E30 Dilemma!!

[paulie1969]

First post here & just looking for some feedback reference a possible car swap. I'm currently rolling in an E36 3.0 M3, which is mechanically sound but needs some attention to the bodywork. I've had it on Pistonheads for a couple of weeks, & i'm looking for an E30 318is. The car is up for £3000, but as i said, its in serious need of some tin worm remedial work. I've had an enquiry from someone with an is looking for a straight swap. His is all original, in Diamond Schwartz, with a reported 79k on the clock. There is no service history with the car & nothing to verify the mileage. There is a slight bit of rust on the front valence, the O/S door around the lock & the sunroof panel. He tells me the car stands him in at £2300. He is also offering a nice set of BBS Rms in with the swap, which he says are worth £900 odd quid. Thing is i dont know the first thing about what the 318is go for, what to look for bodywise, mechanically etc. What would you do in my position? any advice welcome, i need to decide soon!! thanks

[polsta]

my opinion is...if it was a a 20yr old car with a gen 79k in really nice condition...surely the "careful owner" would have the , or some history, might of had a 100k haircut and lost the history

what you need to do...is post up links to both cars

il add..im no expert, but an is, with no history ..which sort of effectivley means the miles showing on the clock mean nothing on a 20 year old car, with them rust issues, is never worth over 2k, maybe nearer £1500 or even less maybe...which is half the asking price of your car, never £2300

[rp2]

the trouble with these cars is that the mechanical parts are cheap but its the bodywork that is expensive. any signs of rust is bad news. i looked at a few e30s before i bought one. there are loads with rust and crappy bodywork asking for high money which in the advert look great and mention nothing about the obvious issues. i would look at a lot of e30s before splashing out as there are a load of dogs out there and you will know when you find the right one!

also if they are 15" bbs rims he is offering they are worth about £2-300 in reasonable condition with tyres

[paulie1969]

Mine.....






His.......






and the wheels..........

[CaesarBob]

Have you actually driven an iS? As fast as it is, it's never going to keep up with an M3.

[paulie1969]

Have you actually driven an iS? As fast as it is, it's never going to keep up with an M3.

hahaha i'm well aware of that!! I just need something more economical to run & maintain!! Got a bit bored of E36s lately too, i want something old skool!!

[paulie1969]

Well, got the V5 Document number off the guy, & did an online MOT check. Turns out the car was MOT'd in 2008 & recorded mileage was 169,583 oh, well, back to looking then!!