[speeder]

I would absolutely do a PPI on that car but a PPI does not have to cost $200. You simply arrange to bring it by a good independent shop that works on older BMWs and has at least one guy who knows those cars, put it on a lift and he walks around under the car w a flashlight for 5 minutes.

I don't care how good you think you are at looking at cars, (I'm pretty good), you cannot see the expensive repairs and maintanence needed w/o getting underneath it w some good light, on a lift. How this could cost $200, (or even $100), is beyond me.

This is how my buddy looks at any old car a client is considering buying and he never charges for it. It takes him 5 minutes, TOPS, to see any leaks, worn suspension parts and look at brakes. He sees other bad or good things as well, like the quality of previous replacement parts, previous repairs, accident/frame damage, rust, etc. Most European cars have alloy rims and you can see the condition of the pads and rotors w/o removing a wheel. Leaks can be costly on an otherwise great running car, you want to know about them and they are a good negotiating point.

Compression tests and leak down tests are completely unnecessary on a car like that, IMO. Bad compression or a weak or dead cylinder is impossible to hide, the car will exhibit obvious symptoms. Even suspension and steering condition is very obvious on a short drive. Everything should be tight.

If the car passes all of the initial driving and other sniff tests, bring it to the place to put it on a rack for a minute. Many good shops will charge you minimally or nothing at all for a quick look, they know that they will likely get some good business from you if you buy it and they like warning people off of truly needy or bad cars.

This advice is not for old air-cooled 911s costing major 5-figures, (or more), that could potentially need tens of thousands in repairs. Those are worth spending more on a more detailed and thourough PPI. All an old BMW needs is to be up in the air w the right set of eyes looking at it. Ask Seahawk about this.