would this car be worth fixing?

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

1997 BMW 528i Sports Sedan. Engine runs poorly, engine needs replacing or rebuilding. It can not be driven far. Transmission shifts well, steering and brakes are tight. 2 cylinders are not firing as they should, one doesn't fire...and three fire normally. Top of the car needs repainting. Leather, 6 disc, Sunroof, Upgraded BMW wheels. Cash price or $800 down and payments. - Call or e-mail Jason at 501.908.6844

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/ele/1265775791.html

Click to read more...

 

[Miles0803]

...depends on total price?

 

[LazyRider 10+ year member]

I'm not a fan of german cars so I would say no

 

[infamous_e46 5,000+ posts]

welll it could just be the coils or a headgasket

if you really needed to replace the motor its just a 2.8 like the 328

hell throw a 330 engine in that bish it will bolt up

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

welll it could just be the coils or a headgasket

if you really needed to replace the motor its just a 2.8 like the 328

hell throw a 330 engine in that bish it will bolt up

that is what i was wondering, i may offer him 1000 and see if he will take it. i like bimmers,i used to have a 89m3

 

[k_schutte 10+ year member]

If it was just the engine I would say yes... said the tops needs painted too... Look at it like this, assumign you do the engien yourself...

$1777 for the car

$1500 for the motor

$1000 for the top to be painted (thats cheap i would say)

$500 for misc stuff

thats $4777 total for a car that has a private party value of $4k-$5K depending on condition. On the other hand you coudl get it and find out the guy is retarded and it's just a bad ICM or something. I bought a Grand Am that only had 1 cylinder firing. Replaced teh Ignition Control Module and had me a dang nice car back then for about $200 total which i sold a month later for $3500 so....

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

hmm i may go and look at it. if the interior is trashed i may pass on it

 

[ironchef b 10+ year member]

IMO, do a compression check on all the cylinders if that checks out ok then by all means go for it, if you can get the car at a cheap price.

 

[SocMunky 10+ year member]

Yeah, replacing leather won't be cheap. I'd worry about the little things too, shocks.struts, bushings, a/c...yada yada. Nice cars, but not a **** thing is cheap on them to fix!

 

[crash9201 10+ year member]

IMO, do a compression check on all the cylinders if that checks out ok then by all means go for it, if you can get the car at a cheap price.

compression test will show that 1 or 2 cylinders arent firing well; from the sounds of it new motor or rebuild; thats the only option; and since parts for german cars are so expensive... id say its a waste of time and money

 

[ironchef b 10+ year member]

I should've read the post better. When he said "fire" i was thinking spark.

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

To expensive to fix IMO...........I say no, will be more a headache than anything, unless you have the cash for it and don't care..........then go for it, lol!