buying e30, please help

[UDM Motorsport]

hi
i just test drove a 89 e30 325is.
Well i found a couple of things not too normal or i'm just not sure

car is 1989 e30 325is 2 door 5 speed

1) cloth seats
2) manual sunroof
3) no rear spoiler

what kind of wheels come stock on this?

how does the OBC look like?

i'm prolly gonna run a carfax tonite just to be sure but wanted your opinion here.
thanks
franklin

[Erick]

sounds like a 325i that is upbadged.

You should check the VIN# for an 100% accurate answer.

The 325iS's OBC should have the Avg.MPG and Avg.MPH indicators.... my guess is that the one you tested only has 6..... hour, date, memo, h/dat, m/dat, temp

The wheels should be the BBS basketweaves.

[bimmerphile]

How's the mechanical inspection?

What's the condition of the engine/transmission?

How many miles on the car?

When was the last timing belt replacement?

Any Exhaust leaks?

All motors (wipers, windows, etc) work?

All the speakers in the premium sound system work?

Does it have an iS front lip?

Ellipsoid headlights?

Spare wheel? All tools in toolbox/jack/chock?

As far as answering your questions, cloth seats were possible to order, so long as they were these seats in cloth:



as far as the wheels:



(those these lack the centercaps that cover the lugs and have a BMW roundel inscribed in a hexagonal shape)

Lastly, the 9-button (or 13 button if you're anal) OBC:



Courtesy of the site admin for those images.


The rear spoiler not being there is a concern, as it was drilled into the decklid. I assume there's no holes in the decklid. The only reason I can think to replace it of aside from someone just HATING the rear spoiler was if the car was in a rear end collision, and the trunk was fucked up. Check the trunk by the spare to see if any body damage has been pounded out.


Seriously though, look over the mechanicals. Take it to a reputable BMW shop (or dealership) to have it looked over. Do not buy the car without having done this.

[Erick]

Simply for the fact that it's an '88 325i and not an '89 325iS like the seller says it is, I wouldn't trust it.

[808BMW]

Simply for the fact that it's an '88 325i and not an '89 325iS like the seller says it is, I wouldn't trust it.

What if it rebadged by a PO, and the current owner just isn't enough of an enthusiast to notice it. These are pretty minor flaws that most people wouldn't notice.

If it's a solid car at a fair price, I would go for it.

[Erick]

Unless me and the seller go way back, I wouldn't trust him for anything.

If the car really seems like a deal, then do as bimmerphile says and take it to a check-up by a BMW specialist of your choice. I would most likely pass on the opportunity. There are more than enough e30s out there for sale and if you're willing to look outside your city, and have a little patience, you'll get an awsome car.

I waited for 3 months and I got a great car.... true it's not an iS ( my intended goal ) but I am more than satisfied with it.

Edit: And if he's not that much of an enthusiast to notice, maybe he doesnt take the care that an enthusiast would.....

[UDM Motorsport]

Ok you guys just confirmed that its a 325is poser.

So now...

1989 325i 2 door 5 speed
White Exterior
Beige cloth interior
119k miles
regular wheels (not basketweave)
Freshly rebuilt engine (new timing belt, gaskets etc, pumps etc)
dunno what cause the problem
When i test drove it, started the car, temp was right away in 3/4 range, then i drove it and it went to half. Is this normal?
engine sounded good, accelerated nicely
Brake pedal soft (prolly needs a flush)
rear suspension noise/squeek (prolly worn rear mounts)
Interior is in good condition, no tears etc
OBC has 6 buttons
Asking $3500 OBO
initially i thought this was a 'is' and was planning to offer $3k....so is this even worth me buying?
doesnt show any respray or DOTR body panels.

Thanks a bunch
Franklin

[Erick]

wow.... the engine was THAT hot?

I'd seroiusly take it to a mechanic and be ready to offer 3k at most.

[Ryan Stewart]

The engine being hot is something cars do. Most likely he drove it right before and when you stop a car the heat builds up and when you restart it it will take a few minutes for it to cool back down to what the thermostat is set to. Its just a property of the coolant not flowing and the fan not running. That is why you will see me coasting around with my hood cracked between heats instead of parking.

$3000 seems fair if its in great shape. It should have the ellips which are a plus but the interior will be lacking. The only features I would be worried about is the LSD which will cost you $300 to put in and the rear spoiler (every 325is has its IS lip broken off anyway). I would assume the suspension is worthless since you will most likely put in an aftermarket one.

A good 318i is still a good E30. Engines, like everything else, can be changed.

[UDM Motorsport]

thanks for all the advice and tips.
I forgot to mention, i managed to get the guy to give an engine warranty.
Its actually a used car dealer - he claims he sells only BMWs, but he totally got this car wrong.
I'll have to sleep on this before i decide...but i'll surely take it to a mechanic if i were to pursue it further.
Thanks

Franklin
(have a 4.10 lsd ready to install...hehe)

[UDM Motorsport]

actually, he drove the car for about an hour in traffic and then arrived...car rested for about 5 minutes while i check it out and then i test drove it.
Which is when i saw the needle at 3/4
I'm concern about this as my old 90 325is was at 3/4 when sitting in traffic, but dropped to 1/2 when driving.

If i get this car, i'd install my 4.10 lsd outta my e30m3, put on some GC coilovers and my Sparco front seat.

The car did have ellips. It also had the front lower splitter - it was white in color - i always thought those were black.

Thanks again.
You guys have been really helpful!!!

[Erick]

lower splitter....... I'm assuming you're talking about the lip spoiler...

and if it's colored it's probably the iS lip.... which is not bad at all...

[nando]

actually, he drove the car for about an hour in traffic and then arrived...car rested for about 5 minutes while i check it out and then i test drove it.
Which is when i saw the needle at 3/4
I'm concern about this as my old 90 325is was at 3/4 when sitting in traffic, but dropped to 1/2 when driving.

I wouldn't worry about this. When your engine has been running at operating temperature and you shut it off, coolant and air is no longer circulating. since air is a poor conductor, much of the heat is absorbed into the coolant, which is why it seemed so hot when you turned it on.

that's a whole lot different than being at 3/4 from idling for a while in traffic, which is not really a suprize anyway.. of course, it takes a while of sitting for my car to even get to the 1/2 mark :P

[brodee]

Have you checked all the panels for the VIN? The fenders, hood, cowl, dash, deck lid, and others should have the VIN sticker on them, make sure it matches in all locations. If not then make sure to get it checked out at a body shop for any major damage repair.

For what it's worth I paid $3k for my '89 325is 3 weeks ago. The body needs a re-spray but the engine has some nice mods already in place and the interior is in great shape.