2nd project E30 325i Convertible

[planlondon]

Hi all,

I am pretty new to E30's, well I've had two in the past but that was over 3 years ago!
I would like to get back into owning one and have the opportunity to buy a project car. I'm no mechanic but up for a lot of hard work and advice from you guys.
So I would like your opinion on this before I bankrupt myself and end up in a world of pain:
1. What do you think an E30 325i convertible 1988 with over 200k is worth?
2. The one I'm trying to buy needs a lot of work - sills, electrics, leather interior, rusted fuel tank, crappy wheels. Is that too much to deal with for a novice?
3. How much money, ball park to get it up to standard?
4. I prefer (don't shout at me, please) auto's, so can it be changed from a manual to an auto?
5. Would I be better off finding a better example and paying full price? I like the idea of saving this one.

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[Dlb26]

How much is the project car, any photos?
You'll definitely spend more restoring rather than buying outright but you can spend years on a rolling restoration and therefore spread the cost. Outright You'll need all the money or finance from the get go and miss out on the experience/satisfaction of restoring yourself if thats what you want to do.
A 200k engine may as well be rebuilt if you are restoring, last time I looked cab sills weren't available, they are deeper than saloon sills, as are the front wings.

[twenty]

Hi all,

I am pretty new to E30's, well I've had two in the past but that was over 3 years ago!
I would like to get back into owning one and have the opportunity to buy a project car. I'm no mechanic but up for a lot of hard work and advice from you guys.
So I would like your opinion on this before I bankrupt myself and end up in a world of pain:
1. What do you think an E30 325i convertible 1988 with over 200k is worth?
2. The one I'm trying to buy needs a lot of work - sills, electrics, leather interior, rusted fuel tank, crappy wheels. Is that too much to deal with for a novice?
3. How much money, ball park to get it up to standard?
4. I prefer (don't shout at me, please) auto's, so can it be changed from a manual to an auto?
5. Would I be better off finding a better example and paying full price? I like the idea of saving this one.

Any advice would be very much appreciated!

If you're looking for a project, a 325i auto convertible, I might still sell mine - having already spent almost 7k on it.

[Tzantushka]

Agree.
Speaking from experience, buying a good one (reasonable body) is the best start.
If you're handy & willing to invest time - mechanical & trim allows plenty to do yourself.

[planlondon]

Thanks guys.
My seller is asking for £4.5k for it. I assume it may take the same again to restore it

[twenty]

Thanks guys.
My seller is asking for £4.5k for it. I assume it may take the same again to restore it

4.5k won't even cover a semi decent paint job, let alone restoration of any form.

[planlondon]

[planlondon]

Here's a photo of it.
Over 4k for a paint job?! I may be underestimating restoration costs!

[twenty]

Here's a photo of it.
Over 4k for a paint job?! I may be underestimating restoration costs!

A bare shell paint job costs around 8k when done properly.

[Cypriotgeeza]

Nice car, looking forward to more pics of it

Yep a good restoration / paint job will set you back serious money these days, hence why alot of people I know have had theirs wrapped.

[planlondon]

By the way guys. What wheels are those, please?
Also how much will it be to replace the fuel tank?

[AlexD911]

Those are borbets of some variety?

You can get new Fuel Tanks for ~350 - 400