Beware, long post ahead.
Well, the wife and I bought this just over a month ago to use and enjoy as a weekend/good weather type of car. Unfortunately (after paying the taxes/registration on it) we decided that we don't NEED 4 cars, regardless of sexiness. We are going to be starting a family next year and are saving up for another house on a "nicer" side of town.
Background:
I bought this car from a little old lady who was the second owner of the vehicle. The timing belt had gone on it, of course so I got a pretty good deal ($1500). Other than that she had taken very good care of it and gave me the receipts to prove it. She put $7500 into it since 02/14/2001 when it had 58,303 miles on it. I towed it home and cleaned her up as she had been sitting for 6 months under a car cover at a shop. She cleaned up nicely.
So after going through 2 replacement heads looking for a decent donor, found a good one here from a member in Dallas. Third times a charm right? Drove up to pick it up and disassembled it when I got home. Had it tanked and spec'd to make sure it was a good usable head. Once I got it back I reassembled it using valves, rockers, shafts, springs, etc. that had been thoroughly cleaned. Put the head on, changed water pump, thermostat, timing belt, belt tensioner, and all gaskets associated with a head gasket change. I've put about $600 into it total after purchase, and of course lots of my labor. We will make money on the car, if you are going to hold that against us, don't bother posting.
Currently:
I've been driving the car around for the last week to make sure everything has been taken care of and that the car is solid. I have had no problems at all, but still plan on seafoaming and afterwards doing an oil change and fuel filter change. This is stuff I do on every car I buy and am sure most members here do the same. Like I said I'd love to keep this car, but unfortunately it doesn't fit into our plans at the moment.
The Good:
Paint is beautiful (8/10) and appears to be 100% original.
Interior is nice (7/10) with some cracking in the leather and the usual tears on top of the back seats (verts)
Car is fully loaded, minus cold weather package.
Stack of service records, more on this in following post
All original (Manuals, BMW Cassette tape, jack, window cover, etc)
No rust (except obligatory surface rust on battery tray)
No oil leaks that I have noticed, no drips for sure.
New top, no receipt, but she replaced it for sure.
All windows work, 13 button OBC works, cruise works
COLD AC charged with freeze 12 (by PO)
Auto trans shifts smooth with no issues
Rebuilt head, valves are quiet. New T-belt, water pump, etc.
Drives great
The Bad:
Driver's side power lock non functional, all others work, including trunk.
Fog lights cracked (but work)
Top converted to manual (bad to some)
Needs shock for rear top cover (working on this)
Has 2 dents on passenger side visible in pics (going to see a PDR guy to see if they can be popped)
Muffler has a hole in it (sounds great this way though)
Brakes could use a refresh (stops fine but after sitting for 6 months, definitely not as good as could be)
We're asking $4800 for the car, but are open to reasonable offers of course. Shoot me an offer, worst I can say is no. In no hurry to sell, so extreme low ballers might not get a response. I'm going to be sad to see her go as I have always wanted an e30 vert, but not in the cards... yet. Ask any questions here or through PM, more than happy to respond.
PS: following posts will be updated with service record info and pics of head rebuild.
Well, the wife and I bought this just over a month ago to use and enjoy as a weekend/good weather type of car. Unfortunately (after paying the taxes/registration on it) we decided that we don't NEED 4 cars, regardless of sexiness. We are going to be starting a family next year and are saving up for another house on a "nicer" side of town.
Background:
I bought this car from a little old lady who was the second owner of the vehicle. The timing belt had gone on it, of course so I got a pretty good deal ($1500). Other than that she had taken very good care of it and gave me the receipts to prove it. She put $7500 into it since 02/14/2001 when it had 58,303 miles on it. I towed it home and cleaned her up as she had been sitting for 6 months under a car cover at a shop. She cleaned up nicely.
So after going through 2 replacement heads looking for a decent donor, found a good one here from a member in Dallas. Third times a charm right? Drove up to pick it up and disassembled it when I got home. Had it tanked and spec'd to make sure it was a good usable head. Once I got it back I reassembled it using valves, rockers, shafts, springs, etc. that had been thoroughly cleaned. Put the head on, changed water pump, thermostat, timing belt, belt tensioner, and all gaskets associated with a head gasket change. I've put about $600 into it total after purchase, and of course lots of my labor. We will make money on the car, if you are going to hold that against us, don't bother posting.
Currently:
I've been driving the car around for the last week to make sure everything has been taken care of and that the car is solid. I have had no problems at all, but still plan on seafoaming and afterwards doing an oil change and fuel filter change. This is stuff I do on every car I buy and am sure most members here do the same. Like I said I'd love to keep this car, but unfortunately it doesn't fit into our plans at the moment.
The Good:
Paint is beautiful (8/10) and appears to be 100% original.
Interior is nice (7/10) with some cracking in the leather and the usual tears on top of the back seats (verts)
Car is fully loaded, minus cold weather package.
Stack of service records, more on this in following post
All original (Manuals, BMW Cassette tape, jack, window cover, etc)
No rust (except obligatory surface rust on battery tray)
No oil leaks that I have noticed, no drips for sure.
New top, no receipt, but she replaced it for sure.
All windows work, 13 button OBC works, cruise works
COLD AC charged with freeze 12 (by PO)
Auto trans shifts smooth with no issues
Rebuilt head, valves are quiet. New T-belt, water pump, etc.
Drives great
The Bad:
Driver's side power lock non functional, all others work, including trunk.
Fog lights cracked (but work)
Top converted to manual (bad to some)
Needs shock for rear top cover (working on this)
Has 2 dents on passenger side visible in pics (going to see a PDR guy to see if they can be popped)
Muffler has a hole in it (sounds great this way though)
Brakes could use a refresh (stops fine but after sitting for 6 months, definitely not as good as could be)
We're asking $4800 for the car, but are open to reasonable offers of course. Shoot me an offer, worst I can say is no. In no hurry to sell, so extreme low ballers might not get a response. I'm going to be sad to see her go as I have always wanted an e30 vert, but not in the cards... yet. Ask any questions here or through PM, more than happy to respond.
PS: following posts will be updated with service record info and pics of head rebuild.
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