Opinions on two e30s?

[el-cid]

I've looking for a decent e30 coupe for a while and found a couple with potential in the area. One is an '88 325is, 274k miles on it but it's had engine work (not too clear what) and a fairly recent timing belt. The body and interior's nice and it's pretty clean for the miles. The other one is an '89 325i coupe that a guy took on a trade. It has just under 200k on it and the guy doesn't know any history (timing belt/water pump). On the plus side, it's a 5 speed, has a fresh factory exhaust and is sitting on H&R springs; on the negative side, it has a broken driver's seat, the body and interior is rougher than the '88 and it needs tires.

I have an '86 535i and have owned a few other e28s so I'm comfortable working on these cars. Any input on which would be the better buy if they're the same price (I could get them within $100 of each other)? The cleanliness and options of the '88 is pretty much offset the advantage of the 5 speed and plastic bumpers of the '89 for me.

[Sagaris]

I run across way too many boneheads passing off a new headgasket and valve cover gasket as a "rebuilt engine" so make sure there are reciepts of engine work or that you can drive both cars and feel for yourself that the "rebuilt" one is notably stronger and healthier than the other.

I see automatic cars as an opportunitiy to swap in new/rebuilt/fresh parts for a solid drivetrain but the car itself has got to be much cheaper to make it all right. The cost of a trans swap and suspension (assuming the suspension on the 89 was not a half-ass job that just replaced the springs and left the sloppy original bushings, control arms, dampers, and strut mounts in there) would be around $2500-3000. If you think it costs less then you are half-assing it and you can feel free to e-fight me about it. That kind of money would certainly take care of any interior needs, tires, and quite a bit of other stuff.

The 89 has always been my favorite year, no airbags, has ellipsoids, late-model bumpers etc. Generally I would pick the car with no rust / the least amount of rust, but I would go for the 89 based on the info presented here.

[el-cid]

Funny, I got an e-mail back on the "rebuilt" '88 as I was posting this thread. The owner said a auto-shop teacher had it and rebuilt it for his daughter a few years ago but no receipts so that pretty well negates that. Knowing it's had a timing belt just showed to me that it's at least had some attention. He also said that he has a lot of receipts for struts, brakes, tires, and other maintenance stuff so it sounds promising. I'm going to try go drive both of them this week; that'll really tell the tale.

As far as rust, I wholeheartedly agree; I don't mind doing bodywork and (hobby) paint cars so that's not a big deal but I hate dealing with rust.

[TurboJake]

Depends on the price of each, really.

Also, I will say that a properly rebuilt suspension with all new brakes, and freshly rebuilt bilstein sports, costs less than 1k. (But not much)
The only things I didn't replace were my control arms. They are just fine.

Using parts from blunt.

[stamar]

I would value a 5 speed about 1000$ more.

Or I wouldnt really value a automatic for too much.

[el-cid]

I would value a 5 speed about 1000$ more.

Or I wouldnt really value a automatic for too much.

Me too (for the most part), but this basically comes down to a nice, clean 325is with the automatic and some records or a sorta raggedy 325i (no sunroof, is wheel, etc) with no history but with the 5 speed. I guess I just have to lay eyeballs on both cars and go with my gut.

[camip]

I'd go with the 88 because it is a IS but can't a 88 direct bolt on with plastic bumpers.

[Kershaw]

88 is a direct swap to plastics. but then you need to find plastics. if you luck at the yard, then you only spend $50x2. but if you buy them on the forums you're looking at $100-200x2.

i'd get whichever car has less rust. and that's probably the 89.

[el-cid]

if you luck at the yard

...not in any yard in Montana...unfortunately.

[KI4UJO]

Me too (for the most part), but this basically comes down to a nice, clean 325is with the automatic and some records or a sorta raggedy 325i (no sunroof, is wheel, etc) with no history but with the 5 speed. I guess I just have to lay eyeballs on both cars and go with my gut.

If it has no sunroof, track it!

[Shangsta]

Me too (for the most part), but this basically comes down to a nice, clean 325is with the automatic and some records or a sorta raggedy 325i (no sunroof, is wheel, etc) with no history but with the 5 speed. I guess I just have to lay eyeballs on both cars and go with my gut.

are you sure about that?

[el-cid]

are you sure about that?

Now that you mention it, I guess I'm not sure...none of the pictures of the cars clearly showed a sun(moon)roof. I suppose being an i, it should have one?

[Kershaw]

it should have one.

[NyC35AV]

I would go for the 88' honestly its not so bad that its an auto. Test drive them both like it was said to see which one holds up better. Make your choice from there but sight unseen I'm leaning towards the 88' its the sport model which means it all ready comes with sport seats, steering wheel, ellips trucnk wing sportier suspension and diving boards that can easily be swapped for plastic bumpers (not something I would do) if you choose to. Is this car gonna be a daily driver or a project?

[el-cid]

Is this car gonna be a daily driver or a project?

A little of both. I have about 10 other cars so I can certainly afford to take it off the road for a while if I need to. It's likely to be a "take the family out for a ride on the weekend" car. If I pick one up and get the bugs worked out I plan on taking a nice long road trip this late Summer.

I got to see the '89 closer-up and it's rough. It has a few sizeable dents in the passenger side, mismatched wheels, a broken passenger side taillight, broken trim on the rear bumper, the speedometer doesn't work, the driver's seat is broken (it's propped up with the spare tire behind it), plus it needs tires. It's more project than I want right now. Hopefully the '88 will look (lots) better.