Hi everyone,
Currently a 2006 BMW e90 330i owner.
Been researching about the e30 for the last few weeks but would like to draw on all the expertise of the e30 owners on here before making a purchase. Thank you in advance for your help. I am in no rush to purchase but my plan and questions are below:
**Most important point**I live in the Caribbean. While the duty rates are horrible to import a car in to my country (65 - 85% on top of purchase price) we do have the luxury of being able to bring in a car from any country in the world, left hand drive, right hand drive, no cats, doesn't matter. There are basically no restrictions.
$8 - $12k budget FOB purchase price + another $6 - $10k freight and import duty
Must be a manual
Must be very clean, no rust, no dash cracks, etc.
Must be mechanically pretty perfect
Must have perfectly working AC (hot as hell here)
Would prefer it as close to stock as possible
Would prefer it under 80,000 miles
Would prefer a one owner car
Would prefer a car with FSH
Would prefer a 325i sedan; however, I am open to all engine options (USA, UK and globally, and willing to take a lower power, smaller engine car that is in better overall condition) as well as possibly a coupe and maybe even a convertible
No real preference on the interior as far as leather or cloth but I do like the look of the plaid cloth such as below:
I appreciate all of the above makes me sound pretty picky but I am open to suggestions on reasons why I should be more flexible on some of the requirements. I am pretty handy and have made quite a few repairs on previous cars; however, parts, and if needed, a e30 Tech Expert, is not to be found on my island so looking for a car that doesn't need much at all to begin with. Yes, anything can happen but don't want a project car from the start.
Purchasing from South, FL would make life a lot easier for me because it's a quick flight over and the freight charges for the car will only be about $1k. If I purchase from the UK I probably won't have a chance to look at the car first but have someone that I know over there that may be able to take a look at the car for me, downside is also the freight will be closer to $2.5k. My initial research leads me to believe that there a lot more low mileage, FSH, well kept cars over in the UK. There are also more engine options and possibly other advantages to purchasing a UK / European e30?
I would appreciate all thoughts on which route you would take and why. Not sure if many on this board have experience with some of the other engine options and UK e30's in general but any advice will be appreciated. Again, the car and be purchased from anywhere, Germany, all over Europe, Asia, South Asia, etc.
Thank you again for your time and help.
Currently a 2006 BMW e90 330i owner.
Been researching about the e30 for the last few weeks but would like to draw on all the expertise of the e30 owners on here before making a purchase. Thank you in advance for your help. I am in no rush to purchase but my plan and questions are below:
**Most important point**I live in the Caribbean. While the duty rates are horrible to import a car in to my country (65 - 85% on top of purchase price) we do have the luxury of being able to bring in a car from any country in the world, left hand drive, right hand drive, no cats, doesn't matter. There are basically no restrictions.
$8 - $12k budget FOB purchase price + another $6 - $10k freight and import duty
Must be a manual
Must be very clean, no rust, no dash cracks, etc.
Must be mechanically pretty perfect
Must have perfectly working AC (hot as hell here)
Would prefer it as close to stock as possible
Would prefer it under 80,000 miles
Would prefer a one owner car
Would prefer a car with FSH
Would prefer a 325i sedan; however, I am open to all engine options (USA, UK and globally, and willing to take a lower power, smaller engine car that is in better overall condition) as well as possibly a coupe and maybe even a convertible
No real preference on the interior as far as leather or cloth but I do like the look of the plaid cloth such as below:
I appreciate all of the above makes me sound pretty picky but I am open to suggestions on reasons why I should be more flexible on some of the requirements. I am pretty handy and have made quite a few repairs on previous cars; however, parts, and if needed, a e30 Tech Expert, is not to be found on my island so looking for a car that doesn't need much at all to begin with. Yes, anything can happen but don't want a project car from the start.
Purchasing from South, FL would make life a lot easier for me because it's a quick flight over and the freight charges for the car will only be about $1k. If I purchase from the UK I probably won't have a chance to look at the car first but have someone that I know over there that may be able to take a look at the car for me, downside is also the freight will be closer to $2.5k. My initial research leads me to believe that there a lot more low mileage, FSH, well kept cars over in the UK. There are also more engine options and possibly other advantages to purchasing a UK / European e30?
I would appreciate all thoughts on which route you would take and why. Not sure if many on this board have experience with some of the other engine options and UK e30's in general but any advice will be appreciated. Again, the car and be purchased from anywhere, Germany, all over Europe, Asia, South Asia, etc.
Thank you again for your time and help.
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