Choosing between 2 E30s, need help (again)...

[e30james325]

Hello r3v! Im still in the market for my first e30 for almost a year now. To start off, Im looking for a Blue (preferrably mauritius or royal blue), 2 door (preferrably Vert or IS) with plastic bumpers and Automatic Tranny (I've read all the headaches lol), and I only saw a couple, with one near me that sold $5000 about 4 months ago. It was a 1991 Mauritius Blue Vert Matic in great condition with only 101k miles, did not have the funds for it at that time (even now lol). There is another one right now but its in the East Coast (Im at California), and selling for $2800, 140k miles 1991 Mauritius Blue Vert Matic and needs a little tlc, but the seller does not return all my calls. There's another one selling for $5000, 140k miles 1989 325i Royal Blue Matic in good condition, but again no funds and wanted an "IS"...

Right now, Im starting to accept the fact that:

1. Its almost impossible to get an E30 with my preference (blue-plastic-matic), and settle for something a little off.

2. To buy something not exactly what I want, and do the neccessary to look like what I want.

Im planning to keep the car for a very loooong time. Here is the thing, as much as possible, I want my car to come with all parts original (including paint), and at the end of the day say that my E30 is all original (I have nothing against those who customize theirs, and I know I will be going that path on my next E30 :grin:).

So, I have 2 cars that are kinda interesting right now:

1. 1991 325i Vert $1,300 obo
- Automatic
- Gray Color
- Good soft top, non working power top
- Cracked seats, dash
- Basketweaves
- Dings and Dents all around
- No accident but title stated a "odometer roll back issue"
- Indicated Mileage is 140k miles, but by doing the math its at
200k.


2. 1989 325is 2dr $2750 obo
- Automatic
- White
- Interior seems clean
- Basketweaves
- Dings and Dents all round
- Clean Example
- Clean Title
- Mileage at 163k.

On a purists point of view:

1. Which would be the car for me?
2. Would I accept the fact that I wont have my ideal E30 or would I join the dark side of customizing it to my taste? ;-)
3. Lets say few decades from now, would my "customized to my taste E30" still be considered a good example of a Stock E30?
4. Would the title on car #1 bother you guys?
5. How do you guys feel about the prices?
6. If I go with a 2dr sedan, Id want it with a 5speed more, but vert with auto. But on both cars, the auto 325is is in a way better condition. So which would you go with?
7. If I decide to repaint it back to its original factory color, is it still possible to have the color stickers on the front strut towers in the engine bay stating the color?
8. Or should I just wait for the ideal one to come by?


Sorry for the long post guys, hope to here some insights. Thanks for your time and patience, and drive in good health. :grin:

btw, what a good time to read the "E30 Curse" thread! lol

[absolutdog]

1. do you want a roof or not?? (if this will be your only car you might not want a 'vert
2. You WILL customize
3. if it's custom it's NOT stock (u answered your own ?)
4. most odo's don't work, and it's so easy to swap clusters, I never trust the odo anyways
5. anything south of 3000$ is good (for a stick auto's should be a little cheaper
6. see #1
7. yes
7. wait

[Wschnitz]

id ignore anything about 3500$ because they are higher priced then they should. Unless the car is immaculate and has >150k on the clock its not worth 5k people...

[e30james325]

absolutdog, hi there, thanks for the reply.

1. I honestly prefer vert, I have another car right now which is quite reliable, and would have the future E30 share some road time with it.

2. hahaha, i know, im just at the denial stage right now that I wont touch it lol

3. Actually, the only thing in mind that bothers my "customization" that I thought is irreversible is the color change, but then you gave me the link that solved my issue.

4. I think what happened is the PO replaced the odo with a working one that has less miles.

5. both seems good price wise then.

6. I prefer a vert but then the sedan's condition is the great equalizer.

7. Thank you so much for this sir! :D

7. ("8." corrected the numbering sorry) Been in love with the E30 since my cousin bought one on 1999. Trying my best to wait for the best one. But I wont deny it, the itch is increasing everyday lol.

[e30james325]

id ignore anything about 3500$ because they are higher priced then they should. Unless the car is immaculate and has >150k on the clock its not worth 5k people...

The 91 blue vert that I sold few months ago here in LA would fall at the "Immaculate" category. It even have the problematic power top working. If I only had the money...

[dougie30]

#2

[e30james325]

updates:

the sedan had all timing belt, water pump, etc service done recently.

the gf wants the vert lol

if i had the money ill buy both hahaha

[DaveNorCal]

Have you driven both? How about on less than perfect roads. A vert will not be as stiff and tight as a coupe. I wanted a vert and got one but, honestly, have only had the top down may ten times in a year and a half. It's eather too hot, too cold, too wet... The weather would be more suitable in SoCal.
That said, I would wait for the car you know is right. You'll know.