Hey guys, new to this forum because a new purchase brought me here. So, two weeks ago, I was cruising craigslist for the usual tags since I've been playing with the idea of getting a project/fun car for a while. I was bored and decided to just type "bmw" in the search bar and see what came up. I found a listing for a "Gorgeous 85 BMW." It had a few pictures and a short description, apparently this car was just getting in the way of this guy's motorcycles in his garage and he was only asking $3500--oh, and the listing had only been up for 17 hours. I called the guy on Wednesday to see if I could swing by on Saturday and check it out. I work with a bunch of other car guys, some who have e30s, showed the listing to them and asked them their opinions, the resounding advice: don't wait! I heeded their advice.
So on Thursday, I left work a little early and made the 1.5hr drive north to Elizabethton, TN to check out this car. I also brought $100 with me for a deposit. I couldn't believe it. This car was in as good of shape as the pictures looked. It was a respray, but it looked like whoever did it took the time to prep properly. Not really being an e30 guy before (sorry) I didn't recognize the body kit, but I knew everything else was in great shape. (Zender? what's that?)
BBS RA wheels--didn't know exactly what they were at the time, but knew they weren't the stock option. Original ride height--good, nobody messed with the suspension.
Original under the hood--good, nobody's tried to upgrade it with cut-rate parts. It's been tinted to all hell, but I can live with that for now. But that interior!
A few cracks in the dash and one small one in the driver's seat. That's it! I don't think the back seat has been sat in! I looked up the VIN...oh yes. yes. oh oh yes. LSD! all electrics work flawlessly too! Windows, moon roof, all lights, dash computer, stock looking fog lamp switch? Was that front valence a stock option...? Looked under the car, couldn't believe my eyes. Nothing but a tiny bit of surface rust. This car was clean. It even still has the plastic battery cover in the trunk, full size spare and complete toolbox on the boot lid. Tiny bit of surface rust here.
Took it for a test drive, and everything was tight. Low on power of course (see: eta engine) but shifts nicely, accelerates smoothly, little bit of a cold start idle issue, but goes away after a minute. Steering felt tight, dampers aren't shot. Damn. I have to buy this! This guy doesn't know what he has! While we were on the test drive, the guy got a text from somebody else interested in the car. He told me "yeah, there's been quite a bit of interest in this car... and it's only been on craigslist since Tuesday!" I asked how many other people were interested: "'round five or six others." Yessss I was the first to check it out!
"Hey man, this car is great. Is there any way I can give you a deposit so you can hang on to it til Saturday for me so my wife can check it out?" He was fine with that--in fact, he told me that as far as he was concerned, it was mine and I could wait as long as I wanted. I didn't want to wait. Then out of the blue this guy tells me "I feel kinda bad that you had to drive all this way from Asheville, so I'd be willing to take the price down to $3300." Wow, that's generous! "Ah well thanks... I appreciate it!" I'm not going to turn down saving $200! I woulda bought it at the original asking price.
Long story short, I bought the car and drove it back home on Saturday without any hiccups. Cruise control even works! This thing is dope. got it registered the Monday after and have been driving the shit out of it.
Needless to say I'm now an e30 guy.
Plans are definitely a'brewin' for this sweet lil thang.
So on Thursday, I left work a little early and made the 1.5hr drive north to Elizabethton, TN to check out this car. I also brought $100 with me for a deposit. I couldn't believe it. This car was in as good of shape as the pictures looked. It was a respray, but it looked like whoever did it took the time to prep properly. Not really being an e30 guy before (sorry) I didn't recognize the body kit, but I knew everything else was in great shape. (Zender? what's that?)
BBS RA wheels--didn't know exactly what they were at the time, but knew they weren't the stock option. Original ride height--good, nobody messed with the suspension.
Original under the hood--good, nobody's tried to upgrade it with cut-rate parts. It's been tinted to all hell, but I can live with that for now. But that interior!
A few cracks in the dash and one small one in the driver's seat. That's it! I don't think the back seat has been sat in! I looked up the VIN...oh yes. yes. oh oh yes. LSD! all electrics work flawlessly too! Windows, moon roof, all lights, dash computer, stock looking fog lamp switch? Was that front valence a stock option...? Looked under the car, couldn't believe my eyes. Nothing but a tiny bit of surface rust. This car was clean. It even still has the plastic battery cover in the trunk, full size spare and complete toolbox on the boot lid. Tiny bit of surface rust here.
Took it for a test drive, and everything was tight. Low on power of course (see: eta engine) but shifts nicely, accelerates smoothly, little bit of a cold start idle issue, but goes away after a minute. Steering felt tight, dampers aren't shot. Damn. I have to buy this! This guy doesn't know what he has! While we were on the test drive, the guy got a text from somebody else interested in the car. He told me "yeah, there's been quite a bit of interest in this car... and it's only been on craigslist since Tuesday!" I asked how many other people were interested: "'round five or six others." Yessss I was the first to check it out!
"Hey man, this car is great. Is there any way I can give you a deposit so you can hang on to it til Saturday for me so my wife can check it out?" He was fine with that--in fact, he told me that as far as he was concerned, it was mine and I could wait as long as I wanted. I didn't want to wait. Then out of the blue this guy tells me "I feel kinda bad that you had to drive all this way from Asheville, so I'd be willing to take the price down to $3300." Wow, that's generous! "Ah well thanks... I appreciate it!" I'm not going to turn down saving $200! I woulda bought it at the original asking price.
Long story short, I bought the car and drove it back home on Saturday without any hiccups. Cruise control even works! This thing is dope. got it registered the Monday after and have been driving the shit out of it.
Needless to say I'm now an e30 guy.
Plans are definitely a'brewin' for this sweet lil thang.
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