Chrome bumper 325i

[whiterhino]

I see that every time a sport is mentioned the zone goes into meltdown.
I was trialling the ads today and didn't see one chrome bumper 2door 325i.
Question is.
Are there any decent under 100k well specced 2 door chrome bumper 325is out there.
What a pleasing sight one of those would be

[Grrrmachine]

The 325i was only built as a chrome-bumper version for 18 months, so compared to the 4.5 year run of the facelift versions, and their younger age, you're far less likely to see a chromie.

Sport or not, genuine 325i's have become very desireable cars in the last few years, so the few that do come up for sale command very high money. I wouldn't let mileage put you off though - 60k or 160k is pretty much meaningless on a 25+ year old car. It's the fat wad of receipts for repair work (bushes, filters and fluids) that matter most.

[bss325i]

The 325i was only built as a chrome-bumper version for 18 months, so compared to the 4.5 year run of the facelift versions, and their younger age, you're far less likely to see a chromie.

Sport or not, genuine 325i's have become very desireable cars in the last few years, so the few that do come up for sale command very high money. I wouldn't let mileage put you off though - 60k or 160k is pretty much meaningless on a 25+ year old car. It's the fat wad of receipts for repair work (bushes, filters and fluids) that matter most.

2dr and 4dr pre facelift 325i's were built from sept 85- sept 87.

Two years not 18 months.

And mileage means A LOT when it comes to values.

[pony]

The 325i was only built as a chrome-bumper version for 18 months, so compared to the 4.5 year run of the facelift versions, and their younger age, you're far less likely to see a chromie.

Sport or not, genuine 325i's have become very desireable cars in the last few years, so the few that do come up for sale command very high money. I wouldn't let mileage put you off though - 60k or 160k is pretty much meaningless on a 25+ year old car. It's the fat wad of receipts for repair work (bushes, filters and fluids) that matter most.

Will put your FACT to the test should I sell my Sport

[Grrrmachine]

And mileage means A LOT when it comes to values.

Yeah, I fully agree that very-low mileage cars are worth more (we've had this debate before). But if you're buying a car for yourself, not as a garage queen/investment, then a 160k car with lots of paper (as pony loves to say, FBWSH) will be worth more than a 60k with shagged out bushes and a timing belt of unknown provenance.

[bss325i]

No it wont because worn bushes and a timing belt etc can be replaced but you can't turn back the miles.

If mileage meant nothing then why would people clock cars?

[polsta]

A 325i chromie is a lovely car , I nearly bought a Polaris silver one once

Any 2 door 325 is getting hard to find , more so a nice un abused one that's not on alpina repz, coilovers and all that shite

[polsta]

Most clocking , especially bmws, was done early on after them 1st owner or 2 who clocked up the miles

The vast majorety of e30s have mots missing from a hair cut at some point , I bet 98% of all e30s out there have done more miles than shown/thought, and plenty would of had a 100k hair cut when it was 3-5 years old

ive enquired about asked about and looked at God knows how many adverts over the last few years and there have not been many that have had every mot from new and absolute fully verified milage that all tallys up with service book etc

Even ones advertised for very strong money billed as low milage minter blah blah , end up having iffy history that doesn't prive the milage

[Andyboy]

I had a black 2 door C plate 325i once. Bought it from Southampton Car Auctions, straight as a die. Gloss black 668, beige houndstooth country fabric, steels, DIY windows, no PAS and zero options bar a Blaupunkt Cambridge. Went like a train, sold it to Ste's neighbour who turned it into a track car - that's 10 years ago now.

[bss325i]

Well obviously you have to have the paperwork to back up the history!

And as i have said before, someone who knows what they're looking at will be able to tell if the mileage is likely to be real or not with E30's.

Mileage matters when it comes to what ANY car is worth especially when it comes to classic sought after cars.

[bss325i]

I had a black 2 door C plate 325i once. Bought it from Southampton Car Auctions, straight as a die. Gloss black 668, beige houndstooth country fabric, steels, DIY windows, no PAS and zero options bar a Blaupunkt Cambridge. Went like a train, sold it to Ste's neighbour who turned it into a track car - that's 10 years ago now.

My first E30 was a D reg gloss back 2dr 325i manual. Odd spec of electric windows and roof, recaro LS's, m tech suspension with the yellow billies but no pas or lsd.

[kieran325]

This was my 325 in 1993/4







1986 on a C plate.
Sorry I sold it in the end.

[Grrrmachine]

If mileage meant nothing then why would people clock cars?

Because, as you're helping me prove, people who don't know about cars put their faith in 6 meaningless digits on a clock face.

As a Qualified BMW technician and a lifelong E30 fan, would you advise the original poster to pay for a sub 100k car of unknown provenence, or instead consider buying a car with higher mileage but lots of backed up paperwork? We're just trying to help whiterhino find the right car here.

[polsta]

Of course milage counts and means a lot and values , but if you just want one to use daily or bit of fun and not a a collector piece, then milage isn't the number 1 factor you look at is it , it would be shell and rust

But just saying from my expirience, my old is for example every mot from new had near 200k when I sold it (178k when I got it) , but could of passed easy as a 80k car , easily, and would not of been at all easy to spot, personly i think its a shame people throw mots/history away and hair cut cars like that

[bss325i]

Of course milage counts and means a lot and values , but if you just want one to use daily or bit of fun and not a a collector piece, then milage isn't the number 1 factor you look at is it , it would be shell and rust

None of that is relevant as no one said don't buy a high mileage car, Grrrmachine say it makes no difference on a 25 year old car which is incorrect.

[bss325i]

If mileage meant nothing then why would people clock cars?

Because, as you're helping me prove, people who don't know about cars put their faith in 6 meaningless digits on a clock face.

As a Qualified BMW technician and a lifelong E30 fan, would you advise the original poster to pay for a sub 100k car of unknown provenence, or instead consider buying a car with higher mileage but lots of backed up paperwork? We're just trying to help whiterhino find the right car here.

You never said anything about a lower mileage car being of unknown provenance or worn out or needing work....

I wouldn't let mileage put you off though - 60k or 160k is pretty much meaningless on a 25+ year old car. It's the fat wad of receipts for repair work (bushes, filters and fluids) that matter most.

You generalised and said 60k or 160k is meaningless which is utter crap.

And as someone who now works for a company who specialises in selling sought after and classic BMW's, mileage is a BIG deal.

But then i knew that a long time ago.

Any person in the trade, in fact anyone with half a brain will tell you less miles = more ££££.

OBVIOUSLY you need to be able to verify the mileage, that goes without saying!

[Carmo13]

I totally agree that low mileage is not the be all and end all, especially not to me. If I was to buy another E30 I would be concentrating on rust, condition, then the way that the car drives, e.g. feeling tight with no knocks and bangs, then service history.
The way I see it, cars are designed to be driven and thank you for it.
There are so many variables to consider with mileage, ie, has it been driven mainly on smooth motorways, or has it been driven on dodgy country roads?
The latter may have done less miles but has probably been smashed into countless potholes and caked in mud for most of its life.

[Grrrmachine]

Calm down barry I'm not saying that low mileage cars aren't worth more. Can we both agree on this phrase instead?

"Basing a car's value solely on the mielage on the dash, especially on 25-year-cars, is meaningless without paperwork to back it up".

I know you say "verifying the mileage goes without saying", but that's increasingly hard to do the older these cars get. Which is why I said the paperwork and repair bills are what gives the car its value. Putting any value on a 60k car without that IS meaningless.

My key point here, purely as consumer advice to whiterhino, is something that polsta said: a well-maintained 200k car can be made to look like an 80k car. As long as you don't pay the PRICE of an 80k car for it, then that's a car worth buying.

As for this...

You never said anything about a lower mileage car being of unknown provenance or worn out or needing work....

We're talking about buying an E30. In my opinion, worn out and/or needing work goes without saying

[polsta]

just finding a nice clean un molested 2 door 325i of any history , is a hard enough job as it is these days

[bss325i]

I was going to reply to carmo13 and Grrrrmachine but i really can't be bothered any more.

[hennared323i]

I was going to reply to carmo13 and Grrrrmachine but i really can't be bothered any more.

Got to say it......


grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!

[hennared323i]

How much is Theo's Hartge actually worth given it is a reshelled version of one of the rarest of the rares?

[pony]

Do love a chrome E30 325i with LSD
Looks so retro and understated without the look at me swagger those Sport drivers have!

As bss325i says low mileage cars v high mileage cars assuming same condition low mileage always commands premium. Therefore mileage is relevant.

Low mileage / low owners / FBMWSH is the most desireable assuming no rust

[whiterhino]

just finding a nice clean un molested 2 door 325i of any history , is a hard enough job as it is these days

This seems to be the case.
I nearly purchased a car before Xmas and a kind zoner was going to help me.
As usuall when the word sport or Motorsport is mentioned
The owner has the Crown Jewels.
We didn't get anywhere and my offer was healthy in my eyes.
I think a nice clean,non kitted standard 325i has to be the way forward for me.If the opportunity arises.

[HairyScreech]

Just remeber:

FSH = I have some receipts for oil and filters, done bugger all else to the car though.
Zero rust = Zero VISIBLE rust
Never welded = Likely to be full of holes hidden by under seal
Low mileage = Lots of cold start back and forth to the shops
Perfect paint = Respray
Nice standard example = Steering rack like a bus, seat that do your back in, brakes like the flintstones car
1 lady owner = 1 owner with no idea of proper maintenance
Mechanic owned = 1 owner with a proper idea of maintenance and no time/willing left to touch their own car
Recent MOT = I fixed enough to scrape through the MOT in order to up the price
Requires some attention = all of the above applies

[e30Passion]

I see that every time a sport is mentioned the zone goes into meltdown.
I was trialling the ads today and didn't see one chrome bumper 2door 325i.
Question is.
Are there any decent under 100k well specced 2 door chrome bumper 325is out there.
What a pleasing sight one of those would be

Sure there are! You just have to keep looking and have patience finding them.

[Ianb]

If you really want a 325i cromie in great condition do what i'm doing and build one. I've got a mint 2 door 316 carb shell ( non sunroof ) even orig paint is immaculate bilsteins/ H&R's / Poly bushes, 325 engine/ box etc ( sitting in bits but all there ) in fact i have all except a fuel tank/ pump, and 15in bbs and the consumables eg timing belt kit etc Just don't do what i've done and "take a break " and lose all interest in the bloody thing !

[e30Passion]

If you really want a 325i cromie in great condition do what i'm doing and build one. I've got a mint 2 door 316 carb shell ( non sunroof ) even orig paint is immaculate bilsteins/ H&R's / Poly bushes, 325 engine/ box etc ( sitting in bits but all there ) in fact i have all except a fuel tank/ pump, and 15in bbs and the consumables eg timing belt kit etc Just don't do what i've done and "take a break " and lose all interest in the bloody thing !

Yes i'm sure we'd all love to but not everybody has the knowlege, skills, tools, equipment, workspace, time, will and money to do so!

[whiterhino]

My spanner skills are zero.
I don't have a paedo eye either.
What I do have is.
A good mechanic
A lot of enthusiasm
And a garage to store the car.
To be honest I could of had ajay tech1. The only reason I didn't pursue
Was my incompetence with a spanner.
Buying and paying for every part to be fitted would of killed me,

[jimbom30cab]

Condition is more important than miles. Fact.

A well restored 200k miler will be worth far more and be a far better car than an original shagged out original 100k miler

[pacerpete]

Condition is more important than miles. Fact.

A well restored 200k miler will be worth far more and be a far better car than an original shagged out original 100k miler

BUT if you fix the issues with the 100k car, you will be able to sell it for MUCH more than the comparable 200k turd .

People only buy leggy turdz because they are tight and / or they cannot find a lower mileage one.


Mileage matters , FACT !

[bmandy68]

Agree with Pacerpete and Barry both are spot on, mileage is important and I for one would always look for the best low mileage car I could find, maybe take a little longer to find but worth it in the long run and cheaper than restoring.