Ummm.... So I took a chance. ***Now with Fire Content***

timmer

So, I need another BMW since 4 isn’t enough.

The story starts when my wife’s boss lets her know about a storage unit auction that has an old BMW in it, and sends her a link to the website.

So I check it out and find a 1982 320i; looks to be fairly straight, but hard to tell since the video and pictures were taken with a playschool “my first camera”.

I ran a carfax, and the last entry was in Virginia in 1996 for an emissions test, with no major issues. As it sits there is no title, but it isn’t to difficult to get one as the car is considered abandoned.

The current bid was at $61, so I figured I would watch it and see where it goes.

As of 9:00pm last night, the auction ended, and I am now the owner of the storage unit contents for the sum of $252.

I guess we’ll see where this goes!

https://bid13.com/storage-auctions/wi/appleton/stor-it-storage-appleton-nordale-drive/unit-4005

-Tim

Bassboy3313

Welcome to the e21 family

YoungCR

Texas and Virginia car!! That’s got a lot going for it especially for $250. Excited to see how this story continues.

GunMetalGrey

Looking forward to the Toys R Us (RIP) camera picture!

At $250 you've got nothing to lose!

jc43089

And you got a sweet Roadmaster bike!

Boris3

Great deal for $250!

Of course now this means one more auction site to watch for potential "barn" finds.

m42b32

Nice find!! It's pretty hard to go wrong for 250!

timmer

So I just got done peeking st the car, and so far, so good!

Interior is super crusty, no keys, paint is shot, brakes are froze... all thing that probably should be expected. Hopefully not too hard to remedy.

On the plus side; everything seems complete, no rust/rot that I saw, and the rental storage lessee is the owner listed on the registration from 1993 that was in the glovebox. The marks on the bodywork are little pieces of tape. ??

According to the property manager, the car was running was parked decades ago.

oh boy....

-Tim

straight6pwr

cool! hope she fires up with little effort.

these storage companies must have decided that using a potato for a camera makes the purchase more of a gamble, therefore harder to resist.

Boris3

Re bits of tape: May have had a cheap cover, pieces of paper or cardboard taped to the body at some time so the car wouldn't get scratched by other things stored next to it in the unit?

timmer

It made it home...

HipMF

Nice score.

Curious what your plans are... Make sure you take care of the fuel system before you start messing with trying to get it started. Probably obvious given how long it's been sitting, but I thought it would be worth emphasizing since the CIS system on these cars is a fairly complex and delicate mechanical/pneumatic system that doesn't take well to rust or old varnishy fuel.

Gettin' the popcorn ready.

HipMF

timmer

A little progress update as a result of not having keys...

Did I mention how fun it is to navigate a non-running car into a garage with the steering locked and the front wheels at a slight angle? A wheeled floor jack under the rear end ultimately saved the day!

Got the ignition lock cylinder removed with a little persuading with the drill. Now to see if I can have new keys made to fit, or if I have to get new lock cylinders for the whole car...

Meanwhile, the trunk is locked. I’d like to see what surprises are in there!! Anyone know of a way to get in?

-Timmer

m42b32

BMW can cut you a new key from the VIN. I got one for my E30 a few years ago and it was about $40. I did need the title to prove I owned the car though

timmer

m42b32 said:

BMW can cut you a new key from the VIN. I got one for my E30 a few years ago and it was about $40. I did need the title to prove I owned the car though

Perfect, I’ll give it a try! Is this something any dealer can do? The closest one is Bergstrom in Appleton for me....

Thanks!

m42b32

timmer said:

Perfect, I’ll give it a try! Is this something any dealer can do? The closest one is Bergstrom in Appleton for me....

Thanks!

I would think so! I believe they just ordered it for me and I picked it up a few days later, I didn't have to give them an old key or anything. I'm sure if you called the parts desk they could tell you if they can get one or not

Jdesign

Nice deal for the money! that site is pretty cool. Im not going to lie, I spent some time sifting through other units in hopes for some gold.

timmer

*** UPDATE...version Winter Storm Wesley ***

Im hoping to have her running soon! I’ve tackled the fuel system...what a mess. New key is cut courtesy of Enterprise BMW, and I started cleaning up the interior a bit.

What the crap-wooly mammoth-fur stuff did BMW use to cushion the seats with anyway? Years of sitting turned it into a crunchy, rust colored dust.

She was diagnosed with two frozen solid fuel pumps, and every fuel line held as much fuel as a cheese grater.

Luckily the tank is dry and in good shape; the new in tank pump is in, the external pump is out. Just waiting for the fuel lines, fuel accumulator, and fuel filter to arrive to finish things up.

Im confident she’ll fire right up once reassembled.

Obligatory first fire up in 20+ years to follow.

-Tim