Price check - 1984 318i (and advice)

[Colonel Sanders]

Wasn't sure if this was the right place to put this thread.. anyhow

http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/2649263478.html

Haven't actually gone to see the car yet so I can't give any other information.

I was thinking it seemed just a little high? Even if it doesn't have any major problems when I check it out. Does 900-1000 sound closer? The biggest problem is that I've had a really hard time finding e30's of any variety in my area (I live in SW georgia and go to school in athens) so I'm not sure how picky I can really be.

The advice bit

-back story-
I'm college kid who loves cars (I'm doing engineering and want to work in the auto industry). But our family has always bought new cars, so I've never had anything to tinker with. Now that I finally have a fair amount saved up from summer jobs ($4500) I've decided its time for a project car to last me through college. I've got a newish mazda3, so I'm not relying on this car for a daily driver. I've got my dad on board with the project and he said he'd match at least a quarter of what I can put into it (and better yet, he has a fair amount of the tools already). Our mechanical skill? fairly low, but this is supposed to be a bit of a learning experience. and bonding experience. and maybe we'll end up with a fun car by the end of it. Anyhow, is an e30 a decent place to start? my initial idea had been to go with a 1st gen miata. But from a personal standpoint, I like the bmw quite a bit more, even if it doesn't have quite the same reputation as a miata. My biggest concern with the bmw would be the price of the parts

[kts]

I'd pass on this car. Way too high for a 318i with an M10, diving boards, and Bronzit. (All IMHO of course.)

Keep looking for a 325i/is. Or at least a 91 318is for the more potent M42 over the M10.

E30s are a great fun car and easy to work on, and have a bit more power than a Miata. Parts are very cheap as long as you don't get them from the dealer. Pelican Parts, Blunttech, FCP Groton, etc all sell very good OEM or aftermarket parts for cheap. Also junkyards are a great spot to find good useable parts for cheap. (Ex, I picked up a replacement blower motor for $13 and 15 minutes of my time from the yard. They are $300+ new.)

[Colonel Sanders]

Sounds good. I'll just keep browsing craigslist for better deals. Anyhow, I won't be able to do any serious work on it tell this summer. Hopefully some other potential cars will surface between now and then

[kts]

It took me 2.5 years to find my E30 after the one I originally wanted slipped through my hands. Keep an eye on CL, here, e30tech, etc and when you find a good one jump on it. From when I used to look I found a lot of good E30s in GA. Keep an eye out and you'll find one.

[Kershaw]

damn, it's only $1300. if it runs and drives and passes inspection you cant get better than that for $1300. but hell, if you can get it for $900. more power to you.

turbo m10 is the og power plant anyway.

this one is local to me and it looks nice.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2661434496.html

[Mercury[BKM]]

that car is worth about 500 bucks, running...

it has an m10, which arent terrible when boosted, but can get you killed on a highway in stock form =P.

check my autocheck thread too btw

[Kershaw]

please show me a running e30 for $500.

and i really dont get the bronzit hate. looks pretty beast to me.

[84driver]

Don't let the M10 haters fool you. The M10 is bulletproof and much cheaper and simpler to work on than the M20 or M42. Also the cheapest for high power, with $500 in turbo parts it will put out more than an E30 M3. If it really is in good running condition it's a good deal. Most e30s have a lot more problems to work through. (Mine had a broken heater core and brakes needed a rebuild but I spent $600. I have no regrets.)

Also don't ever buy parts from FCP Groton, that is terrible advice. Just Google their name and you'll find the bad reviews on every forum.

Edit: find out if it has an LSD. That itself is worth $300 so if it's an open diff talk him down on the price.

[M-technik-3]

please show me a running e30 for $500.

This was.


Cost me a whopping $240 bucks in Alexandria Va. Plenty of gems to be found on craigslist. Plate linkage was missing one bolt so owner could only shift to R135 but with an Eta, no biggie.

[cormier]

Ya go m10s! They're really not that bad -- underpowered yes but it's a great motor, I've had 2. And of course turbo is awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96ajLqzY81c

That said, you could talk down that price, but I wouldnt pass it by just because it's m10 or early model

[STL30]

I started in the same place two years ago with half the money and no parental support. E30 is definitely the way to go. Good luck and welcome to r3v!

[mjg23bmw]

Good price for a fun car with a solid engine. M10's will run 300K easily. I bought one once upon a time with I think 220K ish and still have it at 273K ish. If you can talk them down to 1000 because of the glovebox, seat and window; even better.

Ask the 2002 cult about the M10 engine, superchargers are out there fairly cheap if more power is needed someday.

[84driver]

My M10 definitely has over 300K and starts up like a champ every time. Just noticed this guy has an email of bimmerssouth.com, he probably knows a lot more about this car's condition than he posted in that ad. Maybe he can cut you a deal on the parts that the car is missing. Power windows and leather are nice options on an early 318, most of them weren't loaded. Fingers crossed for LSD. Find out more details!

[iamsam]

First of all, no M10 E30 came w/ an LSD.

Second, good running E30s CAN be found for $500. Not very often, but it happens. I picked up a VERY strong running '85 325es a couple weeks back for $500. A little over 100k original miles.

That E30 that you are looking at, I would pay $500 in a heartbeat if it checks out mechanically. If it's a keeper for you to work on for a long time, I would say offer the guy $800, and maybe go up to $900 if you have to.

[10Toes]

If you can get it a little cheaper then advertised is will be good for what you want. You will learn a lot about cars if you do all the research and turbo it.