| Just bought a '93 325is, 86K miles, manual transmission. Got a decent price on the car but, unfortunately, didn't have the checked out by a mechanic first. It drove well and price wasn't bad so I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Engine was powerful and smooth, car drove nice and straight on the highway.
Noticed a few problems after I bought the car. Had some rattling in the back by the wheels, the check engine light came on, the temperature gauge wouldn't move from the blue region after 20 minutes of driving, and I noticed a small spot of oil under the car.
Wanted to get these things checked out and also wanted to have the car looked at to make sure it was in decent condition. The local BMW shop took a look at the car and told me:
-I had a big oil leak
-needed new shock mounts
-needed a new thermostat and housing
-the front end had a lot of new parts, pretty much indicating that the car had been in an accident
-I had a power steering leak
To address the oil leak, the guys told me I'd need a new valve cover gasket. They replaced that and did the other work mentioned to correct the problems above as well as doing an oil change. They said if the valve cover gasket didn't solve the oil leak problem, I'd need a new oil pan gasket.
Got the car back yesterday. Didn't see any oil leaking under the car. Engine light came back on almost immediately though. Checked the code, 1221 - oxygen sensor. Called the shop and they told me I didn't need to rush to replace the oxygen sensor, it would just become a problem when I went for an emissions inspection.
I have two problems now:
1. Took the car out today for a 100 mile drive. Got back home, checked the oil, was shocked to find that it was low. Needed to add 1.5 quarts! No oil underneath the car. What's going on? Am I looking at a major problem with major repair costs?
2. I have a rough idle. Is that likely a result of the faulty oxygen sensor?
Please advise! Thanks- | 
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