Thoughts on this dealer sale?

[Kruzen]

5 spd, 1990 325i, 128,500 Miles, they are asking 2900

'listed features'

Power Sunroof
Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Power Windows
Radial Tires
Gauge Cluster
Clock
Trip Odometer
Tachometer
Interval Wipers
Rear Defroster
Front Bucket Seats
Reclining Seats
Dual Power Mirrors
Premium Wheels
Anti-lock Braking System
Driver Side Air Bag
Cloth Or Velour Upholstery


comes with a warranty, unsure of details, gonna go check the car out in a couple of days.








i think its a better specimen for the price compared to the tracked car in my other thread.

I would be buying with an 'is' conversion in mind, looks like its got ABS which is a plus i guess. only other major things it would need is suspension, obc, and lsd, right?

things that looked out of place to me:
1) looks like an early e36 steering wheel to me? or is that what 1990's came with.
2) driver seat is different color :? but thats ok, interior is gonan be redone anyway (upon closer inspection, i think one seat has a cloth cover over it)
3) the tint.. front windows only? blech.. can tinters remove previous tint & retint the whole car?
4) shifter looks out of place to me as well
5) front flood lights look like they're gone? or at least one of them, as does the rear right side reflector.. Hmm.... o_O wonder if the lights are just gone or if all the wiring was stripped too.

other than that, what are your guys thoughts on it? is the dealers asking price fair for it? or if i like it, do you think i should try to haggle it down a bit.

i'm excited, i think this may be 'the one' that i've been searching for for about a year now :(

[Den]

I'd talk that $ down. It was probably a trade in for an E46 and the dealer just wants to get it off his crowded lot ASAP to make room for an X3. If you don't buy it, he'll sell it at a dealer auction for $1k. Probably a better example than a track car, but I see nothing really special about this car and no reason to meet his price unless you live in Alaska and this really is the only E30 in reasonable condition you've seen in 1 year of searching. Always haggle; it's fun!. People who find haggling distasteful can shove it. Besides, this is a dealer; he expects people to haggle.

Timing belt is a 60k or 4-year item. Ask him to put a new belt + water pump on if it's due. Cake for a dealer.

I had an OBC in my 535is. I wouldn't bother with it. It's a nothing more than a distraction at best. MPG is the only useful function, and you already have an analog MPG meter in the tach gauge.

Looks like the steering wheel in my 1990 325i(air bag in there.)

I can't tell if the shift lever is out of position, but that's definitely not a stock knob. A short shifter without a bent lever would sit more forward than stock position.

Rear seat sems to match the front passenger seat. Looks like a cloth interior to me. Woohoo. Less maintenance than leather. Previous owner probably wore out the bottom of his cloth seat and put in another driver's seat. Not really a major problem, but the mismatched seat looks pretty ghetto, as does the tint, which should be removeable. You could put some sheepskin seat covers over both seats. Costco has some that will probably fit non-sport seats. ~$30 each I think.

Rear side marker can be had for $5 from someone parting out an E30.

Front lip is missing too(~1" wide black plastic rib on the 325i.)

If they weren't mising, 1 or both of the fog lights would probably be cracked from rocks anyhow. Previous owner probably removed them because cracked lights won't pass inspeaction in some states. You can get a replacement set for <$100. I believe there is also a plastic 'blank' panel available that fits in that space. I hate fog lights anyhow. They should all come with sensors that allow them to work only if it's actually foggy out. Yes, I'm talking to you if you are one of the jackasses who likes to roll up behind me with your fog lights on a clear night and make me readjust my side mirror.

[bert]

i'd check into the tinted and non-tinted glass...could be a sign
that some of it has been replaced which could indicate either
theft, vandalism, or collision...

bert

[Kruzen]

i'd check into the tinted and non-tinted glass...could be a sign
that some of it has been replaced which could indicate either
theft, vandalism, or collision...

bert

i'm trying to get a carfax done on it right now.. guys been a little busy though.

[Kruzen]

*snip*
I can't tell if the shift lever is out of position, but that's definitely not a stock knob. A short shifter without a bent lever would sit more forward than stock position.
*snip*.

does this mean there's been some damage to the shifter? or that its just an aftermarkte knob sitting on the standard size shifter.??

[Kruzen]

what are some things to watch for with the engine?

i'm gonna try to get it to a local bmw dealership and have their uber point inspection done on it. Do you guys think that should be good enough? Will drive it of course, and gonna try to get a nearby enthusiast to come up with me but i'm not sure if his schedule will permit.

[e9nine]

If you're a perfectionist in search of a perfect car don't get this.

If you don't mind working the car to your taste get it.

ABS was std on the car.
Shifter is not OEM, not a biggie. It's in neutral and that's how it would look ;)
Airbag wheel = std on that year car.
Replaced driver's seat = no biggie
Tinted front windows = no biggie. Check VIN# on doors and scrape the tint off
Chrome wheel-well linings must be the first thing you take off the car
Check VINs on doors, trunk, hood, fenders and chassis.
Painted mirrors were not stock on a 325i. Look for evidence of repaint.
Delphin is a hawt color 8)
Make sure car drives straight and there are no clunks in the suspension when driving over bumps.
Check for even tire wear.

Take it to a bmw shop or dealer you trust or have heard good things about. Some shops will hurriedly take a look at the car and most likely find somethings wrong that you can either do yourself in your yard or that they can charge you an arm and a leg for.

..that being said, drive the car and check for records of the timing belt being replaced. Check for any major oil leaks in the engine bay. Dripping leaks are your enemy. On a car of this age, spots of accumulated leaked oil on the block is not uncommon. Make sure the motor pulls to redline strongly :twisted: (after the car is up to operating temp).

I'd buy that car for $2k if I was in search of an m20b25.

[Skafrog]

I am pretty sure painted mirrors are standard on post 88 e30's.
Mine has the original paint, and I have painted mirrors.

[Kruzen]

dad just gave me a ring from the dealership (he went to take a quick peek at it today)

they sold it last night for 2900$ :( :( :(

i told him you have to be quick about these things but he didn't listen, argh.

the search continues :roll:

[e304lyfe]

I am pretty sure painted mirrors are standard on post 88 e30's.
Mine has the original paint, and I have painted mirrors.

nope.. '89's had non-painted mirrors. but i believe 90's and 91's had the painted ones...

[Mystikal]

IYou can get a replacement set for <$100.

Know anywhere besides E-bay?

[Kruzen]

oooo..

just got off the phone with my dad though


says the guy has a friend with a RED '92 e30 325ic!!!!

:)

hmmm whadya guys think

[KenC]

oooo..

just got off the phone with my dad though


says the guy has a friend with a RED '92 e30 325ic!!!!

:)

hmmm whadya guys think

It'll probably have low miles.

[Kruzen]

oooo..

just got off the phone with my dad though


says the guy has a friend with a RED '92 e30 325ic!!!!

:)

hmmm whadya guys think

It'll probably have low miles.

how much can i expect to pay for it if its in good condition

[KenC]

oooo..

just got off the phone with my dad though


says the guy has a friend with a RED '92 e30 325ic!!!!

:)

hmmm whadya guys think

It'll probably have low miles.

how much can i expect to pay for it if its in good condition

$6-8K