1985 323i on sale - advice needed!

[Moz]

Hi all,

Saw this 323i on ebay a few weeks ago - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-BMW-323 ... :rk:2:pf:1

Was put off as it has no service history and the guy is asking 6k. MOT's match up to the mileage but as it was so far I ruled it out, wasn't going to drive 5 hours from Hemel to Newcastle!

Fast forward 2 weeks and I end up in Gateshead for work so I get in touch to see if I can view the car. I drive across to see the car and it is in absolutely immaculate condition. The battery that has been put in it, 50ah can barley turn it over but I manage to crank it after switching every electrical circuit I can off. Engine sounds lovely and the car interior looks as though it has genuinely been in storage for many years.

Car has a few issues, fuel gauge doesn't work and the fuel pump was whining more than my ex wife used to. How much of an issue are these? I'm thinking the pump and tank are probably trash, full of rust and on it's way out. Still sitting on Uniroyal Rallye 340s, which are clearly too old to drive on so another thing to replace.

Without the service history and the issues mentioned, I'm loathed to pay a lot for it but wanted opinions on the a) the car itself and b) how bad are the fuel pump and gauge issues potentially?

Thanks

[chatstar123]

If you're interested in the the car go and have a second look as you'll always see things that you missed the first time round. Cars of this age will almost always need some work whether they have full service history or not. Also depends what you plan to do to the car. If you are going to keep it for a long time you can build your own record of receipts and servicing. If you want to drive it for a year and then sell it on, potential buyers will probably have the same feelings as you.

Can't comment on the fuel issue as I haven't had the pleasure of dealing with fuel system on an E30 (yet) but if you have two problems in the same area then the tank is probably a good place to start and it's either a tank out job or on some cars you can access under the rear seat. Plenty of people on this forum will be able to point you in the right direction as well as the wiki section.

[ah]

Hi mate,im a bit biases because the more old original first E30s saved from the scrap yard the better.you say there's no service history,but has it got any paper work history,bills,mots,etc.in my opinion if it has these, it's so bad with no sevice history just replace all the obvious service stuff especially cam belt anyway good luck.

[Moz]

Thanks chatstar123 and AH. I've always like the chromies and that's what draws me to it. I'll go and have another look if I can agree a price with the chap and take it from there.