Just bought a 96 Bonneville. In fact, just paid 19 bucks of deposit and will process the payment with the bank on Monday and pick up the car, to be exact. Some questions first. Thanks!

Which manual do you guys use? I know the service manual from GM is the best. But it'* not that easy to find and it'* quite expensive. Do you guys like Haynes? I have it for a grand am. It'* OK but not great. Oh, well, now I don't have anything to fix. Just some maintenance. So I bet it'* good enough.

It seems to me that 96 hasn't got the UIM problem. Is that correct?

What oil does this engine like? The car has 136 k already. Now I prepare to drive it 120 miles a day for 3 years. Sounds kinda crazy, hah? I hope it could make it. We prepared to spend 5 times more on a car for this purpose but I found this one and like it. It drives so well with a bullet-proof drivetran and is loaded with everything I want. I just couldn't pass it.

Anything I need to pay special attention to?

Thank you guys. Good to find this place and know you all.

Welcome to BC. I am thinking you are gonna like it around here.
First recommendation: Post the details about your car in your signature. Saves a ton of time when you went something answered. Basic stuff to start is fine (Year, trim level (SE, SSE, etc) Engine, any mods, etc).
Now, as far as manuals go, I have very little faith in anything except a FSM. They can be had for not too terrible amount of money on ebay, if you keep your eyes open. The regular ones are just too generic to be of much help, IMHO.
I am guessing you have a L36 (non-supercharged 3800). If so, think about getting the UIM done as soon as possible, if it has not been done. It WILL go bad, and it is better to do that than rebuild an engine. There are about 6 million post on here about the UIM, so search is your friend. One of the aftermarket ones is the best bet. Less than $100 including gaskets.
Mileage should not be an issue. As long as it has been decently taken care of, it should have a lot more life in it.
For oils, I love synthetics. Cheap insurance in my book. Mobil One all the way. Others on here are using dino-oil and it runs great for them. Regardless, keep it changed regularly, and all should be good.
Again, welcome to BC!
Erik

The 96 is a Series 2 and is DEFINITELY going to see the UIM & LIM problem if it hasn't been rectified yet; and I doubt the dealer has done it. All dealers I've looked at so far over the past several years do not replace the LIM gasket; they only replace the upper & plenum. A new AC Delco UIM does not FIX the problem, its a stop-gap repair.

Just pull the engine cover (twist the extension tube under the oil cap off just like you did the oil cap, the cover will lift right off after that) and look for any oil, antifreeze, or goo buildup in or around the boltholes and intake runners. If you see any odds are you're already leaking.

The oil you use can be just about anything as long as you change it when your supposed to. Several member are over 200K on the engine and one I think is over 300k. These are well built engines once you take care of the intake.!

The transmission is the weak link, At 130k+ I would be VERY gentle with it considering you expect to put 30k+ on it every year.

If they offer an extended warranty, you might want to research it and get one if its worth it to you.

Probably the best UIM you can get is the APN. Actually solves the problem!
http://www.automotivepartsnetwork.co...product=229679

Get a set of the new style LIM gaskets (metal ones) GM part number 89017816.
Do both and you will be good to go for years.
E

PS all of this info, and LOTS more is in the Techinfo section. Definately a must read. Just click on the link up top.

Oh, and notice how it is the Olds 98 owners who are the friendliest and most willing to help?

Thanks, guys!

These were reasons I thought 96'* were fine with UIM problem. In the following article, I got an impression that only 98+ had Rochester/Delphi intakes which caruse the problem. That echos with msu auto saying that 96'* don't have the problem but it does mention 97-99. So I was curious to know. Did I misunderstood the following article by jr's3800? Thank you!

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

This is the most important thing you can possibly read:

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

We've now seen UIM failures into the 2002 model year.

Techinfo (link at the top of the page) is your best friend. Your car info in your sig is your second best friend here.

Listen to Willwren on this. (Actually, listen to Willwren on near enough anything here. The man knows what he is talking about!)
My 95 just was done. It just started going bad. Figure any L36 (non supercharged 3800 from 1995+) is going to need to get this done.

Ummm.... I'm thinkin' you need to take another look at Techinfo article 38. '96 is among the four years where the UIM problem is most severe. You will definitely want to get on top of this. Please read that entire article carefully and you will see what we are talking about. Welcome to Bonneville Club!

AMEN to that !!! LOL