Advice on buying my first e30

[Young_Enthusiast]

Hi everyone,

So this is my first time posting, and I'm pretty sure this isn't the right forum for this sort of thing but whatever. I've been looking to buy an e30 for a while, but I can't seem to find one that I'm completely comfortable with. The only one that seems suitable is really nice looking but it has 150,000 miles on it according to the owner. It's a 325es and appears to have an engine from an e36 m3. It has a 5 lugs conversion, e46 interior (which I don't like, I'd want to swap back to e30 buckets), and e46 wheels as well which I'm also not crazy about. The $8000 asking price however seems high, but I wanted to know some opinions from people with more experience.
Another thing that I was concerned with is picking it up if I decide I want it. It's not exactly local, but on the other hand it isn't out of the question. I'm on long island and the car is right across the sound, a ferry ride away, in New Haven. I should probably ask him if he could meet somewhere roughly halfway for safety and time reasons, but if I decide to buy the car is he supposed to just get a taxi home or something? That also confuses me.
If anyone has any advice on either two of my issues, I'd be happy to hear it. Thanks!

*The ad on Craigslist*

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/3721813759.html

[Farbin Kaiber]

Find out how the 5 lug swap was done. Pay to have a PPI done at a competent BMW Independent shop that is experienced with swap cars. Anyone selling a car will likely bring a friend in a second car along.

[Playgunz]

If the M50 swap was done right the car is going to be more expensive than a stock E30. How bout some pics, no cl links just pics. It's a lot easier to assess a car's value if you can look at it.

[Young_Enthusiast]

[Young_Enthusiast]

Pay to have a PPI done at a competent BMW Independent shop that is experienced with swap cars.

Should I have the seller send me a report from a shop, or should I ask for the VIN and look at the carfax? And since it's in New Haven it might be tricky paying for an inspection possibly?

[Farbin Kaiber]

No, you should pick a shop, meet the seller at said shop, then you pay the shop to do an inspection.

If you had the seller send you his own inspection, how could you verify it was an impartial inspection?

[Young_Enthusiast]

Good point–Well the inspection should pretty much say whether or not I get it because as long as everything checks out it seems like my best bet.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Guten Parts + Service is at 213 Valley Street, 1st Floor, South Orange, NJ 07079

They seem to be about 100 miles from the seller to their shop, which out there may be a long distance, but for me, I would happily make the trip to have a trusted inspection by people that know the e30 inside and out.

[Young_Enthusiast]

Wow, thanks for all the help! Yea that does seem like a lot to ask and that place is almost the same distance from me. I think I should try and find a place in bridgeport so I can hop on the ferry and it would be much easier for both of us.

[Farbin Kaiber]

http://www.bimmershops.com/

[Young_Enthusiast]

What about a bmw dealer? I know it's probably more expensive but would they be good at handling something like this? If something is wrong it would be a much bigger waste of everyone's time and money if I didn't end up liking the car and both of us had to drive to NJ.

[Playgunz]

That is a sweet looking car.

[Young_Enthusiast]

That is a sweet looking car.

I know, it's so tempting. The only thing is the miles. Is 150,000 a lot for a car like this? I'm expecting some upkeep but I don't want it to be insane.

[DasBLiK]

Hard to find a clean m50 swap. DO ITTTTTTTTTTT

[Young_Enthusiast]

I really think I should. I'm so torn!!! It's been on CL forever too so maybe that could help me get a good price... He said he needs the money for an M3 (most likely an e36? Cheap?) and I could bring cash too. Would $6800 be too low to offer?