From page 5-7 of the Owner's Handbook Service Booklet, Copyright 1985 BMW:

Storage Out Of Use

If the car is to be laid up out of use for more than three months, we recommend that the following maintenance work be performed by a BMW dealer or at any qualified workshop in order to prevent deterioration during the storage period.

1. Wash the body and the underside of the car, clean the interior and finally polish the paintwork and clean chrome plated parts [of which our cars have none-Brian] Clean rubber seals on lids and doors and rub them with talcum or glycerin. If necessary, have the undercoating checked or repaired in accordance with BMW factory recommendations.

2. Change the engine oil and replace the oil filter element while the engine is at normal operating temperature. As an additional anti-corrosion measure, a corrosion inhibitor can be added to the engine oil with the gasoline as specified by the supplier.

3. Check coolant level and concentration, and top off if necessary.

4. Check acid level in battery cells and top up with distilled water if necessary.

5. Drain the windshield washer fluid tank and lines.

6. The fuel tank should be filled, to prevent corrosion caused by moisture condensate.

7. Increase tire pressures to 4 bars or 60 lb/in2.

Immediately before the car is taken out of use, while driving apply the foot brake and the parking brake until warm, so that the pads and linings are dry and the brake discs and drums will not corrode.

Store the car in a dry, well-ventillated space. Engage reverse gear. Do not apply the parking brake. If necessary, chock a wheel to prevent rolling away.

Disconnect the negative lead from the battery. If there is any risk of frost, remove the battery and store in a warmer place. The battery must be recharged at least every 6 months or it will become unsuitable for further use.

The air conditioning must be run briefly at least once a month. This is particularly important in the cold season of the year, or else the compressor shaft seals may dry out and permit refrigerant to leak. The engine should run for this purpose until it reaches its normal operating temperature (coolant thermometer needle approximately midway between the two colored zones). This will avoid condensate formation and the risk of internal engine corrosion. If the car is not equipped with air conditioning, do not run the engine during the storage period.

WARNING:

If the engine needs to be run for the above reasons, do so only in a well ventillated space to avoid exhaust fumes.

Restoring The Car To Use:

First recharge the battery, or replace, if necessary. The folloowing maintenance work should be then carried out.

1. Change the engine oil and the oil filter element while the engine is at normal operating temperature.

2. Refill the windshield washer fluid tank, including antifreeze if necessary.

3. Restore tire pressures to the correct value.

Jack: Are you sure you really want to go to college? It's an awful lot of work.
Well, now I'm giong to bed. All that writing made me tired. BTW, I took the liberty of omitting typographical errors from the original, which I've been known to do. Maybe I can get a job at the BMW technical editing dep't.
Nah. Sounds like work to me.
G'nite, all.

Brian Laverty
84 325e