Hey Everyone!
Its officially been one year of owning my first E30 so I figured it was time to give it it's own thread. I've had a love/hate relationship with pre-E36 BMW's, but I've always liked how compact the E30 was without it being too small like some older VW's. After owning a few sedan's and coupe's, I knew my next project fun car was going to be a convertible. I actually bought a beat E36 cabrio a few years back, collected a bunch of parts for it, then sold everything for profit before I even had a chance to enjoy it. Fast forward to last January, I was watching La La Land when saw a red E30 cabrio in the opening credits.
Right there and then I knew what I wanted. I really didn't know much about E30's other than there being somewhat of a large cult following for these cars. I casually started searching google and craigslist to learn more about the different models and body types. I quickly realized that I wanted a late model vs an early model and that it had to be a convertible. That was really my only criteria since my plan for it was to be a cruiser and nothing else. If I could go back, I would've added 5 speed to my criteria but since my E39 is a 5 speed, at the time I didn't mind it being an automatic.
Around that time I happened to download the Offerup app and started searching there too. Before you know it, I came across an ad for a "BMW Convertible 325ic" advertised at $1000. It was a one owner black on black automatic 1991 325i convertible with 135000 mile and the description read "Runs been sitting for 3 years ...needs TLC...great car to restore...engine xcellent...no drips...needs battery ...o2 sensor and brakes..." I figured what the heck, it was only 20 minutes away so I sent a message and was there looking at the car about an hour later. At first glance it looked pretty rough and it was. The body had the original Schwarz paint with scratches, dings, and dents but all the body panels still had the original VIN tag. The interior was beat, sport seats didn't function well and had faded Autozone covers on them, dash was cracked, steering wheel was filthy, knobs were missing, and carpet was faded. I then started the car and immediately noticed the overhead check panel lit up like a Christmas tree. The engine did idle normally so that was a plus but the exhaust rumbled like it was running a straight pipe. After driving it around for a few blocks, the transmission shifted well but there was a loud grinding noise and metal clunking noise coming for the rear left. The owner suggested that it was the brakes but I figured it was the wheel bearing. The clucking noise luckily ended up being the metal strut cover. The convertible top window was brown and the frame was stained but the top was still presentable, I figured replacing the window would be an easy fix, boy was I wrong. I thought to myself that if I can get it for under $1000. This may be a good project to build from the ground up. Again if I could go back in time, I'd add crack free dash, clean paint and body panels, better top, and recent timing belt maintenance to the criteria list when buying an E30. After some wheeling and dealing, the seller and I agreed on a price and I drove it straight home crossing my fingers that it wouldn't break down. I had to take an Uber back to pick up my e39.
Here are photos from the Offerup ad:
TL,DR
Watched La La Land, saw red E30 convertible in opening credits, bought a rough condition E30 convertible, now broke one year later.
Its officially been one year of owning my first E30 so I figured it was time to give it it's own thread. I've had a love/hate relationship with pre-E36 BMW's, but I've always liked how compact the E30 was without it being too small like some older VW's. After owning a few sedan's and coupe's, I knew my next project fun car was going to be a convertible. I actually bought a beat E36 cabrio a few years back, collected a bunch of parts for it, then sold everything for profit before I even had a chance to enjoy it. Fast forward to last January, I was watching La La Land when saw a red E30 cabrio in the opening credits.
Right there and then I knew what I wanted. I really didn't know much about E30's other than there being somewhat of a large cult following for these cars. I casually started searching google and craigslist to learn more about the different models and body types. I quickly realized that I wanted a late model vs an early model and that it had to be a convertible. That was really my only criteria since my plan for it was to be a cruiser and nothing else. If I could go back, I would've added 5 speed to my criteria but since my E39 is a 5 speed, at the time I didn't mind it being an automatic.
Around that time I happened to download the Offerup app and started searching there too. Before you know it, I came across an ad for a "BMW Convertible 325ic" advertised at $1000. It was a one owner black on black automatic 1991 325i convertible with 135000 mile and the description read "Runs been sitting for 3 years ...needs TLC...great car to restore...engine xcellent...no drips...needs battery ...o2 sensor and brakes..." I figured what the heck, it was only 20 minutes away so I sent a message and was there looking at the car about an hour later. At first glance it looked pretty rough and it was. The body had the original Schwarz paint with scratches, dings, and dents but all the body panels still had the original VIN tag. The interior was beat, sport seats didn't function well and had faded Autozone covers on them, dash was cracked, steering wheel was filthy, knobs were missing, and carpet was faded. I then started the car and immediately noticed the overhead check panel lit up like a Christmas tree. The engine did idle normally so that was a plus but the exhaust rumbled like it was running a straight pipe. After driving it around for a few blocks, the transmission shifted well but there was a loud grinding noise and metal clunking noise coming for the rear left. The owner suggested that it was the brakes but I figured it was the wheel bearing. The clucking noise luckily ended up being the metal strut cover. The convertible top window was brown and the frame was stained but the top was still presentable, I figured replacing the window would be an easy fix, boy was I wrong. I thought to myself that if I can get it for under $1000. This may be a good project to build from the ground up. Again if I could go back in time, I'd add crack free dash, clean paint and body panels, better top, and recent timing belt maintenance to the criteria list when buying an E30. After some wheeling and dealing, the seller and I agreed on a price and I drove it straight home crossing my fingers that it wouldn't break down. I had to take an Uber back to pick up my e39.
Here are photos from the Offerup ad:
TL,DR
Watched La La Land, saw red E30 convertible in opening credits, bought a rough condition E30 convertible, now broke one year later.
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