Buying a 3.0CL

Spaceman Spiff · 05-26-2009, 04:59 PM

I am driving down to San Diego this weekend to check out a 3.0CL that was listed on Craigslist a few weeks ago. The car looks amazingly well preserved inside and out, seats, dashboard, paint, etc. (although seats are a hideous brown leather) at least in the photos. The seller claims 75K miles (it's a 1972). I was wondering if anyone could tell me what are the known issues for this model and what should I watch out for?

imported_mega · 05-26-2009, 05:30 PM

rust

you can hear them rusting in your garage, check it out real well, rust loves to hide

Spaceman Spiff · 05-26-2009, 06:45 PM

Thanks

I will look at floor panels under the carpet and the wheel archs. Any other areas?

imported_mega · 05-26-2009, 06:47 PM

door sills, shock towers, and the corners of the fenders

ChrisV · 05-27-2009, 08:51 AM

Remember this about rust, what's considered bad rust in Cali (where you are) woudl be considered clean, showroom fresh sheetmetal here on the east coast. lol!

The E9 is getting rather hard to find parts for. Your best bet is to head over to the http://www.e9coupe.com/ forums.

Absolutely stunning cars, though..

Mark M · 05-27-2009, 10:53 AM

Wow.....would love to cruise in one of those. That just looks sooooo good. That is one of the things I love about BMW......some models have a certain timeless demeanor to them. No matter how old they are, if they are well kept their style still endures and looks classy.

I even think that nice looking clean e28s are great looking cars even though they are approaching 25 years old.

Mark M

m_thompson · 05-27-2009, 12:20 PM

I have one too. You don't want to see the before pictures...

Yoshii · 05-27-2009, 12:49 PM

damn...they do look nice..

Spaceman Spiff · 05-27-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

door sills, shock towers, and the corners of the fenders

Added to the list

Thanks!

Quote:

Remember this about rust, what's considered bad rust in Cali (where you are) woudl be considered clean, showroom fresh sheetmetal here on the east coast. lol!

Yeah with the snow and salt on the roads all winter! This guy claims there is NO rust but we will see. I am ok with a little rust as long as nothing is falling off and it isn't in places that are hard to repair, like door sills.

Quote:

I have one too. You don't want to see the before pictures...

Looks amazing! This one is Baikal Blue (I think?) which is lighter. I was thinking about redoing the seats in black but now that I saw your car I think tan would look better than black!

m_thompson · 05-28-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

Looks amazing! This one is Baikal Blue (I think?) which is lighter. I was thinking about redoing the seats in black but now that I saw your car I think tan would look better than black!

It is Nachtblau.

m_thompson · 05-28-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what are the known issues for this model and what should I watch out for?

Two of the worst rust spots are above the fuse block and in front of the glove compartment. Open the door below the far left of the dash and look at the firewall above the fuse block. Gently poke at the metal to see if there is any rust or perforations. Do the same to the metal above and in front of the glove compartment.

There is a design issue where sand from the front tires gets into an almost closed area in front of the firewall. The wet and simetimes salty sand really eats the metal. You can check the sand level by turning the wheels to the left and reaching into the fender area above and behind the wheel. You should find a sheet metal brace that goes from the strut tower to the firewall. There is a triangular opening in the brace. Stick your fingers through the triangular opening and see how much sand and rust is in there.

SlickShift · 05-29-2009, 12:10 PM

Definitely buyer a back-issue of Bimmer Magazine that has the E9 Buyer's Guide in it. It'll let you know everything to look for in these classic bimmers.

Spaceman Spiff · 05-31-2009, 04:58 PM

Update: I went there to check out the car and there was SO MUCH rust on it, all in hidden spots, some of which I wouldn't have looked at if it wasn't for this post! It also had new (white) CA plates and turned out to be a WA car. So I am back in the market to find another one.
Thanks everyone for the help!

BForbes · 05-31-2009, 05:28 PM

Rust has ruined a few purchases for me as well. :-( Maybe thats a good thing b/c I dont have the space for another car.

05-26-2009, 04:59 PM	#1
Spaceman Spiff Captain 86 Rep 847 Posts Drives: R8, 996 C2, Z4MR (sold) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (1)	Buying a 3.0CS I am driving down to San Diego this weekend to check out a 3.0CL that was listed on Craigslist a few weeks ago. The car looks amazingly well preserved inside and out, seats, dashboard, paint, etc. (although seats are a hideous brown leather) at least in the photos. The seller claims 75K miles (it's a 1972). I was wondering if anyone could tell me what are the known issues for this model and what should I watch out for? Last edited by Spaceman Spiff; 05-27-2009 at 05:18 PM..
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05-26-2009, 05:30 PM	#2
imported_mega Colonel 122 Rep 2,199 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	rust you can hear them rusting in your garage, check it out real well, rust loves to hide __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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05-26-2009, 06:45 PM	#3
Spaceman Spiff Captain 86 Rep 847 Posts Drives: R8, 996 C2, Z4MR (sold) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (1)	Thanks I will look at floor panels under the carpet and the wheel archs. Any other areas?
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05-26-2009, 06:47 PM	#4
imported_mega Colonel 122 Rep 2,199 Posts Drives: various bmw's Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: neverland iTrader: (0)	door sills, shock towers, and the corners of the fenders __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. Driving e82, e72, e85, R53 Gone but not forgotten.. 1974 2002, many various 3s.
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05-27-2009, 08:51 AM	#5
ChrisV 7er 9 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 1998 BMW 740iL Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pikesville, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 1998 740iL [6.00]	Remember this about rust, what's considered bad rust in Cali (where you are) woudl be considered clean, showroom fresh sheetmetal here on the east coast. lol! The E9 is getting rather hard to find parts for. Your best bet is to head over to the http://www.e9coupe.com/ forums. Absolutely stunning cars, though.. __________________ 1998 740iL
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05-27-2009, 10:53 AM	#6
Mark M Major 240 Rep 1,288 Posts Drives: E30M3 E83X3 E90335D Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA iTrader: (0)	Wow.....would love to cruise in one of those. That just looks sooooo good. That is one of the things I love about BMW......some models have a certain timeless demeanor to them. No matter how old they are, if they are well kept their style still endures and looks classy. I even think that nice looking clean e28s are great looking cars even though they are approaching 25 years old. Mark M
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05-27-2009, 12:20 PM	#7
m_thompson Major 133 Rep 1,416 Posts Drives: M-Sport 128i, 328xi, 3.0CS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i [0.00] 1972 3.0CS [10.00]	I have one too. You don't want to see the before pictures... __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
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05-27-2009, 12:49 PM	#8
Yoshii Major General 140 Rep 8,650 Posts Drives: 2008 Titanium Silver 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Corona, Ca iTrader: (2)	damn...they do look nice.. __________________ SOLD-2008 E90 TiAg 335i SOLD-2011 Mitsubishi Evo X 2013 F10 535i Msport, KW V3's with more Mods to come!!!
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05-29-2009, 12:10 PM	#12
SlickShift Lieutenant Colonel 323 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: '11 BMW E90 M3 ZCP, '21 X5 ZMP Join Date: May 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (7)	Definitely buyer a back-issue of Bimmer Magazine that has the E9 Buyer's Guide in it. It'll let you know everything to look for in these classic bimmers. __________________ -Nick 2018 BMW 440i - M Sport, Exec Glacier Silver Metallic/Coral Red Dakota Retired: '00 323i, '06 325Ci, '09 135i, '06 Z4M Roadster, '93 525i, '76 2002, '14 X1, '14 M235i, '16 X4, '16 435i
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05-31-2009, 04:58 PM	#13
Spaceman Spiff Captain 86 Rep 847 Posts Drives: R8, 996 C2, Z4MR (sold) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (1)	Update: I went there to check out the car and there was SO MUCH rust on it, all in hidden spots, some of which I wouldn't have looked at if it wasn't for this post! It also had new (white) CA plates and turned out to be a WA car. So I am back in the market to find another one. Thanks everyone for the help!
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05-31-2009, 05:28 PM	#14
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Rust has ruined a few purchases for me as well. :-( Maybe thats a good thing b/c I dont have the space for another car. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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