Nice to be back could do with some help

[E30WEZ]

Hi after haveing to part with my touring early last year,have sorted out the bit's i needed to so now on the look for another 325i.Been to look at a few but tonight went to look at a 'E'Reg sport could not have a good look at the underside as it was dark but it has a full mot and the body is very good full grey leather sports interior,13 button obc,ansa exhaust and 17"e36m3 rep wheels(which let it down).Now from what i could see needs the front apron repainted stone chips and it is missing it's inner arch covers were the outside temp sensor sits and cooling ducts for brakes(are these easy to find???)So thats the brief overview the good bit is it's within my budget Ԛ£1550
and i think he may come down another Ԛ£150ish.Is there any other points i need to look at to prove it is a sport as i do not want to spend that money on one thats a rep(when i could get a good se for that money)All advise would be great
Cheers and nice to be back

[jonbuoy]

Black headlining........

There's usually a good reason for a car to be missing the inner mud gaurd, make sure it's not a replacement wing

[E30WEZ]

Forgot all about the black headlining thanks for that

[HartgeH27]

As Jonbuoy says make sure it has the proper anthracite headlining. It should have the 3.91 slipper but I am not sure how much accessibility you have to the diff ???? The engine will not give any telltale giveaway signs as they are identical to the 325i.
Brake cooling ducts are relatively easy to find at scrappers or off zoners, they are not rare (at the moment).
You didnt say if it was tech 1 or tech 2 as it is sitting on a plate which could go either way. Has it got all the right bodykit ?? Mtech interior goodies should be there ie steering wheel and gear knob but may have got lost along the way.
Getting the front apron repainted is not a big deal and you can get the ducts done at the same time.
Finally the gearbox needs to be close ratio but without getting it up onto a lift/four poster it is gonna be hard to tell.
Wheels can be replaced and at the price it may sell for would be affordable and within your budget.
Make sure you check out those wings though, look and make sure wings are flush and good fit etc.
Good luck

Iain

[E30WEZ]

It is an m-tec 2 and has the m-tec 1 steering wheel and gearknob.Thing is i do not mind getting the bits done and bar the painting can do it myself (putting the guards back on etc)But if it turns out to be a rep i will feel like i have wasted the money as i also looked at a nice se for the same money with history but i have already had one always wanted a sport The big question is:- is Ԛ£1550 a good price as i have been watching the evil bay and they go more then that for a rough one

[Brianmoooore]

Last seven digits of the VIN will tell if it's a sport or not.

[HartgeH27]

Last seven digits of the VIN will tell if it's a sport or not.

Normally Brian, but some dont show up as sport.

The tech 1 wheel is cool as the wheel was not changed to tech 2 to 89 or 90 IIRC.

[Ziggy]

It is an m-tec 2 and has the m-tec 1 steering wheel and gearknob

As an early tech-2 sport should

Sounds like a bargain if it's decent - you should get a few quid for the wheels too... welcome back

[jonbuoy]

All i can say is be carefull. As Ian said, the diff is usually a 3:91. You can tell this by a metal tag that hang's off the back of the diff, get a screw driver to scrape the muck off and see what you can read from it, should say 391 S.
If it has'nt got an "S" then there is a deep suspision that it's a rep

[E30WEZ]

Last seven digits of the VIN will tell if it's a sport or not.

So what sort of no. am i looking for

[HartgeH27]

On the scuttle panel (beneath windscreenwipers) with bonnet opened up is the vin number - As Brian says take the last seven digits and run it by your local BMW dealer for a check. This certainly can assist but I have heard of genuine sports not showing up on the check as sports but simply as 325i.

The diff is a strong indication and as Jonbuoy says should read S391 on the small tag.

However, any car can have diff changed - my best advice is to get someone out in East Sussex off the zone to go down with you for a second pair of eyes.

Bet if you posted up in E30 chat you would get help no problem.

Iain

[E30WEZ]

I had forgotten what a nice forum this is I would have come back sooner but after driving some realy bad cars for the last year wanted to wait till i was on the look again.I think i am going to go armed with what you guys have told me and some cash tomorrow (not in the papers yet a friend told me about it) if i can get him down to Ԛ£1400 then should have the money to get the bits i can see it needs and some left over i hope

[Toby_Unna]

Brake cooling ducts are relatively easy to find at scrappers or off zoners, they are not rare (at the moment).Iain

tech2 brake ducts are different to standard facelift ones though.

[HartgeH27]

Agreed but both are still available quite readily and normally through our resident parts geezer located down in the depths of the west country !!!! Give JonB a post in the FAO and he responds with the speed of a striking cobra !!!!! (seriously recommend him highly).

[Gwynleym10]

Welcome back Wez!

Can't add any useful advise about the sport though!

[E30WEZ]

Right been back today and it's not a sport it's an se no black headlining and no lsd but it is not bad condition to some i have looked at.the guy said he had been sold it as a sport and did not know so i have left him with an offer.heres some pic's and any idea on what you thinks it is worth only just gone through it's mot with no problems.Sorry for pic's they are off my phone

[Geoff]

At the end of the day it looks like a sport!! So all you need to do now is find a sport box and diff and your there. Sod the headlining, its not the end of the world.

Besides if the rest of the car is decent you could have it at a sport spec, minus the headlinging for less than what a good sport would normally go for.

That being said, that is on its way to top money for an SE.

I would say keep looking as there is always something around the corner. And if he comes back and your offer was a low price then take it.