Help with Buying Decision

[mr2peak]

I don't mean to sound obnoxious, but but I don't need to "save up" to get a nice rust-free condition E30. Or even to get a brand new car.

Lol you asshole

In that case, you should definitely get the 325is. It's the respected performance model. It will be worth more in the future, it will be easier to sell when you decide to, and the extra power will be nice. 90% of the people who drive an "e" want an "is". The motivated owners end up swapping anyway.

[mkcman17]

an independent inspection isn't really necessary on these cars. they're old, there will be issues on any of them. take an e30 guy with you. a drive around the block and visual look-over will give you 95% of what you need to know about a car.

worst case scenario, the motor or trans blows up on you in a week (and it's an m20, so that's unlikely) and you'll have to buy a replacement for a couple hundred dollars. big whoop. find the cleanest body you can and buy it. the rest is up to you to do the right way.

[EVLE30]

Lol you asshole

I've just been waiting for an opportunity to use that gun-toting smiley 'cuz I think it's funny. lol

In that case, you should definitely get the 325is. It's the respected performance model. It will be worth more in the future, it will be easier to sell when you decide to, and the extra power will be nice. 90% of the people who drive an "e" want an "is". The motivated owners end up swapping anyway.

Thanks for the perspective on the 325is. I think I'm pretty much going to be focusing on finding a 325is, or possibly a '91 318i with an M42 (like the one I was trying to buy) or maybe a more elusive 318is.

an independent inspection isn't really necessary on these cars. they're old, there will be issues on any of them. take an e30 guy with you. a drive around the block and visual look-over will give you 95% of what you need to know about a car.

worst case scenario, the motor or trans blows up on you in a week (and it's an m20, so that's unlikely) and you'll have to buy a replacement for a couple hundred dollars. big whoop. find the cleanest body you can and buy it. the rest is up to you to do the right way.

I agree. An independent inspection by my go-to BMW shop/guy over here isn't really necessary. But it's what I'd like to do. To be honest, I would have likely skipped the independent inspection if the test drive went well. But regardless of the need or not, I don't see why that buyer would ask me for an extra $600 (on a $3,000 car) for the "privilege" of taking the car for an inspection at my own cost. He's essentially trying to discourage me from getting a full inspection by a BMW expert.... maybe he's got something to hide? That odd behaviour/tactic on his part makes me suspicious.

NOTE: the 318i I was looking at was a 1991 with an M42 engine, not an M20. Is the M42 more, less, or equally reliable as an M20?

[mkcman17]

Both are solid motors but have different character and quirks. The m20 is smooth and ticky, belt-driven and basic. The m42 is peppy, dual-cam chain, mess under the intake and profile gasket, among things.

Either way, it's an e30. It's going to need work in one way or another. Parts are cheap and labor is reasonably simple. Buy a clean body and get to the fun!

[EVLE30]

...... Buy a clean body and get to the fun!

Yes, sir!!!

[EVLE30]

Holy crap!

This car looks amazing, and for an amazing price too!

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3%20Series/BOURGET/Ontario/19_6955253_/?showcpo=ShowCPO

Too bad the car is about 2,500 miles away from me.

[Xat1cZ]

Too bad the car is about 2,500 miles away from me.

That's looser talk!

268,000KM - Not high for a quality German BMW!

..I like this guy...

[EVLE30]

That's looser talk!

You, sir, have inspired me with that verbal kick-in-the-pants! I'm going to look into plane tickets out to where the car is. I'm actually going to be in that area (well, about 300 miles away in Toronto) in August to visit family. But that car will likely not still be around by then... assuming the car is even still available (the ad has been up for a month or two already).

[EVLE30]

Holy crap!

This car looks amazing, and for an amazing price too!

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3%20Series/BOURGET/Ontario/19_6955253_/?showcpo=ShowCPO

Too bad the car is about 2,500 miles away from me.

Dammit!

Just called this guy.... he sold the car yesterday. :curse:

My criteria for an E30 is continuously changing as I learn more and more about these cars. Anyone out there have any thoughts on getting a mint condition, low mileage automatic and then doing a manual tranmssion swap? Cost for parts and labour? Any reason why such a swap would be a bad idea?

[mkcman17]

I would really start overlooking the mileage when considerng an e30. I've owned a lot of these, and I've test driven cars with 300k that felt way tighter and were cleaner and more sorted than '150k examples. PPI and mileage aren't indicators of anything susbstantial in the buying process, at least in my experience. Get a good deal on a clean automatic, manual swap it and enjoy.

[EVLE30]

^ Thanks for the advice. I've been eyeing this car as a candidate for an auto-to-manual swap:

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-BMW-325i-Best-Offer-W0QQAdIdZ481567069

Any estimates on how much a swap would typically cost, parts+labour?

[zig553]

^ Thanks for the advice. I've been eyeing this car as a candidate for an auto-to-manual swap:

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-BMW-325i-Best-Offer-W0QQAdIdZ481567069

Any estimates on how much a swap would typically cost, parts+labour?

Hey that ones in my city lol. That car was up for sale last year but needed an Out of province inspection. It looks much cleaner than it was last year, it looks like he went through it and fixed a bunch of things. If its been fixed and passed inspection it looks good.

[mkcman17]

^ Thanks for the advice. I've been eyeing this car as a candidate for an auto-to-manual swap:

http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-BMW-325i-Best-Offer-W0QQAdIdZ481567069

Any estimates on how much a swap would typically cost, parts+labour?

in my honest opinion, that's a lot of money for a mis-matched car. the cost of a manual swap varies a whole lot and depends on a lot of factors. using junkyard parts i have completed one for as little as $160. i have heard people paying the better part of $1500 to have one done for them though. realistically a DIY job should cost $3-500, and hiring a guy off r3v or otherwise should run about $8-900 p+l

[EVLE30]

in my honest opinion, that's a lot of money for a mis-matched car. the cost of a manual swap varies a whole lot and depends on a lot of factors. using junkyard parts i have completed one for as little as $160. i have heard people paying the better part of $1500 to have one done for them though. realistically a DIY job should cost $3-500, and hiring a guy off r3v or otherwise should run about $8-900 p+l

Agreed. That's a high asking price. I would go in with some hard negotiation, and would only consider it for a much lower price. And thanks for the info on some typical costs for the swap.

I have to admit..... after having seen a wide variety of cars over the past few months, I'm starting to lean back towards this car from the start of this thread:

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1987-BMW-325is-W0QQAdIdZ416644115

Yes, it's very rusty in the body, and the interior is mediocre, but I've had so much fun driving it, as the engine, transmission and suspension were solid. I'm starting to wonder if spending just a bit over $1,000 (after negotiation) for my first E30 and having fun thrashing around in it may be the best way to get familiar with this pedigree of cars. And then after a few months/years, I'll either decide to get another E30, or decide that I've enjoyed my time with these cars and will then move on to something else. Either way, I would have only spent a small amount of money to introduce myself to this car.

[mkcman17]

Rust and branded title are the two absolute no's for buying and selling these things.

And interior isn't relevant. You can swap that out with color of choice for reasonably cheap too.

That first car is maybe worth 1500 in my opinion.