Opinions on this e30

[rudderauthority]

Hi all. I've been searching high and low for my first e30 and I'm going to go out and look at one this weekend, and I wanted to get some feedback from people who know more about these cars opinions.

Here is the ad: http://augusta.craigslist.org/cto/2805112850.html

I have been looking for a 325i/is but they are very hard to find around here in any decent sort of condition. I drove an eta, but it didn't have the get up and go I wanted. Will a 318is be the same?

Oh also, owner said it has 145k on the odometer and has had all gaskets, hoses, belts and o-rings replaced recently.

I appreciate the help,

Chris

[jeffnhiscars]

A rebuilt engine is far cry from "restored" especially if its original paint. Some will say thats more than they would ever spend on a 318 and the asking price is certainly on the high end of the market for the car. I'd ask for paperwork on the engine to know who did it and if they did more than a valve job. Has the profile gasket been done ?

Other than that it has a stereo, wheels, tires & suspension upgrades and a bunch of routine maintenance. I'd also absolutely do an autocheck\carfax as having "145k on the odometer" doesnt count for much if its not working. My cabrio has 159 k on the odo, but turns out it had 152k 6 years ago. You do the math.

What else did he do to justify calling it "restored?

I'm not knocking it but these are the questions I'd ask for starters. GL

[JasonC]

yeah the "restored' had me scratching my head. I dont see a restored car.

[bowtie2bimmer]

I'm not too far from you so I'd consider us in the same market. 5k? no way. 3k? sure... My buddy bought ab 84 318 with a perfect body and 9/10 interior for 2k. I bought my vert with a completely reupholstered interior and new top for 2500... No way 5k.

There is an IX in Alto, GA that was originally asking 4k now 2k cause they don't sell for that down here

[Angeldaddy]

i could possibly see a price such as 5k in say Cali or PA but not down here thats a very overpriced e30 here...

[CrusherCurtis]

$5k is is good deal on original well maintain/documented 318is. Not this one. More like $2.5k. Black front and rear valence and black wheels are not what you want to see buying a car. What kind of rebuild did the motor undergo? Does he thing those gaskets constitute a rebuild. You'd be surprised a lot of owners do. At that price its an easy pass in my book. Especially with the miles and black stuff.

Seems he sells wheels in such:

http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=120809589

http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=108841348

[flyboyx]

jesus christ! everyone is a cheap ass! 8) the car COULD be worth 5k. that is actually the going rate for a good one. pretty much all the comparisons listed above are worthless. however, there are some goods points already made in this thread.

for this vehicle to be worth the asking price the paint, interior, and mechanicals need to be perfect or at least 9/10. the interior and paint look pretty damn good on this car. you won't know this until you actually go over there and set your eyes on it. i agree with crusher curtis that the front valance looks suspicious. black wheels don't retract from the value of the car if that is in line with the buyer's taste. bring me 20 of this car at 2.5k and i will buy all of them and resell them at an easy discount of 3.5k. they will easily be sold at that price in a month or two. this is a 318is and they do command a premium over standard e30's. unmodified "e's" , sedans, and cabrios are the lowest valued e30s available on the market right now. the prices these cars will sell for are not indicative of a 318is.

just by looking at the photos, this car is likely worth around 4 grand or more. i am pretty sure that if this seller posted this car on ebay, it would bring the price he is asking and perhaps a little more. what a buyer is willing to pay for a car is what it is actually worth.

[CrusherCurtis]

Those black wheels to me say it may have been owned by a younger person. I don't like that.

[smooth]

this is a 318is and they do command a premium over standard e30's. unmodified "e's" , sedans, and cabrios are the lowest valued e30s available on the market right now. the prices these cars will sell for are not indicative of a 318is.

Shouldn't it have side skirts?

If the suspension is modified, what differentiates this from an i with sport seats, an LSD and H&R's?
(ignoring the 2 vs 4 door)

because from where I'm sitting looking at the photos and reading the description there is no longer anything differentiating this from the lower valued e30's other than the trunk badge.