Looking at a 1989 325i - Advice appreciated

[griffincox]

Hello everyone,

I just joined the forum and am excited to learn more about the E30. I am looking at a 1989 325i that is local to me. It is the only E30 in my area that is in decent shape. I am looking for a semi DD. I will drive my other vehicle and this almost evenly (a few hundred miles a week). Need a reliable fun car. I saw the car in person today and would like some feedback before I purchase it. The car is a 1989 325i coupe with about 195,000 mi. on odo. I ran the vin and it said 325is, but I am pretty sure it is a 325i. Anyway to know for sure? The M20 has just been rebuilt and shy of new pistons and crank shaft, most everything else has been refreshed. The vehicle was originally a 4 speed auto and has been swapped to a 5 speed. Owner said most everything has been converted but it does not have a return spring on the pedal? He put an M shifter (maybe just knob) and it is crooked/rotated almost 90 degrees, easy fix or more research needed? Also has a a Sachs clutch and pressure plate. Engine runs real smooth. Transmission is *good* not great. 1 and 2 are a little hard to engage. Could this be from the aftermarket clutch? It has almost no take up at all before it grabs. I don't have a ton of experience driving a stick and want to generally know how the 5 speed should feel.

Other than that, cosmetically and funcitonally it is pretty good. Has new bushings all over and new brakes and shocks (Bilstein) and some lowering springs. I have read all the buyers guide info on the net and just wanted to get some member feedback. Also wanted to know a ballpark figure on price. He is asking $4500 obo. Lots of work done, but its not perfect by any means. My main concern is the transmission and whether the swap was done well.

From the owner: "I am selling my BMW that I have owned and cared for two years. I had the motor completely rebuilt, fresh build with only a few thousand on it, new clutch and pressure plate from saches, bavauto sport springs package, all new front and rear bushings, new exhaust(stock), new pads and rotors all around, upgraded ASA rims with falkin tires and much more. The interior is in great condition, almost like new. The paint is still good and never been repainted, has chips and a small dent on the side where the paint is peeling, but still looks great. I have records of everything I have ever done to the car, which will total to around 4 thousand in parts and maintenance. the odo has 195,000. $4500 obo "

and a few pics:





Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

[Click]

Looks clean as hell, see if you can get it for 3,800 or so. Since it looks like it has seen a few mods, check if he did the clutch stop mod. If it is unscrewed a little too much it won't completely disengage and it makes it difficult to get into gears.

[MattAvino]

$2250

[5Toes]

^ no

E30 prices have gone up. 5 years ago I bet it was worth that much... but now people are starting to understand that these cars are desirable.

Thats a $4000 E30 no doubt

[750]

/agree with 5. Mine had bad paint, missing trim parts, cracked dash, along with motor problems($2300). As clean all around as the car looks, from the write up the motor is great. I would pay the 4500 and be glad I got a good deal.

[MattAvino]

the reason i said 2250, is because its FAR from original. We dont think about it much now, but soon, that will become a factor of value.

[russhixmo]

It's defiantly worth 4k to someone in the rite market, ask for receipts for everything and if he says he doesn't have them then drop the price to something reasonable. (personally I feel receipts are a big selling point) but otherwise it looks like a great buy. Good luck.

[griffincox]

Thanks for all the input already. I will look into the clutch stop mod. He has receipts for everything he did plus almost all records since new. I was thinking about $3700 would be my offer.

[Butler]

$3700 seems very fair! I wouldn't be afraid to speed $4000 if he wants to negotiate.

So was it confirmed as a 325i or 325is? It has an Mtech 1 steering wheel but no sport seats...

[5Toes]

the reason i said 2250, is because its FAR from original. We dont think about it much now, but soon, that will become a factor of value.

So far from original... oh boy. Those wheels... so hard to take off and buy bottlecaps

Its missing the front lip too... oh crap.

Oh and he lowered it...

This guy isn't trying to make an investment of a purchase... he wants a car he can drive hard on the weekends. duh

[MKorodini]

The car looks great. From my understanding an "IS" is the 2 door, which this car is. An "I" is a 4 door and an "IC" is a convertible. A lot of people refer to the 2.5 motor as an "I" motor and the 2.7 as an "E" motor. This car looks clean but I would try to get him down at least a thousand bucks. If I really like it when I see it I would go up to the 4500 mark. Good find and good luck.

[5Toes]

^ sort of. "is" was only made as a two door but was different. It had the front lip, slight lowering springs and generally a LSD.

[MattAvino]

I was mainly thinking 5 speed swap was what was not original, but that's always valuable in my book. The mismatch of parts and interior and not badge was just kinda unsettling, but it is super clean. I do agree 5toes, 2250 is a bit low. 3700 is surely fair.

[Vivek]

How DO you tell if it's an is? It doesn't have is skirts, lip, or sports seats, but those are easily removable/replaceable.

The engine seems like a good selling point, but honestly guys this car isn't THAT clean. It has at least one visible ding from the pic, the paint is chipped like the OP said and there's a dent with peeling/cracking paint.

Are you sure it's never been in an accident? The hood appears to be a different color from the fender and misaligned, and the rear bumper, valence, and quarter seem to be 3 different colors. Also, it sort of looks like the car gets progressively darker towards the front on the driver's side, look at the seam between the door and the quarter panel, the quarter looks lighter.

Sorry to be so over-critical, but these are the things you have to look at when buying a car, especially an e30 for 4.5k.

[bernzpeed]

i sold my schwartz fro $4100 and it had 350K on it, (front end newly painted, maintenance done) so this is really worth the money. but if you can get $3500-$3800 then that's even better.