So i went to look at a 318is today, some q's

[euroshark]

I missed a $250 318is by 5 minutes...

Literally, I showed up to buy it as the guy was leaving, so I got my $250 325e instead.

The $250 318is had a good motor in it... so I'm thinking $1k is too much for the car you described.

[craig4ie]

COMPRESSION TEST

do it

[ptownTSI]

yeah i could definitely do a compression test to rule out a lot of questions.

[Jand3rson]

Walk away from this car. Don't let yourself get roped into buying a piece of shit just because the price is sweet.

[erik325i]

Walk away from this car. Don't let yourself get roped into buying a piece of shit just because the price is sweet.

Words of wisdom.

My first two e30s were piles of shit that I bought just because they were really cheap and I couldn't walk away. One of them, I make some cash on when I sold it, but I got screwed over on the other one.

I'm not saying that this particular 318is is no good since I haven't seen it, but just keep Josh's advice in mind.

-Erik

[Fanzotti]

when I was reading this I was thinking 500, then I read about the motor now I'm thinking 150-200.

[ptownTSI]

honestly i'd rather just have my salvage title 325is. sure its crap but its my piece of crap, and i got it for so cheap with a running motor, cold ac, good sunroof, good lsd, etc.

[Funkmasta]

If the car is in that poor of shape... THE WHOLE CAR is in that poor of shape.

Have fun replacing EVERY suspension component, all seals, all bushings, likely replacing the motor, repainting, fix sunroof, new seats, new dash. 300 hours of your time...

Might as well buy a nice one for the same price (likely less) and save yourself the headache.

[LINUS]

If the car is in that poor of shape... THE WHOLE CAR is in that poor of shape.

Have fun replacing EVERY suspension component, all seals, all bushings, likely replacing the motor, repainting, fix sunroof, new seats, new dash. 300 hours of your time...

Might as well buy a nice one for the same price (likely less) and save yourself the headache.

Exactly! And what Josh said too.

These things (30's) are like a marriage of sorts, and if you think about it like that, do you really want to hook up with a chick who is demanding in every respect and virtually has no redeeming factor, save the potential you see in her? Not hardly!
Better to start with a low maint. lifestyle, then rachet it up as you choose, not because the car demands it. The guy may seem nice, and maybe he's already realized this about that car - too much work.

Walk away. If you have a grand in your pocket, go look at the $1500 - $1800 price range, not full basketcases. How do I know? Let's just say I should have ponied up another few thou and bought a solid M3, and left the S14 alone, and had fun with it as it was.
Don't get me wrong, I'll like my car in the end. But my car marriage might be a small part of my real-life marriage failing. Seriously.

[Jean]

If the car is in that poor of shape... THE WHOLE CAR is in that poor of shape.

Have fun replacing EVERY suspension component, all seals, all bushings, likely replacing the motor, repainting, fix sunroof, new seats, new dash. 300 hours of your time...

Might as well buy a nice one for the same price (likely less) and save yourself the headache.

I agree. I made this mistake once, althrough atleast in my case the body of the car was in good enough shape where it doesn't need a repaint but just a polishing/wax job. Look at all the little things I had to do to my pos 318i that I bought thinking "hey it's cheap, it will only need a couple things here and there" and now that I've had it for 6 months I've pretty much replaced or touched EVERY component of the car, lots of labor and $ that could have went into buying a better car from the get go.

In any case this car IMHO would be perfect for a track/project car and it's clean title with reg. up to date which is a plus. Other than that unless you are willing to spend lots hours and/or money to make it "mint" pass.

just my 2 cents.

[ptownTSI]

good words of wisdom, I will definitely pass and look for things in the 1500-1800 range, with records and likely a running engine.

[87' 325]

i bought my car running for 700 bux...so a G sounds a little high. all my car needed was a rear wheel bearing.

but whatever ya wanna do my man.

[MikeE30325i]

i bought my car running for 700 bux...so a G sounds a little high. all my car needed was a rear wheel bearing.

but whatever ya wanna do my man.

i got my car for 50 bucks. and it ran with an oil and spark plug change.


just messin with ya;) yours looks much better than mine anyways.