Alpina SAM
07-05-2009, 11:34 PM
Made a decision at around 8pm Sunday night after returning from BMWCCV edge to edge drive day in the E36 320i deciding I really needed to get something I could actually drive. I had looked at a 535is online which Following a brief phone call with the owner I booked a flight for next morning.
Monday morning get up at 5.00 am to get 6.45am flight to Sydney to look at...
Alpinweib 89 535is Blue leather interior with sports recaro's in almost new condition.
Body straight, clean underneath, no rust, no sign of accident repairs etc.
I feel like a criminal.... this car was literally a steal... & I still managed to knock a few hundred off the buy price. Was advertised as having sunroof which was not the case but all up its a very clean example... Most have been pretty well thrashed by now.
Mechanically very well cared for except for the coolant which was desperately in need of attention. Upon initial inspection it was almost a deal breaker & I very nearly walked away. I have never seen so much shit coming out of an overflow tank. However after having flown up to Sydney then enduring a 3 hour train trip to look at it I thought it was worth taking it down to get tested & make sure the head gasket hadn't gone which was my major concern.
Turned out it just needed a very very good flush & thermostat was sticking so replaced that yesterday & detailed the engine bay somewhat (a lot more work to be done here to bring up to display condition).
Drove it back to Melb same day & it behaved very well despite a few steering related shudders at around 80kmh due to almost flat spotted mags.
Picked up a couple of decent sized stone chips on the windscreen courtesy of some semitrailers & some highway roadworks not yet sealed. New windscreen going in tomorrow Thank you Shannons insurance!!!
Have removed the mags that it came with as they were all buckled & one of the rears was about another couple of hundred ks tops from coming apart on me. Car is now sporting the alpina rims.
The gear knob was also toast... luckily I just happened to have a spare Alpina unit sitting around too. A quick leather treatment & console detail etc should sort out the interior.
Body is very straight with only a couple minor car park dings, a scratch on drivers side rear door & need to do a minor repair on the front spoiler.
Hopefully can have car presentable for next weeks RACV Classic to display at the BMW stand.
Requirements for roadworthy....... nil yay!
Stay tuned for more updates & the new ??? which hopefully will adorn the driveway in a few days too.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/5367976.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/5367994.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/5368000.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/5368003.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/IMG_0568.jpg
Monday morning get up at 5.00 am to get 6.45am flight to Sydney to look at...
Alpinweib 89 535is Blue leather interior with sports recaro's in almost new condition.
Body straight, clean underneath, no rust, no sign of accident repairs etc.
I feel like a criminal.... this car was literally a steal... & I still managed to knock a few hundred off the buy price. Was advertised as having sunroof which was not the case but all up its a very clean example... Most have been pretty well thrashed by now.
Mechanically very well cared for except for the coolant which was desperately in need of attention. Upon initial inspection it was almost a deal breaker & I very nearly walked away. I have never seen so much shit coming out of an overflow tank. However after having flown up to Sydney then enduring a 3 hour train trip to look at it I thought it was worth taking it down to get tested & make sure the head gasket hadn't gone which was my major concern.
Turned out it just needed a very very good flush & thermostat was sticking so replaced that yesterday & detailed the engine bay somewhat (a lot more work to be done here to bring up to display condition).
Drove it back to Melb same day & it behaved very well despite a few steering related shudders at around 80kmh due to almost flat spotted mags.
Picked up a couple of decent sized stone chips on the windscreen courtesy of some semitrailers & some highway roadworks not yet sealed. New windscreen going in tomorrow Thank you Shannons insurance!!!
Have removed the mags that it came with as they were all buckled & one of the rears was about another couple of hundred ks tops from coming apart on me. Car is now sporting the alpina rims.
The gear knob was also toast... luckily I just happened to have a spare Alpina unit sitting around too. A quick leather treatment & console detail etc should sort out the interior.
Body is very straight with only a couple minor car park dings, a scratch on drivers side rear door & need to do a minor repair on the front spoiler.
Hopefully can have car presentable for next weeks RACV Classic to display at the BMW stand.
Requirements for roadworthy....... nil yay!
Stay tuned for more updates & the new ??? which hopefully will adorn the driveway in a few days too.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/5367976.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/5367994.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/5368000.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/5368003.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/alpinasam/IMG_0568.jpg