Thinking about an (a specific) e30 for my dad...

[8380 Labs]

at this point in time a $7500 e30 should net you a car that has been maintained meticulously and is in (virtually) perfect working order, with either really nice stock paint or a good quality respray.

if the car you looked at doesn't meet those criteria, you either need to pay less for it or find a different car. from the looks of it (and what you've described) that might be a $4500 car on a good day.

[gp.plus]

Re: the tach and speedo... Is it possible the po popped the needles off at some point for painting or gauge faces? I have seen this a lot, when they put the needles back on they aren't exactly where they are supposed to be sitting. Borrow a cluster and see if a different cluster does the same thing. On another note, that car does seem to be overpriced by a few thousand dollars.

[CrusherCurtis]

at this point in time a $7500 e30 should net you a car that has been maintained meticulously and is in (virtually) perfect working order, with either really nice stock paint or a good quality respray.

if the car you looked at doesn't meet those criteria, you either need to pay less for it or find a different car. from the looks of it (and what you've described) that might be a $4500 car on a good day.

Very true. I was thinking like $4k for that car.

[delatlanta1281]

No bronzit sir.

Torrance, don't mess with it. I like your car. If I was still in CA, I would buy it.

[Vivek]

Re: the tach and speedo... Is it possible the po popped the needles off at some point for painting or gauge faces? I have seen this a lot, when they put the needles back on they aren't exactly where they are supposed to be sitting. Borrow a cluster and see if a different cluster does the same thing. On another note, that car does seem to be overpriced by a few thousand dollars.

The cluster was definitely taken apart. To what extent....I don't know. This is a possibility. The owner seems to want what he put into it, which isn't gonna happen imo. Maybe ill try to talk him down but if he rejected an offer for 6800 like he said it's not worth my time.

[dogsbark26]

When I buy a car I'd rather buy one that someone else hasn't put a lot of money into repairing recently. I'd rather buy a car that needs some repairs and do / have them done myself. That way I know who did the work. That corners were not cut and parts reused, etc.

Just makes me suspicious. Why would someone spend a bunch of money to fix and THEN decide to sell it? I'd only do that if I found out there was something wrong that more money couldn't fix.

Anybody with any sense at all knows you NEVER get back what you invest in repairs when you sell a car unless you cheat the buyer.

[Vivek]

Yes, most of those reasons^ are why we passed up that car. He wanted what he put in, and there's no way I'm paying him that. He got a beautiful 318i vert last weekend needs minor maintenance stuff and it'll be awesome.

[dogsbark26]

Good to hear. Hope it provides years of enjoyment.