Advice on purchasing a 1989 E32

NewB MW

Member
Hi guys.

I've been looking at possibly adding a 7 to the family and found what looks like a beautiful navy 1989 E32 750il.
It's clocked 240k km with 5 previous owners...
The guy is asking R65k
I'm going to try to see it tomorrow but thought if I could get some input from a group like this ahead of seeing it I might be able to avoid making a stupid impulsive decision.
 

Budleigh

Active member
Make sure everything works and that it runs smoothly and the gearbox/diff are smooth and quiet. There's lots of info on these cars out there, so I wouldn't worry too much.

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Peter@AEW

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
Self leveling rear suspension is a must check item.
Compression test is a must check item.
Gearbox is a must check item.

An average consumption of 18/20 must be expected.

Buy it
 

NewB MW

Member
OK, just got back to my office from a test drive in the 750Il.

My heart was set on the navy but it was in poor condition. There was a 1991 750Il on the floor too (White) for 20K extra and 176k on the clock

WOW! That car was incredible. I head read that they were smooth but that was on another level! The car sailed along and other than the roar from the V12 up front it was dead quite. The gear changes were swift and effortless. The seats were comfortable and supportive. Sport mode was thrilling ( I drove my X3 3.5is) to the showroom and the 750IL didn't disappoint having just driven my X3. Its 27 years old and the car felt amazing.
It fired up straight away. Idled at 800RPM with no odd sounds.
All electrics seam to be working perfectly, including the torch in the glove box!

There are a few cosmetic issues. Driver seat has slumped down a little but all electrics working on the memory settings.
The wood inlay at the gear shiftier is pealing.
Suspension seams good. No squeaking and aligned itself on startup.

The dealer is asking R85k

What do you guys think?

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Budleigh

Active member
I wonder if that surround is still available from BMW...E32s are so underappreciated. If it's all working and you have someone to keep it that way, go for it!

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Peter@AEW

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
The rear looks as though it has sagged.
It could be the way you photographed it?

If it aligned it self on start up the self leveling has an issue. It is meant to maintain an horizontal level and only increase height once it senses a load in the rear.

Is the sport setting for the front shocks working did you test it?
 

NewB MW

Member
Peter@AEW said:
The rear looks as though it has sagged.
It could be the way you photographed it?

If it aligned it self on start up the self leveling has an issue. It is meant to maintain an horizontal level and only increase height once it senses a load in the rear.

Is the sport setting for the front shocks working did you test it?

Hmmmmm:fencelook: then the suspension may be a problem......

What would we be looking at?
 

Peter@AEW

BMWFanatics Advertiser
Official Advertiser
NewB MW said:
Peter@AEW said:
The rear looks as though it has sagged.
It could be the way you photographed it?

If it aligned it self on start up the self leveling has an issue. It is meant to maintain an horizontal level and only increase height once it senses a load in the rear.

Is the sport setting for the front shocks working did you test it?

Hmmmmm:fencelook: then the suspension may be a problem......

What would we be looking at?

You would be looking at new shocks at roughly 18k each last I priced them.

Check with the agents on the pricing labour is relatively minimal by comparison.
Say about 10 hours.
 
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