Help/Advise on 1990 325is (Salvaged)

[e30james325]

Hi there r3vlimited people, Im presently lurking around and looking for an e30 325is, and I saw this listing on craigslist:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/2790097125.html

I was informed by the seller that it has a salvage title since 1997. No further info on how or why it was salvaged. Now the car is straight and runs good. Maintenance always on time and all those other stuff said on the posting.

Im hope to see the car today, but I have some concerns.

1. I have not much of a knowledge regarding salvage cars, all I know is "salvage = no no". So is there any special practices (registration, smog, etc) regarding salvage cars? Will I be pulled over (over and over again) by driving a salvage and have the officer ask me a certificate or registration stating it is "safe" to drive the car? I hate those types of hassel.

2. Is it safe to drive a salvage car?

3. Is $2500 a resonable price?

4. Ive read that an e30 can be pretty reliable as daily driver assuming its well maintained and taken care off, except for some issues here and there (odometer stopping, door lock issues, etc etc). Is the salvage title a clear sign that this car would be more of a head ache than a delight to drive?

I hope you guys could enlighten me on my issues.

Looking forward and drive your E30's in good health! :bow:

James

[Robotin]

$2500 is a good price for a clean title car. But, salvage can mean alot of things. because of how old the car is and certain insurance policies. a simple bump in the fender considered the car totaled.

e30 last forever. just do the routine maitence. those cars will last you forever. motor is bulletproof.

[fporro]

Dont pay anymore than what your insurance company will be willing to shell out, meaning about 65% of clear title's worth.

That being said and due to ignorance, I paid $ 3,400 for my salvaged 87 325iC.
It was probably stolen recovery, drivers door and both fenders were painted.

That was 12 years/100,000 miles/3 engines ago ;)

$ 1,500 seems fair for that car, are you sure you want automatic ?

[e30james325]

Thanks for the reply :)

I really like the automatic 4 speed boxes. I love the feel of the automatic lever, the brush thing and shifting.

I've read some articles regarding the auto on the e30s, but lets say to be driven very conservatively, and to be maintained well, will the auto trans be able to with hold on the daily driving, specially with some traffic on the weekdays and some freeway driving on weekends?

By the way, I love how those bulletproof m20 sounds!

[10Toes]

In 1997 the e30 was probaly worth quite a bit more then they are now so for it to be toataled it probably sustained a significant amount of damage.

[walktheboard]

Thanks for the reply :)

I really like the automatic 4 speed boxes. I love the feel of the automatic lever, the brush thing and shifting.

I've read some articles regarding the auto on the e30s, but lets say to be driven very conservatively, and to be maintained well, will the auto trans be able to with hold on the daily driving, specially with some traffic on the weekdays and some freeway driving on weekends?

By the way, I love how those bulletproof m20 sounds!

should work just fine. another plus is that they used this trans in LOTS of other cars, so there are PLENTY out there to be had for cheap, if anything happens to this one.

[fporro]

here's $ 2,600 well spent

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/2788935762.html

[750]

Some years back paid 12k for a Z3M roadster. I should not have taken it out in the rain,...but wrecked the car. Salvage title. Even though it was just some mild front end damage the insurance co.(shelter) would not fix the car and would only pay out half of what I had in the car. That was my lesson with salvage title car.

[e30james325]

I was sooo near.... car was sold moments ago when I called...

Thanks guys for the info, really appreciate it...

Anyways, so salvage title is not a basis to be pulled over every time the cops run your plate?

[10Toes]

Anyways, so salvage title is not a basis to be pulled over every time the cops run your plate?

No, the car does have to go though a state patrol inspection when it is rebuilt. It will have a big rebuilt watermark accross the new title.

This is in WA not sure about the proccess in other states.

[jeffnhiscars]

Anyways, so salvage title is not a basis to be pulled over every time the cops run your plate?

If the car is back on the road as obviously this one has been, then it meets with state compliance, so the salvage brand is not a concern for the local constabulary (always wanted to use that word in a sentence, thanks).

As far as value, there are some very good points made here. Salvage typically means damage in excess of 80% of value. In '97, that could have been significant. Today, not so much. Someone may have done a class job welding a new front clip on which is fine, or they may have spent 3 weeks untwisting the body and bondoing everywhere (not so fine). If it drives right and passes a visual inspection of the engine compartment, trunnk, underbody and door frames..in other words if you cant tell what they may have done...then its just another e30 less something for perception..IMHO

[e30james325]

Thanks a lot guys, learning a lot.

Yup the car has updated registration.

Too bad it got sold... Really sucks...