I wrecked my e30 17 years ago. Fix or part?

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  • Knoxville
    Noobie
    • Apr 2022
    • 1

    #1

    I wrecked my e30 17 years ago. Fix or part?

    So I was a 20 year old kid working at a factory making car parts. Coming in at 3:30 a.m. and working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. I fell asleep at the wheel 3 minutes from my house and smashed my Cirrusblau 325e into a ditch.

    I really, really loved that car. I put so much time and money into it, had it repainted. Even put a brand new OEM full exhaust on it, cat and all...just so it would run quiet like new.

    Most of those parts are toast now (not the exhaust). I went back recently to the place where I left the car. Its been sitting for years now where I left it. I should have fixed it then or done something with it but I didn't.

    The interior has molded. Someone got into the car and left one of the doors not quite closed all the way so moisture has gotten into the interior.

    Mice have made nests, chewed up the back seat. The car has the Luxus package, so the back seat has head rests and a center arm rest.

    Over the years I have gotten to be a pretty good shade tree mechanic, and I can do most anything to this car that it needs...except bodywork.

    I'm torn on whether to fix this car or not. I know it will be expensive but memories, man. I had so much fun in this car, and Cirrusblau on Pearlbeige is really nice when it's looking fresh.

    What do you say? Here are some pictures. She's pretty rough but I think a pressure washer and a good interior clean would go a long way. I figure about 4-5k in body work.

    Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

  • Austrianvespaguy
    Member
    • Aug 2018
    • 88

    #2
    An automatic Eta rotting in the woods? Sorry but I'm gonna vote no way. If you're emotionally attached to it, then maybe pull that nice 3-spoke steering wheel and the engine, find a clean blue donor body, and build a proper 327i. You can even recondition that wheel nicely and put that in, as a nice reminder of the old donor car.

    Comment

    • cheffy30
      E30 Enthusiast
      • Sep 2016
      • 1159

      #3
      Its toast. Harvest the best of the worst and sell it off... it's an eta auto... sad.

      sent fresh from hell using tapatalk

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      '90 325i sedan daily driven
      '85 325e coupe also a daily

      Comment

      • e30austin
        I waste 90% of my day here and all I got was this stupid title
        • Sep 2010
        • 15382

        #4
        my new rule is: not messing around with a car that's been off the road more than 3-5 years. they just need too much to get going again after that.

        add a ruined interior, possibly seized engine, front end damage... it isn't exactly helping your cause. sorry, but i think that's a parts car at that point. kinda crazy you've held onto it that long, though.


        Comment

        • ZeKahr
          E30 Addict
          • Jul 2016
          • 508

          #5
          Just part it out. You would be putting at least $30k (rough guess) into this one just to make it nice. Not really worth bringing her back to her former glory unless you can piss $30k
          1986 325e Schwarz (sold)
          1989 325iX Alpineweiß​ (daily)


          Greed is Good

          Comment

          • packratbimmer
            E30 Fanatic
            • Dec 2009
            • 1329

            #6
            If it has been sitting that low to the ground the bottom is also likely rotted. Jack it up high enough to check for rot. That might make the decision pretty easy. Also, have you confirmed that the engine turns over?

            Comment

            • moatilliatta
              R3V OG
              • Feb 2005
              • 6120

              #7
              Id pull the carpet and look on the under side for a rust check If your OK with that then make an analysis of the front end damage.

              Most old cars need everything anyways..

              I was up above it, Now I'm down in it ~ Entropy - A Build thread.
              @Zakspeed_US

              Comment

              • Mike36
                E30 Enthusiast
                • Mar 2011
                • 1077

                #8
                Wait, why was it just left there? I would say pull it out and see about the rust then go from there.
                sigpic

                Comment

                • Javier h
                  E30 Enthusiast
                  • Sep 2007
                  • 1189

                  #9
                  Same here, part it, or find a donor car and transfer anything salvageable? Sedans are not in high demand, yet.

                  Comment

                  • Stanley Rockafella
                    R3V Elite
                    • Aug 2011
                    • 4056

                    #10
                    That'll make a great parts car!
                    If it's got tits or tires, it's gonna cost ya!

                    Comment

                    • It's Soda Not Pop
                      E30 Modder
                      • Jan 2022
                      • 854

                      #11
                      Yeah bud unless this car means that much to you, or if you feel that it needs to be saved, just salvage what you can. Buy you another good one and start over.

                      88' Seta 2.7i Zinno

                      https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...430-my-88-seta

                      Comment

                      • e30davie
                        E30 Mastermind
                        • Apr 2016
                        • 1788

                        #12
                        Sounds like its time to learn body work.

                        Comment

                        • IRON-E
                          I waste 90% of my day here and all I got was this stupid title
                          • Dec 2007
                          • 16548

                          #13
                          Part it.
                          @IRON-E30 aka Edwin:D

                          Comment

                          • E30SPDFRK
                            Moderator
                            • Jul 2007
                            • 5687

                            #14
                            I agree with others; sitting on wet ground for 17 years will trap so much moisture underneath the chassis, and all the bolts and chassis seams are probably rusted like crazy. Not to mention the cowl underneath all those leaves. Check those first before proceeding. You don't want to be dumping a ton of money into a rusty shell, even if it has emotional connections.

                            If the rust isn't bad, go for it. You'll be doing all the other things these cars need anyways, and it will probably cost you the same as if you bought one in similar shape that has been driving.



                            Edit: if that was here in socal, it would be on craigslist for 5k
                            Byron
                            Leichtbau

                            Comment

                            • roguetoaster
                              R3V OG
                              • Jan 2012
                              • 7746

                              #15
                              Looks like a great track car to me.

                              Comment

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