i am looking to buy a 325 sport very soon can you tell me what the main things to look for such as rust spots common problems any help would be very grateful hope to hear from some of you cheers karl
hello peeps new to site
Moderator: martauto
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karl325
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:00 pm
hello all,
i am looking to buy a 325 sport very soon can you tell me what the main things to look for such as rust spots common problems any help would be very grateful hope to hear from some of you cheers karl
i am looking to buy a 325 sport very soon can you tell me what the main things to look for such as rust spots common problems any help would be very grateful hope to hear from some of you cheers karl
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johnono
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 4677
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: land of the vikings
welcome to the zone karl, and u should find all u need here,
all i can suggest is jump into the forum dude and get involved, all your questions and prayers should be answered
all i can suggest is jump into the forum dude and get involved, all your questions and prayers should be answered
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BadDave
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 6012
- Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Nr Aberdeen.Scotland(Gods country)
Welcome
You've done the right thing
Lots of folks on here'll be able to give the info you need.
You've done the right thing
Lots of folks on here'll be able to give the info you need.
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MONSPORT42
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 506
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Portsmouth
Welcome to the zone m8. Mark I or MarkII Sport? Mark Is are based on the series I with chrome bumpers and have a modest body kit. These are prone to rust and there are not many about but good ones are highly desirable. Higher compression engines but have the older L Jetronic injection/management system.
Mark IIs are from the facelift E30 and as such has a galvanised body and should be less rust prone - except - nearly every Sport I've come across has some rust under the bodykit. A true Sport has a black headlining, CR gearbox (400+ autos were also made), LSD, 15" BBS wheels, MTech suspension and BMW Sport (Recaro Style) seats. The latter can get 'floppy'. Floppy gear change can easily be remedied. Windscreen wipers can lose the inermittent action but is an hours job with help from the zone tech articles. Heaters can develop noisy heater fans but again an easy job. Cam belts need to be changed every 36k or so. Engines can sound noisy at the top end but this is usually noise from the injectors which is a characteristic. Engines will easily do 200k
The rest is all common sense stuff for buying any car. Look for general care and as much history as poss.
Lastly, there are a lot of standard E30s dressed up to look like Sports. Make sure the reg doc says Sport. Take your time and look for a good one it will stand you in good stead.

Mark IIs are from the facelift E30 and as such has a galvanised body and should be less rust prone - except - nearly every Sport I've come across has some rust under the bodykit. A true Sport has a black headlining, CR gearbox (400+ autos were also made), LSD, 15" BBS wheels, MTech suspension and BMW Sport (Recaro Style) seats. The latter can get 'floppy'. Floppy gear change can easily be remedied. Windscreen wipers can lose the inermittent action but is an hours job with help from the zone tech articles. Heaters can develop noisy heater fans but again an easy job. Cam belts need to be changed every 36k or so. Engines can sound noisy at the top end but this is usually noise from the injectors which is a characteristic. Engines will easily do 200k
The rest is all common sense stuff for buying any car. Look for general care and as much history as poss.
Lastly, there are a lot of standard E30s dressed up to look like Sports. Make sure the reg doc says Sport. Take your time and look for a good one it will stand you in good stead.


YOUR LEFT FOOT'S FOR BRAKING
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Jesus325iTouring
- Frog freak !

- Posts: 11356
- Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Omnipresent!
Welcome to the Zooooooooooooooone


X5 V8 for thrills, CRV for chills, Range Rover P38 V8 for sooooo much aggravation...
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Post the VIN on here, or ask your local BMW dealer to run a check on it.
This will allow someone to tell you if it's a genuine Sport or no.
This will allow someone to tell you if it's a genuine Sport or no.
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billgatese30
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 10989
- Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Tyne & Wear
hi mate, welcome to the site, look for good history (not nessacerily milage) and check that there is no rust at the wheel arches, sunroof, bottoms of the doors and along the sills. also check the carpets in al the footwells and ,make sure they aren't damp otherwise you could have blocked drains and therefor potential rust patches. if you can pick a copy of practical classics magazine, issue 13, december 2004. there is a good buyers guide in there that should give you some good pointers.
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karl325
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:00 pm
thanks everyone im after the mk2 i looked at an f plate one and it was a right rusty shitter the worst being under where the battery sits rear arches wont no good either was also thinking of getting a saff cossie but think i will get a sport they have so much style for a old motor cheers all

