E30 Zone

What do you guys think of my potential next motor? Its a 325SE auto (Ive never had an auto before!), FSH up to 2003/90k miles, its now at 120k miles and the previous owner serviced it himself.

A small amount of rust has appeared at the front edge of the rear wheel arches but the rest of the bodywork looks particularly tidy.

It drove perfectly and I was surprised by the acceleration in kick-down.

I have NEVER seen one of these with perfect seats (no rips or tears) but this one looked perfect inside!

He's asking Ԛ£1250 ono. If I offer him Ԛ£1100 would I be getting a bargain?

Looks a very nice well looked after car, and the price he's asking sounds good for the car/spec/condition, I wouldn't go as far as saying it's bargain of the century, judging by the prices of 4 doors and autos, but it's a very fair price, go for it, just make sure the rust hasn't transferred to the inner arch, and there are no head problems, and the coolant looks nice, and not dark and rusty.

Looks nice and clean....

However, I bought my 1988 (F reg) 325i SE 4dr for Ԛ£750 last year...

It had:
130K miles, and everything same as your one other than Recaro (sport) front seats and Mtec 1 steering wheel

The faults were: Needs drivers seat base recovered and under-dash panel is missing. It also was missing the lower lip of the front spoiler (but it isn't/wasn't an iS one as yours is) and the sunroof panel is starting to show some rust.

The good points were: almost full service history including a recent cambelt change and an almost perfect drivetrain with no noises or faults at all.

Autos usually are worth slightly less than the manual equivalent, but the price, considering the condition and age and assuming full history and in good mechanical condition, doesn't seem bad...

Simon wrote: I wouldn't go as far as saying it's bargain of the century, judging by the prices of 4 doors and autos

I was under the imression autos were worth slightly more. My mistake. Ive had a 325 coupe and a 320 saloon, both manuals.

Simon wrote:and there are no head problems, and the coolant looks nice, and not dark and rusty.

The guy thinks its had its head changed and it has had a new water pump when he changed the cambelt

I'd love to offer him less, but then Im not a convincing haggler! When I saw the car yesterday, the guy selling joked "Its Ԛ£1250 ono......OVNO!" So he might not even accept Ԛ£1100, in which case I might have to reconsider due to insurance costs and running costs on top of the purchase price.

minime1275 wrote:

Simon wrote: I wouldn't go as far as saying it's bargain of the century, judging by the prices of 4 doors and autos

I was under the imression autos were worth slightly more. My mistake. Ive had a 325 coupe and a 320 saloon, both manuals.

Simon wrote:and there are no head problems, and the coolant looks nice, and not dark and rusty.

The guy thinks its had its head changed and it has had a new water pump when he changed the cambelt

I'd love to offer him less, but then Im not a convincing haggler! When I saw the car yesterday, the guy selling joked "Its Ԛ£1250 ono......OVNO!" So he might not even accept Ԛ£1100, in which case I might have to reconsider due to insurance costs and running costs on top of the purchase price.

Inspect the head and water pump, you can normally tell if they're new, as they will still have the new metal finish.

Autos are generally worth less than the manual, but seeing as this car is in very good condition, then I don't think it matters, autos are great to drive, but not a drivers car.

Autos carried/carry a premium over manuals when new...However, except for luxury models (say like a 7 series or Mercedes S-Class) then manuals always are worth around 10% more than autos in the s/h market.

Check out Glasses or Parkers guides for a reasonable estimation of the value.

Looks good in the pics, if it runs as well as it looks then go for it.

I have used an auto for 3 years and really like it.

Nice clean car looks as tho its been looked after......

As to value, I say a car is only worth what YOU think its worth and what you wanna pay for it..

just offer a Ԛ£1000, flash the cash ,remember its 3wks before xmas, if he says no walk away, think you will find he will reconsider..

your in control ,your cash and he wants it,push your luck...

I would prob offer less but everyone is diff,either way GOOD LUCK !!!

I'd love to offer him less, but then Im not a convincing haggler! When I saw the car yesterday, the guy selling joked "Its Ԛ£1250 ono......OVNO!" So he might not even accept Ԛ£1100, in which case I might have to reconsider

As cabrioman has said, offer Ԛ£1k (I'd be a cheeky git and flash Ԛ£900 to start with, then work to Ԛ£1k) and also like he said, it's damn close to Xmas, for all he'll know is you have 2yr triplets back at home

If he says no to Ԛ£1k walk away, then go back 20mins later with the same offer.

Jimbob wrote:
If he says no to Ԛ£1k walk away, then go back 20mins later with the same offer.

Lol!

Its mine, I bought it, I drove it home, I LOVE IT!

Im sure I got one or two sideways glances at it (I dont think I was imagining it) - it does look very nice in the daylight, the colour is really fresh and modern.

And feck me, is it quick! I had a 325 manual a year ago and a 320 manual this year and I expected it to be similarly quick to the 320 manual, cos of the auto box. Well, it certainly FEELS a hell of a lot quicker!

As you may have gathered, Im happy with my purchase!

nice one mate, how much did you pay?

wow thats cool glad you like it you sound like a kid in a sweet shop lol

so how much did you pay in the end???

i paid 550 for my 1989 g reg 325i se 4dr manual i bought 2 weeks ago, it was advertised for 750 but i took him down 200.

all leather inside in good condition, mtech kit, alloys perfect condition, tires have lots of tread, all electrics (windows mirrors sunroof) work well, drives great, hpi clear, paintwork in good condition for year, no major scratches or dents, engine bay very clean, starts first time even in the cold weather we've been having lately. 6 disc cd change and minidisc headunit, front fogs.

not so good points

pretty much no history except mots, had to get the brake pads replaced right away, small bit of rust on the bottom of one of the doors, 139k on the clock, drivers door lock doesn't work (someones obviously had a go at it somepoint) so i have to use the central locking from the passenger door for the time being, tax runs out at the end of the month, mot runs out in february, intermittent setting on the wipers is a bit dodgy but the other settings work well.

really happy with this car i've wanted one since i was 14 and its only now i can afford the insurance, but i guess the real test will be when i get my mechanic to look at it on monday because i don't have much knowledge in that department, but it certainly looks like its been looked after. if its no good i'll sell it before the mot runs out and get another one, but i'm really hoping everything turns out well because she looks stunning and its my dream car.

so do you think i got a good deal or not?

I knocked him down to Ԛ£1100. Not bargain of the century, but its a very tidy car with history.

Everything works (except headlight hight adjustment switch). It had remote central locking fitted in 2003 (have got the receipt), which closes all windows/sunroof and locks the doors when you blip it, and a fancy alarm system with a pager, which pages you when the alarm is sounding. It also has an anti car-jacking system that locks all doors when the ignition is turned on and unlocks them when its switched off ).

Im happy with it.

long as your happy in the end

Happy E30 motoring

Nice work mate and welcome to the world of 6pot

nice looking car... autos rule