CL find 1991 318iC.
I'd been looking for a convertible for awhile. My 6 year old loves them as does the wife. I was open to a few things, but an E30 was my #1 choice.
I'd seen this car on CL all summer. Initially at $5500. I didn't think that was out of line for a clean car, but more than I wanted to pay.
Dropped to $4k this fall and I called him to take a look. Negotiated a bit and brought it home.
BMWs are unusual in this area. I've bought a few cars over the internet with good luck, including my M3. But it is always a gamble and it costs a bunch to ship them up here. Was nice to find something I wanted locally.
This car was owned my someone in the military. The Carfax has it going from SC to WA every couple years with the same owner. It also made a trip to Germany and back somewhere in there. Was sold in WA a couple years ago. Traded owners again 2 years ago and came to MT.
It is a very base spec car. No cruise, no power locks, cloth seats etc. 5 speed with 104k miles.
Perfect. My M3 is the same way. The only option it came with is LTW wheels.
The last owner spent a couple grand on it. New bushings, cooling system, tires etc.
Overall it is clean. No rust I've found. Original VIN tags except for the trunk. It was swapped for one with a spoiler.
Came with an air deflector and factory tonneau cover(!).
Drove it for a few weeks before the winter set in. It had been taken care of and was ready to go when we got it. Runs, drives and stops fine.
The M42 is peppy. It rolls around more than I like but feels solid. The top is good, but the back window is shot. Seats are covered, more on that later.
This winter I'm going to update the suspension and replace the wheels/tires. I'm not a fan of bottlecaps.
I've got H&R Cabrio Springs, Bilstein Sports, strut and shock mounts, and refinished 15" Euroweaves on the way. Looking for a deal on tires.
I'm also going to replace the bleeding 6 button clock with an analong and get an OEM radio.
I'd like to do the top this winter as well but I don't think I'll have time. So, next winter it should get a new top and some new upholstery.
My wife is in school to become a Nurse Practioner. She will be done in 2 years. I plan to reward myself with her being done with school (and me paying for it) with an S52 swap. That will be 2-3 years down the road.
We'll see if that actually happens. I like the M42 more than I thought I would.
On to some pics.
Mrs. Poorhouse enjoying the last of the season.
No Rust.
Even the battery tray is clean.
Seat Covers.
Hiding pretty good tops. Bottoms not so much. I really like this upholstery. Doesn't appear to be available new anymore so will be looking for a good backseat to redo the bottoms.
Bad back window.
Heckblende. I'm usually not a fan, but I like them on E30s.
In the shop, waiting for parts.
I'd been looking for a convertible for awhile. My 6 year old loves them as does the wife. I was open to a few things, but an E30 was my #1 choice.
I'd seen this car on CL all summer. Initially at $5500. I didn't think that was out of line for a clean car, but more than I wanted to pay.
Dropped to $4k this fall and I called him to take a look. Negotiated a bit and brought it home.
BMWs are unusual in this area. I've bought a few cars over the internet with good luck, including my M3. But it is always a gamble and it costs a bunch to ship them up here. Was nice to find something I wanted locally.
This car was owned my someone in the military. The Carfax has it going from SC to WA every couple years with the same owner. It also made a trip to Germany and back somewhere in there. Was sold in WA a couple years ago. Traded owners again 2 years ago and came to MT.
It is a very base spec car. No cruise, no power locks, cloth seats etc. 5 speed with 104k miles.
Perfect. My M3 is the same way. The only option it came with is LTW wheels.
The last owner spent a couple grand on it. New bushings, cooling system, tires etc.
Overall it is clean. No rust I've found. Original VIN tags except for the trunk. It was swapped for one with a spoiler.
Came with an air deflector and factory tonneau cover(!).
Drove it for a few weeks before the winter set in. It had been taken care of and was ready to go when we got it. Runs, drives and stops fine.
The M42 is peppy. It rolls around more than I like but feels solid. The top is good, but the back window is shot. Seats are covered, more on that later.
This winter I'm going to update the suspension and replace the wheels/tires. I'm not a fan of bottlecaps.
I've got H&R Cabrio Springs, Bilstein Sports, strut and shock mounts, and refinished 15" Euroweaves on the way. Looking for a deal on tires.
I'm also going to replace the bleeding 6 button clock with an analong and get an OEM radio.
I'd like to do the top this winter as well but I don't think I'll have time. So, next winter it should get a new top and some new upholstery.
My wife is in school to become a Nurse Practioner. She will be done in 2 years. I plan to reward myself with her being done with school (and me paying for it) with an S52 swap. That will be 2-3 years down the road.
We'll see if that actually happens. I like the M42 more than I thought I would.
On to some pics.
Mrs. Poorhouse enjoying the last of the season.
No Rust.
Even the battery tray is clean.
Seat Covers.
Hiding pretty good tops. Bottoms not so much. I really like this upholstery. Doesn't appear to be available new anymore so will be looking for a good backseat to redo the bottoms.
Bad back window.
Heckblende. I'm usually not a fan, but I like them on E30s.
In the shop, waiting for parts.
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