About to buy a 1998 Vanden Plas!

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Aug 27, 2007 | 07:33 PM

c_corie

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About to buy a 1998 Vanden Plas!

Have a few questions:

These cars it seems are known for stalling on highways? What is the offical fix for this and was it ever a real recall?

Also the timing tensioner? What's the deal with that, how much does it cost to fix?

The car im looking at is a 1998 VDP with only 34000 original miles on it, seems like a good deal but not if im going to die on a highway.......so any suggestions?

Aug 28, 2007 | 09:34 AM

badmojo

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RE: About to buy a 1998 Vanden Plas!

98 was the first year of the V8 and I believe thet the tensioners and the timming gears were a problem. I think that the gears have plastic bushings and they wear out quickly. Try looking up AllData for recalls and TSB's on this year. Here's what I found.

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/30/98301532.html

Aug 28, 2007 | 11:53 AM

ken@britishparts.com

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From: Houston, Texas

RE: About to buy a 1998 Vanden Plas!

The stalling tends to be a bad throttle body. The timing pieces are also a mess. If the PO has not redone the timing chains, guides and tensioners, spend the money and get them done. Neither of these we official recall items.

Sep 10, 2007 | 07:25 AM

c_corie

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RE: About to buy a 1998 Vanden Plas!

I bought it! It's pretty great, just three issues. 1. The trunk lid light, works when it wants too?
2. At around 45-60 especially it seems to feel a little bumpy and you can feel it through the steering wheel aswell.
I've been use to driving a 97 BMW318 which was really smooth yet tight, maybe i'm just feeling it try to absorb bumps more?
3. The stereo is pretty bad right? It sounds "dead" no matter how loud you crank it, and it seems just sort of weak