ADVICE needed - UPDATE!!

[snorky]

Hi all

I've decided that I need an E30 in my life and have spotted a car local to me that I'm seriously considering but would appreciate the experts opinion...

I was originally thinking of a 318iS which I'd still love but I've spotted a mint 316i Touring round the corner from me with only 54k on the clock. Thinking about what my driving comprises had me thinking that a mixture of mainly town driving with the odd motorway journey means that performance really isn't that important.

This car doesn't have service history but has only 2 owners and is being sold by an old lady who is giving up driving. It's a Lux, is red and on 15" multi spokes. Under the bonnet is literally as new.

It's up for £1700ono which I feel is a bit steep, anyone got any advice/opinions to throw my way, either on value or on appropriateness of a 316i. ANY thoughts appreciated...

Cheers,
Nick

[markyboy]

would she part ex with a zimmoframe

[Ziggy]

If it's really mint, it's probably not bad value... but can the old lady drive? If it's spent the last 10 years doing 2 miles at a time (all in 1st, natch), then I'd say no thanks!

316i tourers have just about the lowest ratio diff known to man. This means they're actually a bit more nippy than you'd expect, but economy & refinement at motorway speeds are erm... lacking.

Your call entirely, but a 316i touring is a very different car to an iS, and you could get a nice one for that money...

[Royalratch]

Agree with Zig, you could always drop in an iS engine at a later date but if you really think you don't need the power then mint E30's are harder and harder to find...

[dom-1984-320i]

i have to agree with the above posts. it may take a little more time fo find but you could find a decent iS for that money. Also it would be so much more rewarding to drive than a 316i touring. Get hunting and hold out for an iS i think.

[cliffybabe]

Id go with the above aswell

[snorky]

Cheers people.

Good to hear that they aren't quite as gutless as one might imagine.

I fully appreciate that an iS is a totally different beast but the miles of the Touring are appealing as any iS is going to have done double that and be no cheaper. The reality is (sadly) that living and working in Birmingham, yields little opportunity for 'spirited' driving, and if I get a car that's more likely to last longer it seems more, dare I say it, sensible!

In an ideal world I'd be sliding about in a 320iS but again, I'd be able to make the most out of it for about 2% of the time... The days of busy roads are upon us!

I think I'll go and have a drive of the Touring and if she goes well make an offer...

Keep the comments coming!

[snoops]

that does look a bit steep and there is a great difference between a 316 and a 318is, but for good marks all round look for a 325 whcih has plenty of guts with great performance and respectable economy if not driven lyk its stolen but as you said performance isnt that really important but it is still nice knowing youve got a 6 pot under the bonnet with the extra power on tap

[orangecurry]

buy it

drop a bigger engine in it

sorted

eek - I'm starting to sound like a modder! I must be turning to the dark side..............................

[snorky]

buy it

drop a bigger engine in it

sorted

eek - I'm starting to sound like a modder! I must be turning to the dark side..............................

Sounds like a great idea but having done that in the past I've realised unless you are dead handy with spanners and have the time and space a standard car is so much less hassle, if not as much fun...

[fuzzy]

buy it

drop a bigger engine in it

sorted

eek - I'm starting to sound like a modder! I must be turning to the dark side..............................

id do this,but drop her price a couple of hundred,without service history the mileage could be anything,just because shes an old granny doesnt mean shes honest . best to have a solid base to start with as a bigger engine can be added at a later date.....and welcome to the darkside orangecurry

[snorky]

Update:

I drove the Touring this morning. It drives like new although I did notice it has a cracked front bumper (in red, anyone got one with the lower spoiler still attached?!) and the tyres look like they could do with replacing all round as they've obviously been on the car for aons. Mindful of this I've offered significantly less and am waiting to hear back.

I was surprised at how spritely it was but I guess that's largely due to the low gearing.

Thanks again for your helpful comments. I know there'll be a good iS out there but to be honest I really don't have the time to trawl around the coutry to find it and this Touring is literally on my doorstep!

[Rosc0PColtrane]

I wouldn't buy the first car you've tried. Sensible money sits with the patient man. Door step is convenient though. If you can seriously hammer the price down, then why not. Then with money you've saved, drop some 6 pot rightness into her!!!

New tyres, cracked bumper, make some other frivolous issues up and offer her a grand for the "scrapper" You've already identified enough issues, ie no proven mileage to knock it down loads.

She'll say no if she doesn't want to sell!!

[Morat]

have a good long look for rust, I bet you'll find some somewhere!

[snorky]

Latest news:

It's actually her son selling it but I've managed to beat them to £1300 with them getting it serviced, the central locking fixed and having the brake pads replaced prior to it coming into my ownership. I'm pretty happy with that as aside from the bumper and snapped parcel shelf retaining brackets it's perfect. I know they hide their miles well but there's nothing with the car to suggest it isn't just so.

I'm looking forward to spending a day giving it a really good going over and will post some pics up when I have them.

Another E30 joins the zone!