wtb: '89+ 325ix/is

[3asystreet]

hey guys,

new to the forum recently from e46fanatics.com...
having the e46 has been a blast, but i've honestly loved the e30s for as long as i can remember. my buddies think i'm crazy, but i'm looking to sell my e46 possibly and get into a clean e30.
looking for a 2dr alpine white or hellrot red 325is or ix (anyone have any info on the ix's? good/bad mechanical upkeep?)... maybe vert... open to auto or 5spd...

anyways, just wanted to say whats up and see if anyone knew of anything out there...

thks

willy

[gregslow318i]

whats you price range?

[yberther]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/1260671881.html

[gregslow318i]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/1260671881.html

sluch box-o-fun

[Alkasquawlik]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1077032

[yberther]

sluch box-o-fun

wat

[3asystreet]

yeah i checked out that ix in federal way on CL, i'm diggin the interior, but now i'm starting to lean towards a manual tranny... any thoughts?

i'm looking around 4k ish... or worst case scenario i get a project car, which wouldn't be bad...

i'm also toying with the idea of an old jeep since we're in the PNW... someone needs to talk me out of this

[ejnight]

I have an Alpine White 91 318is Very clean in and out. other than the front bumper.

[87e30]

A jeep would be fun when it's off road. I've wanted one too. But think about driving it around everyday. ON and off the freeway. Slowing down under the suggested speed limits for on and off ramps. I mean, it would wear on me personally. The e30 is fun for everything.

And get a manual for sure... who gets an e30 to not drive it a little?

[3asystreet]

A jeep would be fun when it's off road. I've wanted one too. But think about driving it around everyday. ON and off the freeway. Slowing down under the suggested speed limits for on and off ramps. I mean, it would wear on me personally. The e30 is fun for everything.

And get a manual for sure... who gets an e30 to not drive it a little?

that's kind of what i'm thinking now... an auto e30 wouldn't feel right...

and i'm thinking of just hanging on to the e46. i'm not sure i could part with it comfortably yet... i have yet to experience the e30 ownership circle, but i can imagine its a similar feeling... so much time and effort put into it so far. the only downfall is the parts are still expensive, and repairs sometimes require a shop (probably due to my lack of mechanical experience)..

would you guys steer clear from an ix?
for some reason i have a stigma that makes me think there's more moving parts and therefore more probability of something breaking

[Lance Racing]

unless you really need AWD, say for going skiing, I'd stay away from an ix as your sole E30. There are a lot of specific parts for the ix, and some of the peculiar aspects of the car make for expensive repairs. Price out a transfer case for example. You'll also have very few wheel options as the ix had a specific offset, so normal E30 wheels won't fit.

People that go to an E30 from a newer BMW either love the more simplistic nature of the car, better visibility, more direct feel for the road. Or they think the car is archaic. You need to drive a couple to decide what camp you are in.

Going back further, I know 2002 owners who think the E30 is "too modern" for their tastes.

[Edev]

I'm selling my e30 but it's an 86 soo tis a no go on the plastic bumparz. Well, you'd be able to put them on, but it will take a little bit of work. Good luck with your search!

[daniel]

you do NOT want an auto e30. also, you are not crazy for wanting to sell your e46 for an e30.

[GOOBER]

unless you really need AWD, say for going skiing, I'd stay away from an ix as your sole E30. There are a lot of specific parts for the ix, and some of the peculiar aspects of the car make for expensive repairs. Price out a transfer case for example. You'll also have very few wheel options as the ix had a specific offset, so normal E30 wheels won't fit.

+1

Most people end up trying to get their car looking like an "i" or an "is" so your better off just looking for one of them in a 5 speed. '87-'91 is what you'd be looking for. '89-'91 with the plastic bumpers. Only real difference between the "i" and "is" is the "is" came stock with an LSD and "upgrade suspension" that'll likely need to be replaced by now anyway.

[3asystreet]

+1

Most people end up trying to get their car looking like an "i" or an "is" so your better off just looking for one of them in a 5 speed. '87-'91 is what you'd be looking for. '89-'91 with the plastic bumpers. Only real difference between the "i" and "is" is the "is" came stock with an LSD and "upgrade suspension" that'll likely need to be replaced by now anyway.

agreed... odds are i'd be scouring through the car i'd buy for things to replace... especially suspension components

the reason i was originally looking into an ix was for skiing (someone up there hit it dead on), but in the end if i do sell the e46 eventually, i'd most likely get a jeep or something similar.

my dilemma right now is finding a place to keep a car if i want to get an e30... plus, selling a car that's completely paid off and still a really clean ride probably isn't the best idea...
damn, now i'm getting wishy washy.

if you guys were to put an e30 noob like myself into a 325is/etc. what price range do you think i should shoot for? and since there's not a lot of stealerships around that carry these, any ideas on where i could 'test drive' one for the feel?

thanks again for the help