Opinions on first BMW/e30

[flyboyx]

i agree with tc baur md. 2800 isn't a terrible price for the first car in question, but it sure isn't great either. the interior of the car in the original post isn't faded. its two different colors! dove grey and natur. it looks pretty stupid like that.

if you pay 2500ish for that car, you will have more than 4k into it before you are happy with the way it runs and drives. that doesn't even cover fixing the rust.

of the two other craigs ads posted above, assuming they are rust free, they are infinitely better deals even though they cost more. i would prefer the silver one but the primer black hood is a turnoff for me. perhaps those sellers would take a price somewhere in the 3k range?

[djork]

I think the silver one's hood and trunk might be plastidip, at least I hope. But yeah, they look like they're in much better shape and you can always haggle down.

Would the 318i be underpowered? It's got a crazy amount of interior work on it (1yr old carpet, seats, top) so that's worth a TON of $ and work right there.

[lowsodium]

I think the silver one's hood and trunk might be plastidip, at least I hope. But yeah, they look like they're in much better shape and you can always haggle down.

Would the 318i be underpowered? It's got a crazy amount of interior work on it (1yr old carpet, seats, top) so that's worth a TON of $ and work right there.

I have the "slow" 325e and I dont even care, its still fun to drive. I wouldnt hesitate to rock a 318. Its like driving a go-cart around, reliving my childhood!

[djork]

I'm all set to get the silver one for $3700:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/3750076743.html

It's really nice in person. Approx 180K miles. Doesn't need anything. The black hood and wheels are*just plasti-dip, with near-mint paint underneath. There was no rust to speak of. I went over it top to bottom, front to back, and the only problems I found were:

* A/C doesn't work
* tear in the air intake boot
* some piece of stuff under the dash is drooping
* headlight/foglight switch is loose in panel
* mirror adjust switch only works up/down
* toolkit is missing
* driver's seat needs new strut

I will take it on the highway tomorrow just to double check, but the engine was smooth and strong, and it shifted nicely.

[steven g]

I recently sold my 2002 Jetta GLS TDI with 190K miles and purchased 2 E30 cars, a 1991 convertible and an 1989 iX sedan. No comparison - the driving experience is far better, the maintenance is simpler. Whichever one you buy, look for pride of ownership by the previous owner, maintenance records, if possible, avoid used car dealers, and change the timing belt/water pump/tensioner asap on any 325 unless you have absolute proof from the previous owner that it was done in the last 25k miles, although I did this on both my cars right away, cheap insurance. If it is your first E30, try to find some local E30 owners to help you by getting a 2nd set of eyes on the car before you make your final decision. If you can afford it - get the car over to an independent shop that knows these cars to give it a pre purchase inspection - that could be the best $200 you ever spent.

[Threehz]

Odd taste on that black hood vert, but interior looks great. Sounds good, but I'll give you my classic advice to anyone about to buy a car. Take your time.

What are your plans for your E30 when you get one?

[flyboyx]

I'm all set to get the silver one for $3700:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/3750076743.html

It's really nice in person. Approx 180K miles. Doesn't need anything. The black hood and wheels are*just plasti-dip, with near-mint paint underneath. There was no rust to speak of. I went over it top to bottom, front to back, and the only problems I found were:

* A/C doesn't work
* tear in the air intake boot
* some piece of stuff under the dash is drooping
* headlight/foglight switch is loose in panel
* mirror adjust switch only works up/down
* toolkit is missing
* driver's seat needs new strut

I will take it on the highway tomorrow just to double check, but the engine was smooth and strong, and it shifted nicely.

well, the only thing listed there that will cost some real money is the air conditioning. however, that is generally always broken on these cars. everything else is just "little shit".

also, i don't know if you like the black deck lids, but i personally hate it. if i were you, i would make it a condition to peel that shit off to see what the paint is like underneath before spending any money on it. that stuff kind of makes me think the seller is hiding something under there. (bad paint, dents, crappy body work....)

with that said, i really like the color combination of that car. in fact, i would go so far as to say that is the best color combination bmw offered in this model. just my opinion of course.

good luck.

i would try to get the price down into the mid three k range or perhaps low threes. at least you can start there and work your way up.

[Vivek]

I love the color combination on that car, but I wouldn't even consider it without checking under the plasti dip. In my opinion, you don't really need AC in a convertible. If its hot enough for AC, it's hot enough to put the top down. And I don't know about your but I'm not willing to pay to cool the whole world.

[lowsodium]

Dont replace it with a cheap intake boot, they get cracks in them fast. Buy a genuine bmw one, about $20 on pelican parts.

[will61]

That is not a good price for that car. Hold out for a rust free example because that is really the most important factor. And that interior on that vert .

[djork]

That is not a good price for that car. Hold out for a rust free example because that is really the most important factor. And that interior on that vert .

Just to clarify: the $3700 silver vert has no rust!

[dougie30]

Good to know. I'll be honest: I'm afraid of dying from a spring.

I have plenty of spare money above what I pay for it. I might offer $2K. I also don't have a press or bench or anything like that, which comes up often in the DIYs. But I can borrow a neighbor's garage for anything I want to do.

you dont even need a spring compressor. put one foot on the spring while its on the ground, take impact gun and remove top nut it will pop right off no worries

suspension is terribly easy on these cars

[dnguyen1963]

Lots of vapor upon start up...I would really look into this and make sure that it is not coolant is being burnt off due to a bad head/HG.