What would YOU DO ?

[Heysüß]

So... finally got some money together to buy myself an E30.

If you could do it all over again, what would you look for when purchasing ?



P.S. if you're selling anything that's not posted on here or e30tech please send me a link.

New here so hopefully I'm in the right section. Thanks for your time!

[ak-]

I don't think I made a mistake when purchasing mine, but literally take your time.
Fish in the sea status.

[Jparkr]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=826530

some good info there.

Just don't fall in love with the first one you see. Shop around.

[rThor432]

If I had to do it ALL over again.. I would just have bought an M3 from the beginning and been done with it. Instead of buying a nice $8k Salmon/cardinal M3 back in '06 I kept buying "cheaper" non-M cars. I finally settled on a chassis in '07 that I really liked for $1k. Now, a few years later, I've got probably $17k in the thing and it wouldn't be bad to have that invested in the chassis that is actually worth that..

My $.02, because you asked for it.

[SimplyDope]

Around here, they're a dime a dozen. It was a long, painful process finding one that wasn't battered...

I'd have to say the most important consideration for me was finding a clean, straight chassis with no mysteries regarding maintenance in the hands of previous owners. That, and a decent interior.

Anything else can be replaced essentially, but like others have said, don't fall in love with the first one you see.

[McGyver]

i would get a 325is or 325i cabrio. if you can find an mtech II go for it. make sure its a manual. stay away from bronzit. look for something that hasn't be hacked up by the PO. figure out if you like the diving boards or plastic bumpers. GL!

[Jean]

Pay for PPI.

[Unearth078]

what i did was get in a starter and learned from it fixing it. total piece of shit with a blown HG and tons of rust and elec problems. after having a fun time with it an bending it up, i then found a no rust convertible that was clean. i realized i hate convertibles so i ditched it, sort of. Then i got in a late model coupe which i loved for the plastics. I got bored with m20 and wanted less rust... so picked up an s52 and gone thru 1 chasis that didnt meet my standards for no rust. i am now working on the cleanest chasis could ever have found right now but have no time. Im happy but just need to slam the s52 in there.

Its like evolution but im completely happy with that. dosent matter either way tho youll be addicted and want to do something similar.

[Heysüß]

Thanks so much for the tips guys.

yeah I seem to have found a bone stock white 325i 2 door manual with comfort seats in decent condition. The only thing holding me back is whther or not the plastic bumpers will be compatible (guy isn't sure what year it is and the pics have diving boards). I'm going tomorrow to look at it and hopefully buy it.

[Be30mer]

s62 twin screw. 4.10 lsd. mtechII. BBS. recaro.

[pureaudio]

If I were to buy an E30 again it would be the most original, unmolested example I could find. Don't get excited for an already modded car because you think it will save you money on the stuff you want to buy later on.

[StereoInstaller1]

I would do the exact same thing I have done twice: Buy a pile of shit and fix it cheap, driving the piss out of it for under $500/yr

[ck_taft325is]

I would do the exact same thing I have done twice: Buy a pile of shit and fix it cheap, driving the piss out of it for under $500/yr

This.

And look at EVERYTHING. REALLY take your time and think, "Will this rattle/rust bubble/bad paint/etc, etc... really bug me in 2 weeks?"

[619E30]

I would just look for a clean, straight, rust-free chassis

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=163890

[E30_fiend]

stay away from bronzit.

o rly?