[white-hot]

Originally Posted by 330volts

I think I can live with running the car without those repairs/service for a little while.

Though I am going to change the OEM headlight with Euro ones.

**toughlove**

I can tell you right now that the cooling system, and any problems there currently are with it, are vastly more important than changing out the currently working, if not aesthetically pleasing, headlights. You need to seriously get your priorities in the correct order. This is an old German sports car, and taking care of maintenance needs to be at the front of the line. Read up on the weak spots of these cars, one of which is the cooling system, and get those issues sorted before moving to mods. These cars are extremely reliable when these issues are addressed, and very unreliable when not.

**/toughlove**

Welcome, and good luck with the car!

[Jrrrrrrr]

Originally Posted by 330volts

Thanks for your feedback and advise.

I just bought the car today after getting it inspected. Inspection from a reputed BMW shop in Palo Alto, CA, highlighted a slight leak from coolant hose (~$500) and Power Steering Pump service (~$400). I think I can live with running the car without those repairs/service for a little while. Would you agree with my decision? If not, are these DIY?

Though I am going to change the OEM headlight with Euro ones. Appreciate recommendations as there are tons of websites that have it out there.

Cooling-system service and rebuilding the PS pump are both on the low-medium end for the DIY spectrum for these cars. We can't tell if you made a good decision on buying the car until you post what you paid, pics, and specifics about the issues with the car

Depo (non-angel-eye, please) are around the cheapest and a very solid choice. ZKWs are known to be better (several reasons) at a cost. What sort of headlight upgrade are you looking at -- HID retrofit with projector headlights, halogens, etc.

Originally Posted by white-hot

Read up on the weak spots of these cars, one of which is the cooling system, and get those issues sorted before moving to mods. These cars are extremely reliable when these issues are addressed, and very unreliable when not.

These things you state (because its the truth) are infamously true, but stock US-e36 headlights (most any US-sold cars from the e36 era) are also notoriously bad. I would definitely consider upgrading most any US headlights from a 90s/early-2000s and prior car I've seen to be a solid maintenance decision.

[330volts]

I paid $9500 for the car, discounting the repairs.

Going thru the inspection notes, here is what it mentions: Power Steering pressure hose replacement; Coolant hose bypass to intake (next to the cylinder head).

[M3_Tiag]

I would pass on that car simply because of the oil leak.

[aeronaut]

Oil leak, and traces of oil on the underside of the engine are two different animals IMO. I'd have no problem with traces of oil on the engine on a 15 y/o car. Or I'd better not, mine has them. But...doesn't leave a drop of oil behind anywhere.