To restore or not
Moderator: martauto
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E30Jeevs
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 15
- Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:00 pm
Hi guys on behalf of a good friend who's not on the zone he is after some advice. He has a D reg delph grey tech 1 sport with the electric windowns leathers high comp block etc fully specced. Has 190k miles and stacks of BMW history and specialist. All arches are clean and the shell is 70% good. However it does warrant a respray. The engine and mechanicals all appear to be be strong and healthy. He wants to know is it worth getting all this work done with a view to sell possibly in the future or due to mileage should he just enjoy as a everyday sport? Thanks.
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Pinchy_Larou
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 137
- Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 11:00 pm
- Location: WORCS
I'd be inclined to restore it, sounds like a good base. Any pics of it..??
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daboy3000
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 300
- Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:00 pm
- Location: Croydon
I would say, without seeing or knowing much about it that it will cost more to restore than it will be currently worth, but, keep it for five years and it will be worth it.
That's what I am doing but I intend to keep mine for a long time.
That's what I am doing but I intend to keep mine for a long time.
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pianist
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 396
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:00 pm
- Location: Lancashire
If you doing it as an investment it must be done to a high standard and milage will affect it but like with anything it is a gamble
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pacerpete
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 18165
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Iver heath. South bucks.
If he is considering selling it, leave it alone. He will never get a return on the cost of the work, especially once the bodyshop start digging........
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Skinhead
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 136
- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:00 pm
190k it ain't going to be a collectors car, so limited to lower/middle market!
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ah
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 2518
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: surrey
Tec-1 done it !
Born on the 23 April 1990 320i Alpinweiss ll kabriolett! (SOLD BUT NOT FORGOTTEN !)
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ross_jsy
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 7307
- Joined: Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: Jersey, C.I.
Sell it as is and let it be someone else's headache/wallet drainer
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HairyScreech
- Engaged to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 6265
- Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:00 pm
On what looked like a reasonable shell with the only visible rust being the sills I currently have 26 hours down on getting the panel work straight and doing one sill. I think I am going to double or triple that before I am done.
If I was paying a body shop I would be able to buy a sport for the labor cost alone.
Don't underestimate the amount of time involved and thus the amount of cost.
With UK labor rates you can't make money on anything that needs bodywork.
If I was paying a body shop I would be able to buy a sport for the labor cost alone.
Don't underestimate the amount of time involved and thus the amount of cost.
With UK labor rates you can't make money on anything that needs bodywork.
2.8 development thread http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=170822
m3.3.1 m20 thread - now running, chip needed - any volunteers?
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... =viewtopic&
m3.3.1 m20 thread - now running, chip needed - any volunteers?
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... =viewtopic&
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E30Jeevs
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 15
- Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:00 pm
He has decided to just enjoy the car for now chaps. He is happy to just drive it as is. I explained to him just how drastic the resto could become once the kit is off and digging begins. I will take pictures once i next go over 

