Right Forum this time.

[drwambo]

Hi all,
Posted this in the wrong forum yesterday. Duuuuuhhhh. just call me a noob!

I recently purchased an 84 325E for $600.00. The body is in pretty good shape, although I may find out if I have any body work skills! Anyway, has about 4 zillion miles and a recently (30K miles) rebuilt motor. Tranny feels good. - Shifter linkage is sloppy, and I can't get my fat fingers in there to swap out the $&)*(@# selecter bushing! At least I got the quibo replaced and working fine.

Anyway, a few problems (besides the &)$@# shifter bushing):

1) Purchased a Haynes Manual - is anything better? CD's?
2) Driver's seat has a broken hinge on the right side. Can this be welded?
3) Looks like PO had a floorboard water problem. Trying to narrow that one down and blow out all of the drainage channels.
4) Both seat backs fall all the way back when the release is pulled. I read somewhere that this might be repairable.
5) Brakes need to be re-padded at least, and Is there any way to turn off the annoying Brake Lining light (other than killing the bulb or buying a new sensor?)
6) I need a new left front fender - what years fenders will fit my 325. How about interior parts (most notably the console, I just don't have a need for a casette holder....

Now for the really interesting problem....

The car sat in a garage for about 3 years while the PO's Son and his friends turned it into pot palace. How can I clean that crap out. I can't imagine getting pulled over by Billy Bob and his faithful friend Shemp, the drug sniffing dog....
Not to mention the fact that my wife is a teacher. I don't even want to think about how she would explain why the drug dogs are humping her Bimmer because it smells so much of old pot.

Does the smell have a half life?

This is my first foray into German cars (I'm still trying to sell my 77 MG Midget), but I couldn't pass up the opportunity.
So, am I lucky or stupid?

Thanks in advance,

Douglas

[Mach 5]

I will see how I do on your questions.

1) The Bentley manual is much better but more expensive. Available for Robert Bentley publishers or most vendors, (Turner motorsport, Bravarian Auto, etc..)
2) Could most likley be welded but I would replace the seat as there is a saftey issue here. Check a junk yard for a good frame and put your upholstrey on it.
3) make sure all the rains are open, but you might find that it is rusted on the outside corners where the "dead pedal" would be.
4) There is a pressurized gas shock in the seat back that has gone bad. It is repairable.
5) Pull the bulb?
6) I don't know

As for the smell. My second car had the same problem. I cleaned the hell out of the carpet and the headliner and cleaned the leather seats. It went away shortly after the cleaning. Febreeze and Ozeum(SP?) will also help.
Ben

[Fox]

1) I use Bentleys i think its the best but have never seen a haynes one.
2) Dunno, Im not a welding man myself
3) I dont understand the question but if you have a leak on the floorboard its 80% the heatercore
4) Not fixable for this is how Recaro Seats come. The powerpiston is for the seat leaning forward to open the back seats.
5) Disconnect the sensor on the calipers.
6) Anything from 84-88 I believe... i thin that the 89-91 plastic bumpers had different shaped fenders, not sure though.