My abandoned e30 M3 restoration

[rzerob]

Didn't OP ask the kid the address of the vehicle? If that doesn't give the kid the hint that OP was probably going for the car, then the kid is stupid.

OP got a great deal, one that would make any of us jealous. But saying he should pay the kid because he got such a great deal is like paying your junk dealer twice his asking price because the part is worth so much more.

Some times we find great deals, OP's deal just happens to be on a whole other level. Just be happy for the guy.

I am looking forward to the restoration and many more pics.

[FredK]

Back on topic, does a swapped S14 (non original VIN) really help in the car's value?
I mean, it doesn't match vins...and that right away would sink value, right?...

I don't think it would SINK values, but in general, the more original the car is, the more it will eventually be worth. People pay top dollar for originality and concours readiness--stuff like having an original sparkplug wrench in the toolkit and OE appearance. Stuff like 18" BBS RS do not enhance the value of an investment car.

[TimeMachinE30]

Was hoping all this activity was with E30 M3 restoration information, pictures and videos.

Instead it is holier than thou, jealous, i know what is good for you, if i were you bickering. STFU.

On with the M3 resto.

[freeride53]

^LOL. I'd give the kid like a $100 giftcard or something.

Back on topic, does a swapped S14 (non original VIN) really help in the car's value?
I mean, it doesn't match vins...and that right away would sink value, right?...

Not that I think value should be an issue with this car. Enjoy the damn car.

[FredK]

Car is worth $12,000, dude paid $2,500, so basically the kid gave him $9,500. Should definitely give the kid around a $4,750 rebate and split the difference. $1,000 is kind of insulting.

[BUDNUNTA]

Such a shame it's not going to have an s14

[nando]

stop threadjacking this thread with whiny posts about paying the kid and how much he owes him. sheesh.

[Roysneon]

Congrats OP

The least you could do is offer the kid who helped you find the car a cash reward. I mean honestly, give him 1grand for helping you find it, isn't going to break you. Given how much that thing in rough shape is worth (even a cleaned up shell is worth 10-15g's).

Pay it forward, do the right thing. I'm sure you'll make his day

I'm one of the nicest guys when it comes to shit like this, but that's ridiculous to expect him to turn around and give this kid a grand for saying there was this old car in the woods somewhere.

Great story, OP. You certainly put in work just to track down the owner, I'm looking forward to what you'll do with the actual car once the build up begins.

[AusScare]

Link to FB thread?

[Habla]

Good god, give it up already. You're just jealous.

That car is a score!

[HennaE30]

This^ can almost garuntee the kid didn't even know value of the thing nor anything about it. A thank you and ride in the car when it's finished is all that I would want.

I could see it either way. The nice OP would be to pay the kid, but he doesn't have to. I probably would have given the kid some cash. Depends on the kind of person OP is. Some people are more giving than others, but that's just how some people are.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

OP doesn't owe the kid anything more than a 'thank you'. Kid should've known to keep his mouth shut, and who says the kid would've been able to track the owner down anyway?

This^ can almost garuntee the kid didn't even know value of the thing nor anything about it. A thank you and ride in the car when it's finished is all that I would want.

[rturbo 930]

OP doesn't owe the kid anything more than a 'thank you'. Kid should've known to keep his mouth shut, and who says the kid would've been able to track the owner down anyway?

[HennaE30]

Whether or not the kid would have been "over his head" is irrelevant - you're still rationalizing your actions.

I'm not justifying anything, I'm just saying I think that's what he meant. Tbh I probably woulda done the same. If the kid was interested, he woulda pursued the car and wouldn't have been so open about it.

[gte175x]

I think he means that the kid would have been in wayy over his head. Nothing regarding who "deserved it more" but more of a "who has the better resources/chances" to complete the restoration.

Whether or not the kid would have been "over his head" is irrelevant - you're still rationalizing your action

Congrats OP

The least you could do is offer the kid who helped you find the car a cash reward. I mean honestly, give him 1grand for helping you find it, isn't going to break you. Given how much that thing in rough shape is worth (even a cleaned up shell is worth 10-15g's).

Pay it forward, do the right thing. I'm sure you'll make his day

I don't think giving the kid any money is appropriate. In the end Life is Life and we all get screwed at some point or other, so it's a valuable life lesson for the kid that perhaps if he applied himself more he could achieve his goals. I do think that we try to do the right thing because it is right, not for any other reason. It is however hard to decide what the right thing is. I might have done the same thing if I was in the OPs shoes, so I don't think it is fair to pass judgement either. I think the OP answered enough, he stated he wasn't trying to be a dick, but pretty much was. Nothing more need to be said - I retrack my previous comment.