Newbie in Need of some serious advice

[flickischris]

Well guys After salivating over everyone else's e30's on here for about 8months I have decided to jump into the pool, drink the punch, ect.... I am looking at gettign an e30 as a 2-3month project to turn into a reliable daily driver. Cosmetics and such will take a back seat until I get the car mechanically squared away...My family owns an auto repair shop with snap on diagnostics, a 2 post lift, wheel bearing press, tire machines, ect. ect. so I feel like i have the means for the DIY stuff. There is also a very well trusted foreign car mechanic, and family friend, specializing in european cars right down the street. I am however looking at starting with something on the less expensive side because I can not sell my current DD until I have a substitute...

This is what I am currently looking at...I have talked the guy down on the price but I just want to know if I am about to make a dumb purchase...so any advice would be awesome!


From what I can Gather THis is what it needs followed by prices I found...let me know if any of this info is wrong

Passenger and Driver Door Cards: $65-$100 ea.
Glove Box (In no Hurry on this): $75-100

It says it needs a passenger side hub not sure if front or back, I will probally replace both sides depending on front or rear.
Front: $30-35ea.
Rear: $40-45ea.
Windshield: $150-200

Here is the link

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/4456357615.html

I have passed on the previous car thanks to some awesome advice, seriously guys thanks so much...this is my first post so it is a little nerve racking.
Pardon the long ass post but I have finally heard back from the first e30 I found when i started my search...here is the link.
http://binghamton.craigslist.org/cto/4449295508.html



Needs:
Speeedometer
Rotors

Recent Service:
Head gasket (im guessin):
Timing Belt
Valves Adjusted

I feel like this a way better starting point...Is it over priced at $2,000? Would an offer of $1500 be offensive?

[Andy.B]

It sounds like you are prepared for owning a 25+ year olds car that will need work, and have a good idea of what to expect, which is great. However, the car pictured would have to be mechanically perfect to be worth anything close to1k for me.
An m10 with driving boards, a hacked up interior, multicolor exterior, missing parts, and in need of maintenance? I would pass. That really looks more like a parts car.

Fwiw, I just paid 1400 for a 325i with lots of options that only needed the camshaft and an alignment to be drivable.

[flickischris]

Andy, thanks for the quick response...From what I have gathered the car starts and runs strong, It makes regular trips from NJ to Allentown PA. That is why it was appealing to me...If all it needed mechanically was a wheel bearing or two I could source and fix the missing interior parts over time...the only interior parts it is missing besides the glove box are the door cards...my buddy just replaced the door panels on his nova with fabbed brushed aluminum panels...I was wondering how hard it would be to make a racing style door card out of aluminum that allowed the windows to still operate...bare bones and minimalistic is what I actually prefer. What price point would you buy this at? I am just having trouble finding viable options in the 1000-1500 price range....Thanks Again!

[marshallnoise]

Rust. Look for rust.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[flickischris]

Rust. Look for rust.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Where are common cancer spots on an e30? I know in the past i have had Subarus and they all rust in very specific places...from what I understand there is some surface rust in the engine bay that is minor.

[Andy.B]

I'm located in upstate NY, so I understand how infrequently these cars come up for sale.
The problem with running strong is, it's still an m10, which is pretty weak engine on its best day. What I am worried about is the plethora of trim pieces missing, inside and out, that will take a bit of time and a fair amount of money to replace.

Like I said, of it runs great, and needs no maintenance, meaning the suspension is fresh, brakes have lots of life left, the rubber bushings throughout the car are new, ac and cruise work, and it has solid compression and has already received a tune up, then maybe.
But at the end of the day, you will likely uncover many more problems, have to replace lots is neglected wear items, and spend lots of money making a car safe and reliable, that is still an early m10, that still looks like that.

I would strongly recommend finding a cleaner e30. Even an automatic, since swapping is easier and cheaper than sourcing and replacing a boatload of missing parts.

[einhander]

Find another E30.

There were like a bazillion of them made. Why buy the worst you can find?

[TurboJake]

Thats a $500 car....

Pass

[flickischris]

Thanks for all the input guys! I think I will let this one go and continue my search! If i fins another and need advice should i continue to post in this thread or should i start a new one?

[Andy.B]

I may be wrong, but I would probably start a new thread (as long as your aren't starting a dozen of them). Alternatively, you could add a new post to this thread, and edit the first post to tell people wear to start reading for the current car (ie: "new pictures/info on page three" ) .

[Roysneon]

The only good thing about that car is that it's close to you and the seats.

[flickischris]

The only good thing about that car is that it's close to you and the seats.

The Carpet also seems to be in great shape...

[Gary Horneck]

Fly down here and grab a completely rust free example. Cars in upper Alabama and TN are incredibly clean.

[flickischris]

Fly down here and grab a completely rust free example. Cars in upper Alabama and TN are incredibly clean.

Haha fly? I'm on a budget here man...but i have strongly considered that...

[heatmakerz]

It does sound like you are prepared to wrench on it yourself which is good. But that car is only worth $500 max IMO. And I would use it as a parts car more than anything. But check for rust, especially where you are.