May be buying an E30 318is

[Kingspud]

Hey guys
This is my first thread/post on r3v, Ive had an ad up for a couple of weeks so far looking for an E30. Ive had various replies, a couple have been very good (Including a, '88 Bronzit, 325e, 170,000km on the clock and all original with small paint fade, only downer is the odometer is broken. Looking for $2500)
The car that has caught my eye is a '91 318is. Resprayed in '09 and looks fresh. Only problem is that it needs new engine mounts and a new fan clutch, the owners English wasnt too great.... Hes asking for $2000 as it is or $2500 for the car with a spare gearbox, ECU, steering rack with parts and a catback exhaust.

How does this seem as a deal? What I should expect, too good to be true or a deal I should take ASAP? Im getting more photos soon so hopefully Ill get a better look at the car and some more info before I go have a look at it. Ive got the VIN and checked it out so it seems all good but I need some other opinions on it.

I looked it up and the m42 engine mounts are about $86 for OEM parts and the fan clutch is about $35 or so for OEM so it seems pretty good to me and worth the replacing. And engine mounts can wait a bit anyway if I dont have the funds right away, theyre not too important for anything other than vibration and slight tracking? Also, are there any good alternatives to the OEM parts? Like parts from other cars or any reputable aftermarket companies?

[dnguyen1963]

Bad engine mount can cause many problems...vibrations can lead to broken fan blades or, worse, damaged radiator. If the car is driven hard then there are many other potential problems.

[Kingspud]

I was planning to tow the car home and replace fan clutch and engine mounts ASAP if I got the car. Along with oil, fuel pump and timing belt if it hasnt been done recently

[dnguyen1963]

Good luck and have fun!

[Vivek]

Try to get it up on a lift and take a look at everything. Check for rust although it may be unlikely. Look over the paint and make sure the respray is a paint job that you can live with. I'd offer him 2k for everything since what you listed isn't even worth $500 imo, and if you're buying a car with spare parts you should generally get the parts super cheap. Didn't they only make the 318is in 1991? I've never seen an 89 318i/s afaik.

But with that all said I'd probably buy it if there were no other major problems than what he listed.

[Kingspud]

Didn't they only make the 318is in 1991? I've never seen an 89 318i/s afaik

Yeah, I meant to correct my post. It was built mid 1990 so I guess it was sold in '91

And Im thinking it looks pretty good, the paint looks good too in other photos I have but the only thing is that I noticed the photos are from 2009 according to the timestamp, so I guess Ill look at the car and check it all out then, hopefully the car is in the same condition as the photos

And cheers for the feedback guys

[blkbma]

Looks ok, rust won't be a big issue for an Australian car but definitely look for it.

- Check for leaks etc
- Check the speed sensor on the diff for signs of tampering(it is a plug on drivers side of diff), as 170km's seems pretty low for a car that needed a respray, unless it was left out in Coober Pedy in the sun for 15 years, had previous damage etc. (Paint condition generally seems to hold up ok in Australia for some reason)
- Check all bushings etc, look at all fluids and see condition etc does the little part of the head you can see look clean, does it smell like burnt oil etc?
- Jump on www.eurocca.net and find someone in the area to do a PPI for you or hit up E30guydownunder on here as I am pretty sure he is from Adelaide too and could recommend a shop for the PPI.

Vivek, in USA yes. Australia and Europe had them from the 1989, a quick google search shows:

1989–1991 318is - 1.8 L M42B18 I4, 142 PS (104 kW; 140 hp). Also seems like the euro/aust M42 is 4kw more powerful than the US version, emissions crap maybe??

Cheers
David (An expat Aussie)

EDIT. If you get it, please take whatever lip that is off and get the proper is one!!

[Robotin]

Try to get it up on a lift and take a look at everything. Check for rust although it may be unlikely. Look over the paint and make sure the respray is a paint job that you can live with. I'd offer him 2k for everything since what you listed isn't even worth $500 imo, and if you're buying a car with spare parts you should generally get the parts super cheap. Didn't they only make the 318is in 1991? I've never seen an 89 318i/s afaik.

But with that all said I'd probably buy it if there were no other major problems than what he listed.

u have to remember he is in Austrialia. they all sorts of strange things over there...

fuckin aussie's...

[Polaris15]

I was planning to tow the car home and replace fan clutch and engine mounts ASAP if I got the car. Along with oil, fuel pump and timing belt if it hasnt been done recently

Don't worry about a T-Belt. You've got a chain!