Buying First e30 Need Help

[Fasteddie222]

I ran into this e30 and asked the guy if he was willing to sell it. I always see the car just sitting there and the guy wants $2000 for it. It is a 1991 bmw 318is. I have been looking for e30s for a while and I want to know if it is a good deal. When I saw it I didn't really see any rust on it and the car started right up. Only things wrong from what I can see:

1. power steering doesn't work
2. A/C doesn't work
3. Dash is cracked which seems to be a common problem in these cars
4. Muffler needs a new hanger.

Do you guys think it's a good deal? How much money will it take to fix those parts? I will probably do the labor myself. Is there anything else I should look into?

Here are some pictures

[mr.vang]

do it, those wheels alone are worth $1000

[Fasteddie222]

do it, those wheels alone are worth $1000

Thanks. One more thing I also notice is that the shifter is not centered. When it's in neutral it is positioned like it's in first. Is that easy to fix?

[mitchlikesbikes]

Thanks. One more thing I also notice is that the shifter is not centered. When it's in neutral it is positioned like it's in first. Is that easy to fix?

AC and power steering are for squares anyway so you can rip that out if you don't wanna fix it.

the shifter issue is super common, the bushings and connecting rods will go bad. replacing everything you need to with oem stuff is less than $100, and not a lot more to upgrade to a double shear selector rod as well (highly recommend this).

a crack free dash will be pretty expensive but dash cracks are easy to live with on an old car.

when you pull the hanger to replace it you will probably discover that the rest of the exhaust needs work, but it's reasonably cheap to replace so no worries there.

like the other guy said, those wheels alone are worth AT LEAST $750. they are borbet type As and cannot be bought new anymore in e30 specs.

if nothing else, buy it, fix it a little, and flip it. it will sell for more than $2k easily with a little work.

or if you're confident you can catch up and then keep up with maintenance, buy it and keep it. they require a lot of work sometimes but they're such a fun car and for $2k you really can't go wrong.

[Fasteddie222]

AC and power steering are for squares anyway so you can rip that out if you don't wanna fix it.

the shifter issue is super common, the bushings and connecting rods will go bad. replacing everything you need to with oem stuff is less than $100, and not a lot more to upgrade to a double shear selector rod as well (highly recommend this).

a crack free dash will be pretty expensive but dash cracks are easy to live with on an old car.

when you pull the hanger to replace it you will probably discover that the rest of the exhaust needs work, but it's reasonably cheap to replace so no worries there.

like the other guy said, those wheels alone are worth AT LEAST $750. they are borbet type As and cannot be bought new anymore in e30 specs.

if nothing else, buy it, fix it a little, and flip it. it will sell for more than $2k easily with a little work.

or if you're confident you can catch up and then keep up with maintenance, buy it and keep it. they require a lot of work sometimes but they're such a fun car and for $2k you really can't go wrong.

Thanks a lot. Yeah today when I drove it it was my first time driving one and man it's so much fun. Reminds me of my old Mini Cooper JCW

[mucoyekul87ETA]

This car looks like a great pickup for $2k. The 318is was only badged one year 1991, so thats cool.

My personal favorite aspect of this car is that its Lachs...Great color.

Those wheels are not Borbet type A's, but they are sick wheels. I'm not gonna price quote 'em though.

[808e30325i]

Buy it and keep it. You will regret selling it I promise. Wheels look like Ronal LS mesh to me.

[agent]

Those wheels are not Borbet type A's

Wheels look like Ronal LS mesh

[Fasteddie222]

From what I recall the wheels are Ronal

[graveshaker]

Nice find, enjoy your 318is, tons of fun to come. Like mentioned earlier, don't worry about the power steering, if feels better without it.

[ST1G]

That appears to be a great deal at 2k. I would pick it up for sure. Needs some love, but nothing that seems to hard to fix.

[Nesset]

Check out the M42 forum and check EVERYTHING that typically goes wrong on them before driving it for too long... Preventative maintenance is your friend! Welcome and enjoy your car.

[E30Kills]

Oh man that's a steal for 2K

[Fasteddie222]

Thanks everyone should be picking up the car tomorrow!!! Wooohooo

[graveshaker]

Did you get it? If so how is it so far?