Freedom of choice?

[Lair]

Here's the deal:

I'm planning to sell my M3 and then buy an E30 project car. I have a lead on an '85 5-speed 325es that has a solid body, nice interior, and a CHEAP price tag. I can get the car with a all the parts I'd need and a 528 eta engine for $700.


Yesterday, I found a '91 318i convertible that has an overheating problem and is generally scruffy. I have no details, but the owner appears to be eager to sell it. He hasn't come up with a price yet, and I have no idea what he's thinking. The car looks really solid, and only needs a few pieces and lots of TLC. IIRC, the 318is engine have some sort of inherent problem involving the head. Does anyone remember what that problem is?

I sold my last 318ic 8 years ago, and can't remember sh*t about the cars.

What's a good offer for the car? $1500? $2000?

Which one should I get?

[chuckybob]

......why?

assuming youre tuning, youll never reach the power of the m3 with an m42 unless you turbo or do an engine swap, and if youre going to do that, you might as well do it to the s14 and be cruisin in style B)

[Julien]

keep the e30. project cars always sound way more fun than they turn out to be.

[Lair]

My M3 is an E36. I need to sell it so I can get out of debt. I'm trying to get into some real estate, and the M3 is a burden I don't need. I have a company car, and my g/f has a mint E30 vert.

I've done dozens of ground-up restorations and rebuilt 6 salvage title cars. I'm not skeered of a little E30 build-up. Mostly I'm just looking for something cheap, stylish, dependable, and fun. I've had three other E30's (one was a rebuilt theft recovery) so I'm familiar with all the BS that's involved. I can do the 325es for cheap - maybe $1K total.

Plus, I'm bored out of my freaking skull.

[blunttech]

sounds like you know what you want. e30 is cheap transportation. do it but dont expect big power for small dollars

[Lair]

I just can't decide whether to go for the diving boards or spend more for the later car. I also have a line on a beat 325is. As far as power's concerned, I'd be satisfied with 150 hp or so.

I could always do a Frankenbimmer transplant. I love that shit. One of my friends just did an OBDII conversion on a '95 M3. Worked out great, and he got motor/trans/gauges/all the other crap for $4500 delivered.

I don't wanna drop that much coin, but I've seen E36 drivetrains for as little as $1000 - complete.

[madjurgen]

why would you want to convert to obdII?

[Lair]

That was kind of misleading. He used an OBDII engine out of a late M coupe in his '95 M3.

[german g]

get the eta, keep the internals, find a 2.5 m20 (form an "i") and build a 2.7 stroker...

[Digitalwave]

Go for the late model! But really, it comes down to which style you like better.

[RobertK]

My M3 is an E36. I need to sell it so I can get out of debt. I'm trying to get into some real estate, and the M3 is a burden I don't need. I have a company car, and my g/f has a mint E30 vert.

I've done dozens of ground-up restorations and rebuilt 6 salvage title cars. I'm not skeered of a little E30 build-up. Mostly I'm just looking for something cheap, stylish, dependable, and fun. I've had three other E30's (one was a rebuilt theft recovery) so I'm familiar with all the BS that's involved. I can do the 325es for cheap - maybe $1K total.

Plus, I'm bored out of my freaking skull.

You got the right idea getting out of debt. Are you trying to get into selling Real Estate as an agent or flipping it through an agent?

If you are looking into becoming a Real Estate agent I would go with something that has more space like an E34 (525i / 535i)ish..

[jimsill]

e28 535is. Just saw one in nice shape and strong mechanicals go on eBay for $1675.

[BimmerToad]

Hold out for a 2 dr late model coupe, you'll be glad you did

[Lair]

You got the right idea getting out of debt. Are you trying to get into selling Real Estate as an agent or flipping it through an agent?

If you are looking into becoming a Real Estate agent I would go with something that has more space like an E34 (525i / 535i)ish..

I'm looking for another house to live in. I'd rather be a car salesman than a real estate thief. ;)

I prefer the later cars with the plastic bumpers, but the early es is local and cheap. I don't really want a 'vert, either (g/f has one).

I found a decent '90 model coupe, but it's an auto.