looking at buying a 528i that overheats

[ncoop23]

Hello,I'm looking to buy a 1998 528i that has an overheating issue. My fear is that is has a cracked head. I can fix the cooling system but if the the head is cracked, I don't want to buy the car. Is there a way to tell if the head is cracked short of dying it?

 

[anakin]

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a 1998 528i that has an overheating issue. My fear is that is has a cracked head. I can fix the cooling system but if the the head is cracked, I don't want to buy the car. Is there a way to tell if the head is cracked short of dying it?

1 question...why should you buy it?is it cheap?

 

[V-Man]

Compression test

 

[John_Smith]

this is the 1st time I've heard ppl of wanting to buy a car with problem....

 

[bmw7833]

May be he is buying the car for only RM20K?

 

[rpmnut]

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a 1998 528i that has an overheating issue. My fear is that is has a cracked head. I can fix the cooling system but if the the head is cracked, I don't want to buy the car. Is there a way to tell if the head is cracked short of dying it?

Question 1 : Why would you want to buy a car that has an overheating problem? There are many E39's out there, bro. And many that are in better condition. This can't be the only one available.

Question 2 : Why only worry about the cracked head? Constant overheating can seriously damage other components of the car. The block may be warped, the gasket may be leaking....and because the automatic gearbox shares the same cooling path as the engine, your overheating engine may have also affected the gearbox.

My 10 cents worth....walk away. Unless this car is being sold for peanuts, there are far better E39's out there

 

[ncoop23]

not buying it but heres why.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/2468841962.html

$1500 for it.

 

[naharnms]

No wonderlah cheap..but are you going to bring the car in (with ap) or bring in as scrap..?

 

[haywire]

Are you an American?