Thoughts on this 1991 318i - a good buy?

[agealy]

I found this on craigslist a few days ago and just got some pictures. It's got around 140k miles, but I don't know too much else. The owner said in the ad that it had no problems, but I have yet to speak with him. He's asking 2900, but I think I'll be able to talk him down a bit. Here are some pics









Any thoughts?

[SpecM]

-too much $$$ imo, i'd pay $2000, if it all checks out strait.

[agealy]

I just talked with the guy on the phone for a bit and got some more information. He thinks he's the third owner, bought the car at around 121k miles, and doesn't have previous maintenance records. While he's had it, he's changed the oil every 3k miles with synthetic replaced the battery and belts. The car was resprayed before he purchased it for unknown reasons, and apparently the suspension was replaced before he bought it as well.

He says that the right rear window is not functioning and while the A/C blows cold, when the blower is set to the third level it makes a "grinding" noise. He says that the clutch feels fine, but doesn't know if it's been replaced. The same goes for brakes. The odometer is still working.

When I asked about leaks, he said there does appear to be a very small oil leak, but he can't identify where it's coming from. He does not think it's coming from the header gasket, but somewhere lower. Is there any way to easily identify the source of the leak? Judging by the last car that I looked into, it seems like the severity of this problem could vary greatly.

oh yeah, one more thing. I told him I'd pay $2400 cash as long as the car was as described.

[Miasma]

Should not have told him a price till you saw it in person.

[gearheadE30]

Should not have told him a price till you saw it in person.

QFT, but that does sound like a reasonable price. That car, while bone stock, looks to be in reasonably good shape and is completely unmolested. It also has no rust on it, from the looks of things, and that is a major plus in my book.

[agealy]

I didn't really phrase it as a final price per se. I was just making sure that he'd be willing to drop it.

Rust on california e30's seems pretty rare from what I've seen.

[agealy]

Well, it looks like I don't have anyone to drive down with so I'm pretty much hosed. Thanks for the comments though!

[TDE30]

I spy fucked up badge placement.

[deutschman]

na i payed that price for the same model/year car and all my shit works. also my interior is in better shape. that car doesn't have the fog lights ether. but it does look like a clean car. i would take it for a drive. take it up to 80mph and make sure you don't get any vibrations! make sure it shifts nice and there is not to much throttle lag. id go $2000 maybe a bit higher. looking back i payed to much for my car because it failed smog and need all new suspension.