Help/Guidance on first E30 325i

Post Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:07 pm

Hi guys,

I've been a member of this forum for a while now, mainly just lurking and keeping an eye on the E30 world. In the coming months I'll be in the market to purchase my first E30.

I've actually wanted one for about 3 years now so I know a fair few bits. My mate is currently has an E21, which I'm helping do an M20 engine swap on. I've currently got an E46 330Ci, so no stranger to BMW's.

So, what I want to know is what should I really be looking for. My absolute budget is £5.5k on a 325i Sport Mtec 2. This is spec is a must. Colours, the rarer the better IMO, but I like Diamond Schwarz, Delphin and Sterling in that order.

Cheers guys!

Post Sat Feb 15, 2014 9:02 pm

You'll want to read this then:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ing_an_E30

Post Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:39 pm

Patience for the right car, and if you don't know e30s well -go to see any and every e30 you can find for sale of any model/spec/price that's local/close , to just have a good look over, to get a feel for them and see the issues and rust etc, that will stand you in good stead for viewing the sports that will probably be further away

Post Sat Feb 15, 2014 11:23 pm

The above posts are sound bits of advise.

Be prepared to travel. Take someone in know with you if you can, don't be shy to get the carpets out of the boot for inspection, and the rear door cards too if you can, get a torch down the sunroof.

£5.5K should see you with a good Tech 2, but be careful as there's loads of scummy chancers out there.

You're probably familiar with the usual buying avenues. This is a nice place to look usually. http://www.carandclassic.co.uk

Have never bought nor view a car through that site, but they seem to have better cars on their site....

Good luck..

Post Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:56 am

Cheers guys,
I've read through that. Only one thing to note which I have thought about before. I know rust can build up behind the sport kit, and the guide mentions removing it. Now I'm not too comfortable removing the kit from someone else's car having never done it.

Is it simply a bolt off/on job? Again, the rear door cards, can anyone point out how they are removed? I assume its probably the same as the E21?

My main searching grounds are Pistonheads, eBay, Classic Cars for sale and new Car and Classic.

Additionally, what are the common faults with these? (besides the rust locations) Bushes, steering couplings, exhausts?

Post Tue Feb 18, 2014 9:09 am

Yes, no-one is going to let you dismantle their car on the forecourt, but it does mean that if you see the tiniest hint of rust around the edge of the kit, be prepared for a gaping hole underneath and factor it into your haggling.

As for common problems...

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

most of these are caused by a critical lack of maintenance rather than an inherent flaw in the car's design (I'm looking at you, E46).

Post Tue Feb 18, 2014 10:02 am

Someone once said on here, the rust you can see is only 10% of whats actually on the car. Bear that in mind.

Post Tue Feb 18, 2014 10:35 am

mcbonio wrote:Someone once said on here, the rust you can see is only 10% of whats actually on the car. Bear that in mind.

Post Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:43 pm

maggspower wrote:
mcbonio wrote:Someone once said on here, the rust you can see is only 10% of whats actually on the car. Bear that in mind.

True, but this particular one isn't far out, obviously depending on how far you dig while checking!