So I had been looking for a sport for a few months now. I travelled to see 4 different cars and they were well short of 'mint.'
I even made a 3 hour trip towards north London only to geta call from the seller when I was 20 miles away telling me he had sold. At this point I almost gave up the chase.
90% of the decent examples that have come up as of late have all required a fair bit of work to the bodywork. I haven't come across a super clean e30 325i sport for quite a long time. The ones that have been sold for £6k have needed attention to atleast one of the inner arches, battery trays and scuttle area + some minor mechanicals and interior finishing.
I even went to see one advertised at £6k on car and classic in wales. The seller had told me it was all pretty good but the car required substantial amount of work and lacked history.
Recently I bagged a tech1 sport, a variant that has grown on me more so rectly and I actually prefer it to the tech2s now - never thought I would.
The car was owned by a middle aged chap who decided to customize the bodykit and fit an absolutely hideous 'Autovogue' kit - copy e36 m3 side skirts and nasty bumpers!
I've slowly started stripping the parts. The car had inner arches put in some 6-7 years back and they are still in super shape with no rust. She is very good for rust I must say but I have decided to make this my first project and I want to get it all near perfect.
Anyway, I'll cut the long story short - Took her to a specialist car restoration place and let me tell you folks - a top job, engine out, glass out, inspection underneath carpets and from underneath the car to remove any corrosion and repair properly underneath is not cheap!
To make these beasts mint you will be spending top dollar! I wouldn't buy one which has had a full respray costing £1k and a 'shes mint mate' kind of job.
I bet ALL e30s need to have all carpets, door cards etc out for a rust inspection, even low mileage cars unless they have been kept away from the elements.
Wish me luck
