Buying E30 92 Vert 90K miles Salvage suggestions please.

[Mushi]

Hello everyone,

I have been here for about 6 months just watching threads and doing research for all information I need to know about E30 car.

I am bimmer guy I have e34 and e46 for long time.

I see the E30 has better view and it turn heads when its fly by.

So I have friend who has one FS. 1992 convertible 318i M42 engine it has 90K miles (low miles)

It is salvage title. He bought from auction about one month ago. The car hit on the front right (passenger side). Nothing happened to the engine or chassis.

The car clean inside and clean engine he have done all tune up to the engine.

The work needed for this car is. Plastic bumper, Hood, And fender. I can find hood and fender at the junk yard for good price. And thats all it needs.

He is asking $3000. What you guys think. is worth it ?

Thanks in advance.:)

[Chimi]

Hey, just picked up a vert myself! If you think it'll be a cheap fix and you're sure the frame is solid and there isn't other damage, the price seems reasonable. It looks like you're in Utah so I'd be sure to check whether there is rust and to what extent first.

[Farbin Kaiber]

I'm north of you, and the price sounds about on par for the region, but some pictures would help make a better assessment.

(Then I read the whole thread again, at $3k, with a salvage title, I'd assumed the repairs were already done, sounds like a $1000 car to me without pictures.)

[Mushi]

it has a very little rust on the side bottom of doors. nothing major. and its clean. fender and hood it can be found at the junk yard about 75-100 bucks. the problem finding the plastic bumper. I wish I am at CA its easy to find this car and parts for it

[Farbin Kaiber]

Way too much money, and no. Speaking from someone that once bought a 1991 318iS from SLC sight unseen with 'nothing major rust' for less than half what you spent without a salvage title and a solid top.

Have you seen what the inner structure/core support looks like or are you just going by the fact that that's what you can see that is crushed?

[steven g]

Before you buy this car, please talk to your insurance agent to see what value your car will be covered for comprehensive and what impact the salvage title has for your liability policy.

[Mushi]

to be honest no I haven't looked under the car for suspension or frame etc. I am just going by the fact. and in SLC? half of this price and clean title? no way I have been watching KSL site for car sells. its not that cheap, you can find cheap but a lot of problems and miles even though its clean title.

last month someone sold 325i 1990 white with alpina wheels 256K miles on it for $4000. and he wouldn't go down with the price.

I am not in rush to buy an E30. but I'd love to find one cheap. I don't mind if it has engine problem. I am thinking upfront to do m50/m52 swap..

[Mushi]

for car insurance. they will say its not worth it because they go by year/model rate. but if the car clean nothing need to worry about its your money and you like the thing. I see a lot of people go with salvage cars..

[Farbin Kaiber]

But, I'll still bet you $10 there is more damage than just putting a few new panels on and hoping everything lines up. I'm telling you, I know the prices there, I live three hours north of you and SLC is the nearest 'big city' to me so it's where I browse KSL and CL. It's not a good deal, I'm saying it again.

You have an e34 and an e46, clearly you know more about e30's than I do.

Also, is english your second language? I'm having trouble deciding if you are posting like you text, or if it's that english isn't your main language.

[rturbo 930]

(Then I read the whole thread again, at $3k, with a salvage title, I'd assumed the repairs were already done, sounds like a $1000 car to me without pictures.)

Agreed. That price would be fair if the repairs were done, and the car was in generally decent condition.

As for insurance, I have no idea why you'd get any more than liability on it unless you've spent thousands restoring it. It'd be a waste of money otherwise.

[Mushi]

You are right my english is the second language. thanks god I know how to type and understand sometimes lol. not that great with grammar.

will if not worth it. not worth it. Thats why I started this thread you might have better understanding with body damage. I was about to sell e46 and get it. but good to know. Its better to buy clean title with clean body that what the most important thing in the E30's.

[fiveightandten]

to be honest no I haven't looked under the car for suspension or frame etc. I am just going by the fact. and in SLC? half of this price and clean title? no way I have been watching KSL site for car sells. its not that cheap, you can find cheap but a lot of problems and miles even though its clean title.

last month someone sold 325i 1990 white with alpina wheels 256K miles on it for $4000. and he wouldn't go down with the price.

I am not in rush to buy an E30. but I'd love to find one cheap. I don't mind if it has engine problem. I am thinking upfront to do m50/m52 swap..

You can't compare a (presumably) well sorted E30 with expensive upgrades to a cracked up E30 with unknown levels of damage.

As with any old BMW, there is a HUUUUUGE variation in the condition and value of the cars. There are worthless rust buckets that are worth more in scrap than what the car would sell for...and there are $15K, completely restored, swapped E30's that are nearly mechanically and aesthetically flawless. Mileage means FAR less than the condition of the car. A 400K mile glass out re-spray with new interior and a boosted S52 would sell for more money than a 100K mile bone stock 325e.

Go on a case by case basis. And, as was eluded to above, if you don't have the means to properly assess the damage on a crashed car, assume the worst and don't get in over your head.

[Mushi]

You can't compare a (presumably) well sorted E30 with expensive upgrades to a cracked up E30 with unknown levels of damage.

As with any old BMW, there is a HUUUUUGE variation in the condition and value of the cars. There are worthless rust buckets that are worth more in scrap than what the car would sell for...and there are $15K, completely restored, swapped E30's that are nearly mechanically and aesthetically flawless. Mileage means FAR less than the condition of the car. A 400K mile glass out re-spray with new interior and a boosted S52 would sell for more money than a 100K mile bone stock 325e.

Go on a case by case basis. And, as was eluded to above, if you don't have the means to properly assess the damage on a crashed car, assume the worst and don't get in over your head.

Thank you for the clarification. As per old cars not all of them are worth money, but E30 car its not that cheap to find 90% of people now they know about their cars and what they worth.

My friend just bought coupe E30 with 129K miles salvage title for $2800. and thee guy was asking for $3600. so these cars now days hard to find in some states.

Conclusion of this thread. Don't buy this 92 E30 salvage title.

Regards,