First off, a disclaimer: I have never owned a car before, and am an inexperienced driver. I bought a 1991 740 Turbo off my neighbor (who by the way is a mechanic) and being naive about car matters assumed it would work a-ok. Well, it doesn't. Please forgive my inexperience in car matters, I am a lifelong cyclist. My initial plan was to just not drive it very often, but upon further reflection, this seems like a stupid plan. I made my bed by buying this car, now I have to sleep in it by fixing this car. Feel free to make fun of me a little if you also give me some insight into these problems. Here are the issues:

Issue #1: Doesn't like to shift

Sometimes, upon starting, it just won't shift out of Park. The button on the shifter won't go down. This can be overcome by turning the car off and starting it again. Also sometimes doesn't shift to Park from Drive or Reverse, or vice versa. The automatic shifting while driving seems to work ok though.

Issue #2: Weird "halfway on" start

Ok, this is hard to describe, but sometimes when I start it, the engine will be running, but the radio won't come on, and Issue #1 occurs, i.e. it won't shift into Drive. I just have to shut it off and start it again.

Issue #3: Engine cuts out

This happens usually while coasting/braking to a stop, or idling after coming to a stop. The engine just dies, no sputtering, it just quietly shuts off.

Issue #4: Water in passenger side footwell

This water is not coming in from outside, because I've gone into the car after a heavy rain and it's dry. I suspect it has to do with the AC drain, which as I understand is located near this area.

Edit: Forgot to add, the car has 141k miles on it

 

there's a solenoid in the shifter mechanism that should be released by putting your foot on the brake. it sounds like that solenoid is sticking or has an internmittent connection.

#2 could be due to a flakey ignition switch.

#3, hard to say, intermittent stalls could be due to many reasons

#4, yes, there's a A/C drain, its under the car on either side of the transmission hump. looks like little hoses poking out. run a wire (I use a bicycle brake cable) up it and see if stuff comes out.