BLACK DORIS 9 Report post Posted December 3, 2008 (edited) So, have been looking at a NZ new '86 e30 318i PFL (206,000 ks manual sedan) here in welly. As advised here, had the pre-purchase inspection done by a bmw specialist - Page European, who were very good and did a thorough appraisal and at a very reasonable price. Was $60 cheaper than the only other place listed in online yellow pages. Thanks Veejay/Bo. Report comes back and there's a list of around 19 items which vary from things like cracked bushes (-control and trailing arm), cracked steering belt, worn ball joint, worn rear shock bushes, L/F wheel bearing starting to become noisey, noisey tappets, minor oil leaks, cracked fuel hoses under bonnett etc. The major concern though was a steering fault. Page European were unable to establish the exact cause without getting into steering bracket etc (hope I got that right, I'm dont have much mechanical experience). Symptoms are: Wheel is stiff to turn, poss more so than a car without power steering. Once turn is made, the wheel fails to return to center easily, if at all. Needs to be manually returned to center after turn has been completed. Page European were reluctant to take car on a decent drive because of this fault which they considered too dangerous. As mentioned, this problem cant be identified exactly, without what sounds like potentially major steering surgery! Wondering if anyone at bimmersport has had the same steering experience with their e30's models of around this age, and more importantly - was it expensive to correct!! I still like the car and think that the items that were found are reasonable for the cars age and k's. It has no rust (well not that we saw, and no mentioned of rust was in inspection report). Has also had recon radiator and new clutch last year. PE quoted approx 1500 to get most of the items repaired although I'm not sure if that included the steering issue. - Sound reasonable?? Seller has a copy of report and is confident that he can have most issues repaired, find quotes for some of the other parts that need replacing (excl labour) and will find out and correct steering issue, poss himself. Edit. correct steering issue before sale - may do the repair job himself. Seller had always accepted responsibility for correcting this issue. I guess my question is - is this a specialised repair? It is the steering we're talking about!!! Would appreciate any advice regarding the findings of the appraisal also, What would be a reasonable price for the vehicle in it's current condition? Where to go from here -after all has been said I'm still considering buying if the repairs are sorted? Cheers Edited December 3, 2008 by BLACK DORIS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted December 3, 2008 Sounds to me like you need to walk away. There are plenty more fish in the sea, take your time and find a good one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted December 3, 2008 Yup... count yourself lucky you didn't buy it without an inspection and find a better car! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westy 614 Report post Posted December 3, 2008 It does sound like a bit of a dog. How much are they asking for it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BLACK DORIS 9 Report post Posted December 3, 2008 (edited) Around 2.8k... Edited December 3, 2008 by BLACK DORIS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted December 3, 2008 Around 2.8k... Tell him he's dreamin!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tire 10 Report post Posted December 3, 2008 (edited) Its mine. The steering we already knew about and I have said I would have it fixed at my expense so you don't need to worry about it mate. I'm taking it in today or tomorrow. The inspection didn't turn up any faults with the engine / gbox / drive components except noisy tappets and minor oil leaks which I thought were pretty par for the course. 19 things sounds like a lot but a lot of them are minor - a headlight is corroded and doesn't work which I am looking into now, wiper blades, park light bulb out, loose seats (didn't bolt them in all the way lol), a few cracked hoses, a p/s belt, an intermittent rear door central locking fault, handbrake light switch faulty / needs adjusting. That leaves the suspension things - bushes, a ball joint, and a bearing "starting to get noisy". Obviously these suspension things need to be negotiated around. So all in all I thought it wasn't too bad for an e30 really and I'm not that impressed you called it a "dog" westy Edit... I suggest you look at a few other e30s and get them inspected Rio, to get a feel for other ones too. Edited December 3, 2008 by tastic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westy 614 Report post Posted December 3, 2008 Lol. I said it "sounds like a bit of a dog". Not "it is a dog". Thats why I asked how much you were asking for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldskool 4 Report post Posted December 4, 2008 Oopps, Nearly landed in it Westy, what did Obama say about putting lipstick on a pig again, fair doos tho, tidy e30's are getting harder to find without faults & oily & suspension bits are easier to sort than rusty bits, look at the number of m325i's being broken at the mo as point in case on that one, but have to say Tastic for a 318i non pwr str with over 200k's if you can get close to your ask you are doin well. Like the old saying goes - everythings for sale at a price .................. Black Dorris, old rule of thumb always applies, buy the best you money will get you & don't rush for the wrong car, there is plenty of choice still out there. Good luck to both of you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BLACK DORIS 9 Report post Posted December 4, 2008 Oopps, Nearly landed in it Westy, what did Obama say about putting lipstick on a pig again, fair doos tho, tidy e30's are getting harder to find without faults & oily & suspension bits are easier to sort than rusty bits, look at the number of m325i's being broken at the mo as point in case on that one, but have to say Tastic for a 318i non pwr str with over 200k's if you can get close to your ask you are doin well. Like the old saying goes - everythings for sale at a price .................. Black Dorris, old rule of thumb always applies, buy the best you money will get you & don't rush for the wrong car, there is plenty of choice still out there. Good luck to both of you Hey oldskool, Pretty sure there is pwr steering it's just not working at mo. Yep , will see how it all pans out. Thanks for the advice. Tastic has been straight with me about car and given me some good advice in general about e30's. He's been good to deal with and is working on getting the car up to scratch. Would like to see a deal that's win win for all concerned. cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tire 10 Report post Posted December 4, 2008 Thats the spirit. Yes it has power steering its just not working, taking it in tomorrow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ED1RTY 2 Report post Posted December 4, 2008 All the things that are wrong with this car are basically generic E30 faults when they get to this age. All i would be looking at is if there is ANY rust. parts can be replaced, rust can never (without very deep pockets) be removed entirely. I'd offer 1800-2k depending on body condition. Spend 1200 on it and it will be sweet. although if you have limited mechanical skills it may be a bit pricier Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted December 4, 2008 ^^+1 Hoses,park lights and tightening a few bolts is easy but as said, if you have very little ability it may be different. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BLACK DORIS 9 Report post Posted December 4, 2008 All the things that are wrong with this car are basically generic E30 faults when they get to this age. All i would be looking at is if there is ANY rust. parts can be replaced, rust can never (without very deep pockets) be removed entirely. I'd offer 1800-2k depending on body condition. Spend 1200 on it and it will be sweet. although if you have limited mechanical skills it may be a bit pricier Good to know. Cheers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BLACK DORIS 9 Report post Posted December 4, 2008 ^^+1 Hoses,park lights and tightening a few bolts is easy but as said, if you have very little ability it may be different. Cheers! Not complete bollocks around a car -just never had a euro model. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
