Posted by Joel in NJ on February 04, 2008 at 23:19:39 from from 68.38.143.146
In Reply to: For sale, with deep regrets, part 2 posted by Joel on February 01, 2008 at 19:39:41:
Today, after spending the past four hours (!) reading over five years' worth of firstfive archives, and looking my car over, I've decided to turn the sale over to a third party. Today's examination revealed much more rust than I had believed (or wanted to believe). As such, I can only conclude the car is best used as a parts car. I've decided to have a used car lot sell it. If anyone is still interested, feel free to email me and I'll send you the address/phone/web info.
As for rust, T. Han said it best, in a post from June 2007:
"The problem is, rust never grows in just one area. Our cars get it in the front outside floor corners, floors, quarter panels, tail light edges, wind screen posts, door skins and the shock towers. True economic fact is, chasing it is an (expensive, time consuming) exercise in futility.
If your car has lived in a snow free zone there is a chance the rear floors have rusted from the tail lights leaking. Water goes under the trunk mat, through the back seat wall and pools in the floors.
If not, look long and hard elsewhere as described. Find anything, if you intend to be an extended member of the old fivers enthusiasts club, find a rust free car. You'll be glad forever you spent the cutting, welding time on shopping and transport. Keep all the good parts, etc."
Some parting words...
To all of you who have E12s, cherish them. If you have the distinct privilege and honor of owning one and you read this bulletin board, you already know what great cars they are... I still can't believe that I did this, but I bought an E36 today. So far it's been kind of fun, and it will probably make for a good daily driver, but the experience doesn't compare to that of an E12. Make no mistake, the E36 is a BMW, but it's never going to be my baby. I'm already planning my comeback to the E12, budget permitting, and I hope to do so by finding a rust-free 1981 528i sometime in the future. Yes, it looks like I'm going to have to dig a little deeper, yes, save a lot more. I will "look long and hard." It's worth it. I do believe, as many others seem to do here, that if you own an E12 in good shape, you truly own an ultimate driving machine. You get to experience what very few people on this planet know about these cars - that they're fun, dependable, and economical. For less than $400 per year including the purchase price and all repairs (but not including gasoline and insurance costs) I can say that I, for one, have had one hell of a ride these past 10 years.
Wishing you all hours of pure driving enjoyment and until we meet again,
Joel in NJ