Greetings all! ![[wave]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_wave.gif "Wave [wave]")
I am new to your forum, but certainly not to BMW;s I have had a 1984 318i, a 1985 325e, and most recently an'87 325is. Dad got me started with German cars about 15 years ago with old 911's we would vintage race - doing all of the wrenching ourselves. Having a chance to go to Alaska for three years work - I sold the 'e' and missed having a Beemer everyday until four days ago - when I got the car below.
The couple that had this car just let it sit for a very long time - the paint was heavily oxidized, the interior was dirty and dusty, the tires incredibly flat spotted. They had bought it from a German lady who tired of the 5 speed, thinking they would drive it a lot, but they are big car people and the poor 325 just sat. I offered them $1800 and towed it home shortly thereafter.
I spent the better part of a day cutting the paint, and rebuilding the polish. I used shoe polish on the sports seats (only one tiny tear on the drivers side!) and then treated them to some Connely's leather treatment. A good vacuuming, oil change, and air filter replacement, it was time to go to the tire store to get some new shoes and a windshield. Today she got a new shift boot and knob, and new badges for the trunk and hood.
I am very please with her thus far - with 200K miles she runs strong and returns about 27 MPG.
Next in line is to find out what kind of wheels I have then source some center caps. Then I will replace the lower control arms and when $ allows, I'll lower the car with a spring and shock upgrade.
Hope you folks can tolerate a newbie!
![[nutkick]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_nutkick.gif "Nut Kick [nutkick]")
I am new to your forum, but certainly not to BMW;s I have had a 1984 318i, a 1985 325e, and most recently an'87 325is. Dad got me started with German cars about 15 years ago with old 911's we would vintage race - doing all of the wrenching ourselves. Having a chance to go to Alaska for three years work - I sold the 'e' and missed having a Beemer everyday until four days ago - when I got the car below.
The couple that had this car just let it sit for a very long time - the paint was heavily oxidized, the interior was dirty and dusty, the tires incredibly flat spotted. They had bought it from a German lady who tired of the 5 speed, thinking they would drive it a lot, but they are big car people and the poor 325 just sat. I offered them $1800 and towed it home shortly thereafter.
I spent the better part of a day cutting the paint, and rebuilding the polish. I used shoe polish on the sports seats (only one tiny tear on the drivers side!) and then treated them to some Connely's leather treatment. A good vacuuming, oil change, and air filter replacement, it was time to go to the tire store to get some new shoes and a windshield. Today she got a new shift boot and knob, and new badges for the trunk and hood.
I am very please with her thus far - with 200K miles she runs strong and returns about 27 MPG.
Next in line is to find out what kind of wheels I have then source some center caps. Then I will replace the lower control arms and when $ allows, I'll lower the car with a spring and shock upgrade.
Hope you folks can tolerate a newbie!
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