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[wyattkb]

Hi guys, my name is Wyatt. I am about to pick up my first BMW today within the next few hours. First BMW I will have owned. Its a 1986 325es.

Before this I was a big Nissan guy, into 240sx's but that got old real quick. So I stumbled across this beauty today and was wondering if some of you could give me suggestions? Like is the price worth it?

The only thing on the car that needs to be addressed is the a/c and timing belt change is coming up. He is negotiable on the price so I planned to talk him down to around 3500, assuming he will counter-offer with 4000.

Here is the link http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/3828554447.html



Thanks for your input guys, can't wait to be a part of the community.

[ajackz]

Keep in mind that this is an eta. So performance is going to need some coaxing. It is very clean and having the interior redone is a bonus. Timing belt is gonna run you around 500 hundred. No telling what the a/c will need. I'd say 3500 is a much fairer price. However if you like the car you may value it more than me. I doubt I could get 4500 for my car and I've got full redone interior,bbs rs, and a bunch of other stuff.

[wyattkb]

I am just looking for a car to drive on the weekends and slowly add some performance parts too for track days so it has no additional value.

Everyone keeps telling me to hold off and get a 325i for the perfomance. The thing is I can't find a local 325i 5 speed :(

You think if I got him down to $3000 itd worth it? The only reason I am looking at this car is because its a 2 owner, clean paint, and maintenance records are on hand. But I keep hearing the engine is really slow.

[nickflic3]

Nothing an i head and a rear diff swap can't fix

[wyattkb]

Well I am going to talk to him and see if he wants to do $3000.

I this is the other car I am looking at http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3803079604.html.

Which if I can get for $5000 I would be happy with, its track ready.

[Threehz]

Both of these cars look like great choices, but the prices are high. I would scoop up the first one (eta) for $3,000 no questions asked, but you are going to have to do a little work for the performance I'm sure you will want.

The second one looks pretty well done and in good shape, hard to tell of course from pictures. If it turned out to be clean and they had all the interior stuff which is currently not installed and it is in good shape, then I'd say it's worth $3,500 to $4,000.

[wyattkb]

Well since I am in no rush and there really aren't any events coming up soon that I can attend I'm just going to sit on this and see.

Any talking point I should try to use when looking at the second track one? Like I said I am new to the BMW car scene so I don't know whats worth what. I have a general idea but not enough to be playing the haggle back and forth game with these guys. Normally I just throw bid out there and if they say no walk.

[pacmanE30]

Both of these cars look like great choices, but the prices are high. I would scoop up the first one (eta) for $3,000 no questions asked, but you are going to have to do a little work for the performance I'm sure you will want.

The second one looks pretty well done and in good shape, hard to tell of course from pictures. If it turned out to be clean and they had all the interior stuff which is currently not installed and it is in good shape, then I'd say it's worth $3,500 to $4,000.

+1 :up:

[ajackz]

We as enthusiast drive the price. Many of us have paid "more than we should have" for an e30 including myself (it was totally worth it to me because I got the exterior color choice that I wanted)
All we are here to do is get you in the general ball park to keep you from over paying. Plus or minus 500 bucks is for your personal preferences and choice.I'd buy the second one if you want a fun car. I'd buy the first one If you wanted to just cruise in style. Both are over priced but that's why cash talks.
Edit:
Just got my computer and looked at the craigslist ads. That car is a track rat
I would certainly make an offer on the second one. Even if you got it at 5500 I think you will come out ok. Ill put it this way,I doubt you could build that car for 5000. Unless of course you are pretty mechanically inclined.

[phenobarb1]

Both of these cars look like great choices, but the prices are high. I would scoop up the first one (eta) for $3,000 no questions asked, but you are going to have to do a little work for the performance I'm sure you will want.

The second one looks pretty well done and in good shape, hard to tell of course from pictures. If it turned out to be clean and they had all the interior stuff which is currently not installed and it is in good shape, then I'd say it's worth $3,500 to $4,000.

I pretty much agree with Threehz on this. Might go 2500-3000 on the first car, since the body seems nice, but would rather hold out for a 325i. the 325es is going to be slooooww, but a decent cruiser and city car. The second one might suit you better, but don't get overly excited about the engine swap. The M50 is nice, but really doesn't put out that much more power than the M20. Fortunately you live in a part of the country where rust isn't an issue, so you could just decide to wait for the perfect car to get listed one day.

[wyattkb]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I got overly excited about how clean the 325es was and almost bought it. I think the track rat car will better suit me for what I want it for. Let the haggling begin I suppose.

[ajackz]

Did you get one yet?

[Vtec?lol]

I'm stuck on the part where a timing belt costs $500.
Unless your timing belt is dipped in gold, that shouldn't cost more than $150 with a water pump. The belt itself is less than $25.

That eS looks more like something I'd keep clean and weekend it. I wouldn't dare mod it. I guess because it's sooo clean!

That 318iS is going to be slow. Not sure why anyone would put an m50 in over the stock m42.

Geez e30 are on the rise

[ajackz]

Here in SoCal the prices are nuts. Probably why these prices don't seem so bad to me.
Back in Tennessee you could pick these up for about 1500.

[MrBurgundy]

i'm stuck on the part where a timing belt costs $500.
Unless your timing belt is dipped in gold, that shouldn't cost more than $150 with a water pump. The belt itself is less than $25.

That es looks more like something i'd keep clean and weekend it. I wouldn't dare mod it. I guess because it's sooo clean!

That 318is is going to be slow. Not sure why anyone would put an m50 in over the stock m42.

Geez e30 are on the rise

+1