Should I Pull the Trigger on this 318is..?

[selturk]

well I've been looking for a clean and well maintained 91 318is for about few months now.
I just found one but the seller doesn't have any service records and the car has been in a storage for about three years.

It has around 90,000 on the clock and no rust. He wants $1500 for it and I think I can probably talk him down.
So I can't decide on what to do. I need some advice/help..


thanks..

[gearheadE30]

That sounds pretty reasonable, especially for a clean, low miles M42 car. Do you have any other details or pics?

[selturk]

That sounds pretty reasonable, especially for a clean, low miles M42 car. Do you have any other details or pics?

I don't have any other details but he sent me just one picture.

[BlueBMW]

Looks nice enough. Seems to be loaded down really bad in the back though... Looks like you should have good heat with those radiators in the front seat! Will need a nice IS lip spoiler to finish it off tho!

[selturk]

Looks nice enough. Seems to be loaded down really bad in the back though... Looks like you should have good heat with those radiators in the front seat! Will need a nice IS lip spoiler to finish it off tho!

lol.. I asked him "what's up with the rear suspension?" he said "nothing is wrong with it. Car is on a hill" :)

[ejnight]

If it runs I would pay that for it.

[MrSlacker]

That one looks pretty sweet for the money. Wonder how well it runs...

[bryant.cw]

For the money, I guess. The body looks like a good starting point for a project.

I've met his type before tho. As long as it starts most of the time, gets down the street and stops, to him there is nothing wrong. Well maintained means when a tire went flat he got one tire no matter if he mismatched a set and changed the oil. I would check that the odo is even working.

Be wary, and know that you're gonna have to redo the suspension and probably brakes after it has sat like that. And tires. Ooh and buff out all the paint. Oh yeah, belts too, and probably hoses. Oh and filters. I'm sure the drivers seat looks great after having that sharp edged 45lb radiator chillin on it forever.

Just be wary, know what you expect out of the car, what your ultimate goals are, and what you aren't willing to live with.

Seems like a good price for the body, but just know it doesn't look like a DD right out of the gate.

[selturk]

If it runs I would pay that for it.

yes, just got to see how good it runs.

That one looks pretty sweet for the money. Wonder how well it runs...

looking good but like you said how well it runs etc.. need to see it in person.

For the money, I guess. The body looks like a good starting point for a project.

I've met his type before tho. As long as it starts most of the time, gets down the street and stops, to him there is nothing wrong. Well maintained means when a tire went flat he got one tire no matter if he mismatched a set and changed the oil. I would check that the odo is even working.

Be wary, and know that you're gonna have to redo the suspension and probably brakes after it has sat like that. And tires. Ooh and buff out all the paint. Oh yeah, belts too, and probably hoses. Oh and filters. I'm sure the drivers seat looks great after having that sharp edged 45lb radiator chillin on it forever.

Just be wary, know what you expect out of the car, what your ultimate goals are, and what you aren't willing to live with.

Seems like a good price for the body, but just know it doesn't look like a DD right out of the gate.

thanks this is very helpful.. If I buy it, I can put $1000-1500 into it. I guess that's should be enough to make it into a good DD right.

[bryant.cw]

Plan on new suspension to make it handle right, bushings, shocks, springs, control arms, tie rods, alignment. Thats 800+ right there without coilovers doing the work yourself. Then the rest for hoses, ignition tune up, belts, misc bits like shifter bushings, OBC light, chip, oil change, fuel filter etc etc. Does it need tires or brakes? Does the radio/cd work, do you care? Does the antennna work? Do all the bulbs work? It will need new wipers. Are the roundels all fucked up? Do the sunroof and window motors work right? Why doesn't that back fender look glossy, can you do detailing work yourself? Is the spare ok? Some of these things are higher priority than others, but you get the idea. Is the trunk wet? Is the battery good? Is the exhaust ok, are they going to check that when you get it inspected where you live?

Questions to get answers to.

For 3-5k you would have a very nice ride, depending on what you wanna do. All the little stuff always gets on my nerves, but doesn't bother others.

[selturk]

Plan on new suspension to make it handle right, bushings, shocks, springs, control arms, tie rods, alignment. Thats 800+ right there without coilovers doing the work yourself. Then the rest for hoses, ignition tune up, belts, misc bits like shifter bushings, OBC light, chip, oil change, fuel filter etc etc. Does it need tires or brakes? Does the radio/cd work, do you care? Does the antennna work? Do all the bulbs work? It will need new wipers. Are the roundels all fucked up? Do the sunroof and window motors work right? Why doesn't that back fender look glossy, can you do detailing work yourself? Is the spare ok? Some of these things are higher priority than others, but you get the idea. Is the trunk wet? Is the battery good? Is the exhaust ok, are they going to check that when you get it inspected where you live?

Questions to get answers to.

For 3-5k you would have a very nice ride, depending on what you wanna do. All the little stuff always gets on my nerves, but doesn't bother others.

great write up.. I need something reliable for a DD. I won't be able to do all of the work by myself (no tools and no space). I'll probably take it to GutenParts if they have the time. Inspection is not a problem, I can get it done for around 130.

thanks again, I appreciate it.

[325ix]

Do it, good deal for the price

[selturk]

Do it, good deal for the price

I might be able to get it even cheaper..

[DarkWing6]

I'd take that car for $1,500. If you can get it cheaper, that is a bonus. In the PNW that car wouldn't last a day on Craigslist for $1,500.

[harv]

If it has been sitting on that dirt for all that time there may be rust on the floors. Something doesn't look right with the rear suspention.

John