FS:1990 E30 BMW 325i Coupe SoCal

[jareddavidj]

Selling my 1990 E30 BMW 325i. I bought this car around 5 years back as just sort of a fun car for me to work on and drive on the weekends. I've put a decent amount of work into it repairing and replacing some things. The car has spent the majority of those 5 years sitting so I have not put that many miles on it. When I bought it 5 years ago, it didn't pass smog so I put a new catalytic converter in it to get it to pass. A couple years back, smog came back around and it didn't pass. Not sure why, but ever since then it's been registered non-operational. To get this car registered, the DMV website says it would cost $187 not including the cost to get it smogged. I seek to be completely transparent with this automobile. Below is a list of pros and cons and I try to list everything I know about the car. Overall, the body/frame, exterior, and interior are all in great condition but could use some love on the mechanical side of things. The car still runs and drives fine today.

Pros:
-Only 176,000 miles
-2nd owner
-Manual transmission
-I have service documents from a BMW dealership dating back to original purchase
-Never been in an accident
-Interior is in great condition
-Full size spare in great condition
-Body and frame are in great condition
-Paint is really good
-Virtually no rust, a couple spots with small surface rust on sunroof and trunk area
-Odometer works, gears recently replaced
-Water pump and timing belt recently replaced
-Cooling system overhaul recently performed (hoses, radiator, fluid)
-Lower control arms and bushings recently replaced
-Accessory belts recently replaced
-Replaced air intake boot
-Replaced O2 sensor
-iS front lip with splitter
-Catalytic converter replaced
-Sunroof
-Mtech I steering wheel
-Full tool kit and jack

Cons:
-Couple cracks in dash
-A/C could use recharge
-Doesn't pass smog
-Check engine light on (something about oxygen)
-Oil leaks from pan
-Needs new battery
-Needs new tires
-Wheels in less than average condition
-Power steering fluid leak at reservoir
-Power steering doesn't work (due to leak)
-Front seats could use some work

I also have a handful of parts I'm looking to sell with the car. A lot of the parts I have address some of the issues listed in the cons section. Others are addons I wanted to do. Here's a list:
-New Oil Pan Gasket
-Used Euro Smiley Headlights in good condition
-Used Euro Grills good condition
-Used Euro plate
-Used 19 lb fuel injectors with 91 Octane ECU chip
-New German Engineering Keyless Entry System
-New power steering reservoir
-New tie rod end kit
-New wiper blades
-New oil filter

That's everything that I know about the car. This could be a potentially awesome project car or daily driver. Good condition, low mileage, late model E30's are becoming rarer and rarer. Let me know if you have any questions.
Asking price: $4000
Link to photos
Jared

[jareddavidj]

Bump

[jareddavidj]

Price drop!

[randywalters]

Exactly what part(s) of the test did it fail on your printout?

Did they test it with the Check Engine Light illuminated?

Is that new catalytic converter an OEM BMW factory unit or some random aftermarket weld-in cat? Brand?

My 88 325is with over 180K passed with really good numbers so a high-mile E30 should still be able to pass, especially with a new cat.

[jareddavidj]

Exactly what part(s) of the test did it fail on your printout?

Did they test it with the Check Engine Light illuminated?

Is that new catalytic converter an OEM BMW factory unit or some random aftermarket weld-in cat? Brand?

My 88 325is with over 180K passed with really good numbers so a high-mile E30 should still be able to pass, especially with a new cat.

I can't remember off the top of my head. I might still have the paperwork for it, but I'm not around to check so I'll update later. My guess as to the code is a vacuum leak after the MAF. Probably a couple hoses. I've tried replacing a couple but to no avail. Or possibly the intake manifold gasket? When I spray brake clean in that area, the engine revs. The check engine light was not on during the test. I'm not positive about the brand of the cat but if I had to guess, most likely aftermarket. Again, I can check the paperwork when I get home.

[jareddavidj]

Sorry for the late reply, but I'm unable to find the last smog printout and the info regarding the new cat that went in.

[2mAn]

Cons:
-Couple cracks in dash
-A/C could use recharge
-Doesn't pass smog
-Check engine light on (something about oxygen)
-Oil leaks from pan
-Needs new battery
-Needs new tires
-Wheels in less than average condition
-Power steering fluid leak at reservoir
-Power steering doesn't work (due to leak)
-Front seats could use some work

Asking price: $6000
Link to photos
Jared

Thats a big list of cons for the asking price. I suggest using those spares to fix some of those cons, then maybe your price will be more realistic.

Also those seats are trash, the only work they could use is removal. You can find comfort seats up here for pretty cheap. I know someone selling their comforts and Im pretty sure they are good to go.

My .02

GLWS

[randywalters]

Sorry for the late reply, but I'm unable to find the last smog printout and the info regarding the new cat that went in.

Well what are the circumstances of how that cat got on the car? Did you buy the cat at the BMW dealer for like $2000.00 and install it yourself? Or did a muffler shop install a new cat for $300? The aftermarket cats (either weld-in or direct-fit) will pass on the first test, but are notorious for degrading after that and failing smog two years later. It should be pretty easy to determine what that cat is. Does it look like the factory cat/dowpipe or a weld-in? Where did you get it?

Having a smog certificate in-hand makes it easier to sell and you'll get a lot more money too (not to mention that state law requires you to provide a smog certificate at time of sale).

If it ain't passing, then it ain't running right. The smog test results will give big clues as to where to look for the problems that are causing the CEL to be on and the car failing the sniffer test. It could be something simple like the oxygen sensor or a vacuum leak. The smog shop may be able to give you a reprint of your last test. I'd get the smog worked out before selling it.

[Julien]

Wow, haven’t seen you post in forever. That picture of your 325is with Ronals was an inspiration to me back in.. 2003/4?

Cheers :)

Well what are the circumstances of how that cat got on the car? Did you buy the cat at the BMW dealer for like $2000.00 and install it yourself? Or did a muffler shop install a new cat for $300? The aftermarket cats (either weld-in or direct-fit) will pass on the first test, but are notorious for degrading after that and failing smog two years later. It should be pretty easy to determine what that cat is. Does it look like the factory cat/dowpipe or a weld-in? Where did you get it?

Having a smog certificate in-hand makes it easier to sell and you'll get a lot more money too (not to mention that state law requires you to provide a smog certificate at time of sale).

If it ain't passing, then it ain't running right. The smog test results will give big clues as to where to look for the problems that are causing the CEL to be on and the car failing the sniffer test. It could be something simple like the oxygen sensor or a vacuum leak. The smog shop may be able to give you a reprint of your last test. I'd get the smog worked out before selling it.

[jareddavidj]

Price drop