The newbie - Advice needed on 325i purchase

[S1M]

Hi guys,

I've been a big fan of the E30's since the 80's finally I've decided to purchase my dream car.

I'm going to view this beauty next week and wanted some advice: http://www.oxonclassiccars.co.uk/cars-f ... 325-sport/

The description doesn't inspire me with confidence i.e. the "Rich family story". Having spoken to the owner he mentioned that DVLA lost the cars log book so I'm little confused if I should go ahead with the viewing, what do you think? The car looks very clean and exactly what I'm looking for although the price is a little over my budget.

1) So can someone assist me by telling if there's a way of telling this is a genuine sport and not a SE with the m-tech 2 kit stuck on.
2) Did all sports not come with a trip computer in the dash? I see this one doesn't have one.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[chatstar123]

Sounds like a lot of money to me considering there's very little history and question marks as to weather it's a genuine sport or not. If you're willing to part with that kind of money then I would be patient and wait for a decent example to pop up.

[Cloggy Saint]

The same car is on ebay advertised as a 'Motorsport', which it isn't for obvious reasons. The 'Alpina' wheels are replicas and I wouldn't buy into the story of registering it as an SE to keep insurance down. My advice would be to leave it well alone.

[aimlessrock]

i would walk away mate- does not smell right.

[S1M]

Thanks for the advice guys, think I did the right thing joining this forum and asking the experts.

If you know anyone selling a very clean example 325i Sport please let me know.

[ah]

The way I see it ,it is a genuine sport or it's not,if your really interested in buying it get the vin number and go off to your local dealership and get a spec print out and find out for yourself .price wise,I know a good spot is commanding top money but 25k that's out the park for me for that car.If it had every shred of history every mot and very very low mileage and absolutely mint and of course a genuine sport fair play,good luck mate.

[martauto]

Thanks for the advice guys, think I did the right thing joining this forum and asking the experts.

If you know anyone selling a very clean example 325i Sport please let me know.

Yes you did do the right thing joining the zone and by the way ....welcome to the zone mate
As you may have gathered , the guy`s know their stuff.
Big joke of an advert

Mart.

[ocde30]

Hi, If you haven't bought your dream car yet I may have found it T Classic Car and Restoration show auction next Saturday 23rd March - NEC. Worth a look / bid

Possibly the best E30 325i Sport currently available?...

Finished in the desirable colour of Dolphin Grey with an unmarked grey Recaro cloth interior
Just 67,000 miles from new and only four owners in total since 1989
Supplied new through David Prentice BMW in Ireland and still sporting its original number plate
Benefitting from much recent investment this attractive E30 'Sport' is a "must" for any collector
Accompanied by a comprehensive full BMW history and all the original book packs

[Cloggy Saint]

Hi, If you haven't bought your dream car yet I may have found it

Link?

[ocde30]

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/19 ... 325i-sport

[Cloggy Saint]

Looks nice but it's not a Recaro interior as stated. A common mistake.

[martauto]

If you buy this then I have a spare "David Prentice " key ring you can have ???

Mart.

[S1M]

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/19 ... 325i-sport

Thanks, I did spot this car while researching. The colour puts me off , it has to be in red (I know I'm being rather picky), if I'm investing that much money id rather it be in the colour I want. I know I'm massively reducing my chances though.

Something like this would be the one: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1011875

[Celrick07]

Hi guys

Just joined I own a 1986 325i and just wondering if anyone knows how I can class it a genuine sport when I phoned my local dealer with the VIN they said the upgrades where
Sport suspension
Sport seats
Sunroof

It has a zellner kit all round would this be classed as a sport or has it just had a few upgrades from factory

Cheers

[Celrick07]

Hi guys 

Just joined I own a 1986 325i and just wondering if anyone knows how I can class it a genuine sport when I phoned my local dealer with the VIN they said the upgrades where 
Sport suspension 
Sport seats 
Sunroof 

It has a zellner kit all round would this be classed as a sport or has it just had a few upgrades from factory 

Cheers

[Cloggy Saint]

I assume you mean a Zender kit? A genuine sport would have left the factory with an Mtech kit so it's unlikely that would have been ditched in favour of a Zender. The other upgrades would have been available as an option on every model depending on the depth of the original buyer's pockets.

[Celrick07]

Yeah my mistake spell check..
Yes I see what you mean the roof lining is grey / cream aswell I was least to beliveve the sports are a black roof lining
Thanks for help anyway

[sweep]

Leave it where it is.

[Brianmoooore]

would this be classed as a sport or has it just had a few upgrades from factory 

A Sport is "just a few upgrades from the factory" on a two door 325i saloon. The difference is that the options were pre ticked by BMW, rather than being chosen by the customer, although there was nothing to stop the customer adding more options (or even deleting some). As said above, the only way to identify a genuine Sport is to contact BMW with the VIN. What is written on the registration document is not reliable evidence.

[Celrick07]

Thanks
I did contact my local dealer with the VIN and they said it did have the sun roof , seats , suspension added as extra but dosent say it's a sport on there files
Im rebuilding the car to keep was just for my own intrested many thanks guys

[Brianmoooore]

Thanks
I did contact my local dealer with the VIN and they said it did have the sun roof , seats , suspension added as extra but dosent say it's a sport on there files
Im rebuilding the car to keep was just for my own intrested many thanks guys

In that case, it's not a Sport. The only thing a Sport has that was not on the standard option list put before all prospective new E30 purchasers, to be pressurised into ticking as many as possible, is a black headliner, although this could have still been specified if the purchaser insisted.