An E30 dilemma

[Jand3rson]

So here's my situation. As all of you know, I've got another 10 months until I get my license back. Be that as it may, I still want to have an E30 to mod. Since I lost my car, I've had absolutely nothing to do. Even if I can't drive it, I still want to have it to work on, repair, and buy mods for. I just have to do it.

What I really want is an '89 325i. 1989 because it would have plastic bumpers, but no ugly airbag wheel yet. But if I found a '90 or '91, I certainly wouldn't pass it up. Yet more and more lately, I keep coming across earlier model 325i's and e's for sale in not-so-great condition, for good prices. I don't mind the so-so condtion of them, as long as the body isn't complete shit and the bottom-end of the engine is ok. Top end work is no problem for Jordan, Andrew and I. I wouln't even mind a 325e. They can be tuned for fun. And we've swapped motors before, we can do it again. I may even want to go with an M50, I'm not sure yet.

So here's the problem I'm having. Do I go in on one of these deal E30's I keep seeing eveywhere, or do I save money for another year and buy a good condition '89 when it pops up? Of couse, the latter seems the most logical, but doesn't sound like the most fun. I want an E30 to wrench on. But I also want my dream '89.

Can you guys offer up some arguments on either side? All comments are welcome. Help a fellow E30 nut figure this one out!

[rs4pro3]

It depends on how much money you'll have to spend. When I got my first e30 I was looking for something under $1000 that needed work, got the 85 318i and had lot's of fun fixing it. Then I started to look for a nicer car, and found my 88 325is for $500. I'd say buy the car that needs work then start looking for an 89 that needs work.

[Sean]

I say you wait for the perfect car to come along. Sure, you may be bored now, but you'll have even more fun with the car that you really want.

I found a car that I want, and I can see myself having more fun with it then the car you see below - mainly because it's got everything that I've wanted since I got my 87', so I'm going to have a hard time passing this certain car down. ;)

[nando]

wait for the car you really want. :)

[325is_e30]

yeah, with the time you have you should just wait to find a newer model

[BMW BMXER]

Save your money while you can't drive. Buy a nice one when the suspensions over.

[Erick]

Well I mean he could pay for $1k and keep investing on the car as it goes.

But one thing I can tell that is going to happen is that if you have a working car on your garage.... even with your suspensded license, you will end up using it here and there. Trust me, I'm talking from my own experience happening right now.

[e30Matt]

I've got an 1989 325i, I'm thinking about selling it, It's in pretty good shape mechanically, the paint's definitely a 10-15 foot paint job, but it's all blue and matches pretty well. PM me if you're interested.

[Digitalwave]

My advice would be to stick with an 88+ 325i, even if it is in rough shape. Don't settle for an eta, and buying an early model is too much of a pain if you are going for the "modern" look.

[Jand3rson]

I've got an 1989 325i, I'm thinking about selling it, It's in pretty good shape mechanically, the paint's definitely a 10-15 foot paint job, but it's all blue and matches pretty well. PM me if you're interested.

Thanks for the offer, but NC is a little far.

TJ, you are right, with the others who told me I should just wait. I found a FLAWLESS '89 Delphin Grey 325iS today at a used car dealership. Checked it out, went for a ride, and was amazed. The cardinal red leather interior was so perfect, it looked brand new. Not a touch of wear anywhere. It had the cassette tape holder, and even the factory BMW tape deck cleaning kit in the glovebox. It had records of every oil change since new, done at a BMW dealership. It only had 111k miles on it, not a speck of cosmoline on the engine, nothing wrong. One owner, a doctor who babied it like a small child. It was hard to find one in such good condition and let it go. The fact of the matter is, I just don't want the early body style. I like the bigger taillights, the plastic bumpers, everything. Getting an early body style would just mean starting all over for me. It's going to be hard, but I'm just going to have to wait until I find my '89. :D

[ColdAccord]

wait, what happened to your license and old car?

i bought my 87 325e for 1600. fixed the one brake line for a hundred bucks, gonna run all new lines when we do the differential. needs an oil pan gasket, so I'm just pulling the motor and doing the 2.7i.

i plan on getting the fake m tec kit from that guy in Toronto, having it modified to fit well.

i'll probably get smoked taillights sometime, too.

[Jand3rson]

wait, what happened to your license and old car?

I totalled my '88 325(i) in August of last year. I hit a Honda Accord head on at about 55 mph after losing the rear end on wet pavement and sliding into the oncoming lane. I fractured my sternum, and lost my license for one year as a result.

[808BMW]

Wait. It's not like you need a car to drive, so you might as well wait. If you settle for less, you're going to kick yourself later thinking "Why did I rush and buy a car that I don't like, when I can't even drive it".

[Jand3rson]

Wait. It's not like you need a car to drive, so you might as well wait. If you settle for less, you're going to kick yourself later thinking "Why did I rush and buy a car that I don't like, when I can't even drive it".

Good point.

[Digitalwave]

Wow Josh, the car you found sounds awesome. How much was the asking price? I love delphin gray, and when cardinal is in good shape it looks sick, like in my friend's M3.