Some advice on buying e30 325i

[PRZA74]

Hello there!!

I have a few questions ,that i would like some input on, concerning buying an e30 325i.

It seems very difficult to find some decent stock manual ones around.

Q - would it be financially wise to buy a good auto one and then convert it to manual? And what would that cost?

Also, u come across many of them that have been "overhauled".

Q - Is it wise to get involved buying one of those? No disrespect to those that do a good proper job, but some guys are chancers.

And finally,

Q - what are tell tale signs that I can look for, when test driving one of them, or check on to see if it has been abused?

Thanx for any advice!! :thumbs::ty:

 

[madness_inc]

Buy the best one you can afford. Make sure its been maintained and that there is proof that the vehicle has been maintained. If youre looking to do a manual swap start looking for a donor car as well. Simply easier that way. Its going to be difficult to find an E30 in decent shape without paying the moon for it. Good luck.

 

[ChefDJ]

Thread moved to relevant section :thumbs:

 

[PRZA74]

Thread moved to relevant section :thumbs:

OOps!!...apologies!...wasn't sure where to post it.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

If its going to be your only car, dont do it. Simple.
325i's are notoriously abused cars, due to their 6 cylinder note.
1) Check the body thoroughly, especially the front shock mounts and battery tray area for rust, this will cause a leak in the footwell and cause underbody rust.
2) Cold start the car and listen for any knocks or wines on start up. Could indicate an unhappy top end. Knocks would be bottom end unless its loose rockers etc. Tappets are also noisy on these things
3) Check for smoke on cold start and under heavy load.
4) Listen for front end knocks from suspension over bumps.
5) Brakes. The brake boosters often fail on these cars, either that or the master cylinder.
6) Check carpets for any discolouration in certain patches, especially footwells (indicates leaks)
7) If you can, get the car on a ramp and check the underbody.
8) Check the intake piping from Airbox to the throttle body to the Brake booster, all affected by one another.
9) If you not 100% happy, walk away.

 

[Sankekur]

Personally I would not even waste my time looking a decent one.

 

[PRZA74]

If its going to be your only car, dont do it. Simple.
325i's are notoriously abused cars, due to their 6 cylinder note.
1) Check the body thoroughly, especially the front shock mounts and battery tray area for rust, this will cause a leak in the footwell and cause underbody rust.
2) Cold start the car and listen for any knocks or wines on start up. Could indicate an unhappy top end. Knocks would be bottom end unless its loose rockers etc. Tappets are also noisy on these things
3) Check for smoke on cold start and under heavy load.
4) Listen for front end knocks from suspension over bumps.
5) Brakes. The brake boosters often fail on these cars, either that or the master cylinder.
6) Check carpets for any discolouration in certain patches, especially footwells (indicates leaks)
7) If you can, get the car on a ramp and check the underbody.
8) Check the intake piping from Airbox to the throttle body to the Brake booster, all affected by one another.
9) If you not 100% happy, walk away.

Thanx for all the info. It wouldn't be my primary vehicle. I have an e90 330 f/l and a X5 3.0d Performance edition.
This would be a project car that i would spend some time on adding bits and pieces and making it a show piece for BMW get together's and of course...the Sunday drives...hahaha!

But as u said, if i am not 100% happy, then just walk away!

Thanx again!!...and have a lekka evening!

 

[ASH]

Agg, even though old school, the E30 has a motoring rawness about it. It is a pure driving experience, compared to our computer on wheels, traction controlled, vehicles we drive these days.

Personally I would not even waste my time looking a decent one.

 

[PRZA74]

Personally I would not even waste my time looking a decent one.

I have seen them in some bad shape...BUT....there have also been some real gems!!...problem is that the gems seem to pop up when i am away at work and i can't get to them!!...bliksems!:flyfun:

---

Agg, even though old school, the E30 has a motoring rawness about it. It is a pure driving experience, compared to our computer on wheels, traction controlled, vehicles we drive these days.

Personally I would not even waste my time looking a decent one.

ABSOBLOODYLUTELY!!!.....I agree!!....I had immense fun when i had the e30 320.....and the fuel bill to prove it!!...but hey it was loads of fun!!

 

[madness_inc]

Personally I would not even waste my time looking a decent one.

There is a 4 door minter not 100m away from me. Owner will not part with it, and he's been offered 60k cash for it.
He can't even drive it anymore, his wife uses it to go to the shops and back.

 

[Sankekur]

Agg, even though old school, the E30 has a motoring rawness about it. It is a pure driving experience, compared to our computer on wheels, traction controlled, vehicles we drive these days.

Personally I would not even waste my time looking a decent one.

Meh, for old school I rather stick to my e34's. Have wanted an e30 for a long time, but I have lost interest. For the price of a half decent 325i I got myself a 540i6 and still had more than enough money over for an LS diff and a very comprehensive suspension refresh.
As much as I have wanted a 325i....the 540i has an V8 in the front, a 6 speed manual in the middle and an LS in the rear.....that to me is motoring perfection.


(As an aside the e34's are also not nearly as high a theft risk as e30's are)

 

[frs1]

Yes the theft risk, you can't drive to the shops the e30 will be gone. Mine was nearly gone the drivers door was already open !! But still a driving experience and the sound !!!