Not sure if I should part out or restore

[eltapier]

I recently purchased my first E30 and am looking for some advice from the seasoned members here on this forum. A little about the car, 87 325e coupe with manual transmission. The car is cirrus blue with a minor dent on the passenger fender as well as some small rust on the passenger rear quarter. Overall the paint is terrible and will need to be resprayed. The interior is pretty shot, the sport seats need some work as they are torn and the foam is ruined as well on the driver side. The car right now will not start do to either a grounding issue or the alternator is shot.

Ultimately I'm torn ad to restore the car or part it out. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Christian

[lambo]

Well, the question is: do you have the money and time to "restore" it? If yes, then do you care about the car? If yes to both of those, then restore it.

If no, I would hope that you might try selling the car whole (given the rust isn't too bad) instead of scrapping the car. Who knows, maybe someone out there wants a cirrus early model. It is a great color, after all!

[5ickride]

post pics

[eltapier]

Lambo,

Thanks for your reply. Money shouldn't really be much of an issue over a time frame of a year or so. I do really love the car and would like to see it brought back to life. As far as restoration costs go what is a safe figure 10k?

[eltapier]

Working on pics now

[eltapier]

[dougie30]

From what I can see by the late model tail lights and the early bumpers it looks like a 88.

My car has scary rust..horrible macco paint job, with bondo, blown engine and a decent interior...and I'm a broke collage kid and I'm restoring it

There are less and less of these cars as the years go on so I would say fix it.

[5ickride]

Doesnt look bad. I'd say keep it.

[5ickride]

Wheres the car located?

[TurboJake]

Not too far gone. Fix er up!

[dannyyisntt]

I feel that your description of the car matches 90% of the people's on this forum lol

[eltapier]

I feel that your description of the car matches 90% of the people's on this forum lol

Your funny!

[eltapier]

5ickride,

I'm in New Milford. You?

[eltapier]

From what I can see by the late model tail lights and the early bumpers it looks like a 88.

My car has scary rust..horrible macco paint job, with bondo, blown engine and a decent interior...and I'm a broke collage kid and I'm restoring it

There are less and less of these cars as the years go on so I would say fix it.

It's funny you say 88 because that is what the title says but when I do a vin search it shows production date of 10/15/87. I'm confused. The car is def all the way around stock. So is this 87 or 88?

[eltapier]

Im really anal and if i did due a restore it would have to be done right with a full strip of the car. I may be in over my head tho.