OK guys/gals, I am looking into buying and old BMW here in Florida. It is a 1985 BMW 528e series. The car is in really good shape, runs good, paint is excellent. All in all it is in great shape for a 16 year old car and it is in my price range.
My question is this, how hard will it be to find general wear and tear parts for this car? How about major components? Do they even make parts for this car anymore? Can I just walk into Pep Boys and find what I need like I would for a Cavalier or Escort?
General wear parts shouldn’t be too bad. I would imagine any well equiped auto parts stores may have (or at least be able to order without great difficulty) items like Brake Pads, calipers, rotors, clutch (if manual) etc. For more specialized items, you will almost certainly have to go to the dealer. BMW factory items are never cheap.
Another thing to beware is that the car is starting to get up there in years and dealers only have to manufacture spare parts for a certain amount of time (10 years?). So, some items may be next to impossible to get new and you may have to go used.
My main concern though would be the number of miles that are on it. At 16 years, a car is in prime time to possibly need major maintenence work. This includes engine/transmission/diff rebuilds or replacement. The suspension may need work. More than shocks/struts, things like coils and bushings. Front end pieces like tie rod ends/ball joints also go unnoticed by many. Basically, what I am saying here is that HUGE dollars are possible, even more than the car is worth.
I am not saying don’t buy the car but at the very least get it looked over by a respectable dealer/repair shop (AAA/CAA offers this service too) before you buy.
Remember, if it seems to be too good of a deal, it probably is.