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    #1

    Buying used cars and a general hello.

    Hey guys, I'm new to the forums and pretty much new to cars outside of driving them. To give you an idea of how I sit with this, Im better than some when it comes to car maintenance. I change the oil frequently, I change the oil filter and air filters regularly, and I of course, pay attention to the idiot lights.

    This all being said, Im not familiar with cars in terms of maintenance. I've had 3 cars in my life (98 Explorer, my favorite car, probably because it was stick), a 98 buick regal ls, and a 2001 camry le.

    Im 22 years old, so going through 3 cars may seem like alot, but my Explorer was killed (rolled over, actually) in an accident, and my regal was hit while parked by a drunk driver. That was totalled too.

    So I was given an $8000 settlement for the regal and the family camry (my mom just got a new avalon) to drive til I can find a new car.

    Im looking at E30s as a DD. Im very very interested in becoming a DIY'er and learning more about cars. I love E30s, have always loved E30s and I want to love my car and make it my own and treat it right.

    I dont know how interested you guys are in looking at used cars and giving an opinion, but I WAS looking at 325is (91 preferred) exclusively, but I may jump down to a 318is. I know 318s are a bit less powerful (135 hp?) but they also weigh less. Anyone drive both models? Any input on that?

    Back to the topic at hand, however. If I do go look at this 318is, I plan on being very meticulous, following this guide. The guide mentioned red lining the car. Now Im guessing, if I test drive the car, he's gonna be in there with me. how is he going to take me hot roding his car? Haha

    Also, it mentioned looked for rust on the doors. Is this with the panels removed or not? Any other tips or anything that you guys can throw my way?


    Im excited to be owning a e30 in the future (hopefully) and more excited about becoming more mechanically inclined.

    Thats about it =)
    Tags: None
    #2
    First of all - 3 cars is NOT alot. I'm 22 and I just bought my 11th BMW and 13th car.

    Secondly, nect week I'll have a 90 325is for sale in houston. Either that or a 90 325i or an 87 325is. either way - 1 will be for sale. lol
    "We praise or find fault, depending on which of the two provides more opportunity for our powers of judgement to shine."

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      #3
      Yea, you are on the right track.

      Go drive as many cars in your budget as you can, and see what you like.

      8k for a e30 will buy you a hell of an e30 - or let you do suspension rims and a few little things.
      Originally posted by Matt-B
      hey does anyone know anyone who gets upset and makes electronics?

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        #4
        PS - the 90 325is will be cheap enough that you could do all kinds of shit to it with the remaining $$$$.
        "We praise or find fault, depending on which of the two provides more opportunity for our powers of judgement to shine."

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          #5
          -Welcome! My wife drives an '01 Camery LE as well, they are very very good cars.

          -About e30s, why is a "91 preferred"? Just curious...
          -About the rust, just look at the bottem of the door (with it open) where it would meet the door frame on the car. Also, if you want a 6-cylinder, ask about the timing belt/ recent maintainence.

          -When you test drive a car, be honest about your intentions. If you want the car for performance reasons, tell the owner and tell him that you're going to punch it once or twice... and warm him right before you do it!
          1989 cirrisblau-metallic 325i

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            #6
            I should note that the only car thats been in my name was the 98 Explorer. the regal was signed under my dad's name so he got the settlement. My dad also pays for my tuition and my insurance so he has a huge say in my spending.

            He's not wild about unreliable cars, but Im certain I can talk to him about the e30. First off, e30s are well built, correct? Second off, not all of this 8000 will be for me. His plan was for me to wait til I graduate from college use the money then. I really don't want to wait til after college. Driving a regal and then a camry just plain sucks. Hope that doesnt come off as spoiled. I do like the camry. Its not a slug, it gets good gas mileage, and it looks clean, its just not my car. If that makes sense. Im not looking to get some speedster (not like 325 is or 318is stock are beasts), I just want a car of my own that I can fully appreciate.

            I'll see how it all goes.

            I'll be interested in seeing what you have to offer when the time comes.

            Comment

              #7
              3 cars is not a lot, I am 19 and currently on my fourth.

              If you don't have much car experience I recommend taking a friend with you who knows cars. Its also okay to be picky, I turned down a lot of cars when I was shopping for little things, if something just does not feel right don't buy it. IMO, You are also better off spending more and getting a car thats already in better condition, you should be able to find a late model car with NO rust at all and relatively low mileage. Little things like small rust spots, tears in the interior, cracks in the dash, chips in glass, scratches on the paint and so on can really bug you later on after you buy the car, things that you though wouldn't bother you when you initially bought it.

              Good luck with the car search and welcome to the forums.

              Comment

                #8
                -Yes, e30s are very well built and reliable. I've owned two, and both have been, at least.
                1989 cirrisblau-metallic 325i

                Comment

                  #9
                  All good input. I've been looking for E30s for about 3 months now without much luck. Alot have been junkers and Ive finally found one that I may look in to.

                  Im looking at 91 because I thought that was the first year the surfboard bumper was removed in favor of the plastic bumper. Or maybe thats the year the 318is was released. Or maybe neither. Im getting confused in my dates.

                  Finally, I dont really know of any mechanically-inclined friends. I live in CS and my dad's in Houston. Maybe if he understands Im serious about gettin gan e30, he will meet me in whatever town. He's just not an impulse buyer, but with used cars you really can't sit on it.

                  Regardless, this summer when I intern in houston, I want to suggest that we work on a car. So even if I dont get an e30, maybe ill get some quality car and father-son time with that.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    89 was the first year of the plastic bumpers, 91 is the last year of the e30 (non convertible). You should open your search to 89 to 91 cars.

                    That 318is you linked looks pretty good. Maybe you can get a local member on the board to go with you to help check out the car. It would be nice to have somebody with you who knows these cars.

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                      #11
                      If you ever need any help in houston let me know. I've got an engine lift and a crap ton of tools and a garage. What year are you at A&M? I've got a few buddies up there.

                      PS I'm asking 3k for the black 90 325is.
                      "We praise or find fault, depending on which of the two provides more opportunity for our powers of judgement to shine."

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Hey Jared, glad you made it over from that other place. You'll find this board to be far more helpful and useful than that one, primarily because it is E30 specific. They don't suffer fools lightly here, but the knowledge base here is the best you'll find for the E30, IMO.

                        I think that car is worth going to look at for sure, and if PSLoan is selling a car you might want to wait and check out whichever one he decides on getting rid of.

                        Tim


                        1987 E30 cabrio | Bumper swap | H&R Sport | Koni Yellow | Eibach Sways | BavAuto strut bar | Cardinal seats
                        MTech2 wheel | Husco Armrest | Smoked Hella Smileys | 5k HID | Stromung | RS003                         | Shadowline | Amber Fogs | Too much else to list


                        Comment

                          #13
                          It all depends on my girlfriend. she wants an e36 :(
                          "We praise or find fault, depending on which of the two provides more opportunity for our powers of judgement to shine."

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Originally posted by psloan View Post
                            It all depends on my girlfriend. she wants an e36 :(
                            I think your going to have to dump her for that :(

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Haha no she bought me a 2002. She's cool.
                              "We praise or find fault, depending on which of the two provides more opportunity for our powers of judgement to shine."

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