Especially when it's a luxury sedan, not something you could describe as 'bulk'.

I had Beetle ('66) as my first own car (that's ... ummm ... a long while ago) and I got so addicted to that boxer engine sound, that I have had one or two (VW's) almost all times since that (KG and window van now). :)

But the idea:

Buy a similar e32 which has either engine or gearbox failure (those are cheap) and swap engine and other parts from your car, shouldn't cost too much, but of course lot of manual labor. But this _is_ a hobby car, isn't it? ;)

So labour doesn't count and as a by-product, you get to know your car thoroughly, so you can fix it later if/when something else breaks. An investment, if you want to call it that.

I made a quick calculation and got numbers (which might be all wrong) that say you could get even or at least near it, if you buy another (differently broken) 7, swap working parts, sell the surplus and scrap the leftovers. So losses are the sentimental value of the first car, a lot of work :) and time, but not so much measured in dollars.

Of course, what really is needed first is "I'll fix this damn thing"-attitude and unfortunately you can't buy that.

Space and tools to work in/with are just a matter of money if you have the attitude. ;)

Tuomas
'89 750il
232k miles

• R.I.P My 7 (pic) - alexd 2008-11-26 15:11:31 (262 views)
  • Ouch. Sorry to hear that! - absessler 2008-11-27 11:55:15 (27 views)
    • nop - alexd 2008-11-30 03:02:07 (28 views)
  • Very sorry to hear that Alex - cdnalpina 2008-11-27 08:52:05 (26 views)
    • today i drove - alexd 2008-11-30 03:03:57 (18 views)
  • First car is often a special car... - kharon8 2008-11-26 22:01:07 (35 views)
    • Re: First car is often a special car... - kharon8 2008-11-26 22:29:22 (25 views)
      • thank you - alexd 2008-11-27 00:32:56 (26 views)
  • Really sorry to hear that - Isiah 90-735il 2008-11-26 21:41:56 (16 views)
  • Sorry to hear that! Cruise control or throttle cable stuck open may be? (nt) - alv12 2008-11-26 20:16:19 (23 views)
  • Re: R.I.P My 7 - nostness 2008-11-26 18:12:28 (34 views)
    • yeah i hope so...thanx (nt) - alexd 2008-11-26 18:20:20 (20 views)
    • Exactly, I agree w/ nostess, part it out make some money - beach911 2008-11-26 18:19:40 (25 views)
      • Re: Exactly, I agree w/ nostess, part it out make some money - alexd 2008-11-26 18:21:48 (26 views)
        • I agree! (nt) - beach911 2008-11-26 18:32:50 (16 views)
  • Better the car died than the owner, that's not the only E32 out there (nt) - htrdbmr 2008-11-26 16:24:06 (28 views)
    • Re: Better the car died than the owner, that's not the only E32 out there - alexd 2008-11-26 18:23:17 (23 views)
  • Re: R.I.P My 7 - paulmer 2008-11-26 16:08:03 (44 views)
    • Re: R.I.P My 7 - alexd 2008-11-26 18:26:44 (26 views)
      • Re: R.I.P My 7 - paulmer 2008-11-26 18:30:08 (27 views)
        • the last seven of my seven are - alexd 2008-11-26 19:29:42 (30 views)
        • Paul right, list the VIN and start taking pics of the parts and start posting - beach911 2008-11-26 18:52:18 (21 views)
          • sure i will Thanks (nt) - alexd 2008-11-26 19:30:42 (19 views)
  • Sorry to hear about your loss! - bcweir750 2008-11-26 16:03:32 (35 views)
    • Re: Sorry to hear about your loss! - alexd 2008-11-26 18:05:53 (31 views)
      • I can relate -- I'm an apartment dwelling BMW owner too! - bcweir750 2008-11-26 18:39:51 (30 views)
    • Most important bright side of all.... - bcweir750 2008-11-26 16:10:26 (26 views)
  • Oh man that sucks - erwin 2008-11-26 15:20:16 (25 views)
    • that is a 735, right? - shogun 2008-11-26 17:36:23 (54 views)
      • Re: that is a 735, right? - alexd 2008-11-26 18:12:52 (45 views)
        • Possible faulty cable, missing or improperly installed clips (like shogun said). - bcweir750 2008-11-26 18:44:45 (33 views)
          • Wow, what a freak and terrible thing to happen! - windhund 2008-11-27 09:37:11 (14 views)
            • better to prevent than to regret!! (nt) - alexd 2008-11-30 03:06:12 (16 views)
              • Im interested in a couple parts.... - aureliaz3 2008-11-30 11:36:31 (17 views)
                • got it - alexd 2008-12-03 00:20:38 (6 views)