Should I keep the car?

[crappycoco]

Hi all,
so a year back I bought a car that was ready for autocross, it has all the suspension bits done, engine is strong, even the idle issues are slowly being resolved, almost no problems left. The car handles like a dream, pulls strong and has a pretty nice interior. Most of the mods were done professionally, set up properly. The car itself has more than 300k on it, engine about 100k.

"bigger" mods:

• GC coilovers, koni dampers, GC race camber plates
• UUC BBK
• Z3 rack
• rota slipstream wheels
• rear adjustable subframe
• allround poly bushings
• UUC DSSR, shortshifter

But the car has its problems too.

• Its a salvage. it was obviously hit at the driver side, and it wasn't just a fender bender since the chassis is welded underneath (around the radiator area).
• There is some specks of rust; rear passenger side, driver side fender.
• The engine was changed obviously, but electrical work wasn't the strong point of the mechanic who did it. There are several gremlins left.
• The windscreen will have to be replaced, since its super pitted and scratched.
• creaks and noises inside the car =)

I've already:

• replaced the fuel pump
• replaced the intake manifold gasket, TB gasket, and about 90% of all coolant hoses
• Rebuilt, flow tested stock injectors
• replaced the AFM
• replaced the ICV
• radiator was changed
• the seals at the back of the transmission
• O2 sensor
• heater core valve
• a million smaller jobs i don't remember

Now to the bigger stuff:

• Diff has to get rebuilt, noisy as fck. (i'm gauging around $500)
• Transmission getting noisy and rattly too (about $900)
• Drive shaft bearings and stuff that goes with it (clunking and noticeable play)
• Those chassis welds are an atrocity and I want them redone, so I guess I'll have to find a good welder to fix that too.

Does keeping the car make sense, or would it be better to chalk it up as lost , sell it and get another e30? I've sunk about 4k into the car with servicing (2k was the first shop visit where we replaced a lot of stuff, the rest was me adding stuff and doing small - to - medium repairs). I hate the fact that I'm now attached to the car because it hurts my rationale =) Your opinion will be appreciated.

[mr2peak]

Good luck finding an E30 that doesn't need work. Stick it out, it's an old car, they have issues.

If the salvage title does't affect the driving, I'd keep it. Might be worth a bit less in the end, but I'm guessing you paid a bit less for it to begin with, so that should be a wash.

[crappycoco]

Thanks man,
I'm not looking for a car that won't require work =) I know perfectly well that an e30 means work - its just the fact that a lot of bigger stuff started failing all at once. That's why I kind of freaked out =)

[Ether-D]

Used diff is $250, used trans is $250-$500. Do the job yourself and save $500-$900. Also, you'll love your next e30 just as much.

[FL318is]

You will regret selling it. And it seems like they are a little harder to come by.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

If keep it. It has the major things done on it already. Any e30 you find will have more problems unless you pay a premium.

[jhaurimn]

Your estimates are high. You can find a used transmission and diff for way less like Ether-D pointed out.

If you enjoy driving the car when the diff and transmission are working properly, and you have fun driving it, keep it.

[Red_liner740]

what makes you think the "other" e30 wont have those or similar high $$ issues?

The important thing is you know what the issues are. The saying "devil you know" applies here. Buying another E30 is a gamble as you may find something down the road even worse than what you have now.

Frankly, i think you have the "new car-itis"

[crappycoco]

The estimates are based on rebuilt stuff cause I don't want the problem repeating itself anytime soon - that's why the numbers are higher =)

I've never had a new car Red_liner, It's just a thing I do .. I want it mechanically perfect =) Basically if the car won't present a problem - I'll find it. And knowing that, I needed someone elses opinion because I'm too far down the rabbit hole already.

But thanks guys, I'll keep her =)

Starting with the diff ;D

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Just find a low mileage diff that hasn't been beat on you won't have that problem.

[agent]

Just invest in a rebuilt diff and never worry about it again.

Fixed.

[crappycoco]

^
exactly.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

That would work to

[DeathProof101]

keep it! When its all said and done you will know the car inside and out. It will make it that much more special.

[estoguy]

Keep it. Doing the work is very rewarding.