Thinking of Purchasing - Have you seen this car? -pics-

[lespaul]

And the dash needs to be replaced.. The wheels have to go, looks too ghetto.. So wheels, dash, and lights.. The green one just needs a new top and a detail. ahhhhhhh decisions, decisions.

The blue one kicks the shit out of the green one. The wheels are OK, the color combo is tits, the interior is nice, and the paint looks good. The headlights are the only really bad part about it.

The price needs work. I'd buy it at $4K if it checks out in the flesh.

[Lair]

By the time you add wheels and a top to the green one, you'll have another $1000+ in it. If you can't do the top yourself, it'll cost you at least a grand just for that.

Somebody will buy the blue car's wheels (or trade weaves/caps for them) so that's no money. You can Ebay those hideous headlights and buy some stockers for cheap. No cash outlay, and maybe even a little profit.

[markseven]

Thoughts: Wheels are Alpina knockoffs, but not Kopis. They may even be genuine with decals missing...I'll leave that to the experts. The headlights are hideous, but an easy fix. The dash is $100 and an afternoon, so don't let that dissuade you. Paint looks good, and it's a rare color. I've never seen a cabrio with a 6 button OBC before, and it looks like it has vinyl sport seats in it, not leather. Is it a 318?

If it has a good top on it, it might be worth it. Seems too steep to me, though. Does it come with stacks of paperwork?

$100, yes, but one afternoon for the swap? It took me 20 hours, but I cleaned everything before reinstalling.

Someone forgot to repack the chute on the green one.

[Jean]

lol 20 hours? it's a 2 hours job to remove and another 2 to install if you want to give yourself enough time .

to the OP - i would go with a two owner car, but either way pay for a PPI if there are no records....

[lespaul]

PPI = Carfax report? Just found out that the green car has a salvage title, that's out.. Now the two choices are between the blue one, and a 1987 silver/black interior 325i with 122,000 miles.

lol 20 hours? it's a 2 hours job to remove and another 2 to install if you want to give yourself enough time .

to the OP - i would go with a two owner car, but either way pay for a PPI if there are no records....

[Jean]

PPI = pre purchase inspection, runs about $100 or so.

I hate to say this, but with e30s since they are so cheap, green 2nd owner car COULD be a better car, as it could hold a salvage title because of a minor accident.... just saying.

Either pay a shop to do a PPI or keep looking for a car with a crap load of records/ history and still get a PPI to check it's CURRENT condition.

not saying that PPI will show everything, but it's a good start.

[markseven]

lol 20 hours? it's a 2 hours job to remove and another 2 to install if you want to give yourself enough time .

to the OP - i would go with a two owner car, but either way pay for a PPI if there are no records....

Dude, seriously, 20 hours! Maybe next time I can knock it out in an afternoon. Maybe.

The PPI will give you advance notice that some items may be on their way south or are already there. Should help you negotiate the selling price, too.

[lespaul]

so another one is in the running now, what would you buy:

The blue one OR

an 88 silver with black interior, good condition 325ic with 122k miles, needs a new top, and he said needs a freon charge for $4500.

[lespaul]

I'm going for the blue one.. Feels right, I can make it look cleaner without too much trouble.

so another one is in the running now, what would you buy:

The blue one OR

an 88 silver with black interior, good condition 325ic with 122k miles, needs a new top, and he said needs a freon charge for $4500.

[Lair]

Awesome. Try to hammer the price down.

[lespaul]

Here's another one in the running right now, about to pull the trigger on one of the two..
What would you do!? The blue one or the silver one listed here.. The silver needs a new top and I see some rust on the front, could be surface though.

[Lair]

I'd take an older 325 over a newer 318. The 4-cylinder is OK, but the 6 is much easier to drive. You can always update the bumpers to the later style.

I'd do a thorough inspection for serious rust if it's a NE car.

[lespaul]

Why easier?

I'd take an older 325 over a newer 318. The 4-cylinder is OK, but the 6 is much easier to drive. You can always update the bumpers to the later style.

I'd do a thorough inspection for serious rust if it's a NE car.

[lespaul]

Gas mileage of the 318 is very tempting as well.. Lair you have both, do you notice a significant difference?

Also look at the rust areas on the trim under the headlights, if it's out of state, and I can't get a rust inspection, I fear what could be going on underneath. The guy seemed honest, but you never know.. I could always chip the blue right?

[Lair]

The 318 engine likes to be revved, and it can be a PITA to drive around town. The one I had was severely lacking in low-end torque.

The six makes more power down low, and you don't have to zing the engine & row the gearbox to get somewhere in a hurry.

The 318 will get better mileage. The 2.5 sixes I've had got around 24 - 25 mpg combined, while the 318 got around 28 - 30. You could do better or worse depending on your driving style.