMW
735I AUTOMATIC (WBAGB4313).

Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:

09/03/1993 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chattanooga, TN
Title #46375729
Title or registration issued

10/06/1999 40,236 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chattanooga, TN
Title #59186549
Title or registration issued
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported

11/08/1999 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Suspension system serviced

08/09/2000 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Jasper, TN
Title #59186549
Registration issued or renewed

04/04/2001 Tennessee
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Jasper, TN
Title #62542133
Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed

07/11/2002 96,989 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Lubed oil and filter changed

08/09/2002 130,348 Auto Auction
Sold at auction
in Southeast Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle

08/14/2002 Dealer Inventory
Chattanooga, TN
Vehicle offered for sale

07/22/2003 North Carolina
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Murphy, NC
Title #775445032039039
Registration issued or renewed
New owner reported

11/30/2004 North Carolina
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Hayesville, NC
Title #771929043352039

Registration issued or renewed
New owner reported

[csieminski]

I don't know, $1,000, it could be a good deal. Interior being disassembled IS a big minus, but if you can put it back together, this might be a way you could save some $$$.

The 33K miles in less than 1 month seems very sketchy, and I'm surprised Carfax has nothing to say about that. That's like driving 1/3 of the way across the United States EVERY DAY for an entire month. Overall, though, 175K is high, but not prohibitively high. Most of these cars go 200K with basic maintenance, many go 250K, some can even go 300K. I've heard of automatic transmissions failing in some 7-Series at 150K miles, but this is the same unit used in 80's 5- and 7-Series and it's overall very reliable and durable. Drive the car and make sure the transmission is not acting up AT ALL. If it is, do not buy the car.

If you buy, I think www.e38.org will help you out A LOT with the diy work.

[PhilBooe]

Originally Posted by csieminski

I don't know, $1,000, it could be a good deal. Interior being disassembled IS a big minus, but if you can put it back together, this might be a way you could save some $$$.

Well, he DID buy the car, rather I went and bought the car on his behalf. I put the interior all back in the car, took about four hours, and in the end the interior was in pretty decent shape... The front seats need a little work (i.e. replacing), but everything else was great. The car ran good, transmission shifted well, and the car is very powerful. A little squealling from the belts on the rainy day I had it, no sign of this when there was no rain... so I'll let him take that up with you guys.. but the car is nice. The interior peices were removed because they were reupholstered, so when they were replaced - it looked sharp.

I think he got a good deal and I might even keep my eye out for one, though I think it's a little large for me, especially compared to my 190.



I haven't spoken with him since he took possesion of it, but here are a few pics.








Phil

[csieminski]

Well, the car certainly looks OK. The wheels obviously haven't been cared for because the paint seems to be faded and peeling, and new emblems on front/rear and wheels would do a lot for the appearance. If it runs and drives well, I'd say it was a good deal.

[PhilBooe]

Originally Posted by csieminski

Well, the car certainly looks OK. The wheels obviously haven't been cared for because the paint seems to be faded and peeling, and new emblems on front/rear and wheels would do a lot for the appearance. If it runs and drives well, I'd say it was a good deal.

Yeah, I think VeryGQ is going to buy (has already bought) Carbon fiber emblems to replace the two worn ones, and as for the wheels... I dont know what he plans on doing, (probably buy a set), BUT the previous owner said he was taking paint thinner or somthing crazy to them in an attempt to 'clean' them up. It should be noted that the previous owner only had the car a few months and the owner before that took care of the car. Recent service records were included... The wheels were pretty worn..


Phil