E30 Zone

Need some guidance fellow members....I've seen a nice clean low mileage 320is LHD for £12000.00
Personally, I'll pay this, but wanted some advice from you...
Is it worth the money or should I wait for the 325is to come along? Any advice would be appreciated!

At that money Id try my luck withan M3 personally.

Would I get a decent M3 for that kinda money? Also I stay in Malawi (Africa) so maintenance for the M3 would be an issue as there are no specialists here! Thanks for the advice though...

Considering the 320iS has an M3 engine (it's an S14 unit) plus special gearbox and diff, it's not going to be easy to source mechanical parts either.

I didn't know that! Thanks for the heads up...appreciate it!

I'd say m3 specific parts would be easier in some instances.

If you look hard enough there are still m3 deals out there to be had.

Cool, so it's either a 325is or an M3....thanks for responding

I'm assuming your talking of a 325i Sport?

If so, there's probably 10k difference in price. And are both different cars.

Are you familiar with Malawis import rules ? I believe some African countries will not allow importation of cars over a certain age or RHD / LHD cars. Obviously we are talking about Africa so maybe you know a nice man who can 'smoothen' things out for you ?

My preference is the 325is Sport circa 1990/91, regret selling mine 8 years ago...but they're very scare so may be forced to go down the E30 M3 route or the 320is Sport for £12000!

Moved from Uk 16 years ago mate...and Malawi is cool with imports!

Riz325is wrote:My preference is the 325is Sport circa 1990/91, regret selling mine 8 years ago...but they're very scare so may be forced to go down the E30 M3 route or the 320is Sport for £12000!

As Malawi was a British colony I assume they are RHD ? If so, surely you would be better off searching in South Africa. They had variants of the 325 sport that were rather more sporty than ours !

True, but the 325is Sport in SA are all nails! Plus they're going for silly money....approx £13000 for high mileage (200000kms and above)
I don't mind paying that kind of money, but I'd expect something in concours condition.
You're correct about Malawi being RHD, but that doesn't worry me as this new car will be my weekend classic drive!

You'll all have to bear with me when I reply...I don't know how to reply to your responses personally...do I click on the 'quote' and then respond to you individually?

£8-10000 will get the one of the best 325i Sports in the UK.

bss325i wrote:£8-10000 will get the one of the best 325i Sports in the UK.

You'll be my God if you can source one for me!

save another few K and you will be into an M3. 14-15k for a decent one

there was a 320 iS on pistonheads a few weeks back for 10k.

DasChin wrote:save another few K and you will be into an M3. 14-15k for a decent one

there was a 320 iS on pistonheads a few weeks back for 10k.

I really want a 325is Sport 90-91 in Dolphin Grey, but if I don't find one soon I'll have to go for the 320is or as a last resort the M3...

There both a better car that the 325i, so why would they want to be a last resort?

the m3 is a totally different car to the 320 iS and the 325.

small things like the 5 stud hubs, bonded front and rear screens, the wider arches, controllable arms etc etc etc.

320 iS is a lot nearer to the 325 than the M3. has the de tuned S14 lump of course.

Just out of interest DasChin, where have you see 14-15k M3's recently? I'm not scouring the market for one, but any I've seen advertised seem to start around 18-20k.

Just interested like.

South Africa doesnt have ebay but try looking at bidorbuy.com its their version. could help.

batleyrhino wrote:Just out of interest DasChin, where have you see 14-15k M3's recently? I'm not scouring the market for one, but any I've seen advertised seem to start around 18-20k.

Just interested like.

In private hands.

Not the rip off traders like Munich or 4 star.

...i understand the OP is asking for the 325 "is" sport......was this not a special edition with lighter (aluminium) parts other upgrades? these are pretty rare and command more money than a normal 325i sport. or has someone told me a pork pie?

pukar wrote:...i understand the OP is asking for the 325 "is" sport......was this not a special edition with lighter (aluminium) parts other upgrades? these are pretty rare and command more money than a normal 325i sport. or has someone told me a pork pie?

The car I want is the UK 325is Mtech kitted car....I don't think this have any special aluminium parts mate...unless I'm also mistaken!
Been offered a 320is Mtech kitted car with low miles for GBP12K,

325i sport then not 325is sport!

I'd suggest sticking with cars from your continent, rust is much less of an issue. You can still find e30 333i's in South Africa, rare, powerful and good looking cars. That's where my money would be going.

Thanks for the suggestions, I've been looking in South Africa but all the cars I've seen are abused....big time!
I know UK has good cars around, that's why I'm willing to pay over the odds to get myself a clean genuine car.

Theres just as many shitters here bud! Rust is the killer thing here plus 90% of the ones here have been owned by some bruvs and abused it, i would take a rust free abused one over a rusty one

Nobby_N wrote:Theres just as many shitters here bud! Rust is the killer thing here plus 90% of the ones here have been owned by some bruvs and abused it, i would take a rust free abused one over a rusty one

True Bro....will keep a look out for others available in Portugal, Spain and Germany too...

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ican_Model

"325IS SOUTH AFRICAN MODEL

History
When it became clear that South Africa would not be getting the M3, the 325iS was created. Initially this was the same concept as the 325i Sport available in other markets; merely a 325i 2-door fitted with a body kit and a close-ratio gearbox (improving acceleration at the expense of top speed and economy). This model was available in 1989
However, consumers quickly demanded more performance, and in 1990 the EVO I was released. This model was a radical redesign of the car, featuring aluminium body panels, brakes and suspension from the M3, and a larger 2.7l engine sourced from Alpina, capable of 197hp. A limited number were produced to allow for homologation into saloon car racing.
In 1991, a further update saw the release of the EVO II. While some of the body panels reverted back to steel, the engine saw even more performance with the addition of parts from the E28 535i, pushing power up to 210hp.
Unlike the 333i where the options were fog lights or Air Conditioning , all 325is's were fitted with both. All cars were fitted with BBS X Spoke wheels."

i knew i wasn't losing my sh1t

pukar wrote:i knew i wasn't losing my sh1t

LMAO! You definitely know your shit! Thanks for the history lesson!!!

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn31 ... MG2162.jpg

This pic is in magpies recent 323 find thread.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=231790

has side reflecter in bumper, bbs spoiler, light in rear window. no sport bodykit though.

heres another few shots of one i think. front bumper has indicators or reflectors in also. no bbs spoiler so maybe that isnt original on the other one above. Shame the european market didnt get more powerful derivetives also.

http://bmwe30cars.blogspot.co.uk/2009/1 ... 325is.html