Sammo

I’ve decided to take the plunge and get into an E30 before the market gets even more silly. Ideally I want a clean, rust free FL 325i 2 door manual - original is nice, but not at all opposed to something 24v swapped. Looking to spend around $30k

Will definitely be in many respects, but the mind heart has been made 🤣

I got excited for a split second when I saw that pop up. The other concerning thing is when people immediately comment 'that's cheap' - car is needs cert / panel and paint / god knows whats up with the engine and the interior is completely trashed.

Sadly only have one off street park otherwise would definitely hang on to it. Although I don’t do enough kms anyway to justify three cars anyway, especially WFH / Covid times…

@bmwclassic Ewww look at the size of those kidneys 🤣

@Olaf Good advice - need to love it - i’m planning on holding the car for a good amount of time (Forever?!?) so shouldn’t rush 👍

The wife has been borrowing the E46 the past 2-3 weeks driving through a construction site daily while her Audi gets fixed so its been uncharacteristically dirty lately. With the amazing weather, was high time to give her a good going over, also fixed a door speaker and sorted a little handbrake issue. Stopped for an impromptu snap en-route to the Supermarket - its been a while. Just doing a few minors on it now (RTABs / Alignment / Oil) as will be selling it on once I find an overpriced E30 for the next project 😢 I think she knows, was an absolute pleasure burbling around, turning heads in the sunshine, making me doubt myself...

Cheers, it’s in Cambridge - might cool my heels a touch however and take my time to make sure I get the right one - have a bit of time and money to not just buy first thing that comes along. The FOMO is real though 😬

Oh yes, a really enjoyable job on ramps 😂 not a whole lot of space under there although I did manage to avoid investing any premium unleaded

Cheers man! Will hit you up for sure once I do 😎

Cheers - definitely budgeting plenty of refreshing, regardless.

No, facelift slicktop so ‘lower risk’ - apparently ‘no known rust’ for what that’s worth…

Question for the wiser E30 heads: Would it be foolish to purchase an E30, sight unseen? Or is it an acceptable risk in today’s market / buying a 30+ year old car? While the car in question does look clean and has had the same owner for 5+ years, I am planning / prepared to spend plenty of money on maintenance/ restoration of anything I buy anyway so niggles won’t be a major factor. Necessary evil or shall I just wait until us filthy Aucklanders can leave the region (2022/2023😬) ?

I think we are at 'Devil you know' territory now haha I knew its first proper service wasn't going to be cheap but the front ADS shocks were an unpleasant surprise indeed ($1200 each)

Got it back today finally - feels like a new car, as one would hope after the $5K plus bill. Tyres and alignment tomorrow 4 x Control arm bushes / 2 x front electronic adjustable shocks / spring pads and bump stops / Big old oil leak in rear of engine from cam chain cover / coil pack connectors / Brake fluid / Diff fluid / service. Oil leak and bushes (surprisingly) were covered through warranty so the shop went through replacing anything and everything they could while they were in there 👍 At least I have better leverage on the wife when the time comes to sink some coin into my BMW 🤣

Withdrawn already...

Jeez, makes me wonder what mine would go for

That thing is gorgeous!!

Interesting - fantastic colour and factory manual helps but will be interesting how much its average condition and lack of WOF / Cert holds it back...

Haha gotta be to snap up the deals (well not ‘deals’ at all but you know haha) Half these cars don’t seem to hit TM

Facebook group (E30 Classifieds)

Those two PFLs went in like an hour as well 😱

Personally I would be looking to the manual 323i Polaris Silver sedan over that - manual / better colour(?) and also has black leather sport seats in seemingly good nick with an Mtech wheel which adds further value. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3260294076?bof=hnsnFXPs I imagine you could get it for $14k easy enough as well - where this one has been slowly drifting down from the low 20's asking price over months, so imagine seller isn't motivated to go much lower?

This has been up for sometime now but no threads yet - 1982 E21 320i looks nicely restored and pending eventual sale price, on the market at $15,999 looking like great value for money. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320i/listing/3243052618?bof=d6IsAtLi Just popped up - 1972 1602, partially restored albeit not to factory (not so sure on the raspberry paint) which likely impacts value - must say I actually like the interior - quite the vibe! https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/listing/3293563670?bof=nFirlg1q Can you dig it maaaaaan?