Possible new buy

[325i 2 m3]

So ive been having terrible luck and problems with the e36 this past year and finally am at the point where i am contemplating something a little more reliable and better on gas. The car isnt running right now and i started searching for a new car. I stumbled upon a pretty nice e30 on a local forum i am apart of. Its a 1986 325e bronzit 5spd. The exterior and interior are in great shape with only a little rust on the sunroof. Owner says that the car runs and everything. Only known serious work needed is a new driveshaft put in as the u-bolt is bad. He bought the car for the 5spd to swap into his '87 325is.

The owner has a new clutch that comes with the car so i guess if i were to buy it i could replaces the driveshaft and the clutch at the same time. Granted im sure there are a lot of little maintenance things that will need to be addressed, would this be a good choice for 1k? I dont have much $$$ so this is looking like an option.

http://nceuro.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11914

[ck_taft325is]

If you buy it, I have a good drive shaft for you.

*EDIT*

I just clicked the link. That's bronzit, buddy... you should walk away.

[StereoInstaller1]

A $1K bronzit with a known bad driveshaft?

Driveshaft is like a $400 rebuilt purchase, and hard to find used in decent shape.

You sure that car is worth $1400? I see more like $800, and only if the timing belt was recent, decent fluids, steering rack isn't leaking, etc.

$800 INCLUDING that new clutch, too.

[325i 2 m3]

haha im not too worried about the color. At this point i just need a better vehicle.

I am sure there will be other fixes and maintenance needed in order to keep it running well and be a good car. I am not worried about spending money on maintenance parts bit by bit within reason that i will not be having to drop thousands on it total.

Things such as belts, fluids, t-stat, WP, anything like that i can handle, i just want to stay away from anything serious like a new steering rack, etc.

I guess my question is, with 325 etas and the 5spd it has, what are some common e30 mishaps or known failures that i will probably need to address and be ready for. Example, e36 cooling system will need an overhaul at one point.

[imdashiz]

If you buy it, I have a good drive shaft for you.

*EDIT*

I just clicked the link. That's bronzit, buddy... you should walk away.

[GotCone?]

don't expect your mpg to increase just by going to an E30. They 325 M50 is usually better on gas than the M20 even w/ the weight difference. However the NV M50 isn't as good.

[hotballs]

You should be able to get any running eta for about $1k that doesn't have rust, need a clutch or a drive shaft...out here at least. :)

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

A $1K bronzit with a known bad driveshaft?

Driveshaft is like a $400 rebuilt purchase, and hard to find used in decent shape.

You sure that car is worth $1400? I see more like $800, and only if the timing belt was recent, decent fluids, steering rack isn't leaking, etc.

$800 INCLUDING that new clutch, too.

I heard you could use Mitsubishi parts to make a rebuildable driveshaft? Worth it?

[325i 2 m3]

don't expect your mpg to increase just by going to an E30. They 325 M50 is usually better on gas than the M20 even w/ the weight difference. However the NV M50 isn't as good.

Well what kind of gas milage are we talking here then. I've got a custom exhaust on mine that just killed the back pressure so I get about 18 or 19 per tank. I'd expect an eta to get about 25 with a 5spd and casual driving?

I've searched around and looked at places like www.driveshaft.com for a new driveshaft around 350.

[Naplm00]

yes, if not better

my 325ic got a calculated 27 today. mind you this is ALL highway

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

yes, if not better

my 325ic got a calculated 27 today. mind you this is ALL highway

I've got an 325is with 300k on it. 19lb injectors, m30intake, and I don't drive for economy but I still get 27.1 avg, prolly 3/4 of the miles are around the town.

[Julien]

I've got an 325is with 300k on it. 19lb injectors, m30intake, and I don't drive for economy but I still get 27.1 avg, prolly 3/4 of the miles are around the town.

your OBC might say 27, you are more than likely getting 18-20 on a good day.

[Julien]

So ive been having terrible luck and problems with the e36 this past year and finally am at the point where i am contemplating something a little more reliable and better on gas. The car isnt running right now and i started searching for a new car. I stumbled upon a pretty nice e30 on a local forum i am apart of. Its a 1986 325e bronzit 5spd. The exterior and interior are in great shape with only a little rust on the sunroof. Owner says that the car runs and everything. Only known serious work needed is a new driveshaft put in as the u-bolt is bad. He bought the car for the 5spd to swap into his '87 325is.

The owner has a new clutch that comes with the car so i guess if i were to buy it i could replaces the driveshaft and the clutch at the same time. Granted im sure there are a lot of little maintenance things that will need to be addressed, would this be a good choice for 1k? I dont have much $$$ so this is looking like an option.

http://nceuro.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11914

that is a terrible idea.

[McGyver]

you could do better for 1K. just my 2 cents.

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

your OBC might say 27, you are more than likely getting 18-20 on a good day.

How much does a full tank hold? I wanna set my trip odometer and do some math now. I average 90 miles a day shouldn't take too long.