Jammy 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 A mechanic friend of mine is selling this car. Bought it from Japan, and never winter-driven. My mechanic gave it an inspection and test-drive, and said the body is "mint." It only has 109,000 kilometers on it. What is your experience with this model... reliable? PLEASE, help! jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jammy 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 A mechanic friend of mine is selling this car. Bought it from Japan, and never winter-driven. My mechanic gave it an inspection and test-drive, and said the body is "mint." It only has 109,000 kilometers on it. What is your experience with this model... reliable? PLEASE, help! jim He wants 4500 dollars, btw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huff3r 347 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 M3? $4500 or $45000? Cos i've never ever seen one that cheap Definitely an awesome car to have though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*Glenn* 855 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 He wants 4500 dollars, btw. I'll buy it now at that price....PM me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3 SERIES 93 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Ill double it...PM me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bravo 35 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Make sure it is actually an m3. Many people (including plenty of mechanics) wouldn't know an m3 if it fell on them. A badge at the back saying m3 does not an m3 make. If it is indeed an m3, snap it up - at that price it's probably worth it even if the engine is stuffed. (but only if you have the cash to buy a new motor - HUGELY expensive, as in, at least the price of the car again or more depending on how many kms and how much work it needs). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30plz 1 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 I bet its a 318i with a //M badge... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forrest 35 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) I bet its a 316i with a //M badge... Fixed. Edited May 11, 2009 by Forrest Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
e30plz 1 Report post Posted May 11, 2009 Well then I can understand it being worth $4500 then. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JiB 2 Report post Posted May 12, 2009 If it's an m3 it'll be the deal of the century even if the motor's rooted. I'd throw a v8 in it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark 178 Report post Posted May 12, 2009 Do you have to wire the $4500 to a Nigerian bank account? If so... DO IT! (Actually don't) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westy 614 Report post Posted May 12, 2009 If it's an m3 it'll be the deal of the century even if the motor's rooted. I'd throw a v8 in it. A Chevy one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jammy 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks so far for the info'. I guess what I'm curious about is what I can generally expect from this car -- '87, perfect body, just over 100,000 klicks on it... All of these things considered, is it worth it to worry about it being a 22 year old car? I'm not illusioned enough to think I won't have to spend money on maintenance and odd repairs -- in fact, I fully expect to have to do that, and am more than willing. I don't know a lot about this type of car, but, I'v had it out a few times, and I know that I like it a lot, but, something still holds me back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pjay 8 Report post Posted May 12, 2009 I'm calling your bluff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamez 2147483647 Report post Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) Jammy, if its a M3 it will look like this if its a decent e30 325i/320i or even 318i, it will look like this or if its standard it will look like this i cant believe its a m3 at 4500 as they are worth around 25-45k....condition depending Edited May 12, 2009 by Jamez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bravo 35 Report post Posted May 12, 2009 Nice comparison there James. It would be pref/l for the non-m3's though being 87. Jammy - it is really hard to say what maintenance it will need. The thing is, if it IS a real m3, the owner is likely to have some idea of its worth, in which case there must be something very wrong with it. m3's go for $15-25k for tired ones, and $45-60,000 for good ones. Take a look at Old Skool's thread about his 1987 m3 from japan and you'll see the sort of problems you may encounter. If its a standard e30 with a m3 badge, then you need to compare it to others at the same price. At that price for a pre f/l, I'd be either wanting something very mint including mechanicals, or something in need of a little amount of tlc, but a bit special (like 325i manual with body kit). BTW as Simon below states, this is all $NZ. As it appears you may be from Canada, may I suggest you have a talk to the guys over at maXBimmer.com as they are mostly based in Canada. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Simon* Report post Posted May 12, 2009 Jim/Jammy you haven't given us a lot of information. From what I can gather: - your friend (a mechanic) has a 1987 E30 M3 - it has 109,000km and is in very good condition - he bought it in Japan and had it shipped somewhere - you had your mechanic check it over - he wants to sell it to you for $4,500 (insert country here) Dollars - you drive a Golf CL and are not that impressed with the M3? Pics would really help. It will be Left hand Drive presumably? It is registered and road legal for your roads? Where are you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old_Skool_Bmw 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2009 $4500 in any currency would be somewhat of a bargin.. But i'd have to question if it really is an M3 at that price. Even a run down example would fetch somewhere between 10-15k (NZD) pics would also be nice and of the engine.. That will be the biggest giveaway if it not an s14 engine. Laurence Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
