hmmm would you pay $3500 for an E-30 m3?

[parkerbink]

I believe the 15k rule is now 18k.

[e304lyfe]

WTF. some of you say RUN from a killer deal?

If the car is complete, and running, it is worth the price given today's market for e30 m3's.

you could do 3 things.

1. part it out
2. fix 'n drive it.
3. resell it. if the paint is just oxidized, there is a chance it could just be buffed out. if you don't know much about detailing, bring it to a professional and see what they can do w/ it. should help resale a lot.

as for bimmerfanatik's comments... why are you so confident a deal on an e30 m3 can't exist for 3500 w/o severe problems? last I looked, book value on these cars was around 7k. is it so far fetched someone could not be in the loop w/ what they sell for in general vs. kbb value? maybe this person looked at book value, and thought w/ these issues, its worth significantly less then 7k. or maybe they dont care, and just want this problemed car off their hand. lots of possibilities over simply saying RUN from this car.

in the end, if this car is in even mediocre condition, you can make out in the end if you have half a brain.

[equate975]

If it ran, I would buy it so quick.

[Jonathan M3]

FWIW, I bought my M3 ( a one owner, all original, never wrecked car in excellent shape with only 77k miles) for $7k from a clueless used car salesman in '01. There are deals out there.

Go check the car out, if the drivetrain is in decent/good shape I'd jump on it in a heartbeat.

[SFLBIMMERS]

Many good comments and suggestions. Other than expensive parts, the big, big issue is rust. Depending on where it is, it can be very expensive to reapair. Many structural panels are NLA and not compatible with non M3 E30s. Can be repaired but time and money... and time is money...

[ptownTSI]

someone mentioned that paint and power steering will cost $5000 to fix? how does that work.

a paint job can be done good for $1500 if you do all the Removal and Reinstall (r/r) yourself and pull the interior/windows/trim/etc.

so that leaves $3500 for a power steering pump is that correct? I'd figure at most maybe $1000for powersteering? ok i found on another forum a pump can be had for $300, so that leaves me feeling better. i will try and go look at it today. i found a rack for 500 to 600 so thats like $1000 if i do the work myself and have a shop replace all the lines with an-10 :)

[325Projectz]

If your not a broke bitch, then buy it.

[Jand3rson]

Buy it. Even if something turns out to be wrong with it, you can make back what you paid for it parting it out.

Shit, I'll buy the front strut assemblies and rear trailing arms/hubs!

[SFLBIMMERS]

The $1500.00 paint job is just that. Over 50% of the time the windshield will break when removing since they are glued to the ws frame. If mechanically somewhat good and body good - go ahead... However, do not try to convince yourself that it will be inexpensive. Working on M3 can be simple, but never easy.

I have had two - sent you pm

[UNHCLL]

"part it out"
The mentality of poor, broke, non-M e30 owners around the world.
I'm sure if it came to that all the "kids" here would fill your private message box with "I want the 5 lugs!" or "Will you sell me the Seats?" or "OMG I wish I had the money to pay for these parts!!!11one"



$1500 for a paint job? You buddy buddy with the local Maaco guy?
If you strip the car, and re-assemble it will be cheaper... but let a professional do the paint prep & painting will cost more than $1500.


To break it down in a purely financial aspect:

(IF) Paint is bad, and needs a full repaint -$5,000
(IF) PS pump/rack/lines leak - Rack($250), Lines($225 for both), Pump($80)
(IF) Engine is worn bad - $7-8k to have a professional rebuild it. (An S14 isn't a simple 'snap together' motor like some other BMW motors) Or, buy a used motor... $4k

Suspension - Plan on needing to replace Control arms & bushings & mounts. -$350 in parts alone
(IF) brakes are worn - $300 minimum for Rotors & pads.


It could be a great buy.
It could be a nightmare.
Just know that they arent cheap cars... but if you're willing to slowly/correctly fix the car (unless you want to drop $16k right off the bat and do it all at once), then go for it. But just realize the monetary investment if its a 'bad/worn/abused' car will be high.


The old $15k rule is indeed much closer to $18k now.



SFLBimmers -
You have a bad body shop or glass company removing your windshields if they keep getting broken. That isnt common at all.

[Bimmerfanatik]

as for bimmerfanatik's comments... why are you so confident a deal on an e30 m3 can't exist for 3500 w/o severe problems? last I looked, book value on these cars was around 7k. is it so far fetched someone could not be in the loop w/ what they sell for in general vs. kbb value? maybe this person looked at book value, and thought w/ these issues, its worth significantly less then 7k. or maybe they dont care, and just want this problemed car off their hand. lots of possibilities over simply saying RUN from this car.

in the end, if this car is in even mediocre condition, you can make out in the end if you have half a brain.

ugh. do whatever you want kids, you asked us if you should buy it, and there has GOT to be more to the story for $3500. Some of the guys are giving the same advice, others are dreaming that there may actually be someone out there dumb enough to sell their car for that cheap.

IF the car was in good shape and he was selling it for that price - it was gone before you finished posting the question of whether or not to buy it on here.

If it's still there - a number of people have seen it and have decided against it, for one or many reasons.

That message about $5k for a paint job and rack - you can't throw a maaco paint job or anything less than a high quality paint job at an E30 M3 - keep in mind they're getting harder to find, and their value is increasing. You'll all but wipe out its value if you put a shitty paint job on it. To do it RIGHT it'd cost $3-5k for paint.

But, it doesn't sound like you want to do this right, it sounds like you want an M3 for 5k. Go nuts buddy - let us know how much you finally spend to get it right.

[SFLBIMMERS]

Agree with UNHCLL on most points. Long term project or buckets of dough.

Windshields do not break all of the time. However, if there is rust in the frame, more than likely it will break - moisture seeps into the laminations...

[UNHCLL]

Agree with UNHCLL on most points. Long term project or buckets of dough.

Windshields do not break all of the time. However, if there is rust in the frame, more than likely it will break - moisture seeps into the laminations...

Atypical, based on my experience.
We've removed windshields from over 15 cars for cowel repairs and replacements. The number that have broken was less than 2, and one of those had a crack across the middle. Not saying you're wrong, but knowing what those windshields cost, the last thing you want is some shop/installer breaking them and then charging you for a new one when its not needed.

Cheers,
Chris

[UNHCLL]

Buy it. Even if something turns out to be wrong with it, you can make back what you paid for it parting it out.

Shit, I'll buy the front strut assemblies and rear trailing arms/hubs!

Liar! ;)


You dont want to spend more than $600 for your new wheels, and you think you're going to buy a 5 lug setup? :rofl:


wait....
















Ok, glad I got that out.
;)

[Jand3rson]

Liar! ;)


You dont want to spend more than $600 for your new wheels, and you think you're going to buy a 5 lug setup? :rofl:


wait....
















Ok, glad I got that out.
;)

It was in jest! Just giving the guy ideas, lol. I'm just saying that if he did buy it, and it ended up not being any good, he wouldn't be totally out.

Like I can afford to go 5 lug. No real reason to, anyway. :D