Looking at an E30, HELP.

[teen ti]

In addition to our beloved ti's I know that quite a few of you own/have owned E30's as well. Im looking at an '88 325is with, wait for it, almost 230k on the clock. Its a New York car and has seen at least the past 7 winters here, and therefore has a bit of surface rust and a little underneath as well. Now the current owner has done regular maintenance on it in those 7 years and has a laundry list of the service its had. Im only looking at it for basically a beater that I can use to shuttle me from here to Philly. Is there anything in particular to the E30s that I should look for while inspecting it or while driving? Thanks guys.

[SpeedDemon]

You need to listen for knocking in the engine. If its only knocking a small amount then you can do a vavle adjustment and be fine. If its loud then probably well need the head rebiult. Make sure its a true IS . There alot of people that lie about that. Check all the normal stuff. Motor mounts tranny mountz, diff mounts just all the mounts and bushings really. Make sure the odometer is working. Most of them 90% dont work. So the miles might be a lie. Good luck with the buy. It will be the best car you have ever owed if its in good shape. And if its a true IS then you will have a LSD .. so have fun drifting ;^)

Sent from S4 on tap talk

[SpeedDemon]

Oh ans PS

Http://www.e30tech.com
Http://www.r3vlimited.com

Make these places your best friend...

Sent from S4 on tap talk

[M-technik-3]

Rocker's and the underside inspect them well. Check the floor boards in the front. If they are damp I would suspect rot in the floor. Check carpets for dampness and stains, indicators.

88 will have big diving boards so inspect under the rear for rot especially the battery box..

They are very simple and there are many of us who have owned or currently own them so the knowledge base on these is easily accessible. As noted above those two sites are your main US E30 sites that have nearly everything you will ever need.

R3V you need to have thick skin to join as members are kinda jerky at times to newbies so use the search feature first or lurk.

Good luck with purchase for the miles on it I would suggest not paying over 1.6K for it. M20's run a long time but it's getting up there and if oil changes were not done things start to wear out like the cam lobs and valve encentrics. Maxing them sound even more sewing machine like.

[teen ti]

Already signed up and lurking on E30Tech, as long as its not completely rusted out i think ill go for it, the asking price is only 1200 so im looking at a grand to take it swa and worst case i part it out

[M-technik-3]

Parting out an E30 is not that cost beneficial anymore as there is a glut of parts on tha market since the "hipster's/stanced" crowd jumped into E30's.

[teen ti]

Fair enough, although the interior is in good shape, its got limited slip diff and a set of borbets with brand new rubber so Id probably recoup most of my money right there if I had to part it out

[M-technik-3]

If this is it. Expect to do some work. I can see that rocker is shot as is the fender and I'm willing to bet the floor is soaking wet and rusted to death.