Fatal Attraction in the Classifieds?
Discussion
As some of you may know, I'm looking at getting myself into RWD for less than 6K.
I started out searching for a cheap E30 325i for less than 2K, but got put off because of their age and worries about bodywork rot so decided to look for something newer, like an RX8.
However, no matter what I look at or consider, I keep coming back to this particular car in the classifieds.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1634710.htm
Am I mad - £5K on E30 325 seems too expensive? I just think it looks so damn good
The optimist in me thinks it's finished depreciating and as it's at top money, it's fully sorted and free from any nasty surprises
Quick, someone talk me out of it before I get too carried away!
I started out searching for a cheap E30 325i for less than 2K, but got put off because of their age and worries about bodywork rot so decided to look for something newer, like an RX8.
However, no matter what I look at or consider, I keep coming back to this particular car in the classifieds.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1634710.htm
Am I mad - £5K on E30 325 seems too expensive? I just think it looks so damn good
The optimist in me thinks it's finished depreciating and as it's at top money, it's fully sorted and free from any nasty surprises
Quick, someone talk me out of it before I get too carried away!
i think the E21 and E30 are the best shapes bmw ever came up with. i was contemplating a 325i sport when bought the mx5. kinda wish i had for that styling and straight 6. if you can find a mint 325 i'd say go for it. with any hotter bmw you might look like a drug dealer, but then, drug dealers buy bimmers. i imagine you'd look as much a dealer in an E36 m3 as i look a fag driving an mx5 but you'll get labelled something whatever you drive, you're buying for the cars abilities as a package rather than getting into some club badge snobbery
PetrolHeadSeb said:
CinqAbarth said:
You'll look like a low rent Brixton drug dealer in that.
That's definitely helping talk me out of it 
Do you not think that they are classic enough to have shod that image now though?
Disco You said:
Alpina reps, smoked lights, "mpower" badge = avoid.
Good executive summary there 
Unmolested and original sports are few and far between unfortunately. I'd wager this one is probably rotten or has been bodged if you took away the bodykit too. From my time on the E30 Zone i think this one is definitely a "Birmingham" car.
Would a dealer really sell a car for top money if it is rotten underneath though? This is one reason why I'd choose to buy one from a dealer rather than privately.
At the end of the day, it's a genuine 325 sport in black with black leather interior without astronomical mileage and that's what appeals most to me.
As much as I do like the E36 M3's - especially in Evo form, there's something a bit more special about an E30 to me.
A lot of the "extras" on that car could easily be removed. If I had it, I would remove the M badges and I'd probably chop the alloys in for the 15" wire effect BBS wheels.
I would probably leave the smoked rear lights though
At the end of the day, it's a genuine 325 sport in black with black leather interior without astronomical mileage and that's what appeals most to me.
As much as I do like the E36 M3's - especially in Evo form, there's something a bit more special about an E30 to me.
A lot of the "extras" on that car could easily be removed. If I had it, I would remove the M badges and I'd probably chop the alloys in for the 15" wire effect BBS wheels.
I would probably leave the smoked rear lights though
PetrolHeadSeb said:
Would a dealer really sell a car for top money if it is rotten underneath though? This is one reason why I'd choose to buy one from a dealer rather than privately.
Dangerous game to play there fella!If I was a dodgy dealer and wanted to get rid of a shed that owed me money but it looked tidy(or could be made to look tidy pretty cheaply) I'd also put it at a high price to attract people like you who think that the price must somehow mean it's all of the sudden a good car.
It's also why a lot of dealers that sell overpriced cars do well, there are many of the public who think the cars must be the better ones as they are priced so high.
Whether it's a good one or not, check the car thoroughly. If you want to blindly trust the dealer then that's up to you.
Sounds to me like you're trying to talk yourself into it......
Edited by Dracoro on Sunday 12th September 00:53
Totally agree with you on that. I would never blindly trust a dealer.
All I really mean is that with a trader I have more comeback than I do privately. I'd also get some warranty thrown in which helps.
I fear that to successfully buy an old car like this privately you really need to know exactly what you're looking at. A good trader can take some of the risk out of the process.
All I really mean is that with a trader I have more comeback than I do privately. I'd also get some warranty thrown in which helps.
I fear that to successfully buy an old car like this privately you really need to know exactly what you're looking at. A good trader can take some of the risk out of the process.
The dealer will be bound by the sale of goods act, however warranties are slightly different and I'm not sure they have to give any. Many just sell (either in the price of the car, or extra) a 3rd party warranty, usually with a claim cost limit (e.g. £500 prob on that sort of car).
Unless you asked him about rust/rot etc. if the car was hiding rust under the bodykit then I doubt you'll have any comeback at all. Some dealers may be more likely to play ball (to keep up good reputation etc.) and many won't.
Unless you asked him about rust/rot etc. if the car was hiding rust under the bodykit then I doubt you'll have any comeback at all. Some dealers may be more likely to play ball (to keep up good reputation etc.) and many won't.
PetrolHeadSeb said:
Dracoro said:
Sounds to me like you're trying to talk yourself into it......
I'm actually terrible for this when it comes to cars, hence I need straight, honest advice from some more sensible PHers than me 
Fingers burnt etc. so passing on the knowledge so others don't.The best cars I've bought have all been private and worst all from dealers. I guess when buying privately, one checks things more thoroughly.....
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