325i touring what would you do

[david106]

I will add a couple of pictures but to cut a long story short I've got a 1988 e plate 325i touring in lachs silver I've had it nearly 6 years but she's been off the road for about 5 years.
I just don't know what to do with it restore,break or sell as is.
,
Its done 166k has black sport leather ,15in bbs,tweeters in mirrors,tweeters in rear speakers,electric windows all round ,sport auto,etc.
body doesnt look any worse than the day i bought it all the doors are rust free,scuttle very good will need some attention to body though and i havent had a good look underneath.

Its just a matter of weighing up the money that needs spending to how much it will be worth at the end.
current pic

[kolee]

Its just a matter of weighing up the money that needs spending to how much it will be worth at the end.
current pics to follow

If your planning on driving it, its eventual worth is inconsequential.

No doubt these cars seem to be worth more in bits than they are as a whole car.

But if you want to drive a car like this, you can pretty much guarantee any motor you buy will require just as much work to get it perfect (and they never get perfect!).

If your heart is set on driving a touring (and I'm guessing as to the condition) get stuck in and fix her up.

If you just want to get some money back of it, start stripping her down and sell it in bits then weigh in the rest.

[jmccall85]

keep it restore to former glory cant be many e plates left thats what a would do !!

saying that ave had a early spec mk2 golf sitting in a shell for the last 6 years hard to find time !!

[Grrrmachine]

Either fix it or sell it, but don't break it.

These cars do rust, and it's almost guaranteed that you'll have hidden pockets of it somewhere by now, but it'll be fixable in a cheapish sort of way. It's the visible rust that requires a paint job afterwards that makes it costly.

[david106]

I have broken a couple of tourings and yes they can make good money but this car is different when i bought it 2006 i said at the time i wanted to keep it which i have done till now but now the weather is breaking i want to do something with it .
I know if i keep it i will be spending a good old chunk of money but i think it will be worth it in the end

[jonny323i]

why did it come of the road 5 years ago??

[Alex]

clean it and get it booked in for an MOT might help with your decision

[david106]

I took it off the road to do some bits on it and then it got left and bang 5 years later i decide to do something about it

[magpie]

let's see it then.

[david106]

I will get some interior pics soon
I have removed skirts and light grills and bbs caps etc

It hasn't been parked on the grass for the last 5 years only the last couple of days

[fuzzy]

it looks in pretty good condition for 5 years unused. mot it, it might not need much cash spent to put it back on the road.plus obviously if you decide to get rid youll get more cash for it if its mot'd.
has it been in a garage or outside? has it been started up occasionally and given a run and/or a roll back and forward?
what does a decent speced 325 touring go for nowadays? about £1500 ish?

[david106]

Its been outside but i parked it on a lorry tilt so the water wouldnt settle on the ground .
I havent had a good look underneath yet but too be honest the bit on rust on the car 6 years ago hasnt got any worse.
If i could get it mot'd and roadworthy for under £500 then it will be worth doing

[Dezzy]

Its been outside but i parked it on a lorry tilt so the water wouldnt settle on the ground .
I havent had a good look underneath yet but too be honest the bit on rust on the car 6 years ago hasnt got any worse.
If i could get it mot'd and roadworthy for under £500 then it will be worth doing

Don't touch it. Spend nothing at all on it. Book it in for MOT. You'll need insurance cover for the day of the test though.

Have it tested. That will tell you if its worth you spending money on it, to put it back on the road

[capri_rob]

/\/\/\ THIS

Take it to a sensible independent garage though not a Halfords / Kwikfit type MOT place

[Jim320i]

+2 on the above. See how bad it is first! Dont break it though, its a nice early one with good spec.

Thats the 2nd E Reg Touring I know of The other being robs Numero Uno...

[david106]

I know a bloke who does my mot's and is always fair but not dodgy i will get him to have a look .
I'm 99% certain that i will keep it either way i might get myself a welder.

[Dezzy]

I know a bloke who does my mot's and is always fair but not dodgy i will get him to have a look .
I'm 99% certain that i will keep it either way i might get myself a welder.

Every E30 owners best friend.

[HairyScreech]

Mate had a white e plate. exxxtcv. sunroof and wind up windows. really odd specs on the early cars.

Can't see it being too bad. newer cars are a lot more tolerant of being outside than pre-80s stuff.

[tonybtonyb]

Save her if you can..