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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Its hard to find an e30...

Feb. 22, 2010 1:50 p.m. BradLTL New Reader

Ok, well maybe not any e30, but an e30 worthy of becoming my project car. I need some help locating the right one, or places to look. Before I get flamed, I've tried several places:

GRM's Classifieds

www.autotrader.com

www.craigslook.com

regionally (ATL, BHM) www.craigslist.org

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=41

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=88

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=224

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-cars-sale/

So I've looked. I'm not even being super picky, either. I am looking for a clean (read: rust and significant damage free) 325is, 89-90, manual, red, white or black for $4000 or less.

I would consider 318is, but the price would have to be low enough to tempt me into an engine swap or supercharger.

325i and ic's seem common, salvage titles, found one that was turbo'd and now isn't, auto-boxes... there are plenty of the wrong car, I need help finding the right car.

Help?
Feb. 22, 2010 2:04 p.m. DukeOfUndersteer SuperDork

same boat as you...
Feb. 22, 2010 2:12 p.m. alleykat New Reader

A real 325is is getting hard to find in that price range. Find a 325i coupe and add a lsd if it does't already have one. Sport interiors are not that hard to find either.

Don't walk away from an auto if it is really nice otherwise. Conversion to a 5speed is not overly difficult and the range of potential donor cars is huge. You have to be patient. I looked for over six months to find one.

CL is the place to find one. Also be willing to travel and drive a nice one home. That is what I did. Also watch the classifieds on the Tarheel BMWCCA website.

Good luck.
Feb. 22, 2010 2:16 p.m. BradLTL New Reader

Patience is in direct opposition to my wife shopping habit!!! :)
Feb. 22, 2010 2:16 p.m. ClemSparks SuperDork

In general, when looking for a specific car, I'd say...

be searching in areas where rust isn't an issue (dreamland), have cash ready at your side, and be ready to book a one way ticked on your airline of choice.
Feb. 22, 2010 2:33 p.m. cwh SuperDork

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/1597656467.html

93, rust free Florida car, has minor issues, but not mechanical. 95K miles, 1400.00. Take to Rennie (He is close by) before trip home.
Feb. 22, 2010 2:47 p.m. alleykat New Reader

cwh wrote:

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/1597656467.html

93, rust free Florida car, has minor issues, but not mechanical. 95K miles, 1400.00. Take to Rennie (He is close by) before trip home.

Not an e30.
Feb. 22, 2010 3:07 p.m. Carson Dork

I found that it's rare to find a killer deal on the marque-specific forums. It seems like everyone either knows what it's worth or like it too much to sell low.

Your best bet is going to be craigslist and to not get discouraged. I know you mentioned CL already but stick with it. Include yuppie and large business-heavy metros in your search. You'll find a higher number of older (and newer) BMWs in those markets.
Feb. 22, 2010 3:42 p.m. amg_rx7 Reader

Yep. A good E30 is impossible to find unless you are willing to pay for it.

Most of them are just too old, too much mileage, sketchy condition, interiors shot, bushings shot etc.
Feb. 22, 2010 4:09 p.m. cwh SuperDork

OK, I'm a big dummy. What years are the E30's?
Feb. 22, 2010 4:13 p.m. Carson Dork

'84-'91 but the OP stated he's specifically looking for a small bumpered 89-90.
Feb. 22, 2010 4:18 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork

Someone near me had one parked for sale, a 325i convertible. I was going to take a look at it but it looks like a hit and run driver got there first. The whole rear quarter is squashed, there might be some frame damage. I could get you the number off the car if you are interested, looks like a project car now. It is located in Belmont/San Mateo california if anyone is interested.
Feb. 22, 2010 4:18 p.m. JeepinMatt HalfDork

I got my '91 325i 5 speed sedan for a little under 2k in June of '08. Mechanically and structurally it was great. No damage, no rust. The interior was messed up, windshield bashed, and a couple dents in it, but it was all there mechanically. Just needed some spit polish. I'm thinking the fact that it was a sedan had something to do with it, and the fact that its paint was a little dull, but I'll take a rough-looking strong runner over a pretty collection of once-moving mechanical bits that just happen to temporarily be in the shape of a car. You'll make life easier on yourself if you open your search to include the 325i and just find a good junkyard lsd. And include '91s too, they're still E30s. Still took me a while, too, and I looked all over those places. Found mine on CL.
Feb. 22, 2010 4:23 p.m. cwh SuperDork

OK, check this one out. 3500.00. It's an '88. Looks real nice.. http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/1574618789.html Again, Broward County, rust free Florida car, and Rennies shop is close.
Feb. 22, 2010 4:53 p.m. njansenv Reader

I picked up a SUPER clean running '89 sedan out of Texas for ~1800USD. They are out there if you look. As noted above, 4drs are somewhat easier to find cheaply...and frankly, I love them. There's a mint chrome bumper car that sold on e30tech for $1500. It was a 318, but looked like a time warp daily driver.

Nathan
Feb. 22, 2010 4:58 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

Remember a lot of E30 325is owners do not know or care if there car is an is. They will advertise them as "BMW 325" all day long.
Feb. 22, 2010 6:02 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

there's an '87 es 5sp on charlotte CL for $3k right now, and at least one 325is as well. i was looking today....
Feb. 22, 2010 7:24 p.m. Sonic Dork

How about an 88? The plastic bumpers bolt on with no mods as the lights and valances are the new style. I happen to know where there is a clean, rust free, very good original paint and interior black 325is that will be for sale soon.

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