SA 325IS prices P1SSING ME OFF!!!

[Hyperion]

I just about had it with the prices for IS's over they have just sky rocked not a chance i am gonna get one. I think IS's are the only E30's that have apprceiated in prices!!!!
I have been looking at the prices for cars that are selling in the UK and compared to prices you guys pay its its highway robbery over here!!!!!

I was looking on the local autotrader the cheapest one i found is selling for 7000 pounds and the most expensive one for 8100 pounds. its mad i tell you!!!

[E30BeemerLad]

are these original south african cars and therefore rust free?

[dazleeds]

:yeahthat: yours will prob be in much better condition

[Hyperion]

they are original SA built cars, but SA cars rust too, maybe not as bad as UK cars but they Rust. I am in a pretty dry area in inner SA, and i am starting to get some surface rust on my door arch.
I am gonna post the adverts for the cars.

[dazleeds]

yes but as u say yours is just starting fella and i would imagine yours would be far better than a uk car of this agegroup

[E30BeemerLad]

do UK cars come up for sale there ever?

[Hyperion]

here is the cheapest:

its a coatly car, so there is a good chance it has rust somewhere.

Here is the most expensive one:
he is actually selling it for 11000pounds but he will take his sound system out and sell it to you for 8000pounds?!?!

[iDreamBeemer]

Dude, have you considered buying a UK one and importing?

I have no idea of export tax and all that, not meant as flippant remark but how much can it be to stick in on a boat...?

As it is second hand and tax paid in UK it should be exempt so it would be re-registration and transport (maybe transport insurance?)

I don't know, I mean how bad is the price difference, and how enthusiatic are you?

Just a late night thought, might be a load bo**ocks but you nver know

[Jimbob]

That second one is a 2.8 for starts, so in comparsion to the red one it's a better price.

Are SA 325i's 5 stud?

[pacerpete]

Remember men, south african 325 ISs have a 2.7 alpina spec motor 5 stud wheels and lots of alloy panels. They are substantially different and better cars than the uk models , all SA cars will have a/c and probably leather. I believe there was a red 325 IS for sale a while ago i think it was 6K ish , i wonder where it ended up ?.

[Jimbob]

I remember WLN had that red one. I've probably read somewhere they were 2.7's, schoolboy error eh pete!

[Hyperion]

The SA models are all 4 stud models. They had anti rust treatment done to the bottom of the car.
After reading some of the responses i can tell that you guys wont mind paying the premium for one of these cars, because of some of the points stated above. But what you guys are forgetting is that these plus points go for all the E30's over here, so there is no real justification for these guys to price there IS's at such a high price. They are pretty much doubling the price because it has 2 doors, mags and says IS on the back.

The best is if i had the money and say bought the "cheap" IS for 7000, from a dealer, and then took it back the next day for a trade in, they would only give me say 4000 if i'm lucky. If had to ask them why, they would say some shit like its the market value, its a old car, they have problems, needs work etc, then same dealler then puts the car on the lot for 7000 again.

I think angry about 2 things:
1) i cant afford an IS
2) i am kicking myself for not buying one 2-3 years ago, when really good ones were going for about 4000
3) i cant stand people ripping off other people

I think a very good condition IS with low Km's should sell for around 5400 and no more.

Oh and about the importing idea, i have been thinking about it as well, but just need to find out more about the cost involved.

[jmc330i]

I found this about the SA 325iS...

325iS Evo I 1990 model has 145kW, aluminium bonnet,doors,fenders,
2.7 litre M20
324d Crankshaft, Alpina pistons,cam,Motronic unit,Cyl Head
Mostly M3 suspension(5bolt wheel pattern), 3.73:1 LSD, 5Spd CR Sport Box,
iS bodykit

325iS EvoII same as above but returned to all steel body components
155kW 2.7 with following changes from EvoI:different Part# Alpina head,now uses Alpina throttle housing and intake manifold,new Alpina Motronic unit, 3.91:1 LSD and a few more M3 suspension components(lower ground clearance)with an underbody panel for aerodynamics improvement.

If Ive done my sums right, then the Evo 1 is pushing out 195bhp and the Evo2 is around the 208bhp mark.
TBH, I wouldnt mind paying around Ԛ£7k for a SA 325iS with those mods, especially if it was in better condition than ours over here.

I mean, by the time you buy a decent UK 325i Sport and spend out on the engine mods, M3 suspension, ally panels (if you can find them) and any labour costs and body work etc, your going to be getting close to that figure anyway.

I guess theres some issues with import costs, but I must admit that if I wasnt doing the S50 conversion, I would consider importing one.

But what you guys are forgetting is that these plus points go for all the E30's over here, so there is no real justification for these guys to price there IS's at such a high price. They are pretty much doubling the price because it has 2 doors, mags and says IS on the back.

I understand what youre saying and I guess its the same with our 325ise and Sport for example. The Sports seem to go for more money because its a Sport - it doesnt even say 'Sport' on the back. Other than a few Mtech bits, they are basically the same car - the Sport engine is the same as the basic 325i engine.

But the SA 325iS would be considered a highly modded 325i Sport here in the UK and you got it as standard. If you were to import a UK model, how much would it cost you to bring up to the SA spec - 2.7ltr, Alpina bits, M3 suspension etc?
If its less than the Ԛ£7-8000 the SA models seem to go for, including the import costs then it would be an idea. But I reckon you would have the same problem as I said above - by the time you buy a decent UK 325i Sport, import it and then turn it into an equal SA 325iS it will cost just as much anyway.

I think our UK spec Sports should of been the same spec as the SA iS, to set it aside from the other 325i models, I dont know why BMW didnt do it, but I think they should of.

[Stevin]

Boet... those cars r getting more and more expensive cause they only made just over 500... and I can tell u now most of them r either written off, or thrashed to death. So the ones in good condition r gonna cost a premium.... like the Superboss.

BTW... The one member on here Rowen... I think he was offered R120 000 for his 325iS ... thats how much u pay for a nice E36 M3 German Spec.

I know loads my other mate with 2.9lt and 18" wheels was selling his for 75k... I'm still gonna own one.. probably buy a thrashed one and restore it... cause I'm that kind of person... for a thrashed on u could probaply pick one up for around R45 000

[Stevin]

I found this about the SA 325iS...

325iS Evo I 1990 model has 145kW, aluminium bonnet,doors,fenders,
2.7 litre M20
324d Crankshaft, Alpina pistons,cam,Motronic unit,Cyl Head
Mostly M3 suspension(5bolt wheel pattern), 3.73:1 LSD, 5Spd CR Sport Box,
iS bodykit

325iS EvoII same as above but returned to all steel body components
155kW 2.7 with following changes from EvoI:different Part# Alpina head,now uses Alpina throttle housing and intake manifold,new Alpina Motronic unit, 3.91:1 LSD and a few more M3 suspension components(lower ground clearance)with an underbody panel for aerodynamics improvement.

Just one thing here the 325iS Evo1 has the same head as a 325i... just a different camshaft. Where the Evo2 has the Aplina head (which the only difference is the Valve size is matched, They r both the size of the bigger valve (can't temember but I think it's the exhaust valve) this was to improve midrange torque)... Dunno why this is about Alpina ECU ? Never heard that B4, but I do know that it uses a Alpina AFM (same as the M30 one )

[spoon320]

I think your looking at 2K to ship from UK to SA and vice versa - basically you are paying for a 20' container on a big ship so weight is not an issue.

Hmmm!!!!!!!!!

I wonder how much a 40' would be (and how many bits/cars could be fitted in)

[Rajie]

Hi there all you beemer fans.
i just entered the site.It looks really cool an also exiting.
I totally agree with you on the prices on e30's in South Africa.because im currentlly looking for a 325 i. Veiwed many ,but the prices are outrageous.They dont even look to good for those prices.iam also driving a 2 door 318 i.its a very good car,but sorry to say i need some power under my feet and i think a 325 i should be perfect.

[Stevin]

Plus import Taxes... and our r hectic

[spoon320]

Welcome Rajie.

Stevin - I was thinking more of getting some unrusty bits/cars (not neccessarily rare models but good 318/320's - especially ones with aircon) and bringing them over here!

[jmc330i]

Stevin - I was thinking more of getting some unrusty bits/cars (not neccessarily rare models but good 318/320's - especially ones with aircon) and bringing them over here!

You thinking of going into business

[Stevin]

Yeah... Air Con

I've actually taken my air con belt off... less drag on the motor.

[Stevin]

Hi there all you beemer fans.
i just entered the site.It looks really cool an also exiting.
I totally agree with you on the prices on e30's in South Africa.because im currentlly looking for a 325 i. Veiwed many ,but the prices are outrageous.They dont even look to good for those prices.iam also driving a 2 door 318 i.its a very good car,but sorry to say i need some power under my feet and i think a 325 i should be perfect.

Just keep the 318i... and go to Budler, and let him drop in a M20 2.8lt stroker for about 30k... or even do S50B30 swap for about 40k... Thats what I would do

[jmc330i]

Boet... those cars r getting more and more expensive cause they only made just over 500... and I can tell u now most of them r either written off, or thrashed to death.

Thats a shame if there were that few made. Still, sounds like you have plans to restore one of them at least

[Stevin]

Yeah, got good memories of them back in the day when they used to duel with the Opel Superboss (it was a Opel 2.0lt 16v... like u got in europe, but with a Cosworth head, and Shrick cams...and a freeflow) Officially it was known as the Opel 2.0lt 16vS

[Nostrils]

I have just learnt something new on this thread! I knew of the SA 325iS through the advert at WLN months back and liked what I saw.....but the details of the differences/types really surprised me.

I have always had a soft spot for the sport, but if a SA turned up here I was looking or could afford it, I would certainly consider it.

I think the market in UK/IE is very boyant with owners buying from both mainlands. People have come to realise what a good car the Sports are and what you can get for your money aswell as the admiring looks!

[spoon320]

You thinking of going into business

The thought had occured to me

Goin over there on holiday Feb/March next year. I guess I'll have to do some digging on shipping costs.

I've actually taken my air con belt off... less drag on the motor.

Belts can always be put back on - it's a hell of a selling point over here

[Stevin]

A car I would like to have is the 320iS... with the 2.0lt S14, that would be a cool car to own

[Hyperion]

wow, i only got to log on now, damn check out all the responses. I just had a dream of owning a nice IS. but it looks like the dream is getting further and further away. I need to get a better paying job, start saving, STOP GOING TO TEAZERS!!!! :D

I suppose i could get a uncared one, and build it up again, to my liking.

And whole importing an IS from the UK sounds like a lot of work.
BUT i would look into importing a Cab (when i have the money ), because we never got the fully open cab only Baurs over here, that would look very cool in my garage.

[Stevin]

wow, i only got to log on now, damn check out all the responses. I just had a dream of owning a nice IS. but it looks like the dream is getting further and further away. I need to get a better paying job, start saving, STOP GOING TO TEAZERS!!!! :D

I suppose i could get a uncared one, and build it up again, to my liking.

And whole importing an IS from the UK sounds like a lot of work.
BUT i would look into importing a Cab (when i have the money ), because we never got the fully open cab only Baurs over here, that would look very cool in my garage.

My cousin is the DJ at Teazers Rivonia

[Hyperion]

Stevin we gotta meet for certain reasons...........

[e30_Turbo]

I think your looking at 2K to ship from UK to SA and vice versa - basically you are paying for a 20' container on a big ship so weight is not an issue.

Hmmm!!!!!!!!!

I wonder how much a 40' would be (and how many bits/cars could be fitted in)

You can fit three saloon cars in a std 40ft container, but due to the way they have to be loaded I would only recommend you load two at a time. I have seen two saloons and a toyota previa in one 40ft, but they had slung one car from the roof and and th other car was underneath, the hanging one was strung by it's wheel bolts, so was a total arse to remove. It also scratched and dented the car below, so not such a good plan.

I could get some rates if you were considering this, I work in that industry and have access to customs, shipping lines, dock company etc and can clear goods etc from my desk

But I would think you would need to ship two cars to make this worth while, one for you, one for sale.

I've been involved with so many car imports/exports over the years and they all make money some how, apart from the rich peeps that just ship their cars all over the world because they can

These days it's all rice or exotic cars, don't think I've ever shipped or imported a e30 before

[Hyperion]

I once read in a Classic car mag, that all the classic car die hards were in a flat spin over the exporting of our cars to the UK. What was happening, was UK buys wanted a SA car so the sells started putting up the prices, but the UK guys kept coming for more, i heard of a old merc coupe that was sold for 3 times its real worth!, and the UK guy was quite happy to pay it. So whats happening is the classic cars are getting very expensive, for SA guys to buy.
So in other words DONT START IMPORTING 325IS JUST YET, let me buy one first then you guys can run the prices up the roof!!!

[Sompie]

there is one other thing that is a big problem u forgetting to mention about owning an IS, is that its one of the target cars [more desireable] along side the VW caravelle and so on... [i am from Pretoria, Mamelodi]. so isnt it also a bit of a risk driving one? any BMW as a matter of fact.

[Stevin]

there is one other thing that is a big problem u forgetting to mention about owning an IS, is that its one of the target cars [more desireable] along side the VW caravelle and so on... [i am from Pretoria, Mamelodi]. so isnt it also a bit of a risk driving one? any BMW as a matter of fact.

Yeah, they tried to hoghjackme once on the highway coming from Randburg just when u goin past SOWETO, they tried to push me off the road, they were driving a 325iS, and I couldn't out run them... I went across the middle of the highway and jumped on the brakes, hit a ditch, and bent my left control arm, so that the wheel was against the back of the arch... one guy jumped out of the car with a gun, so I just planted it and drove the car like that... Thats the most scared I've ever been in my life.

Then those cars r targeted often... and even more so now, that the 325iS is getting harder to find... also I found that they r going for E36 M3's and E46 330i's now... Caravelles ( I know my father used 2 own 2, and now owns a Microbus) ... They also seem to like those Golf Life's... especially if they r black

[Hyperion]

damn bastards, glad you made it out Stevin.
I think i should leave the bm at home and get myself a cortina from brakpan, thats not gonna get hijacked...