First E30: Buying Advice

[badguise]

Hello All,

After digging around these forums and elsewhere, I'm ready to buy my first E30. They're honestly the only cars I'm interested in. I'm a beginner and have a lot to learn, but my plan is to educate myself with this purchase. The R3V forums have been a huge help and now I'm at least fairly comfortable discussing E30s.

On Sunday I'm going to take a look at this one. The new asking price is $3,500.00 and the seller mentioned that the steering rack will need to be replaced at some point. I definitely need a car soon, so waiting for "the one" may not be an option right now. This is the best I've found in my area so far.

Can any of you experts chime in? What do you think? What should I look for and what should I ask the seller? I'd like to be as prepared as possible when I check it out on Sunday.

Also, if this is the wrong place to post this thread please let me know! Thanks!

[QUKBMER]

Take it to a shop and pay to have it checked over first is what i would do. Ask when the timing belt was changed last 4 years or 60.000 miles which ever comes first.

[24v e30]

This 318i does not have a timing belt, so don't worry about that. It uses a chain. Still, having a shop look it over completely for other issues is sound advice. Good luck!

[QUKBMER]

Sorry i didnt click for a pic of the car, just make sure its not over heated.

[cleanasse30]

Since there is rust on the body, def bring a jack and take a look under the car, or as mentioned before take it to a mechanic and get an inspection. Clunks while shifting are usually bad engine mounts, tranny mounts, or rear suspension bushings. If you aren't too experienced with cars, just take it to a reputable mechanic for an inspection and ask if you can take a look at the car while its on the lift as well to see if there is any rust you wouldn't want to deal with.

You may also consider going further away if you can find a cleaner one. Southwest has cheap flights, and road tripping home in a good condition e30 is a blast!

[2mAn]

Terry, you newb. Its not a bad looking car. Try to find a member who lives closeby to go check it out with you

[QUKBMER]

lol

[badguise]

Right on - thanks, guys.

I'll look around for shops in the area for an inspection.

You think members of the forum would be willing to look at the car with me? That would be amazing! I'll contact some strangers and give it a try.

Based on the info in the ad, do you think the price seems fair? I know that it's subject to change upon closer inspection of the car, but does it seem to be in the right ballpark?

[Staszek]

Out of all the things you can look for I think rust is the most important, most other things can be fixed easily (even rust can if its not too bad) but a clean body to me was the most important.

[aegul44]

1. Valve cover seals
2. Oil pan seal.
2. Check all plastic hoes in engine compartment, especially intake boot
3. Steering rack might be reservoir leak. They tend to crack due to being plastic. cost less than $25
4. Check cluster, odometer gears break down. Some people use the car with broken odometer which means you really don't know the real mileage of the car.
5. Dashboard cracks.
6. Check for rust, especially jack points, wheel well, inside of the trunk, around rear license plate light, under door, under the car and exhaust.
7. Check for transmission rear main seal.
8. Check body panel alignments for any accident.
9. Door locks. Usually center locking system doesn't lock all panels.
10. Check window switches and sunroof.

and many other standard procedures for buying used cars.

[badguise]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately the car was sold on me before I could schedule the inspection, but I'll keep it all in mind as I continue shopping.

[101]

You think members of the forum would be willing to look at the car with me? That would be amazing! I'll contact some strangers and give it a try.

I've found that most of the people here on R3V love these cars and are always willing to meet up with a fellow enthusiast and help out where they can. Provided, of course that an appropriate amount of beer is being offered up for the help and advice that you're looking for.