Faults:

Had to replace main computer unit upon purchasing car. Was an expensive repair, but purchase price was adjusted to allow for cost of repair.

Coolant "check light" is always on. Have been told that it is a common wiring problem from that year.

Also had minor wiring problem with lights and signals (burned out bulbs and fast turn signal).

Replaced steering rack at 115000 miles.

General Comments:

This car has been the best car (and the oldest) I have owned. Handles great, has a nice zip and has never left me stranded.

Both the interior and the exterior are in excellent condition. I feel as if I have been sent back in time to 1987 driving around in a brand new bmw!

Faults:

The master cylinder needed to be replaced ($240).

Some electrical problems surfaced but eventually went away with the addition of new fuses.

Didn't collapse when I was rear ended, I absorbed most of the shock and it hurt like hell.

Parts are expensive, a new clutch is almost $500.

General Comments:

This is a great car. Extremely reliable, fun to drive, and very fuel efficient. For it's high mileage of 183,000 (from the Earth to the Moon) the engine doesn't burn oil, nor back-fire, nor stall.

Very well built. Even at 100 miles per hour the car doesn't rattle nor swerve. At any speed it hugs the road and makes normal conversation possible without yelling.

The only problem is that this car doesn't collapse "easily" during a collision. I was rear ended a few days ago by a 2001 Lexus LS 300. It was a very hard hit. The Lexus did what it was designed to do; it absorbed the shock and crumbled to protect its driver (about $5000 damage). My car on the other hand directed the force of the collision on to me and IT HURT LIKE HELL! I suffered a neck injury and the Beemer only suffered a bent exhaust and a few scratches. Not even the lights were broken.

Faults:

Original exhaust replaced around 180,000 miles.

Transmission rebuilt around 215,000 miles.

Lower control arms now need replacing.

Air conditioning went out around 220,000 - I never investigated the cause (might be minor).

Other small misc (to-be-expected) items replaced as well as preventive maintenance.

Gasket at the oil pan has small oil leak.

Electronic module (ignition related) - I got a used replacement for less than $50.

General Comments:

This has been a GREAT car! I still prefer driving it to my wife's 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. It handles better and is just about as fast (maybe more on the top end).

The interior is well designed except for the lack of tilt steering wheel and no air bag (was optional in 1987).

Very low maintenance required (until around 200,000) and the engine still runs strong.

Original black paint looks great with 2 small spots (smaller than a dime) of corrosion around the rear license plate lights.

Car stranded me one time in my 11 years of ownership (due to an electronic module).

Faults:

Gas and temperature gauge ceased working.

Front left visor broke.

Air conditioner doesn't work.

General Comments:

This car handles great. It is very reliable and comfortable. It's amazing that a car with that mileage still runs better than an Oldsmobile with much lower mileage.

Faults:

The signals and lights burn out constantly.

There is also a prevalent problem with blown exhaust gaskets.

Otherwise, the car is great and very reliable.

General Comments:

The car is not very fast at all, and I spend a lot of money on it just to get it to compete with standard Japanese cars. However, I love the body style and the interior, and the car was very easy to acquire parts for.

It handled great and had decent top end power, but was lacking in the shifting and braking departments.

All in all, the car was great though. Overall, I would give it an 8.