More rewarding project: Sleeper 325e, or keeping an IX on the road?

[pseudodennis]

I'm looking to acquire my first E30 sometime in the next year, and think I'd like to look for one with some project potential (ideally under $10k) that I can also daily drive. I'm trying to decide between the devious fun of a swapped/stroker 325e or the confidence to go anywhere at any time of year in an 325ix. On the flipside, I'm aware many swaps ruin daily drive-ability, and the challenge of maintaining an IX can be... costly.

For what it's worth, I'm near Philly, so the winters aren't crazy-bad, but it's not yearlong-sunny SoCal, either.

So I'm curious: If you were in my shoes (or have been), what would you prefer and what would your thought process be?

[JasonWilson48]

Also in Philly. 99% of them will have some rust on them here in the north east. Just buy a running car with receipts of maintenance if possible. Nothing worse than buying a project, and having to fix a million things, and not getting to drive it for a year+. Also, would suggest looking out west or south for a good starter. You can find clean, running examples out there for 8-10k all day, and ship them back here. Or fly and road trip. I did a fly and drive down to Georgia previously.

Also, I vote 325e since I prefer RWD in E30s.

[AWDBOB]

I spent a lot of time in iX land during my formative E30 years and I'm not sure I'd describe it as rewarding. RWD E30s are more enjoyable to drive, and far simpler to own/maintain.

Would recommend steering clear of an iX, but you could get by if you had room for a parts car filled with spares (axles, strut housings, f/r diffs, f/r driveshafts, tcase, etc etc). My brother and I both daily drove iXs in your area for many years and it's an up hill battle. I kept spare front axles in my trunk, and had to use them on multiple occasions.

An early eta car is a great option. Easy to toss later Motronic on if you want to change the character of the car.

Re: capability, a RWD E30 on snow tires does fine. However, you will melt your car at a rapid pace if you use it during the winter. Nothing is forever, but the cost rust repair engulfs the cost of a winter beater 2003 CRV pretty quickly

[2mAn]

Buy a Hooptie, theres a guy here who sells them after he spends too much time on them

[McGyver]

The winters here aren't that bad. I live in the city and there were 2 days that driving would have been tough, perhaps the burbs are different. A RWD e30 with decent all season tires will get you pretty far, snow tires would be even better, an LSD is a major help.

An ix is cool, but also complex and expensive. Engine swaps can be done well and be super reliable, or half-assed and always need tinkering.

Realistically, you can't just have an e30. Something will break and you'll need a backup car. As others have said, driving the e30 on salty roads will rust it away to nothing.

If I were you, I'd buy a clean car from SoCal or TX/AR/NM. Some place that doesn't need road salt. Paying extra for a rust-free car will save a ton on future repairs. Focus on a clean body and good paint, then you can build or swap the engine later.

[808ETA]

I would do an i over an e. My first (current) car is an e and making it faster isn't cheap. I didn't know a lot about e30s when I bought it but it only had 80,000 mlles and it was super clean from SoCal.

[82eye]

if you are planning on driving a 35+ yr old car in winter plan on driving rusty shitty crap. e30's are now either great summer only cars or rusted end of life beaters.

[McGyver]

I would do an i over an e. My first (current) car is an e and making it faster isn't cheap. I didn't know a lot about e30s when I bought it but it only had 80,000 mlles and it was super clean from SoCal.

Bodywork is way more expensive than mechanical work. Most people can figure out an engine swap if they have time, space, and money for tools. Bodywork is way more difficult and requires a whole different level of dedicated workspace.

I would 100% pick a clean shell over a beat up car with a nice engine.

[2mAn]

pseudodennis Id keep an eye on this... ends today and is a great price as of right now

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/Kde...bmw-325i-coupe

[pseudodennis]

Buy a Hooptie

It seems like everything on FB Marketplace right now is a Hooptie! (Or priced at $15k+)

Nothing worse than buying a project, and having to fix a million things, and not getting to drive it for a year+.

This is probably the best advice. But at least I won't have to mow that spot in the yard.

Re: capability, a RWD E30 on snow tires does fine. However, you will melt your car at a rapid pace if you use it during the winter.

Paying extra for a rust-free car will save a ton on future repairs.

if you are planning on driving a 35+ yr old car in winter plan on driving rusty shitty crap.

There seems to be a strong consensus around E30s and rust...

Something I didn't consider: if the conditions are bad enough that I need AWD, then they are also bad enough to be salty, and in that case I really don't want to take out the E30 anyway.

A RWD e30 with decent all season tires will get you pretty far, snow tires would be even better, an LSD is a major help.

Yeah, I think this is the way to go.



I didn't expect the responses to be so one-sided, but I'm glad I asked! It definitely helps clarify things and I can focus my search a bit more.

Now, if anyone has a rust-free 1988 Super eta they want to part with....

[Hrodebert]

Ive been staring at offerup and FB marketplace for weeks (helping my cousin find a replacement whip), and the link 2Man sent is probably as good as it gets for under $15K

[daria22]

Sounds like you've landed on the right call—a clean, rust-free RWD car from out west with snow tires and an LSD will serve you way better than fighting the salt or an iX's parts bill. Good luck with the hunt!

[2mAn]

That White car is dirt cheap right now and Im FORCED to bid on it haha

[pseudodennis]

That White car is dirt cheap right now and Im FORCED to bid on it haha

$13K for a salvaged title... you people are lunatics and I love it.

[2mAn]

$13K for a salvaged title... you people are lunatics and I love it.

Well. It WAS dirt cheap, still went for a decent price. Owner should be very happy with it. Salvage title was like 20 years ago and was likely just because the car needed a hood.