Worth driving out to buy this e30?

[Conbotx]

Hey guys! (First post!)

I live in Santa Barbara, CA and I was wondering if this looks like a good deal just by the Ad

http://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/4297260734.html

He told me it's a 1986 325e with a clean title.

It'll be a 2+ hour drive for me and then I have to pay to get it back. It's going to be a little side project for me (air bag suspension).

Thanks!

[dirtbag30]

it looks clean, i drove 5+ hours, cash in hand for my first e30. in the winter, in upper michigan. and it sucked. bought it anyway and made it worth it.

i say do it.

[Conbotx]

it looks clean, i drove 5+ hours, cash in hand for my first e30. in the winter, in upper michigan. and it sucked. bought it anyway and made it worth it.

i say do it.

Yea I figured for the price + a flatbed getting it down (or hoping someone who doesn't care about cops to drive it down! ;) )

I'll be repainting it too, so the interior and motor are really all that I am worried about, and the interior looks immaculate. I'm going to call him again and try to see it tomorrow.

[hippiester]

I'd buy it.

I got mine with 250k kms for 1200 at the end if jan and live it. i dont have the leather steats tho

[Cha Ching]

I love sellers that post, "you smog", or words to that effect. In Cali, the SELLER IS RESPONSIBLE for smog. It's the law. Reason: if the car fails, it could be a nightmare getting it to pass, especially for the price point of this e30.

Bottom line, if you decide to buy, get it smogged before you hand over the cash.

As for this particular car, just know that early e30's utilize some different parts than later-year cars. Most notably, suspension components.

[Joseph.]

Wish stuff like this popped up in Chicago. I'd go for it

[ELVA164]

As for this particular car, just know that early e30's utilize some different parts than later-year cars. Most notably, suspension components.

'86 is the same as all later cars. Pre-'85 is different, with smaller front strut tubes and rear drum brakes.

[dirtbag30]

Yea I figured for the price + a flatbed getting it down (or hoping someone who doesn't care about cops to drive it down! ;) )

I'll be repainting it too, so the interior and motor are really all that I am worried about, and the interior looks immaculate. I'm going to call him again and try to see it tomorrow.

i also drove it home, without plates. as long as you have a bill of sale i dont think a cop will care that youre driving a car you just bought. just call your insurance and let them know what youre doing.

[siggy]

As far as I know, autos in CA can still be sold "as-is" without smog, and this car is non-op'd anyway, i.e. not currently registered. Lots of project cars change hands without even being in running condition...

[dustyperez]

i drove 3 hours, sight unseen to pick mine up. i couldnt even test drive. bought it with a broke timing belt. best idea i ever had!! i love it

[Conbotx]

Arranged a meeting for next week, so hopefully it's as good as it looks! Luckily my buddy agreed to drive it down to LA and park it at his shop. In the meantime I need to sell my current Subaru and get all of that figured out. I', going to try to just go for 1500 cash for the BMW. The airbag kit labor will cost a pretty penny so I don't want to spend too much on the car initially. :)

[Thizzelle]

if it doesn't pass smog you won't be able to transfer title that's why it's required by the seller in CA

[mr.vang]

i wouldn't buy it for $1700, especially without smog. I bought my previous 87 325 for $1000 with smog and its in similar condition as that one. Add couple hundreds more and you can get an early 325i, or even better a 325is. I bought mine 87 325is for $2500 with smog. Just be patience and you'll get the good deal.

[mr.vang]

seller who usually mention buyer smog knew it had already failed.

[Conbotx]

i wouldn't buy it for $1700, especially without smog. I bought my previous 87 325 for $1000 with smog and its in similar condition as that one. Add couple hundreds more and you can get an early 325i, or even better a 325is. I bought mine 87 325is for $2500 with smog. Just be patience and you'll get the good deal.

I've looked around and this is the best one I found in California so far. I really am just looking for a e30 4 door with less than 170k, and as stock as possible.
;D