Author Topic: WTB: BMW 318is E30  (Read 7024 times)

johnnyboy93

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« on: May 07, 2012, 02:57:44 AM »
Im looking for a 88-91 318is. or an e36. Prefer a 5 speed manual and for it to run, I also prefer to get one that has no major rust issues and mostly stock. Because I am on a bit of a budget (with prom and graduation coming up) I have roughly 1200.00 to spend. (willing to negotiate though)

I am willing to travel as far as Omaha, NE to the west.. Cleveland, OH to the East..Minneapolis, MN to the North... and Nashville, TN to the South.

It doesn't have to be in absolute perfect shape, just needs to be drive. :o

Thanks for your time.:D
« Last Edit: May 18, 2012, 11:01:13 AM by johnnyboy93 »

keflaman

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2012, 06:35:00 AM »
The E30 318is was offered for only one year in the states (1991), but finding one with a manual transmission shouldn't be a problem.;)

IMHO your $1200 budget is a bit optimistic and probably about $1K low, but that being said, I hope I'm made out to be a liar.:D

DesktopDave

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2012, 11:27:13 AM »
IMHO you won't find a e30 coupe for that money.  They go for $2-3k in decent shape.

BTW, all e30 M42's were built with a 5-speed (except for the occasional 'vert)- Kefla's having a bit of fun with you...

Buy an e36 coupe instead:
Pros - they're far easier to find, a bit larger inside and somewhat more modern looking.  Better rear suspension and superior HVAC.  Easier for wheel upgrades & later 3-series mods.
Cons - the early models are not as well made as the e30, it's a little heavier, and it's definitely not as well loved.

Another alternative is the e30 sedan.  They're harder to find (only sold in '91) but far cheaper.  I paid less than $1K for mine, though it needed a bit of work.
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

d.hitchcock

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2012, 03:18:46 PM »
That budget is the killer.

IF you find a car to buy for that money, you are going to be required to instantly drop another grand or more on maintenance to get the car properly roadworthy.

That's been my experience.

I paid a good chunk more than that for my 318is, but it's a nice, relatively low-mileage car. And I still put about $700 into it fixing locks, replacing motor and tranny mounts, and a bunch of little crap like that as well as replacing the engine's timing components.
SHAZAM, GOMER, LOOK AHEAD!

zacrl1230

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2012, 08:42:45 PM »
WAY out of your travel (actually not too much further)
http://jxn.craigslist.org/cto/2967417886.html
but hold out for the dream man

No pic :(
http://jxn.craigslist.org/cto/2967417886.html
« Last Edit: May 07, 2012, 09:47:05 PM by zacrl1230 »
87 325 \'vert~~~~~~89 s50~~~~~~~~~91 318i~~~~~~~~87 325is~~~~~~~R.I.P. \'91 318i

WTB:318 \'vert
WTB:SIR tools
WTB:junk

johnnyboy93

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #5 on: May 07, 2012, 09:45:34 PM »
yea, I know, I've been looking forever for one.
I happened to stumble upon one in the chicago land area, not too long ago, but I was a day late. Just my luck eh? I do like e36s, and I wouldnt mind buying one, but they are just as hard to run into. I don't mind getting my hands a bit dirty to get it to run to be honest I'm not looking for a show car. But I'm not looking for a rust bucket either. I can deal with minor rust here and there, its understandable with older models.

keflaman

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2012, 06:34:40 AM »
Dave's right in that I was teasing you a bit in my post. I don't mean to sound discouraging; just being realistic.:)

If it's still available, I'd be jumping all over the one zacrl1230 linked in his post. It sounds too good to be true, but maybe that's what everyone else thinks and in the search for a '91 318is you can't leave any stone unturned.

Jackson is only four hours away from Chicago and a U-Haul car dolly is ~$75/day.

axisofjustice

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2012, 02:54:48 AM »
Keep looking, you'll find one! I found this one locally about 3 weeks ago and grabbed it for $1300. Yes, it runs and drives.


DesktopDave

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2012, 07:28:36 AM »
That's a pretty car...there are deals out there, no doubt about it.  Patience & luck are both required.
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

johnnyboy93

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2012, 11:02:33 AM »
I am still turning stones and I have had a few pm's but oddly enough when i respond they dont respond...

DesktopDave

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2012, 01:55:13 PM »
I'd send another PM to be sure they went through.  Your post count is low but I don't think there are any limits on sending messages.
'08 Karmesinrot 128i 6MT
'86 Zinnoberrot 635CSi (M30B32/G265/3.46 torsen LSD)

Sold: '97 Montrealblau 318iS, '91 Brilliantrot 318i, '91 Brilliantrot 318iS

axisofjustice

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #11 on: May 18, 2012, 01:55:19 PM »
Just hang in there, the right car will come up.

zacrl1230

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2012, 08:20:21 AM »
« Last Edit: May 28, 2012, 01:31:03 PM by zacrl1230 »
87 325 \'vert~~~~~~89 s50~~~~~~~~~91 318i~~~~~~~~87 325is~~~~~~~R.I.P. \'91 318i

WTB:318 \'vert
WTB:SIR tools
WTB:junk

zacrl1230

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2012, 04:44:18 PM »
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=248096

this guy is ready to sell obo him @1200
87 325 \'vert~~~~~~89 s50~~~~~~~~~91 318i~~~~~~~~87 325is~~~~~~~R.I.P. \'91 318i

WTB:318 \'vert
WTB:SIR tools
WTB:junk

axisofjustice

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WTB: BMW 318is E30
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2012, 05:32:25 PM »
That would be a really shitty thing to do, lowball him for less than 1/2...