Advice on a purchase

[HamiltonSeth]

Hi all,
There is an 89 325is for sale here on R3V. Here is the ad: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=209723

This is only about 15 min from me, and I have a trailer. I have been dying to get a project e30 for some time now. With the low price of this car, hopefully a bit negotiable, would it be worth putting in a 5 speed? I would not be interested in purchasing an auto. What can I expect to spend in parts for everything needed? I have seen a few Getrag 260s out there for as cheap as $200. I would be working on the car, and my brother owns a fabrication shop. I am a tinkerer, a modder, but not a mechanic. I do have time to learn though. Is this an easy enough swap or is there a great amount of experience needed with an auto to manual conversion? Completing the car at under $1,500 would be awesome. Then I can strip it and track it :D! Please let me know you thoughts, and thanks for the advice.
-Seth

[LuckyHenriksen]

It looks pretty rough, with a ton of ebay modifications. Could clean up fairly well. The trans swap shouldn't be too difficult, just time consuming if it your first time. I have never don one but they are very common. I wouldn't pay over $800 as it sits

[HamiltonSeth]

Thanks Lucky. I am thinking the same thing on the cost. I figured the trans would mount right up if I purchased one with a clutch, and I would of course need to get the shift linkage and clutch pedal. I'm trying to do my homework on the issue.

Thanks again