What do you think of this car?

[couch.lock]

I've found an E30 on craigslist that looks like a pretty good deal. There's a problem however. I'm 16, don't know a lot about cars, and I'm not sure what to think of this being an economy model. If you guys could look it over and give me your opinions on the sale I'd appreciate it.

Here are the deets: (I'm not going to post the actual link because I don't want this puppy slipping by like the last car I was looking at)

I have a 86 BMW 325e 2dr coupe with 2.7l straight 6 cylinder M20B27 engine, 5spd transmission, black interior. Not sure of the mileage because the odometer has stopped working (which is common in the these cars.) Currently displaying 138k. Has a few cracks in the dash and the seats look a little worn but not ripped or bent. The A/C system works but need to be recharged and a new belt put on. It has original paint and the body has a few dings but if someone knew what they were doing they could make this car shine again. Also has Bilstein Sport shocks and lowering springs. Not too aggressive but perfect for the street.

Great gas mileage. Gets 30mpg+ on the hwy and 24mpg in the city.

Recently put $1000+ in maintenance in this car. Here is a list of work that was done a little over a month ago.

- New Timing Belt & Belt Tensioner
- New Water Pump
- New Radiator
- New Thermostat
- New Accessory Belts
- New Valve Cover Gasket & Rocker Arm Shaft Seals
- New Shift Knob
- 89+ front end conversion
- Replace ICM
- New Vaccum Hoses
- New Fan Clutch and Fan
- New Distributor & Rotor Button
- Flushed Cooling System
- New Spark Plugs
- New Fuel Filter
- New Fuel Lines
- Recent Oil Change
- New Clutch Stop
- New Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder
- New PBR Brake Pads
- Recent Brake Fluid Flush
- Bilstein Sport Suspension
- BavAuto Front Lowering Springs
- SPAX Racing Rear Lowering Springs
- Tires Staggard +1 oversize in the rear.

Runs and drives great. Cheap on gas.

Asking $1700 OBO.




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[ldsbeaker]

When was the front end accident?

p.s. oh snap, the early model mullet!

[HarryPotter]

Id pick it up. God damn those volvo lips are hideous.

[couch.lock]

Front end accident? Early model mullet?

Wut?

[recall]

The asking price seems relatively low if he really did just drop $1k on the car, people usually expect more return for their money. That front end "conversion" looks awful. He must have ran into something right after converting it, or something suspicious is up there. The replaced radiator, fan and clutch, and work on the timing belt / water pump indicates that maybe something went wrong there, but he could just be being proactive... The hood is obviously jacked up. Perhaps he just took it off when doing the timing belt and didn't take the time to line it back up right, but that should tell you something as well.

As far as the replaced list of parts, most of it isn't major aside from the timing belt (which is arguably major) and the suspension work. On the bright side, the interior doesn't look too ratted out and has the stock radio, which is usually a good sign.

[BigTe30]

Sounds like it was in a front end collision, new radiator, bumper swap and hood alignment is off. I would take it to a shop and have them snoop around and see if they notice anything, mention the front end and ask them if there is and damage. It looks pretty clean, he has it up for 1700 which means he'd take 1500 and i think thats a fair price for the car. All that maintenance alone would have cost close to that. Good luck.

[couch.lock]

I noticed the hood seemed kind of strange looking but I wasn't sure if maybe that was just the angle of the picture or what. Is that what looks so bad about said "front end conversion"? Cause aside from the hood I thought everything looked pretty good.

How is having the stock radio a good sign exactly?

[HarryPotter]

dude its 1700 bucks.

[ldsbeaker]

... and $1700 is a lot for a 16y.o., especially if he earned it himself.

It is a decent price, but I would get more details. The front end is setting off alarm bells to me.
(The "mullet" is the plastic up front, diving board/metal bumper in the rear)

[recall]

I noticed the hood seemed kind of strange looking but I wasn't sure if maybe that was just the angle of the picture or what. Is that what looks so bad about said "front end conversion"? Cause aside from the hood I thought everything looked pretty good.

How is having the stock radio a good sign exactly?

Well, the bumper is also jacked up on the driver's side, looks like there was some impact near the turn signal. Hard to say if the hood being off is related.

A stock radio should mean the wiring is in good shape and not rigged, which might not be too important until you go to put another in...

[couch.lock]

I'm gonna call the guy tomorrow and his him about all this bumper stuff.

But I mean, I'm definitely going to have the car checked out by a mechanic before investing any money so hopefully I won't get screwed over too bad.

[kronus]

Looks like it's been deleted from Craigslist :o

[couch.lock]

Looks like it's been deleted from Craigslist :o

What makes you think that?

[///digitalme]

doesnt look bad at all id say try to adjust the hood when or if you go check out the car...

[Dude]

I put the first line of the description in google and it brought me right to the listing haha.