Went to see a cab today - what do you think?

[PeteE30Tourer]

Following on from my previous post, where i was encouraged by many to return to E30 ownership in the form of the convertible, i went to see a red cab today. The trader wants Ԛ£2k for it, but i'm not sure if that's a good buy or not - what do you think?

1992 K reg 325i, 90k on the clock, new hood (electric). Couldn't test the engine or look under the bonnet even as the trader never showed up. There was a small patch of oil on the tarmac under it though, so there's obviously a leak from the front of the engine, but i dont know how bad. Body work is pretty sound apart from a few bubbles of rust starting on the arches and a few scratches too including a nasty little dent on one of the wings (see pics). The red paint is pretty flat, but that could be polished up i'm sure. Interior is not leather, but looks in reasonable nick. Wheels need a refurb, but are in reasonable condition - one centre cap missing.













So, assuming all is ok with the engine and handling, does it seem a good buy for Ԛ£2k??

[Ant]

Hmm without a test drive I'd not like to draw conclusions yet Pete, looks honest, and in my book thats always a good thing, seems to tick all the right boxes so far, price is pretty keen, but always a lower offer of course.

Looks as though another roadtrip may be in order, that said though, a no show seller ? WTF was his excuse ?? not a great start

[gazza]

i think you have the makings of a good car if the mileage is correct in my oppinion its worth it ....the paint can be easily sorted the engine is the only worry you may get depending on where its leaking from ....2k for the car another 5-600 to put it right and you have a good clean cab easily worth 3k .....try and knock the trader down with the faults if he wont tell him you will take it if he puts all the faults right ....he will think hes about to lose all his profit and may do you a good deal

[pacerpete]

Looks tidy and suprisingly unmolested, (obviously not owned by a zoner!) but remember a tidy leather trim is Ԛ£500 , so with a bit of tlc and maybe a sump gasket, service etc you will be knocking on Ԛ£3000.
On the plus side though a working electric roof is a novelty and a new soft top is Ԛ£600 that most cabs need spent .
The 'champiro' tyres are a bit low rent though!

[pikeyboy]

Its been in the trader a couple off weeks seems cheap , give it a test drive see how that goes not that many around on a Kreg for that price people want that price for E&f reg cars .Dont forget to HPI it it could be on the hit list for some reason or another . Wish I could find a diamond schwartz manual 325 on a K reg for that price .

[orangecurry]

I'm confused - how have you got pictures with the hood up and down if he wasn't there?

anyway - the first picture with the hood down - the rear horseshoe (cover over the soft-top) isn't shut properly - this means motor 2 of the electric-hood isn't functioning quite right

this will be expensive if there are problems rather than just badly adjusted

[Pal318is]

It looks pretty reasonable to me tbh, nothing major externally that can't be sorted easily. Only thing left to do as already said, go for a test drive and see if you can find the source of the oil leak too.

HTH

Pal

[cliffybabe]

It does look honest as ant said whats the millage on her, Any reasont he under panel is missing???

Did u check the eletric mirrors etc???

I'd try for Ԛ£1600

[orangecurry]

and the cover above your knees under the dash is missing with all the wires hanging out - why?

[orangecurry]

beat me to it Mr Babe

'millage' is 90k

[PeteE30Tourer]

Thanks for the responses guys. The hood down photo was taken off the trader's website. I noticed the trim under the dash missing too, but to be honest it was missing from my Tourer also for ages and i lived with it. Easy enough to find one at the scrappy for a few quid. More concerned about the cover for the hood not sitting down properly though - thanks for that tip. Thanks also for pointing out the cheap tyres - didn't think to check them! I'm not too worried about the leather trim though to be honest - would be nice, but not top of my list of priorities.

From looking under the car, i'd say the oil leak was just forward of the cross-member. Could this be from the sump?

The trader has mucked me about a bit so far - three calls not returned, then no show today, though that was partially my fault for being slightly late.

[orangecurry]

I know the trim is easy to replace... but why is it missing? Electrical problems?

just playing Devils Advocate

[cliffybabe]

I know the trim is easy to replace... but why is it missing? Electrical problems?

just playing Devils Advocate

That was my thoughts y is it off lecy prob's, dogy fix maybe who knows

[mrLEE30]

its probably missing as 99% of back street mechanics (not the boyband) dont know how to remove it and they rip the lower piece out on the steering column bracket, so they hang down and annoy.

as said above the car looks like what it is, a fairly rough looking car car that needs a good clean up, my only concern is why does this trader not spend an hour or two to hoover the carpets, tuck the loose wires out of the way, a quick polish and tidy the wheels up? he could put a couple of hundred quid on that car for half a days work? seems strange if he is a trader, seems he is not really a trader or he has got this cab as a tradein and he doesn't really care about how much he gets for it (i.e. maybe he normally deals in high end cars, although judging from the housing estate in first pic not likely), some more investigation into this fella, and as a plus it is a good time for you to buy a cab, end of your pitifully short summer take you time and look around, or offer him 1300 cash (and have it with you in 10pound notes) and see his response. in another month he will never sell this car until next April.

mrlee

[DaveD]

if the electric hood works ok but take the cover of over the motor (under the hood flap) and CHECK the motor casing .a broken one is the most common fault...the flap can be adjusted and all the bits are availible

oh yes and remember this car will have a cat so make sure it come with a full MOT

go get it at that price its a steal

[Simon13]

where abouts is that car pete? looks like it has potential and u want to be taking it away for Ԛ£1500!

[PeteE30Tourer]

Hi Simon - it's about 25 miles from us as the crow flies, but it's a bit cross-country - takes best part of an hour.

If your offer is still open, i'd appreciate you coming along to see it again one evening this week - i'd drive.

Did i see you were selling your Sport on here recently?

[Simon13]

yes my bro in law sold it yesterday to a guy from Guildford who has been looking for a good sport for nearly 18months he said. He seems a good guy and works for an Aston Martin specialist in Chobbam, so it looks to be going to a good home.

Yes Pete my number is the same and i'm free all this week most evenings

[andyp]

Hi Pete
not a lot of money for a K reg cab AND it is 325 and manual which is hard to find as most cab owners will tell you, the one thing i would check is that it is not a 318 converted to 325 as most K plates cabs i have ever seen are all 318. as for oil leak normal for a sump gasket sometimes oil pressure switch.

if you do buy it and need the undertray let me know as i have a spare one.

[PeteE30Tourer]

Si, sorry to see that Sport go - twas a nice motor! I'll give you a ring if/when i go see it again.

Hi Andy - i'm pretty sure it's a 325i - put the reg into confused.com to get an insurance quote and it came up as it should. I'll look more closely when i see it again though. Thanks for the offer of the trim - i'll defo take you up on that if i get it.

[Simon13]

it's probably a 91/92 that took a while to sell at the time hence the K plate. I'm pretty sure 325's were out of probduction by then

[AndrewL]

Just to say I have an October '92 325 manula cab that I bought new. It was ordered in July 1992 and took the usual 3 months to build to my spec which was normal them. They were most certainly in prodcution then, into 1993, although saloons were e36 of course. New cost of mine with leather, aircon electric hood etc was Ԛ£31,000.

Andy

[pikeyboy]

Did you go back and have another look ? If so was it any good ?

[Morat]

Just to say I have an October '92 325 manula cab that I bought new. It was ordered in July 1992 and took the usual 3 months to build to my spec which was normal them. They were most certainly in prodcution then, into 1993, although saloons were e36 of course. New cost of mine with leather, aircon electric hood etc was Ԛ£31,000.

Andy

I bet thats one sweet car!

[RustyRuss]

Looks good mate