Author Topic: too much? (Read 6042 times)

polkadot_boxerman · « **on:** January 27, 2010, 02:50:45 PM »

Ok. So I'm new to the m42 world. I've been a member of e30tech.com for some time now. Finally getting another e30 again and looking at this one. Let me know if you think that it's too much. or too many miles. I have more pictures that I could post, everything looks good on the car.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/1555173973.html

Chalino · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2010, 03:04:40 PM »

At first glance it does seem expensive @ 300K miles.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2010, 03:16:11 PM »

If the interior is flawless, dash has no cracks, engine compression checks out, no mystery leaks, it might be worth that much. I'm not sure anyone will hit him with an offer though. If you don't know these cars, 319K miles will scare anyone off.

See if he can document the service history. I'd hit him with an offer of $2k cash...or some sort of cash & trade offer. If he refuses don't be afraid to walk away, I've seen a lot of great M42 E30s go for about $1500-$2000.

Jorgeconrico · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2010, 06:56:15 PM »

From the three excellent and informative pictures it looks ok....IMHO that is a a lot of miles even for an e30. Like Dave said make sure there is service history and see if the timing chain, sprockets etc have been rebuilt/replaced. The ad says the engine hasn't been touched...personally if you can't talk him down I would walk with no regrets. By the way post more pics.

polkadot_boxerman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2010, 08:21:28 PM »

thanks guys. He's only willing to go down to 2500. Guess it's a bad decision then.

Jorgeconrico · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2010, 08:46:49 PM »

I would look around a bit more, especially if this is one of the first you've checked out. Do you have anymore pics?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2010, 09:08:46 PM »

When you find one you like, have a good indie mechanic check it out. Pre-purchase inspections should only cost about $100 and a seller should have no trouble permitting that. You'll get a great idea of what's good and what's bad. Cheap insurance against really expensive broken things.

Alternatively, you could buy a really cheap e30 just to get a feel for what breaks. I've had five myself:
an '87 325is rusted parts car
an '84 318i that was more rust than metal
an '87 325 eta auto (now that's a slow car) with a solid body
a '90 325i that rolled over (parts car again)
and my '91 318i sedan. I got to know the entire car inside out...but it's an expensive way to learn. I think I'm out about $2300 all told, not including parts I've sold off or traded. My neighbors think I'm crazy too.

polkadot_boxerman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2010, 09:24:19 PM »

I've had an e30 before. Had an 89' 325i for some time, just was looking into the 318 and didn't know how solid those motors were. The m20 in mine was pretty much indestructible.

As far as pics go, I have some from an email that he sent me. but they're in a microsoft word document and I can't get them out, and cant post them here.

Romrog318is · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2010, 09:30:23 PM »

try to get him down to $2300
i got my is for 2800 and it had a new headgasket along with new timing chain tensioners

Romrog318is · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2010, 08:19:07 PM »

okay really now ^^^
WTF is with all the fucking spammers and bullshit on this forum? are the MODS getting lazy? not to try to start shit and raise hell but im on over 25 other forums and dont have any problems like this on anyof them!
PLEASE BAN all the spammers.. more and more people are starting to leave forums for this reason and its really UNWANTED
sorry if i may have made anyone mad but its really starting to get annoying when on almost every thread this is what i see and i get PMs with the same thing...

polkadot_boxerman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2010, 03:56:43 PM »

i'm seeing if he'll take 2300.