Saturday, 10 August 2013

What have I done...

GT5 meets reality folks.
Or at least it would if it had E30s in it.

Say hello to the BMW MPS - as purchased by me today...


MPS? That'll be Money Pit Special.
She (actually, a long way before gender is applied to this car), it runs which is great. I won't go with a list of all the things that are broken, but highlights include:
  • Leaking some fluid "I think it's power steering fluid" from the front.
  • Less than standard under the hood. By less than standard I mean a few WTF is going on here elements such as dual header tanks for the after market radiator.
  • Air con buttons? Check. Air con mechanics? Fail.
  • See above for heater too...
  • "It's got a welded Diff" - errr great. 
  • a "you don't say" moment regarding the need for track rod (included) at the front - the wheel is at best wobbly.
  • I learnt a new term today too - "Hunting for idle".
Why did I buy it? I bought it because selling one of my plethora of bikes is going to pay for it, and it won't be the expensive one I sell - This car is the right side of a grand. 

And... it's lowered, reasonably tidy inside (I squinted) and has a straight six engine in it which sounds great.
For the uninitiated, it's an E30 1989 (probably) 320i.

Cost breakdown to get it on the road is eye-watering, until you consider that to buy a RWC ready car you'll pay this at least this amount - albeit you'll have less conversations that use the words: Fluid, Replace and Expensive in them I suppose.


Cost estimates to get the car on the road (mostly pessimistic):


Total costs including my desire to make this a nice car again is around the $7k mark. Maybe that's a touch too far. Though, as a project, this is going to be fun!

Watch this space.

Cheers
Andy

p.s. Anyone know any friendly mechanics?

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