what to look for?

[johnwoo]

okay guys i've been lurking for awhile and just looking for an e30. well i think i found a nice one. it is a 1990 325i 5spd coupe. it looks pretty clean no rust or anything. the car has 209000 miles and im a little leering of that. i know they last forever but what do i look for particularily in these cars when purchasing them used. the car looked like it had really good paint and interior. so what do you guys think. im checking it out tomorrow so what do i look.

[Court M3]

maintenance records, in particular timing belt changes.

[johnwoo]

what if not done? how much would that be to do?

[StereoInstaller1]

John, there are many things to look for, depending on what you expect from your car.

If your expectation is to buy a car and drive it with little or no work to be performed....I would suggest a different car.

If you plan on buying the car to track, well, who cares what condition it is in, you are gonna rebuild every damn part anyway.

If you plan on modifying it, worry about the little pain in the butt stuff like 100% clean working electricals, decent carpet condition, no bent chassis, rust, etc.

I bought my first E30 ('87 325is) beat to hell and back, nasty paint, crappy everything for $1000. I have put very little money into it, but it is coming right along after only 4 years....still crappy paint, still "issues", but I get compliments every day.

I bought my wifes car for $500 ('89 325i) and after a top end rebuild and a major bunch of engine maintenance it runs and drives beautifully and looks pretty sweet...except the interior, which is next on the list.

Tell us more about your skills and what you expect to end up with.

HTH,
Luke
Oh yeah...welcome to R3V.

[johnwoo]

well im looking for a daily that i can just throw springs and wheels on. maybe a lip. nothing much in modifying. i just want a nice daily driver. ac is really not important to me so that isn't really a matter. just needs to be reliable and decently clean.

[StereoInstaller1]

"Just a Daily" does not say anything good about your mechanical skills.

If you are going to expect to drop an E30, put some wheels on it and drive, may I suggest a different car? Like anything Asian, or even an old GM pickup?

Unless you plan on doing your own work, don't buy an E30.

[E30 touge]

If you can do your own work then get it, but if you are going to just daily drive it then I would keep looking for one with lower miles.