E30 Zone

Hi im looking at buying an e30 m3, what do i need to look out for ? I have an e30 so have a good idea but wondered if there are any other rot spots to look out for ?

Regards

James

The best thing to look for is a huge stack of reciepts/invoices detailing any little item done on the car in the current owners ownership - depending how long they've had it you'd expect it going back as far as possible because a stamped book is good but doesn't guarantee it's had everything done.
You can usually tell if the far has been looked after by the condition of the exterior, the boot, under the bonnet, wear on seats, gear knob, steering wheel etc then confirm it by looking through the service book. It might take a while but just tally all the service invoices to the service book and mot to make sure no cheeky clocking has taken place.
Check, if it's over 100k, that it's had the timing chain replaced (only joking). Check that it's had e36/46 tensioners fitted, if not that's the first job.
If it's had the services and there's no rust to find it should be a good one!
Surely Pete will have a mahoosive list of what to look for!

Quite often, when buying cars like this, judging the owner is as important as the car itself. If the same guy has had it for some years then weighing him up will give you a good idea of how he treats his cars.

Quite often, when buying cars like this, judging the owner is as important as the car itself.

Very true!

N00b wrote:Quite often, when buying cars like this, judging the owner is as important as the car itself. If the same guy has had it for some years then weighing him up will give you a good idea of how he treats his cars.

That means I'd never be able to sell mine if I wanted being a pompous, sarcastic w**ker!!!

Falkster wrote:That means I'd never be able to sell mine if I wanted being a pompous, sarcastic w**ker!!!

You're possibly the best kind of seller to buy a car from.

whats your budget mate?

plenty to check.

usual accident damage... then you should check for rust.. try these parts to start..

sills, scuttle panel, rear valence, front section above bumper, front x member, rear arches in and out, sunroof, sunroof tray, doors, wings and inner wings.

Then check that the box isnt hanging out and selects nicely these are weak and not cheap to fix.
The engines can easily be down on power through poor maintenance.. have the itb's been balenced recently? recent oil change? valves been shimming correctly? exhaust gaskets leaking, inlet gaskets leaking and perished.

PAS rack and associated are m3 specific and costly to repair if faulty.
Brakes lines can be no better than the standard cars available.

exhausts are getting tired now check that the cat isnt breaking up and blocking the pipes.

be very careful in what you buy most cars have a history now and the really proper cars won't be for sale and easily visible in the public domain.

Make sure it's a europe model and not a US with the different box and lsd.