Rrascal

Than to buy another cheap BMW. Mind you I've had two Alfa's between... I'm from Hawkes Bay and have recently aquired a 1988 E34 530 M30 Manual... In the past I've had a 1989 E32 730 M30 Manual and 1992 E32 740 M60 Auto. Loved the first until I wrote it off. Loved the second, for different reasons, but it's parked now as it just isn't economically viable for me to take care of all the issues it has. It's looking like the E34 might be more of a problem than I bargained for, but I'm stuck with it now...! I've never been on this forum before because the E32's hadn't thrown any unsolvable gremlins at me. The Alfa's taught me the value of forums, so here I am, begging for useful advice for the BMW... I'm posting my most urgent request for "what the hell do I do now? Where do I start? How come it's doing these weird, seemingly unconnected things that all started at once?" advice in the electrical system forum. I look forward to any and all ribbing for buying such an old, rattly heap, plus some useful advice on how to sort the old bag out. Cheers...!

Last seven digits of the chassis # are 2099070 I've been farting about with this car for a few weeks now, It's rattly, so I've checked/set valve clearances and cleaned the oil spray bar. It still rattles, so I guess the rocker shafts are worn. Never mind that it runs ok and I've got another head on the E32 730. I've dealt to a whole lot of minor interior stuff like missing clips etc. Replaced the electric window switch block to get drivers window operating. Fitted another head unit with a CD rather than a cassette... Replaced dead speakers. Fitted wheels and tyres, (M-Sport 18's, 9 1/2 rears, 8 fronts, I think from an E34 540, although I've seen the same ones on an early 750), which almost, but not quite, cured the 80kph shimmy. Replaced the thermostat after it got rapidly hot then blew the short hose from behind the thermostat housing to the water pump. It got hot again the next day, so the thermostat is out until I clean out the radiator and check to see if the water pump is any good on the 730... So, here's the interesting question. Today, having driven it around the block, (about 30km, parts of which have been used in the Targa), I was pleased to note the temperature remained pretty stable. However... The windows refused to work... the trip computer died... the central locking doesn't work, and neither do the wipers... All at once... Car still runs fine and everything else is working as far as I can tell... I haven't got a clue... Had to drag the 740 out of the three wall, borer infested, dirt floored shed that's the nearest thing I have to a workshop, so I could park the 530 under cover... Anyone got any ideas where to start with this?