May buy an E30 BMW tommorow, I have a few questions!

[WRX2M3]

Hey everyone,
Here is the story. I have been in the market for an E30 BMW lately and was saving away money for one. One day I told my co-worker about saving money for one and he said he had a son who was selling one. The son drove an 1987 325es and was willing to sell it to me for 2200. It has a new engine 45,000 miles ago and the body/interior is fair. The thing drove beautifully and I was willing to buy it for the pretty good price. The day before I went to buy it the son gave me a call and said that he got rear ended that day. I told him that I didn't really want the car anymore and thanks for his time. Then he told me abotu the damage and it didn't seem that bad, from what he has told me somone ran into the right rear of the passenger side of the car and broke the rear tailight and bent the bumber a little in(like a dent). He then was willing to negotiate price and I got him down to $500 dollars. How much do you think I'm looking in repairs? And do you think this is a good deal?

[Jand3rson]

Don't buy an eta, you will regret it every day you own it. Keep looking, and get yourself a nice condition 325i.

[James Crivellone]

Don't buy an eta, you will regret it every day you own it. Keep looking, and get yourself a nice condition 325i.

why? its an es, so he has teh sport package

down the road build a stroker or get a m50

when I bought mine I wanted a nice body, I could careless about the engine (as long as it was no an m10)

[Sandman]

Repairs? 20-25$ for a second hand rearlight unit, aorund 40$ for a secondhand bumper?
And instead of 2200 -> 500$ or 1700$ ?

Anayway that's some nice cash saved along the way for a M50 conversion ;).

[Ryan Stewart]

when I bought mine I wanted a nice body, I could careless about the engine

ditto.

As long as there is no damage to the rear quarter panel or rear panel and its rust free I would do it. That would leave you with money for other things. An engine can be changed, along with those horrid US bumpers.

[Old'n'Slow]

Don't buy an eta, you will regret it every day you own it. Keep looking, and get yourself a nice condition 325i.

Hmmm...I certainly don't regret my decision to own an eta daily.

I do have the Super eta, however, and that helps...

I didn't want to see fewer than 30+ mpg on the highway. I've never heard of an "i" that averaged that.

In the end, it comes down to your priorities. Wanna go fast, get an "i". The eta is a better car out on the interstate, where, unfortunately I spend a lot of my "in car" time. The eta's differential is geared so that at 90mph, you'll be turning a very mellow 3000rpm.

Please don't misunderstand...the "i" is a fabulous motor! I've driven both and the "e" suits my driving style just fine.

I'd take a nice '91 318is over any of them, though! Rev happy and fuel efficient!!!

[Jarvis]

I didn't want to see fewer than 30+ mpg on the highway. I've never heard of an "i" that averaged that.

Well now you have: 31mpg at a steady 70-75mph in an '87 325is

As long as there is no damage to the rear quarter panel or rear panel and its rust free I would do it.

Yup. If it's clean except for just the bumper and tail lights, I say go for it. Sounds like a good enough deal.

[Old'n'Slow]

I didn't want to see fewer than 30+ mpg on the highway. I've never heard of an "i" that averaged that.

Well now you have: 31mpg at a steady 70-75mph in an '87 325is

:!: Wow. Let's make sure we're talking about the same thing. Every time I gas up, I divide the number of miles driven since the last fill-up by the number of gallons I just put in. This gives a fairly good "average mpg" number. That's what I meant when I said I'd never heard of an "i" that averaged over 30 mpg. Since the EPA fuel ecomony rating for the 1987 325is was 18 city/23 highway I'd be very surprised if your "overall average" mpg was in the vicinity of 30. I'm not calling you a liar. We're just talking about about two different things.

I should have said, an "i" car that averaged 30mpg overall and left out the highway part!

Sorry to be OT...

[e30evolution]

my 325iS obc says my average MPG is 25.6 and i drive like a jackass most of the time
i reset the OBC almost every week

[nando]

who the hell cares about gas mileage? these are sport sedans, not appliances. :P

[randomtask37]

who the hell cares about gas mileage? these are sport sedans, not appliances. :P

[Jand3rson]

Don't buy an eta, you will regret it every day you own it. Keep looking, and get yourself a nice condition 325i.

Sorry, I didn't mean that like it sounded. But you are coming from a WRX, correct? The drop in power from one of those to a 325i would be susbstantial, going to an eta would really dissapoint you I would think.

I didn't mean to upset all the eta guys, I used to be one too. But most of the eta drivers DO wish they had a 325i instead. I was pretty happy with my eta until we put the i in, and I willl never go back now! :)

[mgold]

But you are coming from a WRX, correct? The drop in power from one of those to a 325i would be susbstantial, going to an eta would really dissapoint you I would think.

Maybe he should test drive the car and see if it suits him. That's the best way to know.

[Jand3rson]

But you are coming from a WRX, correct? The drop in power from one of those to a 325i would be susbstantial, going to an eta would really dissapoint you I would think.

Maybe he should test drive the car and see if it suits him. That's the best way to know.

Sounds like a good idea, just offering up my

[Jb325is]

If I was in your position I would buy it, fix it cheap, detail the hell out of it and make some money. Depends on the damage though. eS' are fairly desirable though, as opposed to your run of the mill eta.