First e30 ... 325es?

[Carnifex]

Looking into getting my first e30, currently drive (my moms :( ) e36 318ic

one of the ONLY ones i found anywhere near me (aka 200 miles) is an 86 325e.. It seems pretty clean, but i've only seen a couple pictures. The guy is asking 1200 as he's moving pretty soon, and needs it gone..


Known problems: tachometer/blinkers don't work. Odometer stopped around 160k. Should be somewhat accurate as he's told me.
5 spd.

Now, the thing is i'm not sure if the E is the model to go with, I do want it to dd, maybe drift a bit, but i'm not sure if i should wait for an 318is to come along, or a 325i.

But then again, for a grand, would i be making a mistake to not buy it?

I'm not sure how i feel about the whole 325e to 327i, as it'll be pretty pricey..

Also, i'm barely 17, it will be my car, and i'm on a bit of a budget. ~2k-2500
Not much mechanical experience.

[Silverdogz]

In for pics.

[Carnifex]

This is the one pic of the exterior that i DID manage to get

http://gyazo.com/39dd77eb2524cf3a1f6bef5c11080a5c

[JasonC]

I see a tucked bumper and a drop. What mods has the owner done to it? If it isn't rusty, i'd see if he would take $1000 for it.

[Carnifex]

It is lowered, he hasnt told me what it's on. & a tucked bumper? isnt that the original bumper from the 86 es?

It's in New Mexico, so i don't think rust is much of an issue, lol.
i will check for it though. Known spots?

He hasn't listed any mods. I've also never seen the car, but someone on this forum has, and has me thinking it's a bit rougher than it looks in that picture.

[JasonC]

It is lowered, he hasnt told me what it's on. & a tucked bumper? isnt that the original bumper from the 86 es?

It's in New Mexico, so i don't think rust is much of an issue, lol.
i will check for it though. Known spots?

He hasn't listed any mods. I've also never seen the car, but someone on this forum has, and has me thinking it's a bit rougher than it looks in that picture.

Tucked bumper = stock diving board bumper where the shocks where drilled and bumper pushed back into the trim.

I had my mind on Canada lol. Don't know why . So I doubt there will be much or if any rust since it's a SW car. Rust spots to look for are floors, rear valance and around tail lights, and license plate lights.

If it's rougher then it appears to be, start at a low ball price. I'd say $700. (That's what I'd do, but others may disagree)

[Carnifex]

Tucked bumper = stock diving board bumper where the shocks where drilled and bumper pushed back into the trim.

I had my mind on Canada lol. Don't know why . So I doubt there will be much or if any rust since it's a SW car. Rust spots to look for are floors, rear valance and around tail lights, and license plate lights.

If it's rougher then it appears to be, start at a low ball price. I'd say $700. (That's what I'd do, but others may disagree)

Alright. Thanks, very much appreciated. He should be sending me pics/videos of it running.

[Carnifex]

But I really don't know if the E would be the model to go with. I heard it's kind of boring..

[///Bimmerfan]

But I really don't know if the E would be the model to go with. I heard it's kind of boring..

I have an es 5 speed with a chip, best mod I ever installed!

[Carnifex]

I have an es 5 speed with a chip, best mod I ever installed!

Much of a power difference?

I just watched the video he sent me, walkaround of the exterior. It looks fairly clean..

[///Bimmerfan]

Much of a power difference?

I just watched the video he sent me, walkaround of the exterior. It looks fairly clean..

Yeah it gave me quite a bit more hp and torque.

[mr.vang]

An eta is perfect for you. Great on gas and slow.

[Carnifex]

It's an ES. And i wouldn't say i necessarily need a slow car. I'm pretty responsible, & i've got about two years of driving experience already. half that was in a standard car.

but i mean it seems like a damn good deal.. Maybe i'll have a new car early September :)

[dougie30]

I bought a 1000 dollar es. It was solid daily and had good torque also fantastic gas mileage. Then I snapped the timing belt and swaped in I engine. I still dont regret buying it.

Oh also was a rust bucket!

[accident]

My first E30 was a 1987 ETA, and it was a blast to drive. I drove it stock for almost 6 months before I finally chipped it, but even without the chip it was awesome. Don't write it off because it's the "economy" verson and has less horsepower.