[BROUGHT]: Turn-key unmolested auto E30 sedan/coupe. Budget is $20k

[ZeKahr]

Screwed up a valve adjustment on my Eta and it needs a new engine (current engine idles rough and needs head work due to bad valve adjustment; BMW specialist shop that checked it can't find a new engine and told me I should just sell it as they can't find a new motor for it) so looking to get a new E30. Looking to buy a turn-key unmolested E30 sedan or coupe with automatic transmission. Can spend up to $20k on the right car. AC, heat, and sound system need to work. Needs to be stock. Need to let me take it for pre-purchase inspection. Will not accept cars with any rust. Thorough maintenance history will get preference. Any color is fine except for bright red or loud colors (black is ideal but I will consider white, silver, beige, or dark blue).
Text 732-379-9363 if you have a car for sale. Send pictures of the car please

[rturbo 930]

Why don't you just spend the money having the head rebuilt? Seems silly to get a whole new car because the engine needs work if the car is in otherwise fine shape. And they can't find a used M20? I'll hazard a guess they didn't try very hard.

[ZeKahr]

Why don't you just spend the money having the head rebuilt? Seems silly to get a whole new car because the engine needs work if the car is in otherwise fine shape. And they can't find a used M20? I'll hazard a guess they didn't try very hard.

I asked them if they would do that and they said they refused (I forget what the exact reason was). My current car also needs other work (needs a whole new AC, a wheel bearing, a missing rain gutter piece, new brakes, and a respray). So that this point, I figure I may as well buy a turn-key E30 and enjoy it for a few years. All that work will cost close to a nice E30 and will eat up a lot of time anyways so I figure I may as well buy a nice one.

[uturn]

That shop sounds shady. Normal shops that don't want to do the work would just price it ridiculously high so you would take it somewhere else. A/C, brakes, and wheel bearing would cost a DIYer less than $1k. Replacement head installation is just a timing belt job with additional steps.

[ZeKahr]

That shop sounds shady. Normal shops that don't want to do the work would just price it ridiculously high so you would take it somewhere else. A/C, brakes, and wheel bearing would cost a DIYer less than $1k. Replacement head installation is just a timing belt job with additional steps.

Forgot to mention it also needs a trans reseal at the minimum. The shop I took it to is pretty reputable for working on E30s and classic BMWs like the 2002; one of the guys there also knows Levent from Guten parts. I spoke to another place that's worked on classic BMWs and they were hesistant to work on it too. I think the main issue here is that NJ being a densely populated state has them so busy that they can't do any major projects. As for DIY, I would prefer to have a shop handle labor on my car as I experience back pain bending over when working on my car. Also don't have a garage so will let a shop handle any projects that need any major tools.

[Panici]

Curious as to why you want an Automatic?

Manual-swapping was the first major project I did on my E30, and it completely transformed the car for the better.

[ZeKahr]

Curious as to why you want an Automatic?

Manual-swapping was the first major project I did on my E30, and it completely transformed the car for the better.

I live in a densely populated suburban area (central NJ) with lots of traffic lights and stop-and-go traffic and I would not enjoy driving a manual in this region; too much gear shifting. I plan on taking this car into Manhattan (I hate taking public transport into the city and then having to walk everywhere) for lunch and dinner quite a few times throughout the year and I sure as hell know I wouldn't enjoy driving in Manhattan with a manual transmission. If I lived in a more sparsely populated area, I'd definitely get a manual.

[Panici]

I live in a densely populated suburban area (central NJ) with lots of traffic lights and stop-and-go traffic and I would not enjoy driving a manual in this region; too much gear shifting. I plan on taking this car into Manhattan (I hate taking public transport into the city and then having to walk everywhere) for lunch and dinner quite a few times throughout the year and I sure as hell know I wouldn't enjoy driving in Manhattan with a manual transmission. If I lived in a more sparsely populated area, I'd definitely get a manual.

I personally have never understood that argument, I enjoy every gear change even when puttering around town. And the joy of rowing through the gears (even if it's just once per drive while merging onto the highway) makes any discomfort of driving in traffic completely worth it.

But ultimately I don't have to understand. It's your car and you know what will allow you to enjoy it best.

I wish you luck with your search!
I assume you'll be selling the old car off after you find a replacement?

[ZeKahr]

I personally have never understood that argument, I enjoy every gear change even when puttering around town. And the joy of rowing through the gears (even if it's just once per drive while merging onto the highway) makes any discomfort of driving in traffic completely worth it.

But ultimately I don't have to understand. It's your car and you know what will allow you to enjoy it best.

I wish you luck with your search!
I assume you'll be selling the old car off after you find a replacement?

Yes I will put up an ad on here with a YouTube video once I pick up the car from the shop tomorrow.

[Vincenze]

More expensive cars are on BaT.

[ZeKahr]

More expensive cars are on BaT.

Yes I know. Didn't see any good E30s on BAT when I checked today so that's why I posted here.

[vbfronkis]

I would never drive my E30 into Manhattan. NY can't pave a road worth a f*ck and those potholes will ruin that car.

[ZeKahr]

I would never drive my E30 into Manhattan. NY can't pave a road worth a f*ck and those potholes will ruin that car.

I’m not that extreme. I don’t plan on driving this new car much more than around 2000-3000 miles a year (
I work remotely plus these things are getting too old to daily). Plus it won’t go into Manhattan more than like twice a month for 9 months of the driving season - so around 18 times a year at most. I don’t think that level of frequency will do any major damage to the suspension. If it does I’ll just fix it up and continue driving

[ZeKahr]

Update: I ended up finding a car so no longer looking. Will update title.

[twright]

Not only that, but you have to show us pictures of what you bought.