Sell or keep 88 325is?

[UNCC Grad]

I am currently DDing an 88 Apline 325is with 185K (not verified) on the clock. It's no show queen but has been reliable in the last 6 months I have owned it. It has a salvage title, a few dents, interior is decent but nothing special, HIDs, chipped ECU.



I'm beginning to have some maintenance items pop up that need to be addressed if I am to keep driving it. My current commute is about 80 miles round trip per day and I'm getting around 25mpg in the e30. I have considered selling or trading the e30 for something a litte better on fuel and less maintenance dependent.

Issues that need addressed:

- oil leak between 3/4 on the headgasket
- replace leaking PS rack (planned for this weekend)
- possible failing CSB
- AC doesnt work
- plastic bumper has been cracked and repaired
- drivers fender has been replaced and painted with spray can (looks pretty good for what it is)

I've got a good bit of spare parts that come with the car if I sold it. I just don't know that I have the time to mess with the maintenance needed to keep driving it as much as I have to for work. With a 1 year old at home and a 1 hour commute, my time is limited. I thought if I could get around $2000 for it I may be able to find a boring little comuter car that would get in the mid 30mpg range to cut down on fuel cost as well as be a little less maintenance dependent. I'm sure I would miss driving the e30 if it sold.

What say you guys? I have thought about offering it up for trade but I'm afraid the trades I would get would be some riced out POS.

[Cabriolet]

do you like to wrench. bc i see $4k being spent in your future.

[UNCC Grad]

do you like to wrench. bc i see $4k being spent in your future.

I do when I have the time but I just don't at this point in my life. I should state that the AC will work, just doesn't cool. Has been swapped to R-134 fittings just has not been recharged, had drier replaced and tested for leaks. No AC isnt that big of a deal to me though.

[ParsedOut]

Having regret selling too many of my previous cars due to upcoming maintenance, I suggest holding onto it and getting another daily driver. As your interest comes back around to wrenching you'll have something to work on. The $2500-3000 you'll get for the car will not buy you a more reliable daily driver, so I say keep it.

[Beau B]

The $2500-3000 you'll get for the car will not buy you a more reliable daily driver, so I say keep it.

Exactly my thoughts

[e30Troop]

Having regret selling too many of my previous cars due to upcoming maintenance, I suggest holding onto it and getting another daily driver. As your interest comes back around to wrenching you'll have something to work on. The $2500-3000 you'll get for the car will not buy you a more reliable daily driver, so I say keep it.

Agreed!

[nyChris]

Do you have the capacity to keep the e30, and buy another car to daily?

Most likely an unpopular opinion around here, but $2500-3000 will get you a late 90's civic (eg/ek) in great shape. You will get 30mpg, and it will never need maintenance. In the event that it does, Honda parts are a hell of alot cheaper than BMW ones. Sure they are boring to drive, but they are the most reliable/cost effective daily driver hands down.

I have been dailying my 91 civic sedan for 2 years now (which I only payed $1500 for). Only thing I have done is spark plugs, and top it off with oil. That is not an exaggeration.

Sure, the exhaust has a nasty leak, the auto tranny slips a little on hard right turns, driver side quarter panel is rotting away, but never putting a penny into it has allowed me to build my e30 the way I want.

Just don't buy one from a boy racer with a fart can exhaust, and "Altezza" tail lights.

[3vilE30]

I have considered selling or trading the e30 for something a litte better on fuel and less maintenance dependent.

E30's do really good gas mileage for its age.
Anything else is just a downgrade at that price range, 2k can barely get you a four door auto ETA now a days if you decide to get another e30 later... Just keep it, work on it and drive the s*** out of it.

[UNCC Grad]

Do you have the capacity to keep the e30, and buy another car to daily?

Most likely an unpopular opinion around here, but $2500-3000 will get you a late 90's civic (eg/ek) in great shape. You will get 30mpg, and it will never need maintenance. In the event that it does, Honda parts are a hell of alot cheaper than BMW ones. Sure they are boring to drive, but they are the most reliable/cost effective daily driver hands down.

I have been dailying my 91 civic sedan for 2 years now (which I only payed $1500 for). Only thing I have done is spark plugs, and top it off with oil. That is not an exaggeration.

No real capacity to keep the e30 and get another driver. I already have a 2500 Dodge truck that rarely gets driven. A civic/accord/camry/etc was what would likely replace the e30. If I am going to get rid of the e30 it will be for something that gets better mpg and is cheaper to maintain. I'm just not sure what I can get out of the e30 and if it will be enough to get what I'm looking for. I would hope that $2500 would be able to buy a reliable daily.

I'm torn as to what to do. This is my first e30 and maybe I jumped in not knowing what I was getting into, but I have never been stranded by it yet so the issue popping up are just lack of maintenance by previous owners.

[ParsedOut]

ANY car under $5k will need maintenance, I don't care what anybody says. Some brands are more tolerant to lack of maintenance (ie. Honda, Toyota), but they all need it in some sort.

If you do the work and source quality used parts (when reasonable) the cost to maintain is equal to any other brand. Parts availability can be a little less, but it's not like these cars were made in low numbers, they are out there.

If you're not in love with the E30 and don't think you ever will, then by all means sell it to someone who does. If you're just feeling burnt out or overwhelmed at the moment, don't be so quick to jump ship.

[dwight]

Having a BAD DAY

[kensol20]

I say keep it and fix it slowly unless your pouring a fortune in to it


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[UNCC Grad]

Good advice in this thread here, thanks guys. For now I've removed the power steering and will keep it. My oil leak may not have been from the head gasket. I found the oil cooler return lines loose at the oil filter. I'm going to try to change the diff fluid and see if the shudder goes away.

[B Randon]

if that is the same car I am thinking then that fender I sold the po, along with a list of other parts. are the seats tan an black in it?

[UNCC Grad]

That's the one. The guy I bought it from said he had bought a pile of parts from you.