Choices

[Ian Bowers]

I normally wouldn't make a thread like this, but I need opinions.

I bought a 1991 318i(157k miles) on Saturday for $500 -- It runs, it drives, it is no cherry, but I planned on fixing the issues and selling it for around $1500.

I went to the DMV today to get a moving permit to get it home, the car wasn't registered for 2009/2010, they want me to pay $432 in fees. I already expected to put another $3-400 into the car to get it smogged, and fix the interior.

The thing is, at $942 + $400 it'll be around $1300, and I don't think I could sell it for more than $1500, and I don't think it's worth my time.

I don't like the idea of killing an E30, but I think it might be worth it to part out the car.

The other thing is, I have a 1974 2002 and a 1969 1600, should I take the M42 from the 318i and get the 1600 on the road? It only has 121k on it.

Or, I could just keep the engine and rebuild it to be 8.5:1 for my 318 when my 153k old engine goes kablooey after I start putting 9PSI in it.

Dear R3v,

What would you do?

[evandael]

I am under the impression that the M42 block has different mounting points than the M10, meaning a swap into an '02 chassis becomes a lot more fabrication (and cost) intensive.


Try selling it out of state? A lot of people want 318i's, actually, and a CA car is worth a premium.

[xwill112x]

yank engine to have for you once yours blows and part the rest

[txtorquemade]

I just went through the same experience. Bought my 90 325i in 2008. Got it home and tore it down and it sat for 1 year or so. Got it finished up and went to register it. 657.00 with 500.00 of that in penalty for "scofflaw" fines.

Bastards.

I upped the money and now its registered and my daily driver. Problem is... I now have a 87 325iS that is going on 1 year without being titled. Grrrrrr....

[Danny]

Post some pictures and I might buy it from you for what you paid or a couple hundred more.

[Ian Bowers]

I am under the impression that the M42 block has different mounting points than the M10, meaning a swap into an '02 chassis becomes a lot more fabrication (and cost) intensive.


Try selling it out of state? A lot of people want 318i's, actually, and a CA car is worth a premium.

I mainly wanted to do the swap because the 1600 is my Father's car, and he thinks it would be an awesome little car, I have no experience actually working on the E10s, just have two of them.

I would feel dishonest selling it to anyone, as I don't know how well it runs, other than moving it around in a driveway.

I just went through the same experience. Bought my 90 325i in 2008. Got it home and tore it down and it sat for 1 year or so. Got it finished up and went to register it. 657.00 with 500.00 of that in penalty for "scofflaw" fines.

Bastards.

I upped the money and now its registered and my daily driver. Problem is... I now have a 87 325iS that is going on 1 year without being titled. Grrrrrr....

This can be solved by just putting the car in a non-operation state, I thought? Why don't people do that. :(

Post some pictures and I might buy it from you for what you paid or a couple hundred more.

I'll take some pictures and post them when I get the car home. It had a torn headliner, and someone "fixed" the door cards by making custom black felt ones. You have a four door though, might not be such an issue.

[MonkeyMadness]

I voted make an old bmw road worthy, but under on condition
Boost the shit out of the M42 and drop in into one of the smog exempt bmw..

Fucking duhh..

[Ian Bowers]

I live in an area without annual smog. I don't worry about smogging my current cars, nor CARB certs. I only have to smog a newly purchased vehicle.

[MonkeyMadness]

lucky you...