So I have a chance of buying 1989 e30 m3, need some opinions

[M3TROY]

^^ it sounds like a nice find, great project that you can let sit and slowly fix up as time/money allows. That's exactly how I plan to get my e30 M3 :)

Exactly :up:

[idobref]

yeah, i totally agree!
However if the engine DOES turn, it might be a good sign!
Obviously I'm prepared for some expenses, but just like most of the people here I do have a budget to work on, and if i exceed it i might find myself in trouble!

I think I'm going to give him a call this weekend and pretty much throw him a $5000 offer and i'm pretty much shooting in the dark :/

We'll see!

[hobbsm3]

5k is a good starting place. And hold your ground - maybe $6k. You can easily spend 1000's on suspension and steering, in addition to engine, interior, exterior. Sold my restored '88 7 years ago for $10.5k. Wow, a few years later and I'm kicking myself.

Good luck on the chase.

[M3bound]

If you dont want it let me know, i have a s54 that would fit in nice

[Dussen]

$6k sounds like it should be your target price. Didn't see if you mentioned it, but does the car have all matching VIN's? To include the motor? If so and the motor actually does run. You'd be almost stealing this.

As stated before, interior could easily run you up to $3k+ but that's on how you choose to do it. If you decide to pick this up gut the interior and just put it back together little by little. Clean the shit out of everything.

There's so much more to do too. Hose's, Fuel lines, Oil pan baffles, Timing chain, Belts, fluids, DRIVE SHAFT, guilbo, tires, brakes, and the list can keep going.

You have to decide if it's something you're ready to spend $10k on restoring. Or even $20k.

Just my opinion.

I hope you go for it though. I would love to follow the revival write up.

[z31maniac]

^That's what I was going to say, as long as you are mentally/fiscally prepared to take on what could be a $20k resto, I'd say go for it.

[idobref]

Ultimately my goal is to stay under $10k for at least till the end of the year...
I have wedding and buying a house later this year, at the same time I don't want to miss out on a good deal.. ;)

hopefully I can meet up with the guy this weekend and do further inspection of the car that will give me a better idea of what my offer should be.

[Joe G]

Buy it. 10 years from now when you see one got at auction for $40k your gonna be so mad at yourself.

[CabrioPunk]

Seeing the other side of things....if you really are buying a house and getting married that is much more.important. I don't know nor care of your financial situation. A wedding can pit a lot of money in your pocket from gifts. They also cost alot. Houses cost even more. And oh ya, your wife. She has say in things too. Don't go starting your lives together in huge debt, her resenting you for It and your car taking up more time than you allow your wife.

Be very careful. Just because a good deal financially speakin comes along doesnt mean it Is a good deal in the grand scheme of things.... there Is morr than just the money.

If you got am extra bit of booty to grab this and wait til a later day, do it. No need to rush in on a restoration. Collect partaking slowly, the right piece at the right price could come along. And if a restored car Is worth ao much more later, so would an un restored car be worth a good chunk. To appreciate isn't solely based on its condition. And why restore half assed now If you could do it better in a few years?

A house and getting married take a lot of time and money and emotional toll. Choose wisely.

[M-technik-3]

Honestly, I think Money Pit but without photos it's tough to guess. Leak down test along with compression test after you determine if the engine will spin freely.

[idobref]

I agree with you... the reason I started this thread is to get an idea of what i'm getting myself into...
from what i understand so far is if the engine turns/starts everything should be alright...
again, I do understand I can spend thousands and thousands of dollars and eventually I probably will.. but for now I just want to get the car started and be able to drive it from point A to point B.
Eventually later in the year once i get my self a house and get married I will spend some more money on this project.

like i said before, let me see if i can meet up with the guy this weekend for further inspection and that should help me decide what to do.

[Mossman]

I'd almost hope the motor is seized solid so you can use that as a bargaining chip and factor the cost of a rebuild or replacement s14 into your offer. The thing could easily turn over from the crank and still need 3k in work before you should even think of turning the key. Good luck man, let us know what goes down. I'd personally try to spend under 5k, especially if the motor doesn't spin.

[bloodshot-e30]

after sittin that long i would replace ALL fuel lines.. we had a 944 turbo come in the shop we got it running for the guy and drive it for hours to make sure everything was good
he called the next day and said a fuel line popped and the car cought on fire...
could be bad for us, but he JUST wanted to get it running so we did what he asked.

also plugs wires and all the normal "tune-up" things rad flush etc etc

[M-technik-3]

Here's what mine looked like back in 06 I got it in a firesale for 3.5K





Unlocked in parking lot with keys in it. Go figure.

[idobref]

yeah... yours looks in better condition than the one i am looking at