So I have had the car for a little while and the task list is starting to become clearer:
1) Fix the dent in the front (done as good as it will be)
2) Dead battery (already been replaced)
3) Leaking engine oil (may be the drain plug) <- replace valve cover gasket 8/9 - we'll see if that fixes it
4) Rear window is loose (fine BMW engineering uses seals that bake and crack in the CA and TN sun) - window is not attached to the car by adhesives. Don't drive with the windows down! <- done 8/8
8. Radio is dead. Found power to the wiring harness so radio appears quite dead. <- new one installed 8/12
13) Driver side rear door does not open from the inside. <7/12 - this was the child safety lock setting
14) Reconnect plastic of inner front fender, front bumper cover, and underside ferring <-8/12
5) Muffler has a hole in it - just a small one near the back
6) Passenger side front window does not go down - the motor runs but it is not connected inside the door
7) Passenger side headlight is fogged up inside - read that this can be opened and cleaned
9) Front windshield is cracked
10) Makes a lot of tire noise. Further inspection revealed cupping on the front tires. Tires are 205/60/R15 Badyears and they are cracking
11) The transmission is slow to engage when I go into reverse or forward.
12) Seats have covers and they need them since the leather is pretty well shot.
15) Front rotors are very well worn and could stand replaced.
I'm sure there are a few more but this is a good start.
Acquired so far:
$600 for the car
$ 80 for battery
$ 23.42 for the Haynes book
$ 10.50 for temp tag!
$ 39.?? for sales tax and a bunch of rip off fees!
$ 5? wheel cleaner
$ 5? nic-n-fix
$ 37.?? valve cover gasket
$ 10 urethane for rear window
$115.?? radio and adapters
$ 1 credit for selling the mats at Canfield
$ 11 quart of synthetic and brake light bulb
$204 Firehawk GT
$1139 so far
Today I decided to compare the stock rims to the E23 rims. This requires taking the stock rims (at least one) off the car. After determining the lug bolts are 17mm (and not studs - like a regular car) I could not get the wheels free. After a little contemplation I decided the loose lug nut test drive would be needed. I loosened the lugs about a turn or two, then drove the car up and down the drive accelerating and hitting the brake. The first try did not work, but on the second try I turned while accelerating and braking and that freed them up.
After that exercise I looked at the E23 rims and the offset is different. The E36 (325i) rims are 7 1/2" wide and appear to have a 6" offset while the E23 rims are 7" wide and have a 4 3/4" offset. So it seems the E23 rims will protrude out 3/4" further than the stock wheels.
So my son and I applied the wheel cleaner to the stock wheels. They look a lot better but still not sure what I am to do about them.
On a prior mission I also took the radio/cassette out. It, like the battery, is d-e-a-d. A little help from my friends at bimmerfest.com and the radio came out easily. There are two little plates that hide 5-sided allen screws. After removing the radio I noticed a fuse on the back and it looked to be bad so I replaced it - but no help. With the key in the on position I measured 12v at the wiring harness (and the clock is not in the radio) so I presume the radio really is toast.
I have also done some straightening on the front end. I just wanted it to look a little more presentable. Results are below. Looking under the front of the car today there appears to be some damage where the bumper and underside ferrings come together. It's like it had a minor bumper hit and it broke up some of the connections underneath.
