ok guys what do you think

[shiraz]

I've been talking about getting another e30 for a while...had a line on one in Vancouver that was gorgeous but overpriced.

So here is another one, almost the same car as the one in Vancouver, but it is local...paint looks even nicer if that's possible. A little higher kms than the other one but 176000 is still low. And it's a 90 instead of an 89 so even better. But it's only $1200 cheaper.

Question...how does a TMS chip compare to a Dinan chip? And what are Ronal wheels like, good/bad? Resellable if I buy the car?

here is the ad...

Very sweet looking bmw, with 17 inch custom Ronal rims, front and rear crossed drilled rotors, TMS chip, Euro M spec steering wheel, and pedals only 176k,leather interior (like new), runs excellent.




$10,700. CDN

Yes, expensive. Again keep in mind we are in a really elevated market in Victoria, a half-nice decently running e30 goes for $5k easily.

[KangamangusDriver]

I need to import e30s....

Keep in mind if the car is modded, it probably has been driven hard. Ronal is a reputable brand of wheels.
The chips are going to be very similiar. Maybe somone will chime in who has first hand expierence.

[FredK]

Well, if the paint looks really nice, maybe it was garaged! The E30's enemy is RUST. There are so many different ways that a car can be molested by fskcing rust that sometimes, I just want to put on a football helmet and drive my car into a wall. If EVERYTHING checks out then it MIGHT be worth what you are willing to pay for it.

What are the rules regarding importing a US car to Canada? For that much cash I'd look into purchasing a nice car from somewhere in CA or the Southwest. Make a vacation of it. Worst case scenario is to find a junk E30 in Canada and transfer the VIN tags to the American vehicle. For that much cash in the US you could almost get a S50 swapped E30 with quality looking wheels.

[BigFurryWhale]

Overpriced IMO even for BC (I live in a suburb of Vancouver). I got a similar e30 here for 6k CAD and I probably overpaid a bit. 1990 325is Very nice paint, well cared for, plenty of records, very nice interior, lowered on billsteins and H&R, otherwise pretty much stock. 190k KM on it.

I would keep looking if i were you. For that kind of money you could probably get a nice touring in our area if that's what you're in to. If you could talk him down into the 7-8k region in might be a good buy. It would depend on condition, etc.

Heres a car thats on the mainland that I looked at a few months ago when I was looking for an e30. It's been repainted, in really nice condition. He's done some cool mods to it. I think it has around 200k on it... not sure. The head has recently been rebuilt aswell because of a timing belt if i remember correctly. The guy who's selling really seems to love this car, I can't believe it's not sold yet. The reason I didn't buy it was because it's too low for my tastes and my ridiculous driveway.

http://www.buysell.com/root/detail/British%20Columbia/1990_Import_Cars/2134/53472613/1990_BMW_325IS_5_speed_red_ext_charcoal.aspx

Here's a touring for less than $10,000, automatic though.

http://www.buysell.com/root/detail/British%20Columbia/1990_Import_Cars/2134/53629725/1990_BMW_325IT_Touring_Stationwagon.aspx

There's a lot of other great cars on buysell.ca too incase you haven't looked there.

[C ///M]

I would say that's a great example of an e30. Looks to be in great shape.

TMS's Conforti chips are simply better than Dinan, but that doesn't really matter. Those wheels and stance look really nice. If that car is indeed in perfect shape, I'd pay $6-7k U.S. for that car and that's where the problem here comes in. He's asking about $9500 U.S. for that car and it's simply too much.

However, if it's a perfect chassis, no accidents, no rust, great paint, etc.. it could be worth it. Would definitely be the kind of platform that you'd want to start from.

[blunttech]

you can do better. thats too much loot. while wheels are personal taste and those are a quality wheel i think they are hideous. but id rather have a quality hideous wheel than a cheap heavy hideous wheel. keep looking

[CleanAzzE30z]

Conforti chips tune the whole rev range at any throttle position

Dinan "only" tunes WOT (Wide Open Throttle) which is the only reason its legal in Cali. If you wanna save on gas....get Dinan, if you want to kick ass all the way around, get Turner.

Mariano

[shiraz]

OK now i have a new question along the same lines for you guys.

I found an e30 M3. VERY VERY RARE locally. Guy says it's a 1991, imported from Japan, 56,000 miles on it. He wants $10,900. The car looks very clean on the outside. I haven't looked at the inside or the engine or driven it yet. Anybody have experience with cars imported from Japan? The guy is a private seller, it's not like he's a shady import dealer who brings in cars that were in massive wrecks overseas or something...we have one of those guys in town, I make sure to steer clear!

What kind of questions do you ask about an e30 M3? I'm told they can be finicky mechanically, is that true?

[Ray Smoodiver]

Ask TD.f

[FredK]

If it can be legally driven in Canada, that's a great price IF the car checks out. Japanese cars in general have low mileage, but the mileage is often slow city driving, with short trips. This isn't good for engines, ESPECIALLY the S14.

Again, rust. That's enemy #1. Enemy #2 is the S14. If you are a DIYer, the car is quite affordable. If not, you'll have to become a DIYer. Check s14.net for more info, what to check on a pre-purchase inspection, etc. You're handing over 11 large, might as well pay a hundred or two getting a thorough PPI if you're really serious.

[erik325i]

And it's a 90 instead of an 89 so even better.

Why do you think a '90 is better than an '89? In my opinion, '89 is the best year for e30s...

-Erik

[CleanAzzE30z]

Why do you think a '90 is better than an '89? In my opinion, '89 is the best year for e30s...

-Erik

agreed. I suppose its due to the general rule of thumb that newer year cars are often in better shape percentage wise.

Mariano

[Jand3rson]

Why do you think a '90 is better than an '89? In my opinion, '89 is the best year for e30s...

-Erik

One of the best, anyway. Plastic bumpers with no airbag.

[redhatpat]

That car is way overpriced for our region. I'd pay around $6000 tops for it, and it had better be in pristine shape.

$10,000 for an M3? Somethings fishy, or its got big, possibly hidden, problems. A decent M3 will go for around $15,000 give or take some.

I'd keep looking. Keep an eye out in the Vancouver area and make a day trip over here to check out several cars in the same day. For a really good e30 around here, you should be able to get one for $5000 to $7000, depending on condition.

[AdironRider]

Always remember the 15k rule with e30 m3's. Anything under that is more than likely going to need some serious investment in repairs and maintenance.