Thank you very much, what do you mean when you say tune up? I replaced all fluids other than brake fluid. Replaced spark plugs at about 60K and replaced 2 faulty ignition coils. Will I need all 4 new shocks? And what do you mean by suspension work specifically? Thanks in advance!

 

The timing cover leak on these is just a known issue on the engine. Lots of BMWs do that. You wipe it off once in a while, or you pay $2k or so to stop it, then have it come back a few years later. Up to you. No external “patch” is going to stick and work; just doesn’t work that way. The only

Looks like a nice car, These are some of the most reliable and cheapest cars to keep running to high mileage; I do not understand the wish to get rid of it. Any car is going to use expendables like shocks, brakes, etc. Only way to avoid this is to just not drive it very many miles each year. Even a Toyota needs new plugs, pcv valves, brake maintenance, shocks, etc. Laws of physics aren’t suspended for Toyota.

There are only two issues to deal with w/this car. 1) make sure wp has been changed once. 2) Make sure rubber VVT oil hose has been updated to metal design. These should have been done a decade or more ago, so verify. After that, just take care of it.

You are likely having radiator problems because the PO did not do any corrosion maintenance, and that lead to premature failure at the metal/plastic bond on the radiator end tanks. Use precautions against winter salt corrosion, and you’ll be fine.

 

tune up - spark plugs, air filter primarily. little items like sensors may need replaced if they go out. no big deal. ya, eventually you will want to replace all 4 shocks. I used KYB quick struts with good success. suspension rubber wears over time and typically tie rod ends seem to go bad at some point. same with sway bar links. all of these things are not too difficult or expensive. as opposed to buying a new car. keep an eye out on your cv joint boot covers. you want to get torn boots fixed immediately, or you will be needing to replace the cv joint, those are a bit pricey if you use Lexus parts.