Thoughts on this convertible?

[Elsalmon]

Hi all,

I am keen to purchase a 325i convertible. My dad had one when I was born (30 years ago) and have always wanted one for myself.

Have found the following online and would welcome and thoughts/knowledge of the car in question!

Commentary is as follows:

"Classic BMW 325i convertible in extremely good condition. Not concourse but not far off.

Service history, original mileage (87.5k), fresh MOT, recent service, 1st to see will buy."

Price: £12,750

I have asked a few questions and the chap has had it for 8 months but needs room for another car. It has had full service, breaks, suspension and tyres all renewed.

Thanks.

[magpie]

go see it and drive it , put the roof up and down and test every switch , get it on a ramp with a knowledgeable friend or maybe an AA inspection . rust and bad repairs would be my only concerns after a good test drive .

it's all about the shell .

[Elsalmon]

go see it and drive it , put the roof up and down and test every switch , get it on a ramp with a knowledgeable friend or maybe an AA inspection . rust and bad repairs would be my only concerns after a good test drive .

it's all about the shell .

Thank you very much for this! If I get as far as to make an offer it will be contingent on some form of thorough inspection as I don't have the facilities/knowledge to know what to look for in detail!

I was also curious as to thoughts on price. 12.5k seems on the high side and believe it has been on sale since March.

Was also hoping for one with Mtech 1 styling. Is it worth holding out for this or purchasing a car that ticks all the boxes and then adding the various Mtech parts if and when (i'm aware they are rare) become available.

Thanks

[Satan]

Christ £12750 with a steel spare,

I should sell mine for £11k

[Cloggy Saint]

It looks nice but for that price it needs to be more than nice!

[Brianmoooore]

Intensive washer bottle completely empty. main washer bottle all but empty, headlamp wiper module broken off its fixing, some aftermarket wiring.
All give a bad first impression of the underbonnet, and I find that people who don't worry about the levels in things like the washer bottle, may not be too fussy about the coolant or oil levels, etc., either.

[Elsalmon]

Intensive washer bottle completely empty. main washer bottle all but empty, headlamp wiper module broken off its fixing, some aftermarket wiring.
All give a bad first impression of the underbonnet, and I find that people who don't worry about the levels in things like the washer bottle, may not be too fussy about the coolant or oil levels, etc., either.

Thanks for this and exactly the reason I posted in the first place. Didn't want to overload the original post with photos but here are a few more of primarily the engine. Are the above faults fairly serious on intial viewing?

[Cloggy Saint]

What Brian pointed out aren't really faults as such but it could suggest that the current owner isn't taking as good a care of it as he should.

[Brianmoooore]

Interesting that the MOT history only goes back eleven months. Change of registration number? Import?
The 'fail' reinforces my comments about the owner - submitting the car for an MOT test with obvious fail points, that should have already been dealt with. I doubt that the foglights failed on the morning of the test.
The underbonnet points that I noted aren't at all serious - added wiring appears to be neat and tidy, but shouldn't be there, broken mount on the washer bottle is common, and, of course, the bottles just need filling.
I can now see another small point. The negative terminal clamp on the battery is poorly fitted - it needs to be spread and pushed down further.
It's priced at the top end, but is not in the condition to warrant it. It might have the potential to command that price with a very small amount of work, but at that price, the work should already be done.
Underbonnet foam should be black, so has either been replaced with some aftermarkert alternative, or has had silver foil fitted over it to hold it together. Small point, but the correct stuff is readily available from BMW.

[Elsalmon]

Thanks guys for your quick responses. Certainly useful when negotiating the price if it comes to that as he is in Birmingham and I am in central London.

Would these fairly minor issues be able to be sorted by a local garage or does it need a BMW specialist? I am in Kennington fyi.

Yes I noticed the foil should be black having looked at a few posts on this site. I was also wondering what the wires were coming into the boot area on the last pic. CD player?

[Cloggy Saint]

The minor issues can be sorted by anyone with a modicum of common sense and wouldn't need to be taken to a garage. It's hard to make out the wires in the boot but chances are they are from a previous sound system.

[flybynite]

As above really, the body is the main thing as most mechanicals can be sorted more easily. Scuttles, sills, (particularly jacking points), arches, inner arches, wing bottoms, around the rear valance and tow hook all need a good look for bad repair work. Check for signs of water marks in the footwells as it can show rust in the bulkhead

The headlamp wash wipe is out of kilter and needs to work or be removed for an MOT. Check it works properly as fixing it is not that cheap, some bits are NLA new and expensive second hand.

The proper under-bonnet insulation is cheap and readily available and probably doesn't cost much more than the bodge job put on there.

It does not look in bad shape at all but it is not a cossetted example and is very strong money for that, even given it is a 325. A couple of nice convertibles have gone for less than 10K in the not too distant past but it is convertable weather at the moment and anecdotally the wrong time to buy a one

[Satan]

Its a chancer who bought the car cheap tarted it up a bit stuck a ticket on it and wants to make a killing.

[Brianmoooore]

Its a chancer who bought the car cheap tarted it up a bit stuck a ticket on it and wants to make a killing.

Maybe, but he didn't make much of an effort. I'd at least have glued the wiper module back in place and put some coloured water in the tanks.
Bit hard to tell, but it at least looks like all the fuses are of correct rating, including 11.
One thing I can tell from the OP's replies, is that he (or her?) is no mechanic, and certainly needs the assistance of one, preferably one who knows E30s, before buying this or any other E30, especially one that's priced as this one is.

[Satan]

Its a chancer who bought the car cheap tarted it up a bit stuck a ticket on it and wants to make a killing.

Maybe, but he didn't make much of an effort. I'd at least have glued the wiper module back in place and put some coloured water in the tanks.
Bit hard to tell, but it at least looks like all the fuses are of correct rating, including 11.
One thing I can tell from the OP's replies, is that he (or her?) is no mechanic, and certainly needs the assistance of one, preferably one who knows E30s, before buying this or any other E30, especially one that's priced as this one is.

The turkey roasting ally foil is worrying, you know its not a £12k car...... if it was then mine is worth more.

[Elsalmon]

Its a chancer who bought the car cheap tarted it up a bit stuck a ticket on it and wants to make a killing.

Maybe, but he didn't make much of an effort. I'd at least have glued the wiper module back in place and put some coloured water in the tanks.
Bit hard to tell, but it at least looks like all the fuses are of correct rating, including 11.
One thing I can tell from the OP's replies, is that he (or her?) is no mechanic, and certainly needs the assistance of one, preferably one who knows E30s, before buying this or any other E30, especially one that's priced as this one is.

You are certainly correct there. Albeit I prefer to be known as 'they'....only joking (he).

I have always had a passion for cars which was started, as mentioned in the OP, by my Dad's 2 E30s (he went on to own an M3 E36, M5 E39 then a M3 E46). Living in central London I haven't needed a car until now. I have spent a fair bit of time during the current situation looking and working out pretty much what I want in terms of an E30. However, as pointed out, I have little mechanical knowledge (i'm ashamed to say) and so need a car that reflects that. I am willing to learn, have already found this forum and wiki useful and am keen to do bits myself but without a garage and tools some issues will require a more experienced hand.

I do appreciate the advice given and if there are any other 325i verts (pre-facelift) I would be keen to hear more!

[OldEnglish68]

Just in case (I'm no expert!), though you're probably on the case already... Can I add the suggestion that you check all the numbers match? VIN plate, stamp and windscreen badge as well as paperwork etc.

Has the seller sent you the VIN so you can decode it?

Does the switchable auto mean LSD too? Or other extras, perhaps?

[Satan]

Its a chancer who bought the car cheap tarted it up a bit stuck a ticket on it and wants to make a killing.

Maybe, but he didn't make much of an effort. I'd at least have glued the wiper module back in place and put some coloured water in the tanks.
Bit hard to tell, but it at least looks like all the fuses are of correct rating, including 11.
One thing I can tell from the OP's replies, is that he (or her?) is no mechanic, and certainly needs the assistance of one, preferably one who knows E30s, before buying this or any other E30, especially one that's priced as this one is.

I do appreciate the advice given and if there are any other 325i verts (pre-facelift) I would be keen to hear more!

Like mine in London?

[minesapint]

9

The cap on the AFM control screw is missing. We all know this is factory set. If the caps missing....someone’s been messing! The ‘baco foil’ on the bonnet insulation is just a joke & for me sums up the owners attitude to his car. If this has been done to something so visible, what’s been done to things out of sight? Generally the bay’s a mess. Did he say “it’s not concours, but not far off” He’s having a laugh.
This car would have definitely come with an alloy spare wheel.
There is no way you can tell the condition of a car by looking at a few photos.
My advice if you don’t know much about cars is give it a miss for that price.

The observant among you will notice a couple of bits missing from my bay.......the two plastic strips covering wing joints running down each side (I notice they are missing on the car for sale too)! & the two plastic moulding pieces which fit behind the headlights, These taken off whilst doing some bay cleaning. Notice towel over dash on hot sunny day!

[coopman]

Two and a half times what I paid for my vert a few months ago. The interior looks in better condition and it's a 325i vs a 320i, but come on. In Australia that kind of money would buy you something in showroom condition.

[boiliebasher]

General agree with all the above comments. Imho, asking price is way ott, seller is literally trying to take some one for a ride....

There's just too many negative points to
even consider it "not far off concourse". I think the seller is trying their luck and is taking the biscuit. Unless it goes on ramp and it's utterly spotless underneath and an enthusiast whom knows what they are looking for recognises that, I'd stay clear.

The bacofoil bonnet insulation and steel spare is a complete joke and that to me would start alarm bells ringing, especially for that asking price.
Just my opinion anyway.

[paultv]

Is it me or is there something wrong with the top rad hose....also its covered in white goop at the joint...at least it looks like that from what I can see in the photo.

It looks fitted back to front

Paul

[coopman]

P.S. Is having a HLBL not mandatory in the UK?

[Dlb26]

HLBL mandoraty now but not when these cars were made and you don't have to retrofit. My other car is 1976 spitfire, one clueless MOT tester wanted to fail it for no side repeater indicators or rear fog lights until I pointed out it had been through 40 MOT's without them.
As for this car it seems in summary its a nice enough base but at double the actual value.

[mark_i]

Lots of good advice so far and it is a pretty example externally.
EH auto is a bonus.
A magnet wrapped in a soft cloth is a good start for checking for rusty/bogged panels.
The repositioning of the 325i on the boot lid is a worry. Also that the coolant pressure cap is the original.

[Satan]

To be honest the seller could have spent a few quid doing the remedial work and making it look better for that price, seeing as he couldn't be bothered means he's out to make a quick profit and not a genuine enthusiast, have a look at the car but be warned.

[martauto]

To be honest the seller could have spent a few quid doing the remedial work and making it look better for that price, seeing as he couldn't be bothered means he's out to make a quick profit and not a genuine enthusiast, have a look at the car but be warned.

Second time recently I have had to agree with you

Mart.

[flybynite]

Second time recently I have had to agree with you
Mart.

What is the world coming to

Satan will be buying a Baur next

[Be30]

I spy some mud flaps

[Satan]

Second time recently I have had to agree with you
Mart.

What is the world coming to

Satan will be buying a Baur next

A Lotus Exige is on my shopping list, wash you your mouth out, a Baur I'd rather a Prince Albert without anaesthetic......

[orangecurry]

Agree with all of the above.

Check for rust if you go all the way up to Brum, but I'd wait for something better.

My garage queen convertible is sound everywhere except the bottom of the front wings where mud must have sat for years - it had mudflaps as well. So some rust wouldn't put me off - unless it's structural, as you'd always be chasing that.

With the 'big' recession coming, I think a large number of classic cars will be coming to the market when the lack of money kicks-in in a few months time.

Wait.

[Elsalmon]

Maybe, but he didn't make much of an effort. I'd at least have glued the wiper module back in place and put some coloured water in the tanks.
Bit hard to tell, but it at least looks like all the fuses are of correct rating, including 11.
One thing I can tell from the OP's replies, is that he (or her?) is no mechanic, and certainly needs the assistance of one, preferably one who knows E30s, before buying this or any other E30, especially one that's priced as this one is.

I do appreciate the advice given and if there are any other 325i verts (pre-facelift) I would be keen to hear more!

Like mine in London?

BM.jpg

Yep! Although in a black, dark blue or red.

Thanks all for the helpful comments. I have done a bit more digging and most of the comments above are spot on in that he seems to buy various 'classic' cars and then sells them on at a significant mark-up so an E30 enthusiast he is not. Will steer clear as not exactly local to me.

Incidentally saw a nice 325i blue convertible on C&C for about 6k. Chap sold it last week, appeared on AutoTrader via a dealer soon after for 15.5k and was sold straight away...

[orangecurry]

off-topic Satan - do you own the JDM Legacy as well? Nice pair.

[Satan]

off-topic Satan - do you own the JDM Legacy as well? Nice pair.

Yep, that's mine 2003 Auto JDM BP5 GT

Also a Lotus Elise S1

[orangecurry]

Snap.

Well not exactly. Late 2004 Legacy 3.0R Spec.B manual estate in Atlantic blue and 1989 325iC in Cirrusblau.

So I'm 'Mr Blue' to your 'White'.

And I don't have a Lotus, though I have been in an S1 round Goodwood and love the linear power delivery.