NEED ADVICE: Found an ‘84 318i

[SubiE30]

Hi guys,

I’ve had E30’s on my mind for a long time. Well I found an ”˜84 318i for a steal price however the owner claims the car hasn’t run and just sat there for over 6 years. The body seems alright except for rust by the battery and the paint is a bit nasty (matte). He disassembled it and doesn’t know how to put the wiring back. Should I go for it? How likely is it that the engine is seized or shot? What about the transmission? I never dealt with a car that sat for such a long time and I’m new to the BMW scene. How would you guys tackle this situation? I would like to eventually take this car out to some tracks for some fun if I get it

[Speedtouch]

TBH, it sounds like a lot of potential work and headaches involved, if it's been messed about with.

Perhaps ask the seller why he disassembled it in the first place to establish a better idea of what's involved...

Unless you can get it for a very good price and have a reasonable ability to be able to get it up and running again, I would look for another.

[aimlessrock]

if this is a track build then i gather your looking to put something more than the M10 that's currently in it?-if so then the car will be stripped out in any event so the current engine, suspension and most of the interior will be coming out.

if this a track build a roll cage is a must

[SubiE30]

TBH, it sounds like a lot of potential work and headaches involved, if it's been messed about with.

Perhaps ask the seller why he disassembled it in the first place to establish a better idea of what's involved...

Unless you can get it for a very good price and have a reasonable ability to be able to get it up and running again, I would look for another.

He claimed it was supposed to be a project car and was going to swap the engine. He took it apart and doesn’t know how to put it back together. According to him only the battery and ignition needs to be re-wired.. but I wouldn’t doubt it if there’s more wrong with it. I offered him 700.

What engine would you guys recommend swapping in it? My buddy has an M54B25 sitting around. But I’ve been considering an S52.

[aimlessrock]

..given your comments i would largely ignore the state of the engine and running gear - the shell is the big one, make sure its not a rusted out turd.

if you state your location a local zoner may be prepared to have a look at it for you for some beer shekels.

[arrisbmw]

yes check out the rust info on here wiki.
and check the mot status on line, on gov.uk web site.
i think the mot go back about 10 years. any major corrosion issue should have been pickup here.
has it been dry stored for 6 years ?

[SubiE30]

yes check out the rust info on here wiki.
and check the mot status on line, on gov.uk web site.
i think the mot go back about 10 years. any major corrosion issue should have been pickup here.
has it been dry stored for 6 years ?

I’m in the US so MOT checks don’t apply here. Guy claims it was moved into the garage during winters so I could only hope. The pics he had were in a garage. I haven’t had the chance to physically look at the vehicle but I’ll be asking for more pics before I make the trip. So far the only rust is by the battery he says.

[Speedtouch]

Sounds like the tip of the iceberg - carefully check the whole bulkhead (along with other usual rot spots such as sills, etc.) for holes...

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Rust