91' BMW 525i worth it?

Im currently looking for a car to buy, and A friend of a friend is selling a 91' BMW 525i. Theses a couple problems. It has 176,000 miles and he said the only thing wrong with is is the Oil Pan Gasket. His asking price is 3,500 but he'll get rid of it for 3,200 he said. I dont know anything about Bimmers or cars in gereral for that matter so i dunno if its a good deal or not. The car is in decent shape overall, a couple very minor dents here and there but I dunno if its worth the money or not. Any suggestions I would get would be greatly appreciated. THX

Actually my friend who knows the guy just IMed me and said he will let it go for 3,000 even I dont know if that changes anything

Well, I got mine for like $1k with a TON of problems, after putting about $1500 into it I havae nice car that nees a few more hundred to be perfect. (not counting the paint job, etc..)

So I dont know I would go for a car if it was worth about $3k after repairs. Sbtract repairs from the $3k and see if he can go for the final price of the car.

-Artem

I bought a '91 525i with 100k, immaculate in/out, no mech probs, with every service record since new for a happy price of $3700. I then hit a manhole cover and shattered the oil pan . Shop's cost to repair an oil pan was I think between $600-800 not counting the cost of the pan. I did the work myself for a whole lot less - though the BMW original part was the only gasket that fit properly - don't experiment there.

BTW, you'll have to lift the engine up about 2 inches to pull the pan out and ought to take you a day or so, with purchasing several odd tools, though not expensive, they are necessary for the work.

G'Luck!

Bottom line: don't expect to buy that car and not have to put significant money and effort into it in order to maintain it. It's not like a Honda.

Assuming that you're okay with that, they're neat cars.

Alex

If he keeps somming down on the price like that I would be worried. Have a PPI done first. 2.5 years ago I paied 3600 for a 91 525i with 139k. Less then a year ago I paied 3500 for a 94 530i with 123k, one owner, all dealer serviced and perfect other then needing tires. Even though it was perfect so far I have replaced 2 O2 sensors, needs a heater core, vacuum leak, and windshield trim and drivers seat rebuilt. But this is what you need to expect when you own one of these and if you do the work yourself they are rather affordable.