New E30 Intro, Buyer's Remorse?

[md325i]

So, I bought a E30 325i 4 Door Sedan this past Saturday. It was a semi-spur of the moment purchase. I saw it online while looking car shopping, kinda liked the price and went for it. It's my first car so, I didn't really check much before buying it.

Here's the basics:

1988 325i 4 Door Sedan, Alpine White, 5spd Manual

Problems:

• Odometer is broken at 77k, seller claimed it went out 3 years ago and that it is approximately at 130k.
• One door lock knob is missing.
• 3 window switches are broken and need replacing. I suspect that the only window switch working in the whole car though is the driver window control.
• Missing the center grille.
• Glove Box lock is broken. The glove box is broken nonetheless. It seems like someone tried to force it and broke the rear.
• Driver side door lock doesn't work. I can open the car and lock it through shotgun side door and trunk.
• Engine light turns on, the panel near the rear view mirror says rear lights and washing fluid?
• Gas gauge may or may not be working. It's near empty right now, I haven't filled it.
• The hood is darn hard to pop. The panel under the steering wheel seems to be broken too.
• Minor surface rust on the car.
• Broken headlights
• Something in the engine compartment is frayed... silvery tube on the passenger side of the engine

The seller was asking for 1800 and I brought it down to 1550. Since the seller didn't know the last oil change, belt change, water pump change, I figure I will have to do it all. Better safe than sorry.

Pics:





picture of the frayed tube thing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186131@N02/sets/72157625133559058/

Good deal? Or did I get shafted and need to learn from this experience? Valid harsh criticism welcome. I need a reality check here.

[jasonsnoddy]

nothing on that list is really that big of a deal, save for the rust. that "silvery tube thing" is an AC line.

welcome!

[KennyT]

Nice buy. The frayed tube is an AC line. Fix the little stuff and you should have a nice solid car.

[pharow]

looks like a good buy to me. yes there are some things to fix, but it does not look like any thing major.

good luck with it.

[StereoInstaller1]

Get started thinking maintenance first, this is an old BMW.

You very likely need to do your timing belt, water pump, tensioner, cam seal, cam housing seal and a valve adjustment, all of which is a casual 1 day job for a DIY kind of person.

You should also replace the PS fluid reservoir, which is also the filter, and flush the system.

Of course, you are gonna wanna do all the usual suspension rebuilding too, these become mighty competent cars with some proper love and money applied.

If you need parts, check www.blunttech.com first, then like BMA parts or Pelican Parts, there are a couple of actual dealers with internet parts sales departments, too, like Tischler.

IF you are skilled mofo, you can take apart those window switches and clean the contacts, they are likely to work again, or if it is an electrical issue, you can download the electrical troubleshooting manual (yes, actual BMW tech stuff) at www.wedophones.com (hunt around, look for manuals on the top right) and post your issues here, LOTS of people enjoy helping on tech stuff.

I am gonna say this: if you are afraid of working on cars but want to learn, the E30 is one of the absolute best cars to learn on. They do require maintenance, and generally it is a good idea to own them in pairs.

If you are afraid of commitment, not willing to develop a relationship with your car, sell the fucking thing now before someone gets hurt.

Welcome to R3V!
Luke

[cobraken]

I agree with what grandpa says and welcome to the boards.

Get started thinking maintenance first, this is an old BMW.

You very likely need to do your timing belt, water pump, tensioner, cam seal, cam housing seal and a valve adjustment, all of which is a casual 1 day job for a DIY kind of person.

You should also replace the PS fluid reservoir, which is also the filter, and flush the system.

Of course, you are gonna wanna do all the usual suspension rebuilding too, these become mighty competent cars with some proper love and money applied.

If you need parts, check www.blunttech.com first, then like BMA parts or Pelican Parts, there are a couple of actual dealers with internet parts sales departments, too, like Tischler.

IF you are skilled mofo, you can take apart those window switches and clean the contacts, they are likely to work again, or if it is an electrical issue, you can download the electrical troubleshooting manual (yes, actual BMW tech stuff) at www.wedophones.com (hunt around, look for manuals on the top right) and post your issues here, LOTS of people enjoy helping on tech stuff.

I am gonna say this: if you are afraid of working on cars but want to learn, the E30 is one of the absolute best cars to learn on. They do require maintenance, and generally it is a good idea to own them in pairs.

If you are afraid of commitment, not willing to develop a relationship with your car, sell the fucking thing now before someone gets hurt.

Welcome to R3V!
Luke

[KenC]

All minor issues.

[Stanley Rockefeller]

With that many issues, I kinda find it hard to beleive this car has that actual mileage. My guess is somewhere north of 150k miles

...ijs

[scottinAZ]

lots of minor issues, but nothing that will keep you walking for an extended period of time. Mine has 281K on it and is still chugging along. the frayed thing is nothing, its a heat protection cover on the ac hose. as long as the hose under it is OK, then no worries. if its fried, they are cheap online (20-30 bucks) if you decide to get the ac working again, if not, its a moot point anyways. the kidneys are dirt cheap at a junkyard, as are most of the other things on your list, so get crackin. great cars, just dont be afraid to get your hands dirty

[md325i]

Thanks everybody. I do plan on doing all the work. She is going to be more of a education car. Do you recommend going OEM for all the parts? Or do you think I'd have a better time finding third party items?

StereoInstaller: Never thought about trying to fix the electrical on the switches. That would beat paying $20+ on all the new switches.

Still looking around at other 325i, but figure I should now be putting my attention towards my 325i and get her on the road.

Any recommendations on how to attack the rust?

[scottinAZ]

for the switches, check the for sale section on here, they are listed all the time, (I have some on there now) for parts, go OEM, and PM blunt with what you need, great prices, great service and a great all around guy to deal with.

[gearheadE30]

what are you planning on using the car for? as a first car, I'm going to assume it's just a dd, and really OEM parts will be the way to go. Note that not everything on Pelican will be OEM, but I've been satisfied with the quality of everything I've purchased there. Also, if you can't find a part number for something you need, realOEM.com is a great place for diagrams and price estimates.

For the rust, the only way to really repair it is to take the rusted area down to bare metal, prime it, and paint it. If the sheetmetal is weak, it should really be cut out and replaced and then painted. Just make sure that ALL of the rust is gone before painting, or it will start to rust under the paint in that spot and cause bubbling.

Oh, and welcome to the site; looks like a pretty good find

[325ix]

Should be a pretty easy fix up. Most of the problems are minor. I would go oem for any parts really. Some, such as electrical switches could be bought in good used condition.