88' 325i looking at buying

[E30MACK]

ok guys im new here as you can see. Ihave always loved the way E30's look and the fact that hey are light weight and fast. so Istarted searching about 2 months ago. I have found one that I think I'd like as a decent starting place. Its a 88' 325i 5-speed with 184k on the odometer. here is the catch. its about 300 miles away from me and it does not run. the guy selling it says it was his brothers and he owes hin some money so he is selling it. its in a warehouse and he isnt sure what is wrong with it. he says the engine turns over but wont start, that it needs some exhaust repair work and rear shock mounts. So id have to tow it to a near by shop to have it worked on and then drive it home. the exterior is clean clean clean, the interior isnt perfect but with a little work will be ok. the guy will take$1500 what are your thoughts?

[gofredo50]

If you don't have any idea whats wrong with it you really can't predict how quickly or easily you'll be able to get it up and running in order to get it home. I wouldn't make a move until you know exactly whats going on or can arrange to have it towed all the way.

Plus, the fact that it was his brothers and he's selling it is really setting off my crap detector. You'll want to make sure the person selling you the car is the one who actually owns it, title and all, in order to avoid being drug into some sort of legal dispute or worse. This seems like a bad deal to get into, at least sight unseen.

That's my 2 cents.

[Ray Ban]

I have that exact car. Lol. And I love it. It's about as easy to fix as you could imagine. However, it's still a bmw. God only knows why it won't run. I'd do a little more investigating if I were you.

[Dj Buttchug]

offer 1k

[jaywood]

I wouldn't pay 1k for that^^

500 tops...who knows what the problem is. He isn't even the owner.

Pics?

[E30MACK]

I just emailed him, he says his brother signed off on the title. he is a med student and dosent have time to mess with it anymore. I told him to have his bro(owner of the car) email me about where he got with it and what he thought was wrong with it. Im not traveling 300+ miles to twiddle my thumbs...btw, he started at $2200 and I got him to go to $1500, i figure I can probably get him to go to $1200 when I show up with cash.

[E30MACK]

he said his brother changed the cap,rotor,plugs and wires and it still wouldnt start. said its been sitting for about 6-8 months....that scares me a little.

[mkcman17]

any pics? in my mind, straight body trumps motor issues. m20's are all over the place for a couple hundred bones if worst comes to worst. crank but no start could be compression? sure the new sparkplugs were installed properly?

[BillBrasky]

any pics? in my mind, straight body trumps motor issues. m20's are all over the place for a couple hundred bones if worst comes to worst.

This is even more true in the midwest where rust free, clean title, 5 speed e30's are hard to find. I'd definitely try to get him down to about $1200, but I wouldn't be afraid at $1500 if it's very clean.

[txtorquemade]

Run...dont walk away from this clusterfuck

[E30MACK]

ok I have another 88' 325is Im looking at....this one has about 200k on it, clean ext and int. runs well but has a shutter around 35mph(he thinks its the center support bearing giving out) comes with cup kit, smoked smilies, 4.10 LSD 5-speed. no rust, has a oil leak that he thinks is coming from the valve cover gasket, car has new mounts(?) and he wants $1850....thoughts? oh its down south, I figured screw messing with rust!

[mkcman17]

sounds like he is making problems sound easier than they are. if it is really just csb and vc gasket, that's cheaper than shit to fix. more likely it's half shafts and main seal for the price he's asking. either way, sounds like a pretty smokin' deal for the goodies. i actually kind of want to rock a db late model.

[E30MACK]

bump, i need advice on my last post....