noob question help!

[GUERONASTY]

just joined r3vlimited looking to get into e30 scene need some help on deciding weather i should get this or not... ok so i found this black on tan '84 325e w/ 92k clean title asking 2.5k cons hole in muffler & wear on drivers seat which id expect for a from a 17+ year old car any who good deal yay or nay???

[ohthejosh]

I think you should wait it out some more and whilst waiting save a lil more to get a nicer later model e30.

[miichaelsmith]

Agreed

[GUERONASTY]

Cool thanks for the info guys!

[619E30]

+1 on the late model

[urbancynic]

What are your expectations and requirements for an e30 first and foremost?

If you want fuel economy and are willing to sacrifice power for it, then get an eta.

If you can swing the money for a compromise of fuel economy and power get a late model 318i/is.

If you don't care about fuel economy get a 325i/is. What year depends on preference. - Do you like the look of an aluminum "diving board" bumper early car, or the plastic bumper later car?

I personally prefer the looks of the later model car, but for my purposes and budget at the time I purchased, I wanted a 325es for the torque and fuel economy.

Also, if you're asking us if something is a good deal or not, pictures always help a ton.

[devon.818]

save your money, get a late model, hang around r3v and see some member's cars.
get a feel for them.

i bought my first e30 on a whim, it was a automatic, early model 4dr.
should have waited for something good to pop up. i learned. lol

do a lil more research and find what you REALLY want

[AbsorbantNut]

Get early model, higher rear arches ftw, get euro bumpers, mtechI, or do a plastic bumper conversion. Then Profit?

[Farwest92]

I waited a year and a half to buy a beater.

[GUERONASTY]

+1 on the late model

clean whip in your sig yo!:up:

What are your expectations and requirements for an e30 first and foremost?

If you want fuel economy and are willing to sacrifice power for it, then get an eta.

If you can swing the money for a compromise of fuel economy and power get a late model 318i/is.

If you don't care about fuel economy get a 325i/is. What year depends on preference. - Do you like the look of an aluminum "diving board" bumper early car, or the plastic bumper later car?

I personally prefer the looks of the later model car, but for my purposes and budget at the time I purchased, I wanted a 325es for the torque and fuel economy.

Also, if you're asking us if something is a good deal or not, pictures always help a ton.

...mpg going for 26+ and hp enough to mess around 150+

[GUERONASTY]

currently looking at a '91 318is 85k og clean title for 3k

[delatlanta1281]

Listen, keep couple things in mind.
1 Engine/ Tranny, make sure they are in good shape
2 Body, a straight un-wrecked body with good to great paint goes a long way on these cars.
3 Interior, Un-cracked dashes are nice, but shit happens. Carpet, and headliners, those matter, you can find a set of seat easily in CA.
5 Suspension, While it would be nice to find one with a perfect suspension, who are we kidding. You won't. Plus if you plan to drop the car, you may as well look at replacing all the rubber while you are down there anyway.
5 Don't settle. If it doesn't have what you want, don't buy it. There are plenty of cars in CA.
As far as late to early models go, I like em early, some like em late... Look around here, see which you prefer. There is nothing wrong with an aluminum bumpered car that is sorted out. There are plenty on here that give late models a run for their money.

[GUERONASTY]

Listen, keep couple things in mind.
1 Engine/ Tranny, make sure they are in good shape
2 Body, a straight un-wrecked body with good to great paint goes a long way on these cars.
3 Interior, Un-cracked dashes are nice, but shit happens. Carpet, and headliners, those matter, you can find a set of seat easily in CA.
5 Suspension, While it would be nice to find one with a perfect suspension, who are we kidding. You won't. Plus if you plan to drop the car, you may as well look at replacing all the rubber while you are down there anyway.
5 Don't settle. If it doesn't have what you want, don't buy it. There are plenty of cars in CA.
As far as late to early models go, I like em early, some like em late... Look around here, see which you prefer. There is nothing wrong with an aluminum bumpered car that is sorted out. There are plenty on here that give late models a run for their money.

Thanks for the VERY helpful info much appreciated!

[JasonC]

not much to add, other then -1 on a late model.

[urbancynic]

clean whip in your sig yo!:up:

...mpg going for 26+ and hp enough to mess around 150+

Listen to what delatlanta said.

See what body style you prefer then go for what you like.

The 325e or es with a chip should get you about what you're looking for if you prefer early models. Otherwise the later model 318i or is should be close too.