Good day. I bound a beautiful black on black '96 854 Turbo at a dealer (on commission) and took her for a spin. I am the proud owner of a 1989 764, and a 1986 755, which my family lovingly calls "that blue peice of".

The engine appears to run smoothly, and turbo whistles like the song of the siren. However, at speed (60-70) the wheel shakes a little like a badly warped rotor, although the brakes are smooth. I noted it likely needed to be balanced. Later on the visual inspection I noticed the driver side alloy had contacted a curb hard enough to shave off a little metal. On the same side, the rear door has a broken peice of trim.

Assuming the car has ad a close encounter with a curb, what other problems should I look for? I'm already going to ask for service records and if the A/C has been charged alot lately.

She's a beautiful car, which I would love to own... however, I don't want to buy a car and have it like... need a transmission.

Thanks alot for your responses, I will be looking forward to them.
--
89 764 GLE 150k/ 86 745 GLE 240k

1996- Rear Main Seals, ABS Control Modules, A/C EVAP. $1,100, $500, $1,200. See if any of these items have been replaced. Otherwise you coudl easily be putting $3K into this car. How many miles???
--
96 850 GLT 5-Speed- Sold due to astronomical repair costs.

How do I check the ABS controller?
--
89 764 GLE 150k/ 86 745 GLE 240k

It has 89,500 miles on it.
--
89 764 GLE 150k/ 86 745 GLE 240k

the transmissions are very well built, adn the only maint they need is a fluid flush every year or two.

could the car have a bent rim causing the vibration?

make sure the timing belt has been changed as required!

is the turbo making a whislting noise? (and turbo whistles like the song of the siren) this could mean bearings are worn in the turbo. is there any smoke from the exhaust?

how many miles on the car?

i have a 97 854 turbo with close to 120K miles and i can never hear the turbo whistle! i had a 244 turbo and the turbo whistled and made some noise prior to it needing replaced along with the Catalytic Convertor.

If enough oil goes from the turbo into the cat, it will cause a blockage in the cat causing back pressure and noise.

just have it looked over by a independant mechanic familiar with turbo cars, and a extended warrenty is not abad idea.

Dan
97 850 GLT Turbo

My 94 T5 has a faint whistle when the turbo kicks in and has done since I've owned it (two years).I presumed this was normal and quite like it.Anyone else have any ideas as to whether this is a bearing problem or normal?

If it checks out, buy it-cars are great to drive. My rims have some kerb rash too, not necessarily from hard contact with kerbs, but from parking too close and scraping.Look for rear main seal leaks, they are a favourite and cost a bomb to fix (along with A/C avporator leaks).

Good luck,

Rick.

it is possible that HPT's do whistle, i was referrring to a 244T I used to have that had a turbo failure, but it was only oil cooled not water cooled also like a 850, this could be normal.

my 850 is a LPT and does not whistle or make any sounds.

I mechanic told me that they should not whistle, but who knows.

I did add an intercooler kit to the 244 adn turned up the boost, after i did this it would whistle faintly untill warmed up?

Dan

If I'm not mistaken, there were three boost levels for 850 engines, the low pressure turbo (YV1Lx56) which was marked GLT, the medium pressure turbo (YV1Lx57) marked turbo with a gague, and the high pressure turbo (YV1Lx58) marked "R" with much vomit from the young'ins. I test drove an S70 GLT with no turbo gague, and no whistle. I had the chance to test drive an 850R in both sedan and wagon form, but was "too busy"... I shoulda done it. I also test drove a "GL" (240) turbo, and she whistled very pleasingly, although I am unaware of that turbo's longevity.

The turbo whistle dosn't worry me... I will however check the rear of the head for oil, and sample the exaust for eggy smell. I'll also ask for full service records, and see if the A/C is in good shape.
--
89 764 GLE 150k/ 86 745 GLE 240k