So I bought an $800 E30... (pics)

[august125]

Last monday I accompanied a group of friends to a local salvage yard to pull some parts. Thanks to said friends, who also happen to be terrible influences, I am now the owner of a mostly intact, original, low(-ish) milage 1987 325e automatic 4-door for only $800. However, it doesn't run. "It cranks, but doesn't start." Have I made a huge mistake? Quite possibly. We'll find out in this thread.





E30 owner and one of the said bad influences checking out the car.


The salvage yard claims it was like that when they got it. I'm not so sure I believe them.








Startlingly clean engine bay.


Autotragic. Fairly clean houndstooth interior. Big tear in the driver's bolster, though. If anyone has an extra houndstooth seat lying around...


Some assembly required.


Nice clean back seat.


I don't actually have the car yet. The title is in transit from the BMW dealership the salvage yard bought it from. Hopefully I'll be getting a call this week and can tow it home.

Anyway, comments?

[ButtJuice]

Inspect that timing belt..

[ST1G]

You could have found a better deal I think... But eh.

[august125]

Inspect that timing belt..

That's already the first thing on my list. The engine wouldn't have cranked if it had broken, correct?

[AwakenNoMore]

That's already the first thing on my list. The engine wouldn't have cranked if it had broken, correct?

It'll crank, but sound really weird. Been there, not fun, but not the end of the world.

[august125]

You could have found a better deal I think... But eh.

I dunno, this IS Jersey...

It'll crank, but sound really weird. Been there, not fun, but not the end of the world.

Crossing my fingers for no weird sounds.

[BamaE30]

I agree check the timing belt (third) check spark first then check the fuel pump is running then check timing belt if intact replace if not remove the head and have the valves fixed. Buy the Bentley manual. Looks like a good deal the body work is minor. Jeff

[EyExR]

Looks like a good deal to me too. You'll have it up and running in no time.

Nice houndstooth!

[BlkE30v]

Nice, paint looks good, fix her up a little and she will be good

[KIRIEIW]

Take the oil cap off, have someone crank, and check if there's any movement. If not, timing belt snapped.

[e30rapidic]

it won't crank if the timing belt snapped, engine will lock after 1/2 a revolution.

No start issue could possibly be a main relay. However, even if you get it running, change that timing belt before you drive it!

[M-technik-3]

Check the e reference sender. Common E and S14 issue

[stonea]

I always love these less than $1k stories. Subscribed to see what happens.

[Thehemiman]

Nice! I bought my first e30 (88' 325is) for $800 and fixed it up/drove it for 4 years. It's never left me stranded and now it's my buddies daily driver.

[TrentW]

Looks like a Super eta.