new toy

[rand24]

I picked up my new toy last night. A 1988 silver/black 535is with 101k miles. It runs well but has squeaky brakes - some rattles inside - seems to heat up a bit when idling but cools off within seconds of getting going - exhaust a bit loud and the suspension is mooshy and stiff all at the same time, the drivers door is not nearly as tight as the other doors and there are rattles inside it...oh yeah and the drivers seat is a bit saggy..

Can i swap the drivers and passengers seat?...can i fix up the saggy springs in the current drivers seat? how can I make the leather a bit better...911 is your leather original to the car?
I have a budget of 1500 - 2000 to put into the car right off the bat. Help me spend some money?

I guess I have made it sound beat up...it's not - it's in awesome condition but I want it the best it can be.

Javier ...I know you can help.

[Javier at Pelican Parts]

Ok I'll give it a try..
1) on the brakes rotors are probably warped replace
2) suspension worst case could use new shocks all the way around. probably needs new bushings on control arms. get the ones from a 735 or 750 they're a bit stiffer.

3)flush the cooling sysytem rebleed, probably air in the lines. might also have bad t-stat.

4) exhaust. get underneith could be bad muffler or cat I bet you have a hole were the pipe goes into the muffler.

5)check the hinges on the door along with the door brake, has the car been in an accident?
6) seats 6way power adjust? If so. it may be the cables that go into the motors have rounded out. remove the seat to inspect. sometimes if no to rounded you can re-file the tips and re-insert into the motors....
sagging in the driver seat rear right lower corner?

call me I can help releive you of some of those 1500-2000 problems.

[rand24]

thanks Javier,

i am very confident the car has not been in an accident. the door is just not as tight as say the left rear beacuse it has been used daily. Also I really appreciate your input I know you had one of these at one time. The drivers seat is also just suffering from use while the passengers is nearly new. I really would like to be able to swap them...I read a tech article somewhere that a guy had done it and didn't think it was much of a problem.

I spent last night going through the owners service records...it was really fun - drivers seat motor replaced exhaust replaced from cat back ...parts for "clutch set - $283" and labor 500 odd dollars makes me hopeful the clutch is new but i am a little doubtful since the bill seems too low considering the amount of other things that were done in that visit.

A whole bunch of other items that make me think the guy really took great vare of the thing - and also that the mechanic took him for a bit of a ride...hey guess what the trx michelins only have 10,000 miles on them - bill for 920 bucks installed ;}

[Javier at Pelican Parts]

Did they replace the exhaust with factory unit or after market sport type? that could be why its a little noisy...
I m not to sure about the crossing seats. 6 way adjust electric seats?
sport type seats with lower leg support?
sound like a neet car, you know I personnaly love this model. Lotta potential.

good thing on those trx. they're good tires, keep'em till they die no real need to go spending money if you dont have to.

[rand24]

interesting you mention the fan clutch...it has been replaced twice according to the service history i got with the car...dating to 1989
...I am having fun. Socal- yur car is very nice - my target in fact...thanks for the help! I WILL keep you all posted

[golden]

thermo ,sensor and coolant replaced in my 535 but always temp jumps up upon motionless idle. Is it the nature of this beast?
Do you ever have itermittent white smoke from the tail upon morning start up,..like a small puff of fog? This can signify a small head gasket leak somewhere. I would like to purchase an IS but have not been able to find. You are blessed.

[mouled]

I HAVE SEEN GOOD SEATS IN A YARD. HUNT AROUND AND REPLACE THEM. I THINK THE DRIVERS DOORS ON ALL BMW'S GET WEEK. YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE INTERIOR PANELS OF THE DOOR APART TO INSPECT FOR REPARE. THE OVERHEATING COULD BE ANYTHING. MOTHER'S FOR LEATHER CLEANER AND THE LANOLINE, SMELLS GOOD TOO. REAL BAD STRETCH MARKS YOU CAN HAVE A SPECIALIST DIE AND WAX THEM. I'M THNKING THE CAR SAT FOR AWHILE WHICH MAY BE ALL OF YOU PROBLEMS. SOUND LIKE SHOCKS, PLUGGED RAD, NEW SEATS, BO RINGS ON THE EXHAUST. AND WIRE HOLDER BROKE LOOSE ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR BUT I'M GUESSING.

[rand24]

Well ... I found a reputable shop that can do a lot of the necessary work for me including spraying the front spoiler and taking care of a couple of chips...I'm dropping it off this morning and the guy will have it for the week. Then Brian from cleanestcars.com is coming by for the serious detail treatment. I just stumbled across his website and it turned out he was going to be in new england so ...we'll see.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Let us know how it goes...