possible bmw 325 i may buy.help with answers!

[Deathstar13]

i need a car.
oddly enough i found what looks to me a good eal on a used 1988 bmw 325 automatic for $600.
130K miles and timings belt replaced at 110K
body is straight,interior is above average for a 15 YO car.
the altenator is bad and needs replaced as im told by the seller.
it does run and i can drive it to test it before buying.
motor sounds strong and ok.
the guy says it has a small vibration sometimes coming from the rear end when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear.i havent driven it yet to give an opinion but id say tranny mount my be bad or something on the rear end?

seller says i can pick an altenator up for $10 at a U-wrench it.i can change it NP as ive done them before.
he also says a chevy single wire altenator will swap in also and work? true?

my plan is try and get him down to $500 cash and do the work myself.

so is it worth it?
can i get a used altenator that cheap?
will a chevy altenator work on it? id only do this as a last resort due to being strapped for cash.
what ideas on the shifting vibration he mentioned?

i cant afford to waste $$$ as im rather limited income.
ty!!!!

[witeshark]

Have you looked at blue book? Also see if the VIN stickers are on the fenders hood and trunk

[Deathstar13]

Originally posted by witeshark@Sep 1 2004, 11:23 PM
Have you looked at blue book? Also see if the VIN stickers are on the fenders hood and trunk

Private Party Value Search Local Listings for This Car $1,475
i didnt notice the vin's but im going back in the morning to have a closer look.

as far as im concerned if a car runs its worth $500 around here.
but my worries are the rear end vibration i mentioned,and the costs of repairs if they can be kept down?

and even tho im not a bwm enthusiest like most here,i dont know these vehicles. would it be a worthy car to take a chance on?

[gotKRAUT]

the vibration would freak me out too...could be something in the drive line(tranny, propeller shaft, or rear Diff) i say look into it more first...take it to a shop before buying