need some advices, any suggestions?

[mini612]

Hello guys, I'm currently looking at an 323i E30 and have no clue about BMW's especially the E30. I came from a Honda and Mazda background so while doing research I find myself getting a little confused on the model, trims/bumpers -medal vs plastic.

NOTE: The guy I will be talking about speaks little English and in his 50's. I'm Asian and even I have difficulties understanding him. This guy is trying to sell me his Black E30 323i for $1000.00. It's in good condition, not sure exactly how many miles because he said the tachometer is not the original but it shows 144,000, there are no RUST, orange front right light is broken (the rectangular orange-light below the right headlight along with its' black plastic housing broken) minor scratches and minor door dings from everyday usage not a big concern of mine. The guy claim it's a 1987 or 88 but according to my research i'm thinking it's a 1985. The car is lowered and have some ugly 16's 5 spoke rims on. Again, I'm not sure exactly what type of shocks or springs. When I looked underneath the car, I saw the sway bars in the color Blue, I'm assuming it's aftermarket. He also claim that the previous owner went through an engine swap a while ago and again he's not sure what engine, it appears to be a inline 6 but I know that 2.3 and 2.5 are inline 6's. BTW, the engine sounds wonderful!!!

The car didn't have a battery so I took one of mine and bolted into the car. The car started right up after laying in his garage for 1.5 years. He stated that the main problem he sees with the car is that since the car had been stored for awhile, the shifter is "hard to shift into gears..." I'm not sure exactly what he means? Needs lubing?

The tachometer is not precise, he said that the previous owner swapped it from another car. He's not sure what car. But it feels like the techo moves only when it wants to, I might be able to figure this one out.

The car does have metal bumpers. If I get this car I plan on doing a front and rear bumper swap, I heard it's time consuming to do, is this true? I know that time depends on what type of bumper I wish to install but will a E30 325 front and rear bumper bolt up?

Thanks guys for reading my post. I really want to know so that I can make my final decisions on this car.

[jasonbk]

Good to see another asian e30(potential) owner..lol
btw I would stay away from butchered car like that if you're not an expert ( or even if you are an expert.. I would say stay away from that car. Swapped random engine and other bits by previous owner who didn't take care of the car? and guy selling it doesn't have a clue what is in it?)
do some more search and get a stock 325i.. also plastic bumper swap isn't just a bolt-on swap. you need bit more than that.

[Turf1600]

If it's a 323 it may be a euro car - in which case the "medal" bumpers would be a plus. In fact, if it's a euro car and is only $1000 it would probably be a deal. My best advices is to determine if it's a euro bumpered car and then make a decisions accordingly.

[mini612]

If it's a 323 it may be a euro car - in which case the "medal" bumpers would be a plus. In fact, if it's a euro car and is only $1000 it would probably be a deal. My best advices is to determine if it's a euro bumpered car and then make a decisions accordingly.

Thanks!!! much appreciation. How can I determine if it's a euro car or not? Would the VIN numbers tell if it's a euro car. The guy who owns the car told me that he got it from a guy from TX a while back like 10 or so years ago. I knew I should've taken down the vin number... yeap kick me stupid....

All I know is that it says 323i with medal bumpers. OH forgot to say that the front bumper is beginning to show some spotting rust... not a lot but visible to the naked eye.


Meng

[Keith M]

Welcome, Meng. Do you have any pictures of the car?

[Turf1600]

Thanks!!! much appreciation. How can I determine if it's a euro car or not? Would the VIN numbers tell if it's a euro car. The guy who owns the car told me that he got it from a guy from TX a while back like 10 or so years ago. I knew I should've taken down the vin number... yeap kick me stupid....

All I know is that it says 323i with medal bumpers. OH forgot to say that the front bumper is beginning to show some spotting rust... not a lot but visible to the naked eye.


Meng

Well, rust would indicate that it's a euro car. US spec cars have anodized aluminum bumpers.

Euro e30 bumpers look like this:


US bumpers look like this:

[der affe]

Rust on a metal bumper meams it is chromed steel which makes it a euro bumper. If you can take a magnet to it and it sticks, it is euro.

Look to see if it has side marker lights in the front fenders close to the doors too. Is the speedo in KMs only?

For the money, you could part it out and make your money back plus if it is not a sound car.

IIRC the 323 front sub frame that fits an m20 is pretty desirable to the e21 crowd too and could fetch some good cash.

[Turf1600]

IIRC the 323 front sub frame that fits an m20 is pretty desirable to the e21 crowd too and could fetch some good cash.

You're thinking of the e21 320/6 or 323i subframe - not the e30 version. The e30 323i subframe is the same as any other 6 cylinder version.

[TurboJake]

The intake will give away the engine too.

M20b25 intake


M20b27 intake (Note the longer runners)


M20b23 intake (Notice the angular runners)

[mini612]

Thanks everyone, I'll be taking another look at the car. Hopefully the guy will let me take photos of the car if not i'll get as much information as I could. I think the car has a euro header too, can't be too sure.

BTW, I think the car has sunroof.

I'll be back with VIN and hopefully pictures if the dude is not a jerk.


Meng

[mini612]

Good to see another asian e30(potential) owner..lol
btw I would stay away from butchered car like that if you're not an expert ( or even if you are an expert.. I would say stay away from that car. Swapped random engine and other bits by previous owner who didn't take care of the car? and guy selling it doesn't have a clue what is in it?)
do some more search and get a stock 325i.. also plastic bumper swap isn't just a bolt-on swap. you need bit more than that.

Thanks bro, good to know another fellow asian bro is a BMW fan. Hopefully soon I'll also be coming to the "dark side".

[McGyver]

The intake will give away the engine too.

Hey, i never knew that, thanks!

BTW, I think the car has sunroof.

its actually more rare to find an e30 without a sunroof than with one. i'm hoping that you saw a euro one, i would love to have those bumpers on my car.

[mini612]

Got pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys, I think this is a Euro E30 323i!!! pictures below... it needs a car wash and a new lower bumper and some care but it's a Euro car! I think it has a 2.5 engine, please tell me if it is or not.

The rims looks pretty good in the pictures but in person they're not that great looking. I'm going to get this car!... he's selling it for $1000.00

I'm planning on getting XXR002 16x8 rims and a new lower bumper, HID's, new paint and possible s52 swap!!!! wow all these plans already.... I'm excited!!!!

[Uber E30]

Buy that, just the bumpers/valance alone are worth half the purchase price. Looks like it has a US m20 2.5 engine in it which is not a bad thing. Blue sways are more than likely Ireland or RD sways, but the more promising thing about that is only an enthusiast would buy sways so there are prob more goodies on that car.

[mini612]

Buy that, just the bumpers/valance alone are worth half the purchase price. Looks like it has a US m20 2.5 engine in it which is not a bad thing. Blue sways are more than likely Ireland or RD sways, but the more promising thing about that is only an enthusiast would buy sways so there are prob more goodies on that car.

Thanks, I'm planning on purchasing the vehicle as soon as I sell my 04 Saab 9-5 Aero. I really have to get rid of the Saab!