E30 buying tips?
Discussion
In a 325i the worst spot for rust is the battery tray in the boot. Water gets trapped in it and corrodes the tray and then starts to propagate through to the outside.
Another bad place for rust is in the "turrets" in the engine bay.
Seats - most original cloth seats are likely to be shredded through wear and tear and they cost a bit to reupholster.
Other than that, expect bushes and other suspension components to be in need of replacement esp if the previous owner has run it on 18s on 19s (a crime IMHO).
The M20 engine is a tough old unit but you want to see evidence of regular maintenance.
I ran a 325i Sport for a while and it was a seriously fun car. If you find a good one, look after it.
Another bad place for rust is in the "turrets" in the engine bay.
Seats - most original cloth seats are likely to be shredded through wear and tear and they cost a bit to reupholster.
Other than that, expect bushes and other suspension components to be in need of replacement esp if the previous owner has run it on 18s on 19s (a crime IMHO).
The M20 engine is a tough old unit but you want to see evidence of regular maintenance.
I ran a 325i Sport for a while and it was a seriously fun car. If you find a good one, look after it.
Good solid motor and bags of fun.
As mentioned, rust is a real problem. The jacking points are also a common failure as is the bottom of the windscreen and the front footwells.
It's a carpet lift job to investigate them properly which most vendors will probably baulk at. There will be rust, it's just a question of how much.
Check when the cambelt was last changed, too. If there's no record, price accordingly.
As mentioned, rust is a real problem. The jacking points are also a common failure as is the bottom of the windscreen and the front footwells.
It's a carpet lift job to investigate them properly which most vendors will probably baulk at. There will be rust, it's just a question of how much.
Check when the cambelt was last changed, too. If there's no record, price accordingly.
did someone mention look for rust?
there's a E30 Bible that's got some good tips - http://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-E30-3-Restoration-Bibl...
i would consider essential before owning one (have owned about 9 and it captures a fair deal of knowledge you need)
You'll need a pair of mechanical (ish) hands
I would personally recommend a nice 325i Mtech 2 Sport (the more rounded ones) and look after it - Love the look at these cars. ONLY issue is that's E36 M3 £ (which is why I find my current situation, but I do miss the Dirty30!)
Good luck!
there's a E30 Bible that's got some good tips - http://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-E30-3-Restoration-Bibl...
i would consider essential before owning one (have owned about 9 and it captures a fair deal of knowledge you need)
You'll need a pair of mechanical (ish) hands
I would personally recommend a nice 325i Mtech 2 Sport (the more rounded ones) and look after it - Love the look at these cars. ONLY issue is that's E36 M3 £ (which is why I find my current situation, but I do miss the Dirty30!)
Good luck!
picked it up today
black, alpinas, lowered on apex springs, seller says running gear out of a genuine 325 sport but shell was rusty so they transplated into a more solid shell?
battery tray needs attention lol.
drives bank on! well chuffed
few niggles which ill get around to shortly
thanks for all the help
black, alpinas, lowered on apex springs, seller says running gear out of a genuine 325 sport but shell was rusty so they transplated into a more solid shell?
battery tray needs attention lol.
drives bank on! well chuffed
few niggles which ill get around to shortly
thanks for all the help
Very nice! Best colour IMO.. those wheels look really good on it.
You can reset the service indicator with a bit of wire under the bonnet - loads of info on google. Also, you can adjust the front bonnet hinge to close that gap up on the shutline there - it's probably been off at some point to ease access for a cambelt or whatever and just not put back exactly the same. You'll pick up a plastic cover bit for the seat mechanism for buttons too - try e30zone, or message huds147 on the 'bay, he breaks E30's.
You can reset the service indicator with a bit of wire under the bonnet - loads of info on google. Also, you can adjust the front bonnet hinge to close that gap up on the shutline there - it's probably been off at some point to ease access for a cambelt or whatever and just not put back exactly the same. You'll pick up a plastic cover bit for the seat mechanism for buttons too - try e30zone, or message huds147 on the 'bay, he breaks E30's.
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