New to E30s

[lakespeed6]

Here goes my first post. Looking for any advice and help.
Currently I daily a 2006 Mazdaspeed 6. Car has a built motor, big turbo, meth injection .blah blah blah. Currently making 450AWHP and 420AWTQ.
That said I am looking into a second car. Something cheapish that I can maintain and put a little money in and have fun in.

I have a family friend who bought a 1991 BMW 325i cabrio brand new.
She has babied the car since then. All maintenance done at BMW, never seen snow, always garaged, and has 70k on the clock.
Car is white with a blue top and a manual.
She put new tires on it and then has not driven it in the last 3 years.

With that said what would be a fair price to offer her for the car? She was thinking $3250 which I thought was reasonable.
Also what type of issues would be good to look over before I drive it home?
Seafoam in gas tank with some fuel stabilizer, look for dry rot on lines, oil change???
Any other common maintenance issues?

And to continue on my lengthy post, trying to see what is a suggested mod path.
Current plan is:
Bilstein Sports
H&R Sports cabrio (or GC but trying to save money)
Drop Hats for the front
race skids cross cassis brace
IR cat back and possibly headers
New air filter
and probably some 16x8 wheels and some tires.

Sorry for the lengthy post and any help would be great!!
Thanks and look forward to some learing here.

[Roysneon]

If you can get the car for that much, do it. It's worth more than that if the body is solid, especially if the paint is good. If it has plastic bumpers and not the chrome diving board ones then its probably worth even a little more, but I'm not sure if they went to plastics on the verts in 91 or a little later.

[cunninglinguist]

That would be a very good price.

Absolutely the first thing I'd do is change the timing belt.

[lakespeed6]

If you can get the car for that much, do it. It's worth more than that if the body is solid, especially if the paint is good. If it has plastic bumpers and not the chrome diving board ones then its probably worth even a little more, but I'm not sure if they went to plastics on the verts in 91 or a little later.

I know the paint is in excelent condition but am unsure on the bumpers. I will see if she can send me a picture.
But sounds like I should accept her offer then.

That would be a very good price.

Absolutely the first thing I'd do is change the timing belt.

Thanks! I will ask if the timing belt has been changed and if not will get it done.

[Chinampa]

I always like the blue soft tops. Great price for what sounds like an awesome car.

[torreira]

if you dont want it, pass on the deal :P i could use another vert XD

[agent]

I will ask if the timing belt has been changed and if not will get it done.

Unless there's documentation of it being done very recently (like within the last 24 months), do it anyway. Do the WP and a coolant change while you're there. Those things go a long way toward peace of mind behind the wheel.

Also, thank you for using the correct plural - and not the possessive - in your thread subject.

[Conki]

Also, thank you for using the correct plural - and not the possessive - in your thread subject.

This.

Also, if you don't buy it, let me know, and I will.

[lakespeed6]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Little update on getting the car.
Had a friend go look it over put some seafoam in the tank and give it a crank.
Car started and purred away. Will be picking it up next weekend.
And here are two pics.

[fiveightandten]

Looks nice and clean. Rust free in New England, 70K miles, and $3250? Buy that car.

[Conki]

Congrats on the deal, have fun with her!

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Sounds like a good deal clean car to.

[anabolice30]

WTF bro cop that car now!!!!

[lakespeed6]

Well got the car yesterday. Car was from MD.
So started it up after sitting for 3 years.
New battery, checked over everything, oil change and some fresh gas.
Then hit the road for the 7hr drive home.
Not a single issue, everything works, but car now has 69,600 miles :)
Even have the window sticker, factory welcome cassette, and all manuals, and radio codes.

Just finished a bumper tuck, and will plan to do a timing belt and other maintenance soon.

Picture of my dad on the way home



Window sticker



Pictures after a quick wash and vacuum, needs a good detail.















Before and after bumper tuck and shif knob

[BobombETA]

Nice car, nice price.