I have been offered a white E30 325i with 56K miles on it for £800. It has had one owner from new who just hasnt driven it. The sun roof seal is starting to go, so has allowed a little mildew into the car but nothin too serious. There is only one spot of minor rust on one rear arch that I could see. It started straight away with a bit of charge on the battery when i went to see it this evening. I really want it, is there anything to worry about it not being driven much?
Been offered an E30 325i that has not been driven much
- Thread starter Mac2
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Sounds like an absolute bargain for £800 if it will move under its own power. Especially if it's a sport because the LSD is sought after.
for info on them e30zone is the place to look.
It is at least 18 years old, so 3k miles per year or less...
for info on them e30zone is the place to look.
It is at least 18 years old, so 3k miles per year or less...
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The car has been parked up at his mums for ages and not been driven for about 4-5 years. It was used regularly for one year and again not driven at all before that. Its an 86 plate and apart from needing a clean and a new fan belt seems a bargain. I wanted to bite his arm off but just wanted too see if it woul be a waste of money. Looking at the PH classifieds I could be onto a winner if I sold it but I want to keep it.
Given the age of the car, yes. It's about 24 years old!
Sounds like an awesome find but you need to really, REALLY look for rot. I'd be surprised if the patch you found on the rear arch was the only rust on the vehicle, especially with it sitting for all this time.
Check very carefully around the sunroof (the roof itself rather than the sunroof panel) for bubbling. That's a common(ish) place for sunroofed cars to go, and if I remember correctly it is far from a cheap and easy repair. Another two places I can remember are the scuttle and the battery tray. Other than that you're going to have to check EVERYWHERE and make sure that you have a solid car.
Check very carefully around the sunroof (the roof itself rather than the sunroof panel) for bubbling. That's a common(ish) place for sunroofed cars to go, and if I remember correctly it is far from a cheap and easy repair. Another two places I can remember are the scuttle and the battery tray. Other than that you're going to have to check EVERYWHERE and make sure that you have a solid car.
Associate
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check for rust on inner sills, front suspention struts, and if it has the side skirts on they hide lots of rust. They are great cars, lsd is really necessary, you can pick one up for a couple of hundred.
Sub frame bushes like to wear, very annoying to change. Head can crack if car has not been maintained (dont rev when cold and change the coolant).
One of my favorite cars ive had, just needs a bit more power and get yourself over the the e30zone, its the place to be.
Sub frame bushes like to wear, very annoying to change. Head can crack if car has not been maintained (dont rev when cold and change the coolant).
One of my favorite cars ive had, just needs a bit more power and get yourself over the the e30zone, its the place to be.
Soldato
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It'll need a new cambelt and a full service, then, so budget a minimum of around £400-£500 to get that changed and the engined serviced.
It'll probably cost about a grand in total to get it back on the road and safe to use, excluding the cost of tax and an MOT. At worst, things like new tyres, dampers, pads, calipers, lines, fuel filter, clutch fluid and bulbs, etc. If it cost less, you could stand to do quite well.
Depends really if you want it as a car, or something to make money on.
Do check comprehensively underneath, however, especially at the sill ends under the doors.
Check the floors if the sunroof's leaking. Is it electric or manual? Does it still work?
It'll probably cost about a grand in total to get it back on the road and safe to use, excluding the cost of tax and an MOT. At worst, things like new tyres, dampers, pads, calipers, lines, fuel filter, clutch fluid and bulbs, etc. If it cost less, you could stand to do quite well.
Depends really if you want it as a car, or something to make money on.
Do check comprehensively underneath, however, especially at the sill ends under the doors.
Check the floors if the sunroof's leaking. Is it electric or manual? Does it still work?
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Associate
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unless you do it yourself! when you cahnge the cambelt its wise to do the water pump at the same time seeing as you have it off. but do buy it as they are awesome.
Associate
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Also rot around the fuel tank mounts and rear seatbelt bolt holes (under the sound proofing), and always at the front corners of the foot wells. Once the pokey screwdriver and been got out and some underseal removal has happened I've not seen a single E30 that isn't rusty there!
Such fun cars though, I want another E30 sometime, preferably a 325i!
I used to run 195/50/15's or 195/60/15's on my car, whatever I could get hold of. Feels great on both. Pads are easy to change, rear suspension very easy, bulbs are easy, fuel tank is a bastid (if you have 2 rotten fuel tank mounts like I did anyway!).
I'd go for it tbh.
Such fun cars though, I want another E30 sometime, preferably a 325i!
I used to run 195/50/15's or 195/60/15's on my car, whatever I could get hold of. Feels great on both. Pads are easy to change, rear suspension very easy, bulbs are easy, fuel tank is a bastid (if you have 2 rotten fuel tank mounts like I did anyway!).
I'd go for it tbh.
Soldato
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For inspiration, my old ones:
I think I will probably get it. It looks like your white one Lashout but with chrome bumpers not plastic and cloth not leather sadly. It has been garaged or undercover so it looked almost completely rust free. I will take another look at it and check it a little more first.