Snog, Marry, Avoid? Do I go for this? Advice please

[InsectMutant]

Hi all. I'm new here. I've seen this E30 advertised in a couple of places and I'm in love with it's looks. But the advert says the rear pockets will need doing before next winter, which is putting me off a bit.

Do you think I should avoid the car for this reason? I'm aware the e30 suffers from rust in these places. Is this a reason to avoid this car, does it mean it's rotten? Or is it an easily fixed problem which I shouldn't be put off by?

Something to bear in mind is that I'm no mechanic. And thus I will have to pay for others to do most work for me.

Hopefully you guys can put me at ease, or nip this daydreaming in the bud. Thanks in advance.

Here's the car's adverts:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1987-BMW-E30-325I ... 87300#shId

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2254771.htm

And more photos:
http://s804.photobucket.com/albums/yy32 ... ina%20E30/

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'd either like to phone the guy today, or forget the car today! Thanks

[Jim320i]

First off, welcome to the zone mate!


As for the motor, it looks nice... Are you local to it at all? Might be worth just going to look at it? If not, find out where abouts in Leicester it is, and I can have a look for you if you want... I'm no mechanic either but can check over the basics as well as the bodywork... But the best thing would be to view it yourself and take it for a spin.


Have you checked the for sale section on here yet? Might be something that takes your fancy too.

[B7]

I'm sorry but I'm going to steam in here.

That looks like a molested 4 door turd and for over 2 bags I wouldn't even get out of bed. The ad reads a complete load of b0llocks.

The car is ADOURNED??? with Alpina......???? Morelike someones emptied their paypal account on crap off eBay.

Why quote 190bhp with no proof.

He admits it has issues.

BK reps

For £2100 you canhave the car with cloth trim??? I would think I could yeah!!!

I'd stay in bed mate. It's cold out there!


But he must of wrote this while still asleep dreaming:

P.S. Reg plate is included in sale and is valued at £900. (it's a cheapo off the DVLA for about £399 quid.
With this in mind, this car is worth a lot in parts! As a rough and quick roundup -
leather seats £400 (possibly),
Mtech1 kit £450 (NOT on your life mate)
Wheels £400 ( ),
Rocker cover £300 ( ),
Steering wheel £100 (yes if it's half decent).
So basically please dont offend me with silly offers, your getting a lot of car!! (Actually, I would be getting a lot of TAT).

[Jim320i]

QUOTE FROM AD N PISTON HEADS -

Car with the rear quarter repaired, and Mtech1 CLOTH interior is £2100.

Car with Black sports leather interior (as pictured) is £2350.

Car has been upgraded to run later engine management system which is supposed to free up around 10-15 BHP and 3-4 MPG, but if you prefer the car back on its original engine management ill deduct £150 from the asking prices.

=====================


I'm assuming you wouldnt have to worry about the rear quarter if he is gonna repair it mate. But you would need to find out eactly whats being sorted.

And as for the engine management system, im not 100%, (Someone correct me if im wrong) but is he just running a later ecu? or is there more to it. As £150 off the price seems odd.

[B7]

We have a red 325i auto sat at Si's that has similar issues to the car above, thats a legal MOT'd car that I'd take less than half of what that guys asking! Spend the rest of repairing the issues and a manual conversion and you'd have a bloody nice car that you know is nice as YOU had the work done!

[kieran325]

Have to agree with Trevor.

It's a chancer selling some ram raided Halfords tat.

AVOID would be my answer.

[sweep]

Realistically thats a £900 car,4 doors just dont comand good money.

[Jim320i]

@B7 -


I didnt even spot it was a 4 door!


Was just reading the ad on piston heads.


@InsectMutant
I would take B7's advise and steer clear of it, I also just spotted a few ebay specials on it...


If you have the cash waiting for the motor, just hold out until a good one comes along. And when yout hink you find one,make a thread on here to get some advise.

Keep in mind some people go a bit over the top with their opinion, but if your not going to be doing the work on it yourself, then its probably wise to listen to them.


Whats your budget mate? A few of us might be able to point you in the right direction? And do you want a 325i only or other models too? And it has to be a 2 door...

[InsectMutant]

Wow thanks for the replies guys. And the welcome, how kind, Jim320i, offering to look it over for me

I obviously need my head examined, I honestly thought it looked amazing. And a good price. Glad I came on here lol. I have up to about £3k to spend, and would prefer buying an e30 that's completely sorted, but I think I need more for a minter eh.

edit: Oh and I'm looking for a 325 with mtec1 or 2 kit and alpina wheels would be nice. I think the look is sooo cool.

[Jim320i]

Not at all mate... 3k will get you something special as im sure someone will back that up in a moment... It might not be no sport, but you'll still get something in great condition if you hold out for one.

[Jim320i]

Saying that mate...


http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=180830


Might have sold already but they're about.

I've never brought a minter so I dont know what they go for but I know you can get a nice chromie for that money and less, which imo is the only way to go.

[TPS]

What I don't understand about that car is the fully fitted genuine Tech1 bodykit, with a Tech2 Rear Boot Spoiler?! I would steer clear personally.

[StuBeeDoo]

FWIW, unless I was specifically looking for a project (in which case the car would most definitely have to be priced accordingly) I wouldn't be going anywhere near anything that needs work doing on it straight away.



.....And, IMHO, a £3k E30 should have 12 months MOT on it and not be needing any work on it before the next test (ie it would have had loads of new parts on recently).

[TouringTash]

At first it looks ok but as soon as you read the ad you know its a pup full of tat.

Play your cards a little closer to your chest and have a good look around the zone. Pop up an ad in the wanted section, but don't come across like the money has to go (Brewsters Millions springs to mind).
I would hazard a guess that any car B7 offers up will be a good one. Money saved on the purchase can go on the goodies you want, but have a look at prices for parts you would want to fit.
For wheels its a personal choice I only have bbs's 15"s as the 16" alpinas cost a LOT. I've paid less for a 320i SE, then again with some of these turds thats not hard

Where abouts in Kent are you? I'm near Brands and although I don't have a car to sell if you could do with someone with a bit of an idea about these cars give me a shout

Best of luck with your hunt fella, Oh and welcome to the zone.

[Alex]

probably a turd, e30s Lie so much in pictures go veiw it with a sharp screwdriver

[Felix79]

There are some good buyers guides on here which are worth a read. There are too many chancers on eBay and PH that will happily take your hard earned on what is actually a tarted up turd.

You have done the right thing and asked on here first. There are plenty of good people on this forum who can find you what you are looking for exactly and at a fair price.

Anyway good hunting and welcome to the zone.

[kieran325]

How much is your budget ??

I know a mint sport that will be up for sale in the new year and it needs nothing.

[TouringTash]

He can push to 2.5K but the car will be going to a good home

[kieran325]

He needs to push more I'm afraid and new homes will be vetted

[TouringTash]

I think he says upto 3K budget

[kieran325]

Keep pushing

[Jim320i]

Wanna give him a hint Kieran? If its something special, people can always magic up a bit extra.

[kieran325]

It's not official yet

Extremely good E30's and sports don't come along often.

Why spend 3.5k on a dog eared one when you can have a good one for 5.5k and not worry about it for the next ten yrs or more.

If you invest in a good one now it won't bite you on your arse later on...........

[fluffysflatout]

Just need to keep serchin man, I bought one a few months back there its a real clean one, I had a budget to, but the one bought was a bit dearer but I payed it for somethin good. Looked at many M-tech 2's within my my budget and alot of them were rubbish but the adds said things like "minter" and "cleanest about", it takes alot of lookin about for a good one, but they are there.

[TouringTash]

Remember that the body kits and mudflaps (to some degree) can hide/hold rust in a major way. Even a car that has no visible signs of rot can be a wreck underneath.

[dazleeds]

300 for the rocker cover wtf??? looks like a 323 rocker to me aint worth shit

100 for tech1 wheel hmmm

that adds a blagg all the way

theres much much better out for the money

[Jim320i]

This any good to you fella?


http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 12#2034612

[TouringTash]

oh that does look nice. If I had the cash handy I would definitely have a look at this up close.
Shame I won't have the cash till chrimbo.

[InsectMutant]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. And might I add what a great place you have here. Lots of info, thanks.

I'm just gonna hang on til something catches my eye. I've been looking for about a month now. But tbh I don't really know what I want lol I've been a biker for many years but just fancied a change this winter... and some comfort. And to be able to feel ones fingers and toes would be rather novel.

So that e30 caught my eye. I do love the e30, but I'm not exclusively sold on the idea just yet. The jury is still out. You can get so many cars for £3k. Can get a 2000 bmw330 coupe, 0-60 in 6.5secs is an attractive proposition. Nom nom.

The only things I AM sure on right now is that it needs to accelerate quickly and handle nicely. But I will compromise on these two things for something that looks truly sweet. So that still leaves me pretty much where I started a few weeks back

Hmm, can you get labotomies on the internet these days?

@ TouringTash - I'm in Canterbury. I used to work at Brands. Love that track:)

[TouringTash]

for 3K in this financial climes the world is nearly your oyster. E30's in the snow are a handfull compaired to the modern stuff. Well you know that from playing with bikes in the snow. Did a winter in town on circuit and just got a 125 for in the snow, could slide off without any dramas. the 330 though will drink like ollie reed and that hurts after the initial enjoyment factor diminishes.

325iX

[B7]

My 530 sport is no more juicy than my 2.5 e30 was. In fact on a run it's better.

[TouringTash]

Modern technology FTW, well sometimes.

Blooming M20 heads

[a8dyc]

@ TouringTash - I'm in Canterbury. I used to work at Brands. Love that track:)[/quote]


I used to work at Brands.............what did you do there then!

[TouringTash]

quick Q. when we all get snowed in and nothing is moving what happens at brands

[Duke137]

How much is your budget ??

I know a mint sport that will be up for sale in the new year and it needs nothing.

Are you talking about Beardymats old car (JBU)?

If so, fookin bargain at 5.5K