Need an opinion on this car.

[The Mentalist]

Someone beat you to it?
Id says look at the body at the rear right side of the car thats usually the first place to rust with under the drivers footwell.

If you hear loud clapping metal to metal sound and it follows revs you may need to change just the tensionner, or you might have to change all the timing components. Usually the tensionner though.

Viva la m42!


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Supposedly. I'm going to find out for sure tomorrow.

[KenC]

There's like a half dozen M42s left that don't need a timing component overhaul.

[e30BMart]

Thanks for the insight guys. It looks like someone may have beaten me to it though. I'll keep looking for sure.

Someone beat you to it?
Id says look at the body at the rear right side of the car thats usually the first place to rust with under the drivers footwell.

If you hear loud clapping metal to metal sound and it follows revs you may need to change just the tensionner, or you might have to change all the timing components. Usually the tensionner though.

Viva la m42!


Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[The Mentalist]

Thanks for the insight guys. It looks like someone may have beaten me to it though. I'll keep looking for sure.

[pandaboo911]

I'd keep looking, paint looks shitty.

:yawn:Also m42

[dreamchasin]

Yeah look everywhere for rust. Especially rear arches and inside the trunk where the battery goes, and the other side.

[Motorsports]

Looks clean. I'd rock it.

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

Edit- THIS CAR IS IN RICHMOND!! If you want this car I'd pop on it because I'm buying it next weekend if you don't. I'm going to be too busy trying to get laid at Shamrock the Block this Saturday to go pick it up, but its by far the best local E30 I've seen for sale in these parts.

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

Where in VA is that car? I commute in an M42 4-door E30 and while you won't be winning an drag races, you'll get good gas mileage and the 5 speed 4.10 diff set-up is sufficient to keep up in traffic if you don't mind shifting all the time and revving the piss out of the motor. Looks damn decent to me. I need a new car and I'd have half a mind to steal that one away from you, but alas I'm holding out for an M20 vert for the summer so I guess you luck out this time! Do it!!!

[KenC]

Normal shit being rust and what else? Anything specific to look for on an m42? I plan to check the coolant for any funny colors, check for funny smells. Of course it idling and pulling well and such is expected.

Don't buy an M42 without pulling the valve cover off and inspecting the visible timing components. I'd knock $500 off the price if the cam gears are pointy.

[Trptguy]

Doooo itttttt

[bowtie2bimmer]

E30's vary considerably by market. Down here that car would be sub 2k because no a/c

As with any e30, check:
OBC (lights up, works)
Odo
Rust (particularly in fenderwell and spare tire area)
Bushings
Control arms (when you drive it, look for shaking especially while turning)

[dball4]

Check bushings as well. Looks like a great candidate.

[The Mentalist]

I was thinking more like 3000-3200 with wheels and tires. Doesn't even have sport seats.

Check for oil leaking and the normal shit. Make sure it runs perfect and pulls hard.

Normal shit being rust and what else? Anything specific to look for on an m42? I plan to check the coolant for any funny colors, check for funny smells. Of course it idling and pulling well and such is expected.

[dreamchasin]

I was thinking more like 3000-3200 with wheels and tires. Doesn't even have sport seats.

Check for oil leaking and the normal shit. Make sure it runs perfect and pulls hard.