Any ideas where to find E30's?

[e30austin]

...

Lol. Ok dude. That car looks like a hacked together pile. Would you pay $2k for that sorry ass piece of shit? I doubt it.

[kye]

i guess i have to say something here because it's my car "the black one". i like it it's my first late model 325 and first sedan. i haven't been working this winter so i put it for sale. i dont want to sell it i like it so much that's why im asking 2k. if it was worth 2 grand it would be in the for sale section.

i think it's funny when you make fun of people so im not gonna take it personally.

[e30dd]

i guess i have to say something here because it's my car "the black one". i like it it's my first late model 325 and first sedan. i haven't been working this winter so i put it for sale. i dont want to sell it i like it so much that's why im asking 2k. if it was worth 2 grand it would be in the for sale section.

i think it's funny when you make fun of people so im not gonna take it personally.

I appreciate your candor man, no offense meant by my posts, I'm new to the scene and just looking for advice! I would have come out to check it before posting here but I'm like ~3 hours away.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion as well! (good or bad :razz:)

[kye]

no offense taken e30dd. i wish you good luck. the only cars i see worth a damn are 4k plus.

[e30dd]

no offense taken e30dd. i wish you good luck. the only cars i see worth a damn are 4k plus.

Very true, just hoping to find a lucky penny in there somewhere ;)

Thanks man!

[HarukoE30]

Haha I've been keeping an eye out in order to do that as well, but then my budget changes so I'm not 100% sure if I'd like to do that.

Also, I like to get a chance to fully check out a car before I make a commitment like that (flying expenses!).

My best advice is to find one where the body & paint are sound. Slight clear coat issues can be fixed but dents and dings with faded paint is another. Took me 8 months, but I got mine with very little blemishes for the age of these cars.

Don't let flying turn you off; if a seller is smart they'll put up the best photos they can. I bought my ticket 9 hours before takeoff and gas was more expensive driving back versus the flight and transit system.

Edit:
I will also add that you can find great ones outside the "E30 Tax" just have to be patient. I'm glad to say I haven't paid more than $2200 for an E30 thus far and this latest one is the best yet. :up:

This should help for craigslist (198* | 1990 | 1991) bmw (32* | 31* | e30)

[I got it, yes!!]

Also,

This post has irked me a bit, I'm not sure how to interpret the engine swap... Are they really that straight forward? Or are there problems I need to look for?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/4863604669.html

I actually looked at this car when he had it for sale for 1200. it was missing badly and the shift linkage was "non-existent". it was moldy smelling on the inside, but the car was pretty straight. I almost bought it. he put all the "e" intake and electronics on an "i" block and head. It is from an ix. He does have all the "i" intake and electronics though. if he got it running and driving well, and cleaned, not a bad car.

[cferb]

Awesome man, thanks a ton!

I'm in no rush to get one, but I'm not sure how much longer my RS will hold up. I consider 1500-2000 a decent deal for any running half way decent looking car, but do want to be kind of picky since I'm not in a situation where I need a runner immediately. I had my hands on an amazing 91 325is for 1800 when I first signed up for this website (~3-4 years ago) but couldn't gather the money at the time and had to pass it up. Praying I'll be able to find another deal like that!

The thing you gotta be careful with when you're looking for a car in that range is that you're not buying expensive problems. A $2k e30 that needs $2k to be manageable is really a $4k e30. Just make sure you know what you're getting into when you decide on one. They do come up.

no offense taken e30dd. i wish you good luck. the only cars i see worth a damn are 4k plus.

Exactly. 2k is not the price of a nice well sorted e30, it's the price of one that has problems. Especially with a late model, early models you may find something decent enough for 2k. Your price is fine. GLWS.

[e30dd]

The thing you gotta be careful with when you're looking for a car in that range is that you're not buying expensive problems. A $2k e30 that needs $2k to be manageable is really a $4k e30. Just make sure you know what you're getting into when you decide on one. They do come up.



Exactly. 2k is not the price of a nice well sorted e30, it's the price of one that has problems. Especially with a late model, early models you may find something decent enough for 2k. Your price is fine. GLWS.

Luckily I know enough about cars to know what most problems are when they present themselves. I kind of expect a few problems but I would rather spend 2-3k on an e30 fixer upper than another impress with similar problems.

I really just want a straight body that runs from a to b. And no tranny ossues! Haha

[e30dd]

I keep meaning to ask...

Does anyone know much about import laws from Canada? It looks like if the car is over 25 years old, it just has to have taxes paid and pass the sniffer...

If that's so, Canada has a ton of cheap SUPER clean E30's!

[LateFan]

The thing you gotta be careful with when you're looking for a car in that range is that you're not buying expensive problems. A $2k e30 that needs $2k to be manageable is really a $4k e30. Just make sure you know what you're getting into when you decide on one. They do come up.



2k is not the price of a nice well sorted e30, it's the price of one that has problems. Especially with a late model, early models you may find something decent enough for 2k. Your price is fine. GLWS.

He's right. We found a beautiful Zinno '86 coupe that didn't run for $1000. We have easily another 2k in it now and we're not at all finished...shocks, failing exhaust, transmission swap...it adds up.

EDIT - also, it seems like there's a Puget Sound tax. Everyone knows about them and what they're worth in good shape. If you get out into the desert / farther away, there are better deals. However, many of them are pretty ratty so be careful.

[FireFight]

http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/cto/4857422319.html

front is just a tucked rattle-caned metal bumper. i don't know why someone would do that on purpose unless it was wrecked hard and that's all they could find and in that case i would be prepared to not have a proper driving car.
also the rear passenger quarter panel has alot of body hammer barks
and with a high idle and no muffler that car is a real pile and will take what your gonna pay for it just to make it some what proper.
i would hold off for one that is in better condition

i disagree with Austin though. i would pay 500

[AustinK425]

I may part with mine this coming spring send me a pm.
See if you're interested.

[cferb]

I keep meaning to ask...

Does anyone know much about import laws from Canada? It looks like if the car is over 25 years old, it just has to have taxes paid and pass the sniffer...

If that's so, Canada has a ton of cheap SUPER clean E30's!

No sniffer. 25 years old you can buy and register from any country. Less than 25 you've gotta deal with emissions, less than 20 you gotta deal with emissions and safety. I might have that backwards but the important number is 25 here if you want things to be easy.

[SterlingMetE30]

I bought my 87es for 2700 last year. I've put about $1000 of maintenance into it from there. Not including the 885 head I will put on soon, the work to be done to it, and a 3.46 lsd. Runs fairly solid, hasn't broke down in the 12k miles I've had it. Have a few problems I will be solving when I do the head. Main issue is a squeak ,when running, from after going over a curb with no sidewalk. Also a shimmy during idle.