New to E30's but not for long (Hopefully)

[Ether-D]

I don't know about cali, but if you're willing to travel a few hundred miles, you'll just need time to find something under $2000. I've bought 4 running/driving e30s in the last two years for under $2000. Then just replace things as you notice them. No matter what you spend, you likely won't find anything that requires nothing.

I paid $1700 for my rust free 1992 vert 5-speed. It leaked everything and the motor felt abused. I put new suspension (billies and bavauto sport springs and control arms yada yada) and a new motor and trans (junk yard) in it for about $1500 more. Then nickel and dime stuff as it comes up. I've had this one for 2 years now, and all tolled, I have about $6000 in it. That includes MS2 and a home built supercharger, wheels etc…

It was waaaaaay easier for me to come up with a couple grand and $200 at a time to fix little stuff than $6000 up front.

Good luck.

[peter321]

IMO the cars in the 7k price range should have perfect paint, ALL MATCHING PANELS, and a completely refreshed suspension set up along with a leak free m20.

It should have a whole lot more than that.

[JonTheHero22]

Okay, so I'm not being unreasonable for trying to find something in that range and not forking up 7k for something unless it's in showroom floor condition. I passed up on a mint condition 1985 white 325e for 5-6k I was really upset with my self, but it's hard to spend that kinda money when I could get something for like 2k and put 3-4k into it and be really proud of it. Did all of you guys have a lot of experience with cars and automotive stuff in general when you started with your e30s? Is this a bad car for me to start with or is it do-able?

[JonTheHero22]

So I found this one for really cheap but from what I've looked up and read, the engine knock could be from many different things. Do you guys think that its worth it? I feel like the car could be parted out for more than $500

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4446218400.html

[KIRIEIW]

So I found this one for really cheap but from what I've looked up and read, the engine knock could be from many different things. Do you guys think that its worth it? I feel like the car could be parted out for more than $500

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4446218400.html

He's been trying to sell it since I was looking for a e30, that was over 10 months ago

[JonTheHero22]

I've been looking around but I haven't spotted any great deals. These two caught my eye:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4461136787.html

All the cosmetic issues aren't a big deal, but the oil seepage and the cat, would those be big problems to fix or could it be a bad gasket? How expensive are e30 cats? Could I use one from a junkyard or better to get a good condition one? All in all this one doesn't seem bad, pretty low miles, its an auto which sucks but I can do the swap in time.

This one just caught my eye because of the cardinal interior :giggle:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/4458105907.html