Offered a Swap...

[Kemix]

Hey guys, I havn't been on here for a while now, after owning three E30's I decided to go for a change and got myself an Audi A3 1.8t. It is a nice car, but I have the E30 bug once again!

Anyway... I've been offered a straight swap for a black 2 door 316i. It is rot free and in very good condition, it has some BBS replicas and is currently sitting like a 4x4! However, it has long T&T and would look spot on with a decent set of shocks/springs or coilovers. He has also agreed to put the standard wing mirrors back on (thank god).

Question is, do you think its worth swapping for my Audi?

This is my A3:
http://www.swapz.co.uk/swapz/4208556/Audi_A3_1_8T/


The E30:
http://www.swapz.co.uk/swapz/4218232/Bmw_e30/

I will eventually be looking to do an engine conversion so the shell is whats tempting me.

Sam

[pac1982]

the fact that its been painted recently its going to be quite hard to spot if it is really a good shell or not unless you know what your looking for.

A fresh respray can hide so many woes and you wont really know about them till the rust starts showing again

[Kemix]

the fact that its been painted recently its going to be quite hard to spot if it is really a good shell or not unless you know what your looking for.

A fresh respray can hide so many woes and you wont really know about them till the rust starts showing again

I didn't think of that. He has just informed me it was done in August. :/ I really am stuck on what to do.. the idea of a swap just seems so hassle free.

[pac1982]

the fact that its been painted recently its going to be quite hard to spot if it is really a good shell or not unless you know what your looking for.

A fresh respray can hide so many woes and you wont really know about them till the rust starts showing again

I didn't think of that. He has just informed me it was done in August. :/ I really am stuck on what to do.. the idea of a swap just seems so hassle free.

in my experience alot of people who use the swapz site or want to swap the car are doing so because it proving hard to sell

If it were me I would rather buy an honest old car showing a few signs of rust here and there that way when you get it sorted you know its gonna be done right.

If he can offer you a few photos of before, during and after the respray then happy days if not I would avoid or at very least take someone along with you who knows how to spot a bodge/cheap job

[Kemix]

He hasn't advertised on any other sites as far as I know. I would be able to spot a cheap paintjob and I know the main places these e30's rot. I will request some pictures of the process but to be honest I doubt he will have any. Not looking promising.

[pac1982]

I would be able to spot a cheap paintjob

its not so much a bad paintjob you are looking for its cheap repairs under the paint.

Bear in mind just because someone can paint well dont make them good at welding, rust repair etc etc

[Kemix]

Ok so I got this response to the photo question:

"I didn't mate no but rear arches inner and outer and rear valance welded up, all rubbed right back and primed then sprayed and buffed out"

Would you recommend that I left it. He is willing to meet me half way which is still a mammoth journey. I would like to know what people thought about this!

[Blitz]

The car will be rubbish.

[Kemix]

The car will be rubbish.

Lol Thankyou Blitz for your brutal honesty!

[Warrior]

Keep the a3 and sell it privately and then go get a e30, inner rear arches are a danger with cost to repair when it comes to rust with e30 cars.... But butter off buying something honest like the other lads said

[mcbonio]

I would not get rid of my daily driver car for an e30. As much as I love them they are weekend cars and are no replacement for a modern daily driver.

Keep your A3 and save up for an e30, have both.

[Jim320i]

I would walk away. It will be a hound.

Sell your A3 and then look at buying an e30.

[Warrior]

I agree Jim, and mcbonio unless u have a showroom car or a banger with no maintenance I don't see why you can't use an e30 as a daily drive? I have a mk4 gti that does 20mpg and I manage although not very well haha

[ROC]

I would not get rid of my daily driver car for an e30. As much as I love them they are weekend cars and are no replacement for a modern daily driver.

Keep your A3 and save up for an e30, have both.

Out of interest, why do you say that?

[mcbonio]

Sorry guys but E30s are not as safe as modern cars, they have no traction control, no airbags, no stability control.

If you're a single fella blazing round in your e30 alone, then fine go ahead. But if you have 2 little ones under 6 like me then no you have to consider their safety too, thats why I don't think e30s are as safe as a modern car. I would only have one as a weekend/tinker car.

[pac1982]

Sorry guys but E30s are not as safe as modern cars, they have no traction control, no airbags, no stability control.

If you're a single fella blazing round in your e30 alone, then fine go ahead. But if you have 2 little ones under 6 like me then no you have to consider their safety too, thats why I don't think e30s are as safe as a modern car. I would only have one as a weekend/tinker car.

[mcbonio]

LOL

[ROC]

Sorry guys but E30s are not as safe as modern cars, they have no traction control, no airbags, no stability control.

If you're a single fella blazing round in your e30 alone, then fine go ahead. But if you have 2 little ones under 6 like me then no you have to consider their safety too, thats why I don't think e30s are as safe as a modern car. I would only have one as a weekend/tinker car.

Very fair points, my kids travel in the Touring, makes you think though.

[jimbom30cab]

Chris , you are making me feel guilty now.

Ref the kids in the e30.



I'd take the A3

Using an e30 as a daily runner is an emotional rollercoaster

[Speedtouch]

Nowt wrong with a decent E30 as a daily driver. They are pretty sturdy cars, and not too bad in prangs, so long as it's not a side-impact.

I know, I put one into a central reservation crash barrier at 70 mph and walked away without a scratch!

[fredbloke]

I agree Jim, and mcbonio unless u have a showroom car or a banger with no maintenance I don't see why you can't use an e30 as a daily drive? I have a mk4 gti that does 20mpg and I manage although not very well haha

20mpg :O how thats crazy low.

[Kemix]

Thanks for all the replies... I've always loved E30zone compared to other members forums (audi sport ahem!).

I have had 3 E30's over the past few years, all have been my daily driver and I have no problem with that. But if you guys genuinely think this 316 is going to be a dog then I will steer clear and put the A3 up for sale. I am quite disappointed, however its best not to rush into things, which is why I came here for some advice.

The guy did message me earlier saying that he had done all the welding and painting himself. I did a background check on the car and it is taxed and MOT'd to the correct dates he stated, also has no recorded damage/accidents and is showing as insured on the police database.

To be honest I'm not sure how much I will fetch for my A3, I have invested a lot of time and money into it to get it where it is but the E30 dream is still there aghhhh!

[Warrior]

Kemix

This is my opinion,.......

There are many cars not just e30 out there and although your research returned no recorded damage that does not mean its straight, I'm sure that there are plenty of people just on here that have dinged they're cars and repaired them with their own money rather than an insurance claim? Having said that I bet that most of the guys on here have done a proper job cos they love their cars and have a wealth of knowledge.... So to the point... Just cos it's not recorded doesn't make it straight

As for the safety features...... Mcbonio had some valid safety points but.... There are plenty of cars on the road that don't have airbags, and a fair few that don't even have power steering.... People buy what they can afford and not everyone is lucky to get new toy with all the tricks... If you drive safe and pay attention you will be as safe as you can within your remit which puts you in a better category than most

I personally would either sell the a3 and get a really well maintained E30 or save and then get one as a second car.... But the one you posted does ask me a couple of q's

1) his cheap eBay wheels tells me budget budget budget
2) why do all that painting/welding to sell the car? Did he have a prang?

Unless your in a trusted environment people WILL lie to sell you a car. TRUST ME it's happened 3 times to me.

Good luck with it all

[Speedtouch]

The photos don't really give a true indication of the condition; they say never buy a car in the rain, as it hides a multitude of sins!

It appears to be satin black, but maybe it's gloss that hasn't been polished since the respray...

[Warrior]

Any zoners know any history on it?

[zd3bx]

No one mentioned it so far, but if you're going to get back into an e30, don't torture yourself buying a 316i...

320i or better 325i.

E30 without a straight six is not a BMW...M3 excluded

And that stretch on the rear tyres

[Kemix]

Lol was planning on m50 conversion ready for the summer. Told the guy I'm going to leave it now. Thanks for all your input. . Really appreciate it and probably saved me a load of hassle/stress.

[mcbonio]

Also if you fit an inline 6 engine to a 316i shell you'll have to convert the brakes and suspension to 325i spec as they are all uprated to cope with the extra weight and speed. Much more work involved.