E30 318iS, have I undervalued it?
Discussion
Stuck an advert up for my E30 318iS last night on PH. It's been sitting for over 2 years with a blown cylinder head which a machinist friend has just finished reconditioning. Thought I'd stick it up for sale as a project with the recondition cylinder head (to be fitted by the new owner) for £275 and had a 8 calls in the first day, one person willing to pay a big deposit and then pay the full asking price without even seeing it. Have I massively undervalued it?
I figured as it'll most likely need new brakes and tyres due to being sat so long (something I mentioned in the advert) it'll need a reasonable investment to get it on the road, and therefore won't be worth a huge amount. What are good iS E30s going for these days? Seen a few knocking around for £2k+, but is this realistic?
I figured as it'll most likely need new brakes and tyres due to being sat so long (something I mentioned in the advert) it'll need a reasonable investment to get it on the road, and therefore won't be worth a huge amount. What are good iS E30s going for these days? Seen a few knocking around for £2k+, but is this realistic?
Edited by norman156 on Monday 11th January 20:03
Judging from the pictures this is a tough one.
What is the body like for rust? Specifically - the rear wheel arches inside and out (run your hand around the inside of the arch - does it fall apart on you?!) Check the scuttle panel (the bit that runs under the windscreen. They also rust under the bodykit (undo it and have a look!). Check the battery too (notorious rust area).
Is it a non-sunroof model? Sought after if it does NOT have one. (rally and racing boys like the extra stiffness - oo er missus)
Internally - what are the front seat bolsters like on that sport interior? If in good condition (no rips or tears/collapsed bolsters) then you're looking at approximately £350 for the interior alone.
15" BBS with centre caps and legal tyres that aren't some cheap remould brand- £15o for the 4 or 5.
MTEC I steering wheel in non scratched condition? £35+
Gearknob in nice condition? £15-25
Post facelift foglights? £45 per pair (obviously not broken and working - although replacement bulbs are cheap).
iS front lip? £50
Engine and gearbox - £250.
original radio and speakers? depending on spec can be quite sought after for those looking to put their's back to original spec.
Has it got air con or cruise control? £100 each.
Don't forget that yours is an H reg (and therefore one of the last made).
I'd give you the money right this minute at that price.
In fact you have a pm!
Good luck.
What is the body like for rust? Specifically - the rear wheel arches inside and out (run your hand around the inside of the arch - does it fall apart on you?!) Check the scuttle panel (the bit that runs under the windscreen. They also rust under the bodykit (undo it and have a look!). Check the battery too (notorious rust area).
Is it a non-sunroof model? Sought after if it does NOT have one. (rally and racing boys like the extra stiffness - oo er missus)
Internally - what are the front seat bolsters like on that sport interior? If in good condition (no rips or tears/collapsed bolsters) then you're looking at approximately £350 for the interior alone.
15" BBS with centre caps and legal tyres that aren't some cheap remould brand- £15o for the 4 or 5.
MTEC I steering wheel in non scratched condition? £35+
Gearknob in nice condition? £15-25
Post facelift foglights? £45 per pair (obviously not broken and working - although replacement bulbs are cheap).
iS front lip? £50
Engine and gearbox - £250.
original radio and speakers? depending on spec can be quite sought after for those looking to put their's back to original spec.
Has it got air con or cruise control? £100 each.
Don't forget that yours is an H reg (and therefore one of the last made).
I'd give you the money right this minute at that price.
In fact you have a pm!
Good luck.
Forgot to mention - does your car have an LSD? If it does you're looking at £250 to £350 depending on ratio and condition.
LSD's are very sought after.
To check you can either look at the original spec sheet if you have it or crawl under the car and if the LSD has an S stamped into the tag attached to the diff it's an LSD or if that's horrible in these snowy conditions jack the car up so both rear tyres are off the ground and if they both turn the same way when you turn one then it's an LSD.
LSD's are very sought after.
To check you can either look at the original spec sheet if you have it or crawl under the car and if the LSD has an S stamped into the tag attached to the diff it's an LSD or if that's horrible in these snowy conditions jack the car up so both rear tyres are off the ground and if they both turn the same way when you turn one then it's an LSD.
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
Judging from the pictures this is a tough one.
Stuff
Don't forget that yours is an H reg (and therefore one of the last made).
I'd give you the money right this minute at that price.
In fact you have a pm!
Good luck.
Righto, to answer your questions:Stuff
Don't forget that yours is an H reg (and therefore one of the last made).
I'd give you the money right this minute at that price.
In fact you have a pm!
Good luck.
Bodywork is very solid, there's a little bit of surface rust on a couple of the arches but it's very minor. No problems with the scuttle panel or battery areas.
Has a sunroof (electric)
Interior is in very good condition. Seats have no marks or rips on them, and the fabric is in very good condition.
Tyres at the front will need replacing (very cracked, one was partially deflated and has gone all crappy at the bottom) tyres at the back look OK but don't match. Wheels are all in OK condition, but only have 3 centre caps which are minus the BMW logos.
Mtech steering wheel in good nick.
Gearnob is so so
Foglights? Not a clue I'm afraid...
Yes it does have the front lip.
In regards to you taking it at the current price, join the queue! I'm fairly certain I'm not going to let it go at that price now, the prospective buyers aren't going to too happy but at the end of the day I have no obligation to them. Also I'm not seeing your PM, do they just go through to email or is there a PM inbox on here somewhere?
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
Forgot to mention - does your car have an LSD? If it does you're looking at £250 to £350 depending on ratio and condition.
LSD's are very sought after.
To check you can either look at the original spec sheet if you have it or crawl under the car and if the LSD has an S stamped into the tag attached to the diff it's an LSD or if that's horrible in these snowy conditions jack the car up so both rear tyres are off the ground and if they both turn the same way when you turn one then it's an LSD.
Judging from how it handled during the brief time it was actually working, I'd say hasn't got the LSD. I'll have to un-seize the rear brakes before I check! (I stupidly left the handbrake on for a good few months...)LSD's are very sought after.
To check you can either look at the original spec sheet if you have it or crawl under the car and if the LSD has an S stamped into the tag attached to the diff it's an LSD or if that's horrible in these snowy conditions jack the car up so both rear tyres are off the ground and if they both turn the same way when you turn one then it's an LSD.
I haven't sent the pm because I knew, after my post to you, there was no way you'd let it go for the price you'd offered it at!
That surface rust is probaby hiding some real horror stories. They rust from the inside out.....
Notorious for it.
You've probably had loads of people ring you - it's an easy project to break for a quick profit.
Sad really - I love these cars (I've got two tourings - have a look at my profile) and the iS is the best 4 pot besides the M3. Fantastic engine. f
king brilliant engine actually. They handle well, are light, and every journey an event.
I use my 325i touring for business and the comments it gets - people actually warm to me because of the car!!
That surface rust is probaby hiding some real horror stories. They rust from the inside out.....
Notorious for it.
You've probably had loads of people ring you - it's an easy project to break for a quick profit.
Sad really - I love these cars (I've got two tourings - have a look at my profile) and the iS is the best 4 pot besides the M3. Fantastic engine. f
king brilliant engine actually. They handle well, are light, and every journey an event. I use my 325i touring for business and the comments it gets - people actually warm to me because of the car!!
I'll have a poke around tomorrow and see if there's anything nasty underneath. I'm really hoping for someone to actually put it back on the road, I could break it myself but I don't want to. Obviously it's a bit difficult to say as you haven't seen it, but judging from the information I've given you, how much do you think I should be asking for? One of the chap's who rang earlier just called again to offer me £350 for it.
It depends. £350 to £500 is about where you're at I think for the car as it is.
If the tyres are knackered; they'll need changing - that's £200.
Brake discs? Fronts are £22 ish, rears about £18-£22.
Power steering and Brake fluid (if it's been standing best to change) - say £25 for the fluid.
New battery - hope not!
MOT = £50 plus any work needed.
Tax - £104 for 6 months I think.
So it's going to take at least £300 quid to put back on the road plus the work needed on the engine.
Therefore I'd suggest that £350 isn't a bad price if you're not prepared to put it back on the road yourself. Thoughts?
If the tyres are knackered; they'll need changing - that's £200.
Brake discs? Fronts are £22 ish, rears about £18-£22.
Power steering and Brake fluid (if it's been standing best to change) - say £25 for the fluid.
New battery - hope not!
MOT = £50 plus any work needed.
Tax - £104 for 6 months I think.
So it's going to take at least £300 quid to put back on the road plus the work needed on the engine.
Therefore I'd suggest that £350 isn't a bad price if you're not prepared to put it back on the road yourself. Thoughts?
If it were mine I'd get it on ebay and let the market decide the value - at least then all the interested parties would have a fair crack at buying it. Good luck 
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
It depends. £350 to £500 is about where you're at I think for the car as it is.
If the tyres are knackered; they'll need changing - that's £200.
Brake discs? Fronts are £22 ish, rears about £18-£22.
Power steering and Brake fluid (if it's been standing best to change) - say £25 for the fluid.
New battery - hope not!
MOT = £50 plus any work needed.
Tax - £104 for 6 months I think.
So it's going to take at least £300 quid to put back on the road plus the work needed on the engine.
Therefore I'd suggest that £350 isn't a bad price if you're not prepared to put it back on the road yourself. Thoughts?
There's also the possibility of of brakes lines that could add another £100 or so. As refitting a cylinder head is far beyond my capabilities (oil changes and brake changes are about as much as I can do) I'd have to get someone else to do that, which would cost me at least £200 I reckon. So yes I'm starting to think £350 is about right. I'm going to ring up the guy who called first and tell him I've had an offer at that price and see if he's still interested. Cheers for all you're help matey, it's been invaluable! If the tyres are knackered; they'll need changing - that's £200.
Brake discs? Fronts are £22 ish, rears about £18-£22.
Power steering and Brake fluid (if it's been standing best to change) - say £25 for the fluid.
New battery - hope not!
MOT = £50 plus any work needed.
Tax - £104 for 6 months I think.
So it's going to take at least £300 quid to put back on the road plus the work needed on the engine.
Therefore I'd suggest that £350 isn't a bad price if you're not prepared to put it back on the road yourself. Thoughts?
phumy said:
Love the way its gone from over a grand for bits, then all of a sudden "oi oi" has reduced it to 350 as he sees he is in for a potential buy 
nice work
nice work well 1. He's got a queue of about 11 people to get through and 2. I'm not interested in stripping it. Seen a couple of working iS with no MOT or Tax going for £500 so I reckon £350 seems about right.Edit: Plus I won't get £250 for the engine given that it isn't all in one piece... £1000 for the bits would be properly difficult
Edited by norman156 on Tuesday 12th January 09:56
Ha! Yep - was it that obvious?!
On a more serious note; those prices are subject to offers of course plus it's the time, effort, tools, space and desire to break the car that has to be taken into account too.
For £350 I'd have bought it for a track day car. I'm looking for an iS to do that and withthe car as it is - it's perfect to sell off the bits you don't need and use the car for what I want it as.
Plus; if I'd really wanted to buy I wouldn't have told Norman what the parts were worth before hand!
On a more serious note; those prices are subject to offers of course plus it's the time, effort, tools, space and desire to break the car that has to be taken into account too.
For £350 I'd have bought it for a track day car. I'm looking for an iS to do that and withthe car as it is - it's perfect to sell off the bits you don't need and use the car for what I want it as.
Plus; if I'd really wanted to buy I wouldn't have told Norman what the parts were worth before hand!
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
Ha! Yep - was it that obvious?!
On a more serious note; those prices are subject to offers of course plus it's the time, effort, tools, space and desire to break the car that has to be taken into account too.
For £350 I'd have bought it for a track day car. I'm looking for an iS to do that and withthe car as it is - it's perfect to sell off the bits you don't need and use the car for what I want it as.
Plus; if I'd really wanted to buy I wouldn't have told Norman what the parts were worth before hand!
I'm already stripping my 328 (see the thread I posted a few days ago) so I'd rather not be stripping another one. Plus it would be a shame to see it scrapped, I'd rather it went to someone who can put it back on the road, especially when my machinist friend has put so much effort into refurbing the head. And with the engine as it is, I can't see myself getting a huge amount more in parts, not enough to justify the effort anywayOn a more serious note; those prices are subject to offers of course plus it's the time, effort, tools, space and desire to break the car that has to be taken into account too.
For £350 I'd have bought it for a track day car. I'm looking for an iS to do that and withthe car as it is - it's perfect to sell off the bits you don't need and use the car for what I want it as.
Plus; if I'd really wanted to buy I wouldn't have told Norman what the parts were worth before hand!
norman156 said:
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
Ha! Yep - was it that obvious?!
On a more serious note; those prices are subject to offers of course plus it's the time, effort, tools, space and desire to break the car that has to be taken into account too.
For £350 I'd have bought it for a track day car. I'm looking for an iS to do that and withthe car as it is - it's perfect to sell off the bits you don't need and use the car for what I want it as.
Plus; if I'd really wanted to buy I wouldn't have told Norman what the parts were worth before hand!
I'm already stripping my 328 (see the thread I posted a few days ago) so I'd rather not be stripping another one. Plus it would be a shame to see it scrapped, I'd rather it went to someone who can put it back on the road, especially when my machinist friend has put so much effort into refurbing the head. And with the engine as it is, I can't see myself getting a huge amount more in parts, not enough to justify the effort anywayOn a more serious note; those prices are subject to offers of course plus it's the time, effort, tools, space and desire to break the car that has to be taken into account too.
For £350 I'd have bought it for a track day car. I'm looking for an iS to do that and withthe car as it is - it's perfect to sell off the bits you don't need and use the car for what I want it as.
Plus; if I'd really wanted to buy I wouldn't have told Norman what the parts were worth before hand!
If you're breaking that 328 (E36 I'm guessing?) make sure the engine is stripped out with the EWS and ignition barrel/keys intact with it too. It's useless without the ews and keys. But you probably know that! (Sorry if so)
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
norman156 said:
Oi_Oi_Savaloy said:
Ha! Yep - was it that obvious?!
On a more serious note; those prices are subject to offers of course plus it's the time, effort, tools, space and desire to break the car that has to be taken into account too.
For £350 I'd have bought it for a track day car. I'm looking for an iS to do that and withthe car as it is - it's perfect to sell off the bits you don't need and use the car for what I want it as.
Plus; if I'd really wanted to buy I wouldn't have told Norman what the parts were worth before hand!
I'm already stripping my 328 (see the thread I posted a few days ago) so I'd rather not be stripping another one. Plus it would be a shame to see it scrapped, I'd rather it went to someone who can put it back on the road, especially when my machinist friend has put so much effort into refurbing the head. And with the engine as it is, I can't see myself getting a huge amount more in parts, not enough to justify the effort anywayOn a more serious note; those prices are subject to offers of course plus it's the time, effort, tools, space and desire to break the car that has to be taken into account too.
For £350 I'd have bought it for a track day car. I'm looking for an iS to do that and withthe car as it is - it's perfect to sell off the bits you don't need and use the car for what I want it as.
Plus; if I'd really wanted to buy I wouldn't have told Norman what the parts were worth before hand!
If you're breaking that 328 (E36 I'm guessing?) make sure the engine is stripped out with the EWS and ignition barrel/keys intact with it too. It's useless without the ews and keys. But you probably know that! (Sorry if so)
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