gjm

How about this? http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/cto/4286373358.html

My comments around rust were stereotyping... Should have put a 'wink' smiley after it. The Singaporean issues are similar - look after the car and it doesn't matter. That said, my understanding is that Singaporean cars rarely get to stretch their legs hich can't be a good thing in the long term. My diesel gets choked up on the run to Hamilton because it's only turning at 2000rpm most of the time. Take each car on it's individual merits. I owned Alfa Romeos that didn't rust... Sometimes it's not just care, but down to manufacturing quality control, too. Or luck.

And it's ex-UK... So rusty, bits missing, incorrectly described, high mileage, questionable service history... Let's do lunch. And talk about how we get me into a 535i manual for not much money.

First registered in the UK on August 1st, 1998. Other than the registration number, it's identical to the car my brother had. I had a 1990 MY black 850, with tan leather, and CS mods. Still amazes me that a car like the 8-series, with it's huge price tag, would be sold with cloth upholstery, but many were. Really like the red Alpina - that looks very nice.

Looks as though it may have had a hard life - there's a missing door trim, too. I'd like a 535i, and for the money it's a lot of car. But perhaps a lot of trouble, too.

Glenn - saw this very recently. No idea what your budget is, or if this is big enough, but may be worth a look? http://www.graysonline.co.nz/lot.asp?LOT_ID=10201160

True... And my apologies to Gareth for suggesting otherwise! I need to stop looking at more cars. We have too many now, and are looking to move house.

I just keep thinking it's on the wrong island.

I think it's been for sale for a while... I'm sure I saw an ad for this car, but being sold as a 535i, and not so long ago. Possibly a typo or similar, but some of the pics (not hte engine bay, obviously!) look very familiar.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/114013069479/grenoble-doctor-confirms-schumacher-awakening-reports

http://www.schmiedmann.com/en/bmw-e30/1635-new?product=35411154285

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/maserati/gran/auction-690676827.htm Always fancied one of these. I'd prefer a whole one, though.

I think these are from the other side, but certainly there appears to be 3 fixing holes...

It may take a few days, but a new one from the US will probably be about NZ$60 delivered. Check with a BMW dealer or one of the forum sponsors - I've no idea what price they will ask, but it's only a phone call and may be quicker (if that's important). And the price may surprise you... A used but good cable may be cheaper, but you'd be wise to clean and lube it before fitting. And there's no guarantees it'll last.

Again back in the UK - a 1989 635CSi, completely original and [described as being] in mint condition, 46,100 miles (under 75k km) and offered at under GBP 14k (under $22.5k). BMWs are easier to find in the UK because of the proximity to der Vaterland (and I confess to being surprised at how many BMWs there are here in NZ) and prices vary hugely. This car looks a better bet than one resprayed at well over GBP 20k. Brave sellers with the best cars will advertise at huge, and seemingly unrealistic prices. But if you want the best... All the same - check thoroughly. A 1995 Porsche 928GTS manual advertised in Britain at GBP 38k (extortionate amount for a 928) turns out, after inspection, to perhaps be a 15k car. Still... Best to buy your E24 now, while you don't need a mortgage to pay for it!

$38k? 'e's 'avin' a giraffe! Actually, and all else aside, a 'cooking' 635CSi can be advertised at up to GBP 25k in the UK, so that's $50k here. Extremely unlikely to sell at that price, I feel, but maybe indicative of the way the market may be looking? Typically, selling prices for a good 'un are more likely to be around GBP 6-12k. I paid GBP 7k for my M635CSI, and sold it for the same, but that was many years ago.

Another one last night... 5.2, near Stewart Island.

The flasher unit isn't normally the problem, but if you have a spare handy (or can borrow one) and cleaning the bulb connections hasn't helped, then yes - try swapping it out.

Lol. No, but I wouldn't buy a Hillman Minx. I might go for the Armstrong Siddeley, though...

It's an Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 346. (Not sure if I'm the Graham you were thinking of, though!)

Check the connections to the indicator bulbs, especially the rear ones. They can corrode, but even a dirty connection can cause a problem. The flasher unit contains capacitors and transistors. A transistor is a voltage controlled switch, and the capacitors fight to prevent changes in voltage (which is why they are used for smoothing in some applications). When used together, the capacitor controls the voltage in part of a circuit, and when the voltage exceeds a certain level it allows current to flow through the transistor. By cycling the charging and discharging of the capacitor, it allows the transistor circuit to open and close. If the speed of this cycling changes, it means something in the circuit has changed, allowing the time for the capacitor charge/discharge cycle to decrease. It could be the flasher unit that is causing the problem. Maybe the alternator and battery voltage is too high (less likely, but easy to check), or the resistance of the circuit has changed. The resistance can increase because of a failed bulb (which you've already checked), or dirty or corroded contacts somewhere in the circuit, including relays and so on. Something else to check is that all bulbs have the correct power rating. The E30 has (I think) standard 21W bulbs.

That's my recollection, too. Possibly less. Currently selling for 18-25k GBP.

That's got to be about $10k more than when they were new! (Around 33000 euro.) Damnit. Another investment opportunity missed...

I'm a bit disappointed I missed it. Looks, from comments in the auction, that the seller accepted an offer subject to inspection, something that wouldn't happen 'til today. I was interested cos we may be moving house soon, and the larger load area, and the towbar, would have come in very handy indeed.

It does. Errmm... (Question from a naive one!) Is that a bad thing?