Was browsing a vehicle auction website like one normally does. Saw this E30 on it and no one bidded anything, but it's still an E30.
Figured why not, can't hurt to try. Put a max of $350. Wasn't expecting it to win. I honestly never do.
Got an email saying I won it for $320.
Has no keys for it. Interior is trashed.
Found the PO on Facebook and they say the "engine is new and the trans is good" but uh...yeah. I'm not expecting much.
I'm not even sure what the plan for this thing is, tbh, other than see if it even runs and find a cheap likely not E30 seat from the junkyard that'll fit for now.
Does the former owner have a key?
In reply to John Welsh :
First thing I asked him and he said no. He did mention someone tried to break in to the trunk through the lock and that no longer works...
I did see a full used lock set on eBay w/ a key so I'm likely stuck ordering that so I could replace the trunk lock, too. I already ordered three spares in the meantime while I think about it.
The Ultimate Rallying Machine
I wouldn't say no to some sort of a rally build...No child seat brackets or locking seatbelts, so I know SWMBO would say no to it being my DD.
In reply to stuart in mn :
Yes sir. '86 325e. PO said the "engine was new" and when I asked if he swapped in the 2.5l, he then said that the PO to him did and he actually never checked what engine was in it.
The hood latch cable is disconnected, so if it warms up just a few degrees, I'll hook it back up and see what's in it. Or just grab a pair of pliers and pull.
Worst case you can go to the dealer with the VIN and get a key. They’ll have it in a couple of days as they are stored in NJ. I think I paid $40.
Alright, likely just gonna get the key from the dealer. I'll wait until the uncuts come in and if they're able to (to save me money) just cut them.
As far as the engine/hood goes, thanks to YouTube and a long flathead, I was able to take a peak as to what I got!
Sadly it's just the 2.7l. I was looking in to swapping the head for the 2.5 head, but apparently it's not all that worth it unless I do a lot more.
I’ve got an 86 eta I use as a track car. It’s not a terrible motor if you run it for what it is. I put a chip in the thing for a little more rev to redline and it pulls pretty hard at lower speeds.... lots of torque. Big tracks with long straits are painfull, but tight twisty stuff is lots of fun. Get an lsd diff. 2.79 ratio (needed for short rev range) is relatively cheap. Gearing in the trans is stupid low. Like stump pulling range for first too so the 2.79 works well.
best thing about that motor is it’s nearly bulletproof. Do the timing belt and it will last forever.
