I bought another one. (lots of pics!)

[admhndry]

So this time yesterday I was in a small inner city Sydney suburb called Surrey Hills. Very central, very close to Central station and home to thousands of bohemian looking people, small one way roads and even a house with posters of a gay Jesus all over it. It was also home to a royal blue 325i cabriolet that I had spotted on gumtree (a kind of Australian Craigslist) for 5000 dollars. About a week ago was when I spied it first, I was intrigued, but wasn't completely sold. A few days later, I checked back on it and he had dropped the price to 4000. This was where it got real enough for me.

I do already own a Royal Blue 1988 320i, but I figured that this guy would budge even further on the price, as he was leaving to go back to Taiwan, as he was an international student taking advantage our awesome educational institutions in Australia. He had owned one over there, and loved it, so picked up another in Australia. He was a nice guy, and despite his poor grasp of English, we talked through a couple of details and eventually came to a deal after a look over everything and a test drive around the inner city.

There is a problem with the engine which I am hoping it's something to do with the valve adjustments or tappets (which is what a few friends have suggested), but I said I would take a chance on the car at 3000. He said 3200, and we met in the middle. So I signed the papers, handed over the cash and I drove away with this lovely car (albeit not without its fair share of issues) for 3100.

Came all the way home without a problem, but the next chance I get it's going to the mechanics for a thorough look over.

So what do you think guys, did I get a deal?

[Poorboyz]

I think you got a hell of a deal, I'm not too into verts but I would have jumped all over that one.

I love your steering wheel...if you want to sell it I call dibs, lol

[ButtJuice]

Hybrid mtechI & mtechII?

Not too bad, but it's auto.

[Vivek]

Are those real BBS? Looks like a good deal, it's a nice color and the body looks nice. And <$3500 is a good price for a decent convertible. Based on US prices, I'd say that you didn't get a steal but you also didn't get bent over. Based on what i've heard about prices where you are, you made off like a bandit.

[admhndry]

I think you got a hell of a deal, I'm not too into verts but I would have jumped all over that one.

I love your steering wheel...if you want to sell it I call dibs, lol

Haha I know right! I wasn't too into verts, but hey, looked good for the right price!

Hybrid mtechI & mtechII?

Not too bad, but it's auto.

I knew it! I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was because I'm not too good with bodykits. 2 in the front, 1 in the back correct?
And I know. Thinking of a possible manual conversion, or keep it as an auto cruiser. my 320i is a manual already.

[admhndry]

Are those real BBS? Looks like a good deal, it's a nice color and the body looks nice. And <$3500 is a good price for a decent convertible. Based on US prices, I'd say that you didn't get a steal but you also didn't get bent over. Based on what i've heard about prices where you are, you made off like a bandit.

I don't know, I've been looking into that over the last hour or so. I'm leaning towards no unfortunately, because I can't really see any BBS marking on the wheel, and there's a hex key thing for taking the centre cap off, which I can't see on any other RS I've seen online.

[Vivek]

2 in the front, 1 in the back.

I'd also lean towards fake on the bbs. If you look carefully between the face and lip, you should be able to tell if its a two or one piece. What are your plans for the car?

[admhndry]

I'd also lean towards fake on the bbs. If you look carefully between the face and lip, you should be able to tell if its a two or one piece. What are your plans for the car?

Well that's tough because I really didn't buy it because I needed it, I bought it because it was an awesome deal. I'm thinking weekend driver that I fix up and learn how to do all my mechanical stuff on with my mechanic friend. It'll be a good learning experience I think. He's putting an m30 into his e30 in a couple of weeks as it so happens! But yeah, nothing certain so far, still have to even get the registration transferred into my name :p

[F34R]

Clean and looks to be rust free(worth the 3,100 right there). MT2 front and MT1 in the rear...the MOMO is gorgeous BTW.

Those are jap knock off wheels... :( BBS never used a set screw for the waffle, also note the cone is fixed to the waffle. Also note the amount of bolts(25), BBS uses 30 and 34 count on the RS in 16"

I would REALLY love to buy that MT1 rear apron if you want to go MT2 ;)

[admhndry]

Clean and looks to be rust free(worth the 3,100 right there). MT2 front and MT1 in the rear...the MOMO is gorgeous BTW.

Those are jap knock off wheels... :( BBS never used a set screw for the waffle, also note the cone is fixed to the waffle. Also note the amount of bolts(25), BBS uses 30 and 34 count on the RS in 16"

I would REALLY love to buy that MT1 rear apron if you want to go MT2 ;)

Yeah I found out that soon after. But thanks for the knowledge! I'll keep that in mind if I do ever part it out!


So.
Went to the mechanic. Got bad news. He says the low end has damaged, one of the bearings is loose, some shit like that. Basically the engine is fucked and needs a rebuild, would cost 2/3 thousand to fix. He said a new engine is an alternative. He offered me 500 bucks for the car in the shape it's in.
So sad right now. Not even angry, just sad.
Gonna try to sell this thing on before it gets worse. And dies.

But then again I could look into putting an m20 into it and swap out the old one.
I just didn't need this :(

[Cabriolet]

nice color early model ride.
just rebuild the engine yourself. it's not hard.
year a manual swap isn't that hard
i'd recommend you sort out a body kit there. most likely you want to go Mtech1 in the front. also clean up the rust under the battery tray. the head lights look like they were wired poorly. the cruise control unit doesnt look stock (wonders). fixing the cracked dash, that is gonna get very expensive and is a pita to do.

best of luck with the project

[roguetoaster]

Unless there is some sort of legal issue just replace the engine with the same and you are good to go. Despite it's autotragicness it's a nice car and you might very well regret getting rid of it.

[Eurospec]

Clean and looks to be rust free(worth the 3,100 right there). MT2 front and MT1 in the rear...the MOMO is gorgeous BTW.

Those are jap knock off wheels... :( BBS never used a set screw for the waffle, also note the cone is fixed to the waffle. Also note the amount of bolts(25), BBS uses 30 and 34 count on the RS in 16"

I would REALLY love to buy that MT1 rear apron if you want to go MT2 ;)

Correction, it's a Nardi Woodline.

[Rambo]

Clean and looks to be rust free(worth the 3,100 right there). MT2 front and MT1 in the rear...the MOMO is gorgeous BTW.

Those are jap knock off wheels... :( BBS never used a set screw for the waffle, also note the cone is fixed to the waffle. Also note the amount of bolts(25), BBS uses 30 and 34 count on the RS in 16"

I would REALLY love to buy that MT1 rear apron if you want to go MT2 ;)

Wheels are ESM 002R

[F34R]

Correction, it's a Nardi Woodline.

Thanks for the correction, I thought it was a MOMO.

Wheels are ESM 002R

Yup that is them:

http://esmwheels.com/access/002r-p-164.html

As most know I don't fuck with fake splits. Guess it was worse than I thought ;)