To Do's for bringing a 318is out of storgae

[mealto]

ok, just got a new battery for a 1994 318is and it is now running. Sounds good except for a bit of pining (ever so slightly) and a squeak here and there, sounds like a belt of some kind making the noise.

Besides from the new battery, what would you guys suggest I do / replace? Brakes seem to be ok but may need to bleed it and add new fluid? Will take the care to BMW for an oil and filter change. Looking to run the car for 3 months in the summer so only want to do the minimum to make sure it's safe to drive. Car has been sitting for 5 yrs in a garage but has been driven once a summer.

What other maintenance / repair work will I need to do?

[jonesin]

-Check your belts (worn, cracked etc)
-As mentioned, oil change
-Coolant flush (it's been sitting for five years)
-Really check your brakes (hopefully they haven't corroded too badly (including e-brake))
-Power steering fluid
-- Hell, check all of your fluids.

Good luck and enjoy!

[mealto]

I think BMW has added a QC check during the oil & filter change. That should cover all the fluids and topping up.

So is a coolant flush really necessary? Just trying to find the most critical things to do as this car will only run for 3 months and no need to get this car back in top shape. Just safe driving would be enough. Thx in advance!

[jonesin]

Yeah, however it's three months during the hot time of year, combined with that it's been sitting for so long... For what? $100-150? is it worth damaging your car?

[mealto]

So flushing the coolant is to make sure that it can indeed cool the engine right? Would a service shop be able to test the health of the coolant with that meter that they stick in to the fluid?

[jonesin]

Test it by all means, I think that it'll fail though. Five years is a long time for something that should be changed every two.

[mealto]

ok, will put coolant on the list. I will add that to the dealer service. Anything else that I should consider?

[mealto]

Anything else besides fluids and coolant that anyone can suggest?