Analysis, please?

[cpatstone]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-1...item2eb304f0d7

... or if the link doesn't work, search ebay item 200571941079.

thoughts? aside from plain jane vanilla, no sunroof, non sport, slushbox. Good starting point for a 332ti, assuming I have a complete donor M3?

how about some wild speculation on how long the head gasket will last until it's completely undriveable?

thanks!

[tiFreak]

I see a sunroof in the pictures, looks like it's been maintained pretty well too

doesn't sound like the headgasket's blown, it would probably be fine for a while as long as it's not overheating, I'd definitely get it fixed ASAP

[Altitude]

Has been sold at least once before on ebay, a lot of deadbeat ebay buyers I guess.
Nice clean looking rust free Texas ti!

Sold here,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-1...item2eb29dc121

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

I do not like the water on the dip stick. That could be a cracked head or head gasket issue. If it's only a few drops maybe it's not even water but only bubbles.

You really need to go look at it and be sure it's not making a milk shake after driven.

Also he said it's hard to start so most likely it is getting water in the cylinders which is a big issue and if it has sat for a while then started over and over like this it creates rust spots on the rings and cylinder walls then when the car is started it scuffs on the rust areas and damages the engine more and more each time it is done.

Just be careful since a good running car 3 months ago can be all torn up after leaking water in the cylinders and being started every two weeks after rust has formed from sitting for those two weeks.

Just my non-professional opinion.

John S

[cpatstone]

good thoughts, guys... thanks.

notion of water in the cylinders (or in the intake passageway, draining into the cylinder?) would make sense. don't have much experience with a failed head gasket - knock on wood. did seem like, in the first video, motor sounded like crap. harsh. not so much knocking as just generally unhealthy?

question would be, would I trust the motor as-is enough to drive it one-way from florida to mass., where it would be replaced with an S52. Dunno... especially in the winter...

[TroyAndEddie]

If the gasket is indeed gone, you're unlikely to make it up the eastern seaboard with it. I tried to make it from Dallas to Ft. Worth years ago after mine had just blown, I barely made it halfway. (For reference, it's barely 40 miles)

Again, that depends on the severity of the gasket failure. If you're seeing milkshake, I'd say it's pretty far gone.

[TroyAndEddie]

WOW. I just read the description on the ad. After "Very Clean" and "operates perfectly", I was run through a gauntlet of "yeah, but...". That car isn't worth $1000. And unless you want to spend $12-1500 + cost of travel to pick up what amounts to a shell, I'd pass.