E30 Convertibles...worth a punt?

E30 Convertibles...worth a punt?

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Discussion

Challo

Original Poster:

11,495 posts

170 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
This popped up on the Autotrader...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Been lowered etc...just wondering peoples thoughts??? These getting into classic car area? Worth a punt for retro 80's soft-top motoring?

I think it looks better than the E36 that replaced it.

ZOLLAR

19,914 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
Mmmm that is quiet cheap. didn't think they were that low or I haven't seen any that low.
If it's all ok (well ok for it's age) then could be a decent buy.

Edit would prefer some shots closer to the car though.

soad

33,905 posts

191 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
Fairly short MOT though.
Still- i like those, looks good

JohnnyRims

900 posts

174 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
I think you'd have to go and see that in the flesh and get a feel for the seller - much less of a punt then. These will, in general, have two types of owner. Those who look after them and see them as classics, and council estate heroes who don't.

Challo

Original Poster:

11,495 posts

170 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
Had a look on PH classifieds and some have questionable bodykits / modifications

S3_Graham

12,830 posts

214 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
JohnnyRims said:
I think you'd have to go and see that in the flesh and get a feel for the seller - much less of a punt then. These will, in general, have two types of owner. Those who look after them and see them as classics, and council estate heroes who don't.
exactly spot on.

There was an old boy across the road from my house that had 2 E30's a 325 sport and a 325se. Everyweekend without fail he would be out there washing a polishing them.

4years ago i bought the sport from him (which i now dont have but has been totally restored to showroom spec!!) last week it appears he has sold his other one to some chav, you now see it hooning around the local crappy town with a crappy set of aftermarket wheels.

Such a shame as that car was pampered and cared for all its life. If only he had told me about the other 325 frown

ZOLLAR

19,914 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
S3_Graham said:
exactly spot on.

There was an old boy across the road from my house that had 2 E30's a 325 sport and a 325se. Everyweekend without fail he would be out there washing a polishing them.

4years ago i bought the sport from him (which i now dont have but has been totally restored to showroom spec!!) last week it appears he has sold his other one to some chav, you now see it hooning around the local crappy town with a crappy set of aftermarket wheels.

Such a shame as that car was pampered and cared for all its life. If only he had told me about the other 325 frown
Me sad, that makes.

Any pictures of your E30?, Very much like them.

E30Addict

825 posts

187 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
JohnnyRims said:
I think you'd have to go and see that in the flesh and get a feel for the seller - much less of a punt then. These will, in general, have two types of owner. Those who look after them and see them as classics, and council estate heroes who don't.
+1

The E30 really suffered the same fate as E36s now. When they get to a certain price they get bought up by the type of people whose idea of modification is 19" wheels and a sub in the boot.

If you find a good one then they are an appreciating classic, if you buy a wrong 'un then they can be absolute rot boxes!

I managed to find a good one (low mileage, rot free, always garaged) and I have never looked back.

However this one doesn't look too promising tbh. If I were you I'd be looking for a 325i for a convertible (thirsty but worth it for the noise they make). This one has questionable mileage and also appears to have the usual "modifications": stick on badges on the headrests (wtf!), nasty replica Alpinas and a big suspension drop (probably 60mm). There are much better ones out there...

Gruber

6,313 posts

229 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
I wouldn't touch that one with a bargepole for all the reasons mentioned already.

But if you can find a good unmolested one, go for it! They are moving towards classic status, parts availability is good, I love the unfussy design and they are reasonably "entertaining" to drive, even in 1.8i spec.

At that sort of price point, I'd be looking at this very straight-looking 325i:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-325i-cabriolet-Auto-/130...

Maldini35

2,913 posts

203 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
Avoid this one for all the reasons given before:
No close up pics, wrong engine, 49k on recon engine (what is total mileage?), excessive suspension drop etc.

Find a good 325i but don't expect it to handle like the saloon as the body will flex a lot.

Rot is the big worry (rear arches, sills, scuttle, footwells (especially behind the pedals). If it's a solid shell everything else can be sorted relatively cheaply.

Still a fun. drop-top, four-seater which looks great if kept fairly standard.




freecar

4,249 posts

202 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
That's not cheap, I saw a decent one go for £650 the other week, if I had had the money it would have been mine!

2.2 is good money for one of these, I'd expect a 12 month tax and ticket and minty niceness for that!

S3_Graham

12,830 posts

214 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
ZOLLAR said:
S3_Graham said:
exactly spot on.

There was an old boy across the road from my house that had 2 E30's a 325 sport and a 325se. Everyweekend without fail he would be out there washing a polishing them.

4years ago i bought the sport from him (which i now dont have but has been totally restored to showroom spec!!) last week it appears he has sold his other one to some chav, you now see it hooning around the local crappy town with a crappy set of aftermarket wheels.

Such a shame as that car was pampered and cared for all its life. If only he had told me about the other 325 frown
Me sad, that makes.

Any pictures of your E30?, Very much like them.
my 325 sport (only picture i have left of the old girl frown


The 325se in my ownership


The 325 post restoration


ZOLLAR

19,914 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
S3_Graham said:
my 325 sport (only picture i have left of the old girl frown


The 325se in my ownership


The 325 post restoration
Oh My, Oh My very nice indeed.
Thank for posting pictures.

ZOLLAR

19,914 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
Op seen this one?

£330 so even if something wrong not a huge loss and apart from dubious wording in the advert seems ok for the money (alloys would need to come off though)

E30

Gruber

6,313 posts

229 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
ZOLLAR said:
Op seen this one?

£330 so even if something wrong not a huge loss and apart from dubious wording in the advert seems ok for the money (alloys would need to come off though)

E30
Have you read the ad? £3.3k, not £330. The old scam.

Cotty

41,270 posts

299 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
E30Addict said:
nasty replica Alpinas
Yep those wheels would be the first thing to be binned.

pikeyboy

2,349 posts

229 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
Fond memories of my old black e30 cab that I bought my self after graduating from uni.

ZOLLAR

19,914 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
Gruber said:
ZOLLAR said:
Op seen this one?

£330 so even if something wrong not a huge loss and apart from dubious wording in the advert seems ok for the money (alloys would need to come off though)

E30
Have you read the ad? £3.3k, not £330. The old scam.
boxedin

Challo

Original Poster:

11,495 posts

170 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
ZOLLAR said:
S3_Graham said:
my 325 sport (only picture i have left of the old girl frown


The 325se in my ownership


The 325 post restoration
Oh My, Oh My very nice indeed.
Thank for posting pictures.
Can you get these on classic insurance?

ZOLLAR

19,914 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd June 2011
quotequote all
Challo said:
Can you get these on classic insurance?
Without a doubt.