Hey!

[Vowlesy]

Well as you can see I've just signed up and this is my first post.

I joined because at the end of the month I will be getting a BMW E30 325i H-Reg.

It will be my first "big" car... my current car is a 1.4 106 haha!

The 325i is very well looked after with only 1 owner from new whos a mate and has 60,000 on the clock. Its standard as well.

My question is... what are the sorts of things I should look out for such as engine problems suspension ect.

Any replies will be great!

Cheers,
Lee

[GingerTim]

Welcome to the zone mate. How much you gotta give for that? Always look out for rust. Are you getting it off a good mate that you can trust? Make sure it's got a fresh mot from a good garage, might give an idea of what your gonna need in the future.

[Speedtouch]

Make sure it's anti-freeze is good at this time of year in particular!

[fuzzy]

welcome mate,60000 on the clock is barely run in so you shouldnt be having any problems for a while yet

[pnd]

it might have a low mileage but that wont stop it leaking as its old. new oils, filters, antifreeze and cambelt if its not been changed recently. I bought a car with similar mileage about 18 mths ago and its been great but has had a few things to sort gaskets bushes etc these are age rather than mileage related. Should drive really well though with that mileage.

[jamesh1977]

welcome to the zone mate have fun with the 325 is it 2 door 4 door? when you gettin the pics up ?

[Vowlesy]

Iam getting it for free because he promised me a while ago. Hes getting a new M3 I think.. jammy... ha!

I know it needs a small bit of welding done which hes been quoted 150 for. But apart from that its fine.. he only uses it to drive to and from work. Ive had a good look for rust and I havn't seen one bit which was a suprise!

Its a 2 door

[jcjdavis1]

welcome to the zone,plenty of advice on hand for all your needs.ps where are you based?

[Vowlesy]

Cheers for all the welcomes lads! Im in Bristol mate.

[Cotty]

it might have a low mileage but that wont stop it leaking as its old. new oils, filters, antifreeze and cambelt if its not been changed recently.

If you dont have the cars history and dont know when things have been changed I would replace everything above, in fact just change all the belts just to be on the safe side.

Also go all over the car elecrically ie try anything electrical to check it works, that includes all lights, indicators, windows, sunroof, interior lights, boot light, dash, computer, test panel etc etc

Oh and welcome to the Zone

[Vowlesy]

Its got full service/MOT history but I going to get the engine recondition and get alot of it replaced.

And thats something I aint thought of yet will check all the elecricals Cheers bud!

[Cotty]

Its got full service/MOT history but I going to get the engine recondition and get alot of it replaced.

I wouldn't bother, mine just tripped over 70,000 last month and still pulls like a train. On a rolling road recently it put out 165hp which is only 5hp down of the factory figures. Which is about right considering the age.

[Cotty]

Just out of interest have you checked out what the insurance will be.

I have just renewed mine at £398 and thats with all modifications declared, but I am 35, full NCB, garaged and on a limited milage policy through Adrian Flux.

[Vowlesy]

Quick quotes are around 2.2k at the minute(Iam 18, 19 in may!).. but I can normaly knock off alot when I get on the phone.

It was a bargin because my insurance firm coverted my 2 years on a bike to car no claims at 18 so I was able to slash around 1.8k off other insurance quotes for my 106! Thats with Lexham

But I got the funds hehe!


Any one got any thoughts on what colour I should respray her?

I was thinking candy red but I've gone off that a bit... then I thought the good ol' black but thats a bit common.. Ideas anyone?

[Cotty]

Quick quotes are around 2.2k - It was a bargin

thats more than I spent buying my first two cars

1st : Austin A30 £250
2nd: Vauxhall Chevette £1,200

I have never paid more than £550 a year for insurance ever, but thats because I started with small engines and built up.

[Cotty]

Any one got any thoughts on what colour I should respray her?

I was thinking candy red but I've gone off that a bit... then I thought the good ol' black but thats a bit common.. Ideas anyone?

Take a look at Twiggy's sig pic its a great colour and very rare on E30's although its a factory colour

[Vowlesy]

The trouble being young these days

Although.. Im fully comp on my 106 so Im covered to the drive the BMW aint I... so I might just leave it till Im 19. Might be my best bet hehe!

Its all a bloody scam! But hopefully I can get it to 1.5 being very optimistic

[Cotty]

Although.. Im fully comp on my 106 so Im covered to the drive the BMW aint I...

Probably not, you need to read your policy wording (those big pages of small print). You may be covered to drive other cars 3rd party but not if you own them. ie you will be covered to drive a mates car 3rd party but not a second car you own.

[E30Adam]

Have you lost your mind. That's just stupid spending that sort of money on insurance.

There's a reason young drivers are given astronomical quotes for cars like this... because they're inexperienced and although dated, the 325 is still a pretty quick car and certainly a handful if not experienced!

[gareth]

I have just renewed mine at £398 and thats with all modifications declared, but I am 35, full NCB, garaged and on a limited milage policy through Adrian Flux.

adrain flux are good but the more modified it is, the better they can do! mine is nearer £500 but i'm 26, parked on the road, 12K / year (not limited), have 2 years NCB after a fairly large 50/50 smack, oh and i have modified brakes, suspension, alloys, exhaust and a 3.5 M30

[Cotty]

Also depends on the area etc etc.

adrain flux are good but the more modified it is, the better they can do!

Note to self, must modify more.

Only joking mine is pretty much finished aprt from the sterio and thats not going to be mad

[m3ben05]

Glad to see another "young" driver getting one of these sweet cars - dont let anyone put you off mate, if you want to have a nice car at a young age the only way is to spend big on insurance, it will be worth it when your 22 and can insure it for next to nothing (trust me, i know)

[Vowlesy]

Have you lost your mind. That's just stupid spending that sort of money on insurance.

There's a reason young drivers are given astronomical quotes for cars like this... because they're inexperienced and although dated, the 325 is still a pretty quick car and certainly a handful if not experienced!

Oh of course, but I look at it this way... I drive my 1.4 for a few more years paying over 1k a year till Im about 21 or pay a little extra now and have the car I really want. No house or loans or bills to pay so I got to spend my hard earned cash some how

And as for inexperiance I know.. But I do drive to my limits and not the cars indeed... Even in my 1.4 I go up slowly through the gears and dont ramp it. I got access to a offroad track so I dont need to go mad on the road and have never felt the need too. But of course 1.4 to 2.5 is a BIG BIG jump but my dad is a Police Advance driver(Military Police not civvie ) and tought me alot!

[E30Adam]

Have you lost your mind. That's just stupid spending that sort of money on insurance.

There's a reason young drivers are given astronomical quotes for cars like this... because they're inexperienced and although dated, the 325 is still a pretty quick car and certainly a handful if not experienced!

Oh of course, but I look at it this way... I drive my 1.4 for a few more years paying over 1k a year till Im about 21 or pay a little extra now and have the car I really want. No house or loans or bills to pay so I got to spend my hard earned cash some how

And as for inexperiance I know.. But I do drive to my limits and not the cars indeed... Even in my 1.4 I go up slowly through the gears and dont ramp it. I got access to a offroad track so I dont need to go mad on the road and have never felt the need too. But of course 1.4 to 2.5 is a BIG BIG jump but my dad is a Police Advance driver(Military Police not civvie ) and tought me alot!

Good man! Welcome to the zone dude, I hope you enjoy it here. Enjoy your car, I know you will but I must warn you.... you'll be hooked and there'll be no turning back!

[Vowlesy]

Cheers ! I know! I fell in love the first time my mate suggested me having it!

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Welcome to the zone mate, just a quick question, no rust but needs welding??

As for a colour, if you like red, you seen the Imola Red that the outgoing 3 series comes it?? Very nice!! There's a pic of a e30 m3 with it on and it looks amazing!! Esp with no chrome wrongness!!

Fair play on the aquisition!!

As for a guide for what to look for, there's a "sticky" thread, titled something like "things to look out for when buying a sport" While yours may not be a sport, it's a great heads up!!! Think it' sin the technical section, someone will put me right!!!

Brizzol eh? Am in Yeovil. Look out for local meets mate, esp the Yeovil Show in the summer, big pi$$ up fun!!

[Vowlesy]

Well that bit of welding was the exception hehe sorry.



That is rather tasty mate! Could be the one!

Ill have a gander at that sticky now .

And I will deffo be at local meets!

[m3ben05]

Hope you got deep pockets to insure one of those at 19 (i can tell you exactly how much it costs if you want lol)

[mbaker]

welcome mate, hope you enjoy your new wheels, looking forward to seeing the pictures! As for colour, check out this post...

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=54194

the consesus is that it's imola red - looks stunning I'm sure you'll agree!

malc.

[fuzzy]

Quick quotes are around 2.2k at the minute

2,2k for insurance thats mad,i thought i had it bad when mine was £900,but if youve got the cash to pay for it then why not

[Vowlesy]

Deep pockets... well deep enough (I earn 350-400 quid a week which isnt bad at 18 eh?)

And that colour is really taking on me! Stunning indeed!

[Gortour]

IF you drive your BMW on your 106 insurance, DON'T register the car in your own name.
Your insurance will only cover you for your car fully comp and any car you don't own with the owners permission...
May be worth dropping the 106 to TPFT to save money if you're not going to be driving it, but check you're still covered on the driving other cars 3rd party bit...
Welcome to the Zone

[m3ben05]

that should be enough mate, an M3 like that will cost you 3k minimum per year, atleast thats what it cost me at 19

Loving the 325 at tho moment tho mate, you should stick with that for noe

[Vowlesy]

Well I do insure the 325 I will sell the 106 and got alot of offers already but its my "backup" at the minute It'd be fine if I got say my step dad to register it then. I know Im covered driving other peoples cars because thats one the first questions I asked when I got the insurance a while ago.
Good thinking!

[Gortour]

You can't insure the 106 if you sell it, and you'd need to insure SOMETHING to be able to drive other cars on its policy...