looking at 1996 626 lx-what should i watch for?

[bmwjohn in indy]

Greetings:
I am looking at 1996 626 LX, driven infrequently 120k by older lady. 2nd owner, $650, I haven't been able to get inside or drive, is an AT, Alloys, S/R, no obvious rust, probably needs CV joints. What should I watch for? Did this car come w/v-6 standard? various sites differ.Thoughts?

bmw john in indy

 

[CorkSport]

Greetings:
I am looking at 1996 626 LX, driven infrequently 120k by older lady. 2nd owner, $650, I haven't been able to get inside or drive, is an AT, Alloys, S/R, no obvious rust, probably needs CV joints. What should I watch for? Did this car come w/v-6 standard? various sites differ.Thoughts?

bmw john in indy

The only thing I can think of the off the top of my head is make sure the transmission is ok with it being and Automatic. CVs are pretty easy to fix.

Derrick

 

[PrinceValorum]

Auto is a definite weak point.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

V6 wasn't standard, but was available. I believe not until later though? 2000ish? I could be wrong on that one.

 

[PrinceValorum]

The 2.5 V6 (KL) was available since 93.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

my mistake then. However there has always been a 4 cyl base engine, has there not?

 

[PrinceValorum]

Yes, that's correct. It's a 2.0 (FS) that put out 118hp from 93-97 and got a bit more (5-10hp) after that when it switched to SLAs and coils instead of a disty.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

wasn't sure if the FS reached all the way back there... guess I understand their propensity for snapping rods in turbo form a little better now. LOL

 

[PrinceValorum]

Yeah, I don't think Mazda originally had FI in mind when they designed the FS... The F2T from the previous gen is much more stout, however, and can handle everything the stock turbo can throw at it, all the way up to ~17psi. And then the turbo will break before the motor if you push it much beyond that.