E30 Zone

Hi guys,

I've just joined the forum as i'm looking at getting myself an e30.

I'm going to look at a 1990 316i coupe tomorrow, it looks very tidy but has done 145k. I'm basically seeking your wisdom on things to look out for, things that will be going/about to go at this mileage, and any other areas of rust other than the usual wheel arches etc, which look very good from the photos i've seen.

Anyhow, thanks for your help, and if i buy it i may well be asking you lot many more questions in the future!

Also, if all is well does £800 seem a reasonable price? It has 12 months MOT, but no tax.

Cheers,
Lawrence

expensive car, that. 145K and no tax?

watch out for the fuel pump/relay etc, and make sure it has some sort of history at that mileage. cheers, easy.

Biggest problem on the 316i is the tappets. Rev the engine as high as you dare. If it stops revving and starts to splutter/cough before it hits the redline it'll need work. It'll take a second or two to regain it's composure too when you change up to the next gear if they're really knackered.

£800 is too much IMO for a 316i with that mileage and no tax. It would need to be in truly exceptional condition to be worth that.

As far as checking for rust, check the front bulkhead/floorpan, scuttle panel, roof (especially if it has a sunroof), anywhere in and around the boot - try and pull back/remove as much trim as possible. Check if the carpets in the footwells are wet - this either means floorpan rust or dodgy heater pipework - either negotiate down or leave well alone.

You can buy quite a tidy e30 for £800 - there's no need to buy 'work'.

Cheers for the responses, I had wondered if the price was a little high but it is apparently in amazing condition, so we shall see, but i shall try to get it down either way! I'm not planning on buying something needing work immediatley, as there's plenty of work to be done on my 205 if that's what i want!