Can it be true, is my searching finally over?
Hey guys,
I have a dilemma here and I need your help. I recently came across a '91 318is for sale. Price is right too. Now, for the really shocker.
The car has 46,340 miles. All original. Carfax proves it. In fact, it shows that the car was imported from Guam back in 2001 with 32K on the odometer. Maybe it's owner was in the military cause it ended up in Oakland, CA and now in San Diego. The guys selling it is not the original owner though and has no history of the vehicle except the Carfax. He was going to make it his DD, but he's going to stick to his '91 M5 instead. It's a clean title and no accidents reported. Currently registered and smogged. He got it from an auction. Repo maybe?
I drove it yesterday and it was tight. No problems with the suspension at all. I did hear a slight whine from the rear, but nothing objectionable and very faint. Should I be concerned? Clutch was tight as was the shift gates. Brakes are good and wheels and tires are good as well. No curb rash either. It was repainted though, it's original color, Brilliant Red, and it's a really decent job. Some imperfections here and there, but it does shine nice. No fog lights or sunroof. Body is straight and not gaps in the panels or bumper. There is a slight leak underneath though. The guy tells me it's the seal on the front of the engine. Can that be? Exhaust is good too. Tracks straight and makes no noise when cornering in either direction. It pulled nicely with three people in the car. Not loose at all.
So with all that being said, what is your opinion? Is it worth the investment or should I walk from it? All the other E30's M42's I've driven have not been original and have been modified in one form or another. This one has been the most original and probably the best one despite the leak and repaint. Repaint probably from the hot sun fading it on the island.
Please let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance for your help. I just don't want it to be a 'too good to be true' scenario.
Regards,
hs
PS: How expensive, do you think, is the maintainance on a 318is, especially that oil leak?
I have a dilemma here and I need your help. I recently came across a '91 318is for sale. Price is right too. Now, for the really shocker.
The car has 46,340 miles. All original. Carfax proves it. In fact, it shows that the car was imported from Guam back in 2001 with 32K on the odometer. Maybe it's owner was in the military cause it ended up in Oakland, CA and now in San Diego. The guys selling it is not the original owner though and has no history of the vehicle except the Carfax. He was going to make it his DD, but he's going to stick to his '91 M5 instead. It's a clean title and no accidents reported. Currently registered and smogged. He got it from an auction. Repo maybe?
I drove it yesterday and it was tight. No problems with the suspension at all. I did hear a slight whine from the rear, but nothing objectionable and very faint. Should I be concerned? Clutch was tight as was the shift gates. Brakes are good and wheels and tires are good as well. No curb rash either. It was repainted though, it's original color, Brilliant Red, and it's a really decent job. Some imperfections here and there, but it does shine nice. No fog lights or sunroof. Body is straight and not gaps in the panels or bumper. There is a slight leak underneath though. The guy tells me it's the seal on the front of the engine. Can that be? Exhaust is good too. Tracks straight and makes no noise when cornering in either direction. It pulled nicely with three people in the car. Not loose at all.
So with all that being said, what is your opinion? Is it worth the investment or should I walk from it? All the other E30's M42's I've driven have not been original and have been modified in one form or another. This one has been the most original and probably the best one despite the leak and repaint. Repaint probably from the hot sun fading it on the island.
Please let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance for your help. I just don't want it to be a 'too good to be true' scenario.
Regards,
hs
PS: How expensive, do you think, is the maintainance on a 318is, especially that oil leak?
:firehop:
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