I'm the current proud owner of an '07 525xi (E60) that I use as my daily driver. Beautiful car, handles like a dream, etc etc - as you would expect a BMW to.
But I've gotten a bit of an itch to get myself a second car, and the E30 seems to have won me over. This was after considering older Porsche Boxsters and BMW Z3's/Z4's.
I'm quite capable of doing mechanical work (already have had to replace a few things on my E60, as well as doing work on many other cars). I've never done anything super-crazy though, like taking apart the engine, swapping trans, etc.
I've done a lot of reading here on R3V, e30tech, and a few others. I'd like to say that I have a good understanding of the work involved, but from experience, that's never true until you actually get your hands dirty.
My biggest problem right now is that I don't have a garage, and my driveway is slanted, making it a bit annoying to do regular work on. Anyone have experience with that situation?
And based on my reading, I've come up with this as my conditions for what I'm looking for...
Of course, those are worst-case scenario. If seats are in nice condition, that is certainly not a problem :)
However... how realistic is all this?
Any E30 owners with similar stories situations?
But I've gotten a bit of an itch to get myself a second car, and the E30 seems to have won me over. This was after considering older Porsche Boxsters and BMW Z3's/Z4's.
I'm quite capable of doing mechanical work (already have had to replace a few things on my E60, as well as doing work on many other cars). I've never done anything super-crazy though, like taking apart the engine, swapping trans, etc.
I've done a lot of reading here on R3V, e30tech, and a few others. I'd like to say that I have a good understanding of the work involved, but from experience, that's never true until you actually get your hands dirty.
My biggest problem right now is that I don't have a garage, and my driveway is slanted, making it a bit annoying to do regular work on. Anyone have experience with that situation?
And based on my reading, I've come up with this as my conditions for what I'm looking for...
- East coast, the closer to central NJ the better. Willing to travel a few hours though.
- No rust/good paint. I've seen plenty of examples of the work required to get rid of that stuff, and I'm not sure I have access to the resources for that kind of work.
- Convertible. I really want a convertible.
- Interior.. I'm fine with buying new seats, replacing/washing carpets, etc.
- Manual. Auto = bleh, no soul, etc. I don't feel like doing a swap either.
- Working engine. I'd like to be able to drive it home.
- Not red. Not black. Keeping one black car clean is enough work.
Of course, those are worst-case scenario. If seats are in nice condition, that is certainly not a problem :)
However... how realistic is all this?
Any E30 owners with similar stories situations?
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