Keep my eta or sell and get a new one?

[mikejungle]

Hi, I'm wondering if I should keep my 1985 325e and fix it up or if I should sell it and buy a 325is or something.

A little history:
Bought it for $800
Powerflex control arm bushings
Control arms
Swing arms
New oil pan (old one was scratched up and leaking)
Radiator (old one was leaking)
New clutch and flywheel
e36 m3 shifter and shifter linkage
cap and rotor
timing belt
water pump

Current problems:
*there's a loud ticking sound coming from it whenever I drive it. I was told that replacing the cap and rotor would fix that, but it didn't.
*rear hub is BADLY in need of replacing. The lugs won't stay in, so I'm scared to drive it. I don't know if it's worth replacing or if I should just start over.
*corrosion in the cooling system...i did multiple flushes, but I keep just getting brown water.

Please please PLEASE give me some advice. I'm super geeked about working on a car, but I want a decent base and not something that'll give me endless headaches. I bought it on impulse, and I knew next to nothing about e30's back then.

If I do sell it, how much do you think I could sell it for?

Thanks a lot

[jasonbk]

I think you should part them out and buy a better one.

[Butler]

Keep it.


You've already put time and money into this one, why start over with another? A new car means new problems. You've created a history with this one, fix it up, enjoy the good milage and look for another E30 when youre really ready for an upgrade.

good luck. Cars cost money, thats what this one needs.

[mikejungle]

Cool. Thanks a lot.

I actually came to the same decision just yesterday. I was looking around on craigslist in san diego and LA, and like you said, a lot of em have a whole slew of problems that I just got over with my car.

I think once I get the rear hubs replaced, it'll be in decent running condition...i just hope it doesn't crap out on me later. haha...