Buying an e30.

[Eazy_tom]

Alright guys, I found an e30 for sale only $400.
I'm wondering what to look our for, I'm talking major problems that cost lots of money to fix. Obviously its going to need some work, I just want to be on the look out for major problems.

Also any clue on the cost of a manual swap?
I'm not sure if its manual or auto as my friend told me about and I haven't had a chance to look at it yet.

[machined]

Don't.

[Ray Smoodiver]

E30's are pretty shit to be honest

[e30trooper]

my 1st one I paid under 500 bux for ,and lasted me 7 months b4 i gave up on it :D

[ThaiRacer]

Buy it for 400, u get a 400 dollar car. If I were u i would save up and get a better condition one. My first e30 was 400 dollars and it blew up the first day I drove it home. I had to junk it for 200 bucks.

[iX-treame]

Keep it, my friend bought one for $400 that hit a deer going 90mph and he fixed it in like a weekend haha. he only put like $1000 on it. And tranny swaps are pricey.

[Eazy_tom]

That's what I though, but honestly I have all the time in the world. I'm young and want to learn more about cars and this seems like it will be a great learning experience. I will take a look at though, if its a total POS I won't get it. Guy that owns it is the owner of a BMW shop and my buddies dad has know him for quite a while.

I don't have my hopes up as I don't know anything about that car as of now, besides that fact that is an e30.

[chadthestampede]

I think it's a great opportunity to have a cheap, fun car to work on and learn about e30s and cars in general. You seem to be a pretty rational so I'd say if it's not a piece then go for it.

[Unearth078]

Pull mats and get under for rust, start it from cold, down shift it and watch for smoke, make sure the electrical isn't absolutely fucked and check coolant to make sure it still looks like coolant all else is doable with time.

[EricT]

I say if you plan on getting into e30's, buy it and part it out if it's really shady. At least then you will know how they go together and it will make working on your next one easier.....and you can prolly make more then the 400 you spent on it selling the parts and get your hands on a better one. Just my .02.......

[Eazy_tom]

I think it's a great opportunity to have a cheap, fun car to work on and learn about e30s and cars in general. You seem to be a pretty rational so I'd say if it's not a piece then go for it.

Well thank you, and yeah me and a couple friends agree that a nice cheap car to work on is always fun.

Pull mats and get under for rust, start it from cold, down shift it and watch for smoke, make sure the electrical isn't absolutely fucked and check coolant to make sure it still looks like coolant all else is doable with time.

I will check for rust for sure even though i live in so cal you never know where the car has been. I'll be sure to test drive it if its running, honestly i don't know if it is. If its not running I won't buy it though as I have no way to get it home.

I say if you plan on getting into e30's, buy it and part it out if it's really shady. At least then you will know how they go together and it will make working on your next one easier.....and you can prolly make more then the 400 you spent on it selling the parts and get your hands on a better one. Just my .02.......

I definitely plan on getting into e30s, be it this one or another I will buy one. Like i said if its a total piece i won't buy it even to just part out, but if I do buy it and something big happens I will part it out or keep it as parts car.

[Smatt90IS]

Keep it, my friend bought one for $400 that hit a deer going 90mph and he fixed it in like a weekend haha. he only put like $1000 on it. And tranny swaps are pricey.

55mph haha

[Eazy_tom]

So I called the guy, It needs a new windshield, it burns oil, the oil pressure light stays on even though it has oil pressure, there is a big dent over one of the rear wheels, and its a salvage title. The positives, it has a new oil pump, new timing belt, new battery, new fuel pump, he also said it has some sporty seats.

[87-325ic]

give him 350 for it and drive it home.

[Tonys18t]

check the oil for water, let it idle for at least half an hour to see if it overheats.
E30s seem to love bad head gaskets and cracked cylinder heads.