Buying a used car: Need helps with steps of doing stuff!

[CoFFeY[NiTrO]]

https://www.dealsonwheels.com

[dave_p]

engine light is alot of the time emissions related(o2/map sensors, evap system etc.) so get that figured out before emissions testing for sure. like heat said run the codes. usually involves some key turning sequence and counting the number of times the light flashes(backyard mechanics) or putting a reader on it.you can get what the codes mean from the internet.

take a good look at the tops of the strut towers for rust/stress cracks

take a few sharp corners left and right and listen to those CV joints! 80,000 is CV time for sure (as well as timing chain/belt)

check oil, gear oil, tranny fluid for metal flakes or milkiness.

sound like if you are willing to find some time and invest some cash it could be okay, but is it worth it to have a bmw? for you it may be and thats cool but you have to ask yourself that.

i used to buy 1000 dollar cars (mostly subarus) i treated them like bic lighters, when they ran out of gas i threw them away and bought another one. actually they were all pretty good. id get 2-4 years out of them with 0 maintenance.

anyway cool! good luck

[CasingBill]

check engine light

dude, i don't know the emissions inspection laws in MA but in ny (I am a licensed vehicle inspector) if the light is on it will not pass in NYC and won't in a year or 2 upstate. The light could be a simple problem like an O2 sensor or something more serious....such as the engine is just whooped and it will never go off. You should really have it checked out. BMW parts are expensive. You could spend a lot in parts before you know it. If it won't pass inspection with the light on then whats the point? Better safe than sorry.