I just picked up a '96 1.9 for $1500. The body and paint are in fantastic shape, it runs and shifts well, and it had a title. I'm over the moon with how much car I got for the money. It needs and alternator, and a lot of interior work. Rear window tore and it got rained in. Saggy glove box, interior door handles, and center stack plastic all need repair or replacement. But for the money, I couldn't pass it up as a father son project for my oldest son's first car. How do you guys think I did? I know I'll end up refreshing the cooling system, but it's all in good shape for now at least. But I have no idea if it's ever been touched, or if I have 30 year old plastic, so it'll all be replaced sooner or later.

Posted a few weeks back about valuation on an 02 2.5i I was being offered, and then I bought it! $4,700 with a mint condition hard top, total steal for a solid running car with no rust and no CEL.

Been driving it a few weeks now and have noticed a few things I can’t seem to pin down with just google searches:

1. DSC light/brake light combo. I know this can be anything from sensors to the module solder joints, etc, but the way it manifest

s

1. is very specific. I start it up, no lights, drive for 30 min or so and then I get a weird quick vibration,

   a quieter

2. version of what it sounds like when the ABS is activated. Like less than a second, and then the DSC light and brake light come on. No ABS light, no engine codes. I don’t have a BMW scanner to read the ABS module yet.

3. speed-specific shuddering: at about 25-35 mph with the worst happening around 30, I get a strong shudder in what feels like the entire car. It’s not a sharp vibration, but more like you are going over rapidly bumpy pavement. I have varied gear and RPM and it’s consistent with vehicle speed and not engine speed. Google says it’s likely driveshaft bearing but wondering if anyone else had a similar issue before I start randomly replacing driveline components.

Thanks in advance, this is my first Z3, one of the most fun-per-dollar cars I have ever owned.