(guys twice I've posted this and the message has disappeared. Let's hope this one sticks and we get a few replies).

I am going to keep our 1990 740 T 5 spd. with only 118,000. The body is great and we love this car. She needs a few things and I'm putting together a list for my mechanic to either do or check. Please let me know what you'd definately do or skip and if I'm missing anything. Don't want to be silly with $$ but this is a great car and will keep it at least for a few more years. Thanks.
(*done already)
1. Block pre-heat hose to air box
2. replace thermostat in air box
3. repl. O2 sensor.
4. repl front struts Boge Pro Gas
5. repl. cat back exaust
*6. adjust reverse lockout under boot.
7. flush coolant, change tranny fluid incl. OD, repl. rear diff oil, repl. brake fluid incl. clutch slave cyl.)
8. repl. timing belt (replace the cam, intermediate and crankshaft oil seals. )
9. repl. fuel filter
10. tune up, general (repl. plugs.)
11. repl. all belts.
*12. Clutch not releasing (grinds reverse)
13. repl. windshield

1. Block pre-heat hose to air box
2. replace thermostat in air box

Your model has neither of these, so don't replace them.

The O2 sensor is probably fine, but replacing it wont' hurt.

In addition I would perform the following maintenance:

Replace the Oil Coller Adapter o-rings. If the o-ring at the block isn't leaking now, it will shortly.

You may want to replace the water pump now rather than waiting for it to fail at a very inoportune time.

Replace the heater control valve. These little plastic devils fail. If you are lucky, all you get is stranded. If you aren't lucky, the engine overheats and it costs you a replacement head job. I was lucky and only had to walk four miles to a phone.

Install the Coolant Loss Sensor as described by Steve Ringlee in the 700/900 FAQ.

Replace the distributor shaft seal and the large o-ring on the base. If you don't have a leak at the shaft seal I'm surprised.

Looks like unless you're having specific problems #7-11 are all you really need to worry about immediately. They're all pretty smart things to do when starting out with a "new" used car of unknown history. The others can probably wait until you have the funds saved up or until they begin to present a problem.

Blocking the pre-heat hose may or may not help you. If you live in a cold climate it will result in dramatically reduced fuel economy and dramatically increased emissions when you start the car in cold weather until the engine reaches operating temperature.

Things I'd add would be the heater control valve and the fuel pump & radio suppression relays. See the FAQ for details.

jeff daigle
'89 745GL 136,000mi

Thanks John, thanks Jeff. Great clues. This is such a sweet car, I won't feel bad putting some $$ into it.