Going to look at one in Wolverhampton with a mate on Saturday, Any "Known issues" or anything specific we should be looking for?

 

people selling a 'non sports' as a sports. Think it should be on the logbook either that or can check by ringing BMW directly

 

Lots of things to watch out for

Rear brake pipes as they go over fuel tank rust

Rear trailing arm bushes will give unwanted rear wheel steer

Check to see if it's had a recall for Nicasil block and Steering coupling.

Vibration from front under braking can be worn front wishbone bushes and/or warped discs

What year is it out of interest?
Only early Sports had a LSD - later ones got traction control

 

Its a 1996 N Reg, Listed as having LSD and No Traction Control!

Sounds like there is plenty to look for!

Will the Recall be listed in service manual or somewhere? Its apparently got a FBMWSH so i should imagin its all upto date with recalls etc.

 

It's like all 10 year old cars - there's plenty to look for - all the usual old car rules apply

If it's been serviced all it's life at BMW they will be able to tell you if it's had a new short engine and steering recall done if you ring the head office with chassis number. I can't remember the number tbh

 

think you can ring any dealer to find out cant you..?

 

Give it a whirl and find out?

 

i rang up my local dealer when i needed to find out if mine had lsd

 

If it has full BMWSH phone the dealer with the reg number/chassis n umber and they will tell you if it has been recalled for a new block due to
Nicasil issues. I think the problem was sorted late 1998 if my memory serves me right.

 

It was about April/May 98 build cars onwards

 

Yeah i think they replaced all the alloy blocked cars with iron blocks as part of a recall ????

 

Cheers for all your help good place for me to start!

 

Also check for rust on rear arches, the panel below the rear number plate and the bottoms of the front wings, if you get a good one you will really enjoy it!!!!

 

I Already know its got a 5p size patch of rust on the numberplate pannel but not letting that put me off as its dirt cheap car....

Will give it the once over on Saturday and see whats what

 

No they replaced the blocks with the same blocks!!

Some even suffered the exact same problem!!

Alex

 

Very true Alex, before BMW got to the root of the problem they replaced like with like so some cars went through the cycle a couple or three times.

It was only whe they realised the problem lay with sulphur in fuel attacking Nicasil liners that they used the steel-linered blocks

 

mike do you work for bm??

 

No but I think Alex does though