looking for advise

[///Maybach]

hey guys, I posted a while ago in the classifieds with a car I purchased almost two years ago on eBay.. Turned out to be completely opposite the description and I got screwed. it is a 1991 325iX with 100,000 miles

The car is in rough shape, rust on the under side, exterior dents and some rust, interior is really dirty, but the bones of the car seem to be there. the engine only has 100K on it and seems to be pretty strong. it fully functions..

Basically it was hugely neglected, and now I am trying to figure out the best course of action. I am in the car $6,000 -- the best offer given the condition is $1,300 and I feel the value is higher than that even considering the condition.

Now I am thinking I should just throw $1,500 - $2,000 in to it and make it run really well, clean up the interior and replace a few small items (door handle, shift knob, etc..) and then either drive it for a year or two or sell it.

What do you all that have experience with the e30 recommend? I am not shy of a project, however I am not looking for a showroom car. I love the e30 but have never owned one prior and am not exactly sure what I am getting myself in to..

Here are the pics: http://imgur.com/a/PyGqr

[SmallDave]

It looks pretty clean, but autos can be difficult to sell, generally speaking. You could always part it out and get back that cash most likely

[w140]

Invest some more money into it and enjoy it for awhile before trying to sell again. Most cars are not worth the investment, ie you will never get back the full amount of money you put into it.

[EyExR]

So what's wrong with the car? Neglected how? What rust are you referring to (pics)?

You have to give us more description in order to help you out.....

[///Maybach]

@EyExR -- pics are in the imgur link -- for neglect, its just very dirty inside, like its never been cleaned. there are a lot of broken components like door handle, audio system, ebrake handle, shift knob, headliner. on the exterior there is rust in all the wheel wells, rusting on the rear diff, rust on the shocks and springs (might need new suspension, it is squishy) needs an intake boot, leak in the header/exhaust somewhere near the engine, probably some other engine seals, and tires.

There is more but check out the pics and you can see a lot of it. I appreciate all the replies and help!

[rturbo 930]

@EyExR -- pics are in the imgur link -- for neglect, its just very dirty inside, like its never been cleaned. there are a lot of broken components like door handle, audio system, ebrake handle, shift knob, headliner. on the exterior there is rust in all the wheel wells, rusting on the rear diff, rust on the shocks and springs (might need new suspension, it is squishy) needs an intake boot, leak in the header/exhaust somewhere near the engine, probably some other engine seals, and tires.

Not cleaning a car doesn't really count as neglect, IMO. Not in the way you're making it out to be, at least, as if the PO drove the car into the ground, doing no maint. whatsoever.

And generally when describing rust on a car, it's referring to rust on the body that needs to be cut out and replaced, not surface rust on suspension and drive line components.

There is more but check out the pics and you can see a lot of it.

I see one tiny spot on the front left fender (edit: actually just dirt), and maybe another small spot on the pass. lower fender. I don't see any other rust otherwise, and you didn't include any pics of the underside.

Honestly, you sound way too nitpicky. That car looks pretty clean despite needing a good detail, and not really like the huge project you seem to think it is.

[flyboyx]

1400 plus shipping?

lol!

[UlrichFennec]

I'd say just keep it and do a trans swap. If it were a vert, the auto box would be tolerable as a cruiser unless they wanted to swap the engine and make it a street shredder.

Keep it. Put some money into it. No regrets.

[EyExR]

I meant pics of rust... The car looks nice otherwise. Some missing pieces and stuff but overall ok. If it's the original working odometer, then 100k is really low miles... But significant wheel well rust and other prone spots negates that all together.

Anyway, I would say clean it... Replace parts... And get compression results from the engine. Then sell it or keep it. Good luck.

[Das Delfin]

OP, I felt the same way about my car when I first bought it. The gas gauge didn't work, the upholstery was fucked, the check panel wouldn't work right, the seat belt wasn't attached, the blower motor, power mirrors, headlights, front turn signals, radio, power antenna, shifter boot, front seats, handbrake were all fucked in one way or another. But I learned that hey, my obc still works. My odometer still works. My tach and speedo still work. My fader control still works. And that's more than a lot of other people can say. It turned out that a lot of what was wrong was either a super easy fix (a visit to the junk yard, new fuses, plugging shit in, tightening a bolt) or something I could make into a project and enjoy fixing, and now I like the car. And I paid around 4k for mine.

I would keep the auto transmission b/c it's what's original to the car and there's something nice about that. But def replace the shifter. And give the car a thorough cleaning

[wodcutr]

An unmaintained ix is a huge money pit. You are already into the car way more than it is worth and dumping more money into it doesn't make sense, especially because just about any E30 is going to need more than just a good cleaning. If you have not driven it you don't know if it needs suspension or if the VC is bad. Yes the car has potential, but not at what you are into it. I would sell it for what you can get out of it and focus on getting a RWD E30. I have two ix's ATM and another 325i. Owned at least 25 E30's too. There comes a point where you either bite the bullet or forge ahead knowing that either way you will have spent more than you will ever recoup. If you need someone to give you a real unbiased assessment of your car PM me and I will come and look the thing over and give you my opinion.

[McGyver]

You car doen't look that bad, but is nowhere close to $6k condition. Also, most mechanical stuff on an ix is specific to ix cars. That being said, are you ready to cut your losses or do you feel like dumping way more into the car than you'll ever get out of it. (It's probably a $1500-$2000 car right now)

[EyExR]

You car doen't look that bad, but is nowhere close to $6k condition. Also, most mechanical stuff on an ix is specific to ix cars. That being said, are you ready to cut your losses or do you feel like dumping way more into the car than you'll ever get out of it. (It's probably a $1500-$2000 car right now)

$1,500 for an iX with 100,000 miles and a little dirty? I have to disagree... Unless there really is major issues with rust going on... Put the trim on, fix the shifter, CLEAN IT - bam! 3 grand easy.

OP - take wodcutr up on his offer!

[Das Delfin]

If I walked away with your car, in its condition right now, for 1500, I would def feel like I ripped you off. As it stands your car is worth at least 3k. If you fix it up and do all the odds and ends, it could get close to the price you paid. But if it's all about dollar signs to you, you might as well sell the car and buy a CR-V

[///Maybach]

you guys are all awesome, thanks for all the feedback!

UPDATE:
So I replaced fuse 11, car started up well (kind of rough, wouldn't idle until warm) and seems to be good. There is a leak somewhere in the exhaust header, perhaps a little further down the line you can hear.

I took it around the block, it ran really well, the suspension is squishy when I brake, so I think something in there might be shot -- I haven't taken anything off yet to really see what is wrong.

The shifter is #1 priority to fix, I found what I hope to be the right part on eBay, surprisingly cheap and once the weekend comes I am going to take all the parts out that need to be replaced and go for it on ordering the right parts. I still can't find a good shift knob but will continue looking..

The biggest problem is that the car either has old/bad gas and will not idle until it is warmed up to operating temp. I am wondering if there is something else wrong.

I mainly ride motorcycles so this would be for days when it is raining or snowing, so money is not the biggest issue, I just don't want to be in the car $10,000 and its only worth $2,000 since I am already in the hole all things considered. I am in Utah too so the iX would be pretty desirable for the right buyer.

I plan to take the seats out this weekend and start cleaning the interior and order the first wave of mandatory parts.

Let me know if you guys have any suggestions on where to start a project like this, we won't be going full restoration but as of now the plan is to get it mechanically sound and pass inspection, clean the interior really really well, and then work on the small things like door clips, door handles, one window not rolling down, radio, etc..