This is a story to which I can relate for a number of reasons. In my younger and poorer days, I often drove old cars on long, interstate trips out of necessity and made a number of roadside repairs.
But this year I also limped home a number of times with my '87 325is. I've owned the car for six years and have done major refurbishment on the car. Every rubber and plastic part that I removed during service was replaced under the theory that it will never be easier to find or less expensive than now. I've attended to all of the details on my E30, but I guess not all enough, because I still can't trust it to make a long trip.
This year it failed on me three times and forced me to limp home. The first was due to a leaking slave cylinder. The second time my rear transmission seal started leaking a lot of gear lube. Recently, the car developed a significant coolant leak, although all of the hoses are new, as is the radiator and water pump. These M20 engines are so crowded up front, that I can't see where the leak is coming from, despite the fact that it's substantial. For now, I just parked it in the back of my shop. When I get over my discouragement, I'll put the car up in the air, pull the belly pan and see if the leak can be spotted from below the car. Otherwise, I'll just park it for the year and look for the leak next Spring when I strip the front of the engine to replace the timing belt.
Thankfully, I also own an NB Miata, which never breaks, never leaks, never leaves me on the side of the road. These Miatas never fail. I love driving the BMW, but always grateful to have the NB for back up.
