E30 318i / noob purchase advice

[josephus]

Hi all,

I'm about to dive into an investment in a 318i feet first - my first ever 'classic' car - and keen for thoughts about the asking price from the community before negotiating the purchase.

Thanks in advance!

Joe

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Here's the spec:

BMW E30 318i
August 1988 registration
Black anthracite

69,200 miles (done less than 4000 since 2002)
2 door
Manual
Petrol engine
MOT passed on April 20th, with just a rear brake fluid top-up

Full service history, including original sales receipt
Timing belt changed at following intervals:

- 1993 / 23,164 miles
- 1999 / 50,334 miles
- 2013 / circa 65,000 miles

Wheels are 3/4 years old. Original wheels come with purchase.
Stereo has been replaced, but original is boxed and comes with purchase

Exterior and interior are immaculate. No signs of rust, was dry-stored for many years.

Asking price: £4,550

[Cloggy Saint]

No sign of rust doesn't mean no rust! Have a good dig around in the known trouble spots.

[arrisbmw]

rust rust rust , check out wiki on here for main rust spots, don,t buy if any rust on the roof. Terminal.

rear brake fluid top up does not make sense. reservoir to topup brake fluid provides fluid to all brakes.

go on the gov web site and check out m.o.t history via reg . look for corrosion .
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/vehic ... -insurance

[arrisbmw]

top money for a 318i standard car. these engines can be a bit tappy top end. listen to it when startrd from COLD.
look for oil leaks . Its probably better if you can get the car up in the air , ask the seller if you can take it for an m.o.t. and have a good look at the under side. a 30 YEAR OLD CAR WILL HAVE SOME rust on it.

[josephus]

Thanks guys. Really helpful.

Here are the MOT failure items since 2013. All resolved in order to pass.

Can't see history via that gov.uk link from before that:

Braking system leaking resevoir (3.6.A.1)
Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)
Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)
Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)
Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)
Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
Fuel hose leaking (7.2.3)
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

[arrisbmw]

yes i think it only goes back a certain number of years . no mention of corrosion is good news,
its obviously had a few issue with the braking system , and a leaking fuel hose and wear in a ball joint, last two you would expect from an olde rcar.