5kcstq, 212k mi, many new parts

[Wallace White <whitew@leland.Stanford.EDU>]

I've been pondering my friend's 5kcstq, which he's planning to sell soon
(just as I'm in the market for one). Initially, I was loathe to even
consider it with its 212k miles. My friends and relatives would think I
was nuts to buy a car with that many miles, especially a German one. I can
see their point.

But, the car has some things to its credit. It's an '87, pearl white, with
the Fuchs rims. The interior (black leather, not sport) is in great shape,
far better than the 138k example I checked out last week, no split seams.
And most of all, his father has put plenty of money into the car over the
years. Just since Jan. '97, he's had a new clutch MC, starter, rotors and
pads, battery, water pump (not sure about timing belt), heater motor,
oxygen sensor, ISV, climate control (the in-dash part), and tires (6k mi
ago). And last time he had it tuned, he had a compression test (I don't
know many people who do that during a tuneup), which reported 150 psi
across the board (except one 155 psi).

The downsides I see to the car are the mileage, of course, and perhaps the
driving. This 5kcstq seemed noisier on the road than others, particularly
while turning. I couldn't tell if it was road noise from the Dunlop
D60A2's or something else. And it seemed less powerful, though I haven't
driven enough of them to say for sure. With good compression and a recent
tuneup, I wouldn't expect this.

I noticed a steady, mid-to-high sound from the back of the car while
standing outside it, but I assume that's just the fuel pump. (No need to
respond unless I'm wrong on this one!)

Oh, and the diff lock confused me. In position 2, the little LED lights up
and I hear the vacuum. In position 1, I don't notice anything happening.
ABS OFF happens for 2 but not 1. This is true on both cars I've looked at.
Is this normal?

Thanks, as always. 

- Wallace White
  seeking to understand the 5kcstq and _then_ buy one w/o aftermarket
  wheels or high mileage or Oregon plates