FS: 1985 524TD 168,XXX Texas

[Kerrvillian]

It's time to sell my 1985 524TD. It’s not perfect, but it’s solid. I’ve done tons of work to this car which will be outlined below, but I’m ready to move on to something different so it’s time for a new home for this guy.

Recent work performed:
- NEW cylinder head (New from BMW, not rebuilt or a used pull)
- New cylinder head gasket and head bolts
- New rocker arms
- Rebuilt injectors
- Timing belt service
- Fuel, air, and oil filters
- Thermostat and cooling system flush
- E34 fan clutch and fan blade
- Brake rotors & pads on all 4 corners
- Motor mounts
- 90A “solid mount” alternator
- Rear wheel bearings
- Sanden A/C compressor conversion
- Parallel Flow A/C condenser
- Electric in-tank lift pump
- Moosehead spherical thrust arm bushings
- Garagistic 85A rear subframe bushings
- Bilstein front and rear struts
- New front strut tophats
- EGR delete
- Turbocharger rebuilt by GPop Shop
- Alpine radio head unit
- Infinity 4x6 speakers
- H4 upgrade headlights
- Holy Grail ATC Fusebox Upgrade
- E23 hood struts so you can actually work on it

The Good:
This car drives really nice! It’s a lot of fun and it’s a lot faster than it really should be. The transmission is strong and the engine runs smooth, cool and gets good economy (low 30s highway!). Cruise control works, all 4 electric windows work, the power sunroof works, power antenna works, and the manual cloth seats are comfortable to sit in for a long trip. Engine and drivetrain are reliable and can be driven anywhere! The chassis is rust-free being a Texas car. There is a Class 1 receiver hitch and a functional 4-way flat trailer pigtail for towing if you’re so inclined. Tires were installed last year and have approximately 5000 miles on them.

The Bad:
Injection pump has a slow leak of diesel fuel. It isn’t really a big deal yet, but it’s something to be aware of. I have a used pump that is supposedly resealed to go with the car. The A/C currently does not work. The evaporator decided to spring a leak and it will empty the entire charge in under 24 hours. I don’t want to fix this issue since it requires pulling the dash, but if this car sits long enough, I will fix it, update this listing, and raise my asking price. Typical E28 wear and tear issues - the headliner is in need of replacement, some wear to some of the seats, window seals are dry and split in some places, front and rear windshield gaskets need new lock strips. Differential either needs the correct rear cover or swapped to a better ratio. I’ve been trying to source a 3.46 differential for this car for some time and can’t seem to make it happen. Currently has a medium case 3.25 from an E23 in it and I’ve been unable to source the correct rear cover for it. I suspect this diff is from an early E23 since the rear cover is different than the medium case that came off this car. I have the original diff to go with it, but has a noisy pinion bearing.

The Ugly:
Needs paint. BAD. The patina is interesting and some people like that look. I’m not one of them. Trunk sill is rusted. Not sure how this happens, but it’s happened to this car. Previous owner replaced the trunk seal and does not leak and the trunk itself isn’t rusty. Just the lip as shown in the picture.

I’m still driving this car around and the mileage will continue to go up as I use it, although it isn’t a daily with the A/C being inoperative. I can deliver this car to TexFest in October with suitable arrangement.

I have a whole album of photos, a cold-start video and a walkaround video posted on Imgur at the following link:
https://imgur.com/a/p3RGRO1

I'm asking $6500 OBO. I have a clean Texas title in my name. Please PM me if you're interested in this car or want to discuss it with me!

[Kerrvillian]

Price drop. I need my driveway space back. $4,750 OBO.

[1st 5er]

I'm saddened to see you're passing this car on.
the new owner continues the fervor you started with.

Is it October yet?

[Kerrvillian]

I'm saddened to see you're passing this car on.
the new owner continues the fervor you started with.

Is it October yet?

I've had my fun with it, it's someone else's turn. All projects reach a point of either completion or apathy and unfortunately this one has reached the latter with me. The potential is there for someone to finish it and make it into something nice, but I'm just not that person.

[Kerrvillian]

SOLD.

[1st 5er]

[328dabi]

This was a good deal for someone. Priced right.

[1st 5er]

This was a good deal for someone. Priced right.

Yeah, considering Kerrvillian lost his a$$ on the project.

[Kerrvillian]

This was a good deal for someone. Priced right.

Yeah, considering Kerrvillian lost his a$$ on the project.

Sold it for less than I paid for it, not even including all the parts and work done to it. Me and that car did not get along well. I had to choose where to draw the line and cut my losses and I did it and I'd do it again.

[328dabi]

Yeah, considering Kerrvillian lost his a$$ on the project.

Sold it for less than I paid for it, not even including all the parts and work done to it. Me and that car did not get along well. I had to choose where to draw the line and cut my losses and I did it and I'd do it again.

I will be in the same boat, only I don’t think I will ever sell. But hey, who knows what the future holds. Projects are always a money losing proposition. I took a 30k bath on my first 968 after spending 5 years building it into what I envisioned when I first bought it. Wish I never sold it now. Hopefully the td brings more smiles than headaches.

[Kerrvillian]

Hopefully the td brings more smiles than headaches.

Good luck, Chuck. I thought the same when I got it and when I sold it was questioning whether I even wanted to work on cars anymore. I'm still recovering psychologically (and financially) from that car.