Might be buying a E30.

[E30?]

Hey guys looks like im likely getting a 88/89 325 coupe stock everything. Seats were redone (look great)

Im no expert on cars but it did have a ruff idle when at a complete stop and there is this small oil spot right below the engine which i took a picture of. They are giving me 2500 for my 99 civic automatic hb which has 126k miles and im going to pay 2k out of pocket.

You guys think this sound like a good deal? The odo has 99,### on it. I will get it carfaxed to make sure. But the ext/int looks like it was taken care of.

And what about this pic?


Thank you guys sooo much.

[Kershaw]

if thats a real leak there (and not just spilled oil, because the oil cap is close by) a new valve gasket is like $8 and takes 20 minutes to do.

m20s are not known for their smooth idle. how rough are we talking?

post some more pics.

[E30?]

Ruff idle the rpm wasnt shaking much but the car was like it might stop any second.

[mamzak]

Ruff idle the rpm wasnt shaking much but the car was like it might stop any second.

When was the timing belt serviced last?

[E30?]

That i dont know. I will ask when i talk to them again. If not how much might that run?


Thanks guys for the help

[QUKBMER]

ISC valve sticking and causing a low idle. Oil fouled spark plugs? And yes the timing belt (get it done unless they have proof it was done lately,ask to see invoices)and possible fuel pump sometime soon too will need to be done..Dont mess around not doing the timing belt.

[mamzak]

Last time I had a shitty idle it was because I put in the Bosch Platinum 4 spark plugs, which apparently don't mesh well with my engine, and the timing chain tensioner needed to be replaced.

On the M20 the timing belt is a pretty crucial thing to replace. I would just do it anyways if they can't prove it was done fairly recently. I'm not sure of the cost on that though, I don't have an M20.

[greanthumb]

prob some little vaccum leak, or could just need maintenance. try not to overlook other things on the vehicle.... you know, rust, bondo, etc.

[E30?]

I will. There was rust on the bottom of the muffler tip, I dont know if thats something important.

[Wh33lhop]

If they don't have records of when the timing belt or water pump has last been replaced (or it hasn't been in the past 40k miles or so) then that's a good price bargaining tool. That's a good $600+ job (or you do it yourself for $200, but don't tell them that), and any maintenance conscious owner would do it immediately if that were the case.

[E30?]

Is the price seem pretty fair? I will also go soon and drive it for about 30 min or so I only got to drive it for about 5 min because i just stopped by on my lunch to see the car in person.

[Wh33lhop]

$4500 is a bit steep for a bone stock E30, if it's super clean, perfect paint, no rust and only has 99k then it might not be too bad, but without pictures it's hard to judge.

[E30?]

$4500 is a bit steep for a bone stock E30, if it's super clean, perfect paint, no rust and only has 99k then it might not be too bad, but without pictures it's hard to judge.

Thanks for the quick response man. I will get more pics as soon as i can go to see the car. I dont have to worry about it being sold anytime soon.(Its been with them for the past 2 months) And I will find out about the timing belt.

[Jean]

$4500 is a bit steep for a bone stock E30, if it's super clean, perfect paint, no rust and only has 99k then it might not be too bad, but without pictures it's hard to judge.

It's gotta have MINT interior and exterior, come with records of service and have working everything including A/C at that price.

[E30?]

There isnt much to be done to this engine as in mods if i was to own this car right guys?