I'm new to E30's, should I buy this car?

[jmonaco]

Hey r3vLimited,

I'm new here and I was hoping you guys could help give me some input. I want to get into E30s and there's one on craigslist, but I'm a bit dense when it comes to buying cars. So, I would really appreciate all of your honest opinions and criticisms!

So, the car: 1989 BMW E30 325ix
Pictures: http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/chadcbutler/

Here is the description in the seller's ad:
"I'm selling my super clean E30 chassis 1989 325iX. This car is all-wheel drive, with a manual crank sunroof, cruise control, electric windows and door locks. Runs and drives great. Perfect car for a daily driver. It has 154,000 miles on it.

I like to make lists, so here's a list of the good and bad for this lovely car:

The Good:
-The tires only have approx. 2,000 miles on them.
-The alternator has been recently replaced.
-The right front lower control arm has been replaced.
-The seats are in perfect condition (no cracks or splits).
-The speedometer has recently been serviced.
-Working all-wheel drive.
-Manual Crank sunroof (much more reliable than the problematic electric BMW sunroofs).
-Great daily driver.

The Bad:
-There are two medium sided cracks on the dash.
-The ABS and Brake Lining light are on. (The brake pads have plenty of material left on them)
-Could probably use a tune-up. (New spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor)
-No high-beam bulbs (they were not in it when I bought it and I rarely use the high beams in any car)
-Electric antenna doesn't extend but it does still get reception.

I am asking $4100 OBO. Please e-mail me if you're interested in taking a look at it."

So, my questions to you are:
Is the asking price justified?
In your opinion, is it in good condition?
Should I be worried that the seller had to fix the alternator, a control arm, speedometer, etc.?
What are the chances that this could be a reliable daily driver?
What are the chances that it wouldn't break down and I would have to spend my life savings getting it fixed?
Why are the ABS and brake lining lights on? Is this a wiring issue and could I just fix it myself?
New spark plugs, distributor, and rotor? Are these parts expensive and are they simple to replace?

I will be meeting the seller to look at the car in the next week or so. What are some questions should I ask?

Sorry for all the noobish questions :grin:

All input is appreciated!

Thank you!

[xikyle]

it looks clean. BUT its easy to make a car with problems look clean.

The last person i ever trust to tell me the truth about a car is the salesman. i would recomend you take it to a BMW dealer before buying, or if you can take a friend who knows the e30 well enough to tell where the common problems are and where the rust spots are.
(google common problems for e30) my two cents. :-) GLWB

[alB5]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=826530

I read this over before going to check out mine. Helped me out with questions and whatnot.

[Pac1373]

I think it boils down to personal choice,
being and Automatic trans. and a 4 door, wouldn't be my choice.

but IX is thought of highly by alot of people, the AWD if it works well would be super in the winter.

the maintainance parts you mention are not very expensive, and are after all items that need to be replaced in a routine schedule.

no dont worry that the PO had to replace parts, that is a sign of a good owner, things wear out, and need replacing.

I think that he did not add new sensors when he did the brakes, hence the lining light.
the ABS light IDK, maybe more serious.

boils doen to what you want.

[325ix]

Hey r3vLimited,

I'm new here and I was hoping you guys could help give me some input. I want to get into E30s and there's one on craigslist, but I'm a bit dense when it comes to buying cars. So, I would really appreciate all of your honest opinions and criticisms!

So, the car: 1989 BMW E30 325ix
Pictures: http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/chadcbutler/

Here is the description in the seller's ad:
"I'm selling my super clean E30 chassis 1989 325iX. This car is all-wheel drive, with a manual crank sunroof, cruise control, electric windows and door locks. Runs and drives great. Perfect car for a daily driver. It has 154,000 miles on it.

I like to make lists, so here's a list of the good and bad for this lovely car:

The Good:
-The tires only have approx. 2,000 miles on them.
-The alternator has been recently replaced. This is good, he took care and fixed problems
-The right front lower control arm has been replaced. Same here
-The seats are in perfect condition (no cracks or splits).
-The speedometer has recently been serviced. What was servieced? SI batteries?
-Working all-wheel drive. Has he shown you the jack test? Search it on youtube
-Manual Crank sunroof (much more reliable than the problematic electric BMW sunroofs). I have never had a problem with an electric BMW sunroof, I don't think many others have either
-Great daily driver.

The Bad:
-There are two medium sided cracks on the dash. Almost all E30s do.
-The ABS and Brake Lining light are on. (The brake pads have plenty of material left on them) Brake pads are probably because he didn't replace the sensors, abs could have been unplugged, ECU may have been changed out for one from a rwd e30
-Could probably use a tune-up. (New spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor) Not that big of a deal,
-No high-beam bulbs (they were not in it when I bought it and I rarely use the high beams in any car) This is easy to stick in a set of bulbs.
-Electric antenna doesn't extend but it does still get reception. It looks better that way, a fully extended antennae goes over the roof, it looks like an rc car.

I am asking $4100 OBO. Please e-mail me if you're interested in taking a look at it."

So, my questions to you are:
Is the asking price justified?
In your opinion, is it in good condition?
Should I be worried that the seller had to fix the alternator, a control arm, speedometer, etc.?
What are the chances that this could be a reliable daily driver?
What are the chances that it wouldn't break down and I would have to spend my life savings getting it fixed?
Why are the ABS and brake lining lights on? Is this a wiring issue and could I just fix it myself?
New spark plugs, distributor, and rotor? Are these parts expensive and are they simple to replace?

I will be meeting the seller to look at the car in the next week or so. What are some questions should I ask?

Sorry for all the noobish questions :grin:

All input is appreciated!

Thank you!

Check for rust in the rear arches, battery tray, license plate lights and under the carpet if he will let you. If he wont I would be worried.

[Mlarsen]

Don't worry about tune up shit. Make sure the awd system works, its a PITA to work with.

[JasonC]

Do you really want a 4 door?

[Ayman]

you don't seem like a little douche so check this out and look for someone who lives near you on this forum who knows about e30s to go and check it out with you.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=153

I'm a car noob and having someone from the forum by your side is always that much more reassuring.

[Pac1373]

Do you really want a 4 door?

this is the real question.

[5Toes]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=826530

I read this over before going to check out mine. Helped me out with questions and whatnot.

Alb... my friend loves mk2s... anyways I noticed the tank top in your avatar. Where can I buy one for her?

[LivingLegend06]

That car has been for sale for quite some time now. If your gonna buy it lowball the crap out of him, being 4dr and an automatic hurt the value. In my opinion it not worth over 3k.

[alB5]

Alb... my friend loves mk2s... anyways I noticed the tank top in your avatar. Where can I buy one for her?

idk, I've tried to find where to get them but without any luck.

[jmonaco]

Thank you all for your advice! It's much appreciated.