WTB: E30

[elias 286]

Wanting to buy an E30.

Looking to spend around 7-8k max. 
 

prefer something with as little rust as possible, preferably manual. Don’t mind coupe or sedan. Don’t mind mechanical issues etc. Would rather something with mechanical issues than a whole bunch of rust. 
 

cheers.
 

 

[deedub 60]

If someone here doesn't have one for you there is a 320i up for auction on trademe at the moment. Current bid at $1540. Seller reckons 4-5k to get it road worthy (recent quote from their mechanic). But a decent chunk of that will be time. Sounds like you would need to check the rust situation. Interior looks reasonable. Could trans swap to manual. 

You may have seen it already but figured I'd post in case you haven't.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320i/listing/5154077551

[elias 286]

On 2/12/2025 at 12:43 PM, deedub said:

If someone here doesn't have one for you there is a 320i up for auction on trademe at the moment. Current bid at $1540. Seller reckons 4-5k to get it road worthy (recent quote from their mechanic). But a decent chunk of that will be time. Sounds like you would need to check the rust situation. Interior looks reasonable. Could trans swap to manual. 

You may have seen it already but figured I'd post in case you haven't.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/320i/listing/5154077551

Not a bad option, definitely worth a look. 

[deedub 60]

Sadly it looks like seller withdrew the listing. Maybe got cold feet after setting the reserve at $1...

[elias 286]

Happy to buy just a rolling body. Not fussed about engine etc. But must be RUST FREE. 
 

 

[Harper 579]

Presumably this is one of the M44 ones you mentioned?

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EH4AB9r5Z/

[elias 286]

1 hour ago, Harper said:

Presumably this is one of the M44 ones you mentioned?

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EH4AB9r5Z/

Correct that’s the one 

[elias 286]

Still looking for a tidy coupe shell/rolling body 

[e30ftw 421]

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1659415685006102/

[Southerner 147]

22 hours ago, e30ftw said:

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1659415685006102/

That's pretty good for a coupe on the road.

 

What are your plans to build if your after rolling body?

[elias 286]

26 minutes ago, Southerner said:

That's pretty good for a coupe on the road.

 

What are your plans to build if your after rolling body?

Yeah I went and had a look at it, paint is rough as, so would need a full respray, and has some dodgy rust coverup in the boot, been painted with truck bed liner and rust is coming back through that. Interior is tidy though and seems generally fairly well cared for.
 

plan is nothing crazy just a nice simple m52b28 + manual swap and Some nice wheels. Just want a fun street car. 

[Gaz 1065]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19C6yYdsAk/

[e30ftw 421]

I think that one's butchered, I've seen him post numerous questions fighting wiring gremlins and not being able to get it started. The whole car was stripped by a previous owner and he put it back together.

[elias 286]

6 hours ago, e30ftw said:

I think that one's butchered, I've seen him post numerous questions fighting wiring gremlins and not being able to get it started. The whole car was stripped by a previous owner and he put it back together.

Haha this was my next option. It’s had rust repairs done, and no more rust that I can see now. According to the owner it runs and drives. Paintwork is definitely rather average however. 

[elias 286]

Are you certain it was that car that was stripped by previous owner and having electrical issues? Guy who owns it currently said it was taken apart for rust repairs under his ownership. 
 

came across this one, looks very similar with bits removed etc but a sedan, was this the one you were referring to?

[e30ftw 421]

Ohh whoops, yeah got them mixed. I saw the interior picture of the coupe and the wiring looks diced up under the passenger seat. 

[elias 286]

1 hour ago, e30ftw said:

Ohh whoops, yeah got them mixed. I saw the interior picture of the coupe and the wiring looks diced up under the passenger seat. 

Yeah they look very similar. Potentially will be picking the coupe up on the weekend. At least I know there’s no rust left. It will need some paint done so keen to hear if anyone has any recommendations for reasonably priced panelbeaters. He’s got the rest of the interior to put it back together. Seems like a good candidate for a m52 swap. 

[Southerner 147]

Nothing better than a red M52 swap

Hopefully yours is a quicker turn around than mine with my other life "priorities"

 

[elias 286]

5 hours ago, Southerner said:

Nothing better than a red M52 swap

Hopefully yours is a quicker turn around than mine with my other life "priorities"

 

Very nice! I’m sure I’ll be asking you quite a few questions soon. Will hopefully be picking up a red coupe on the weekend and an m52 sometime next week. Will take a while to put the whole interior back together and figure out what to do about paint as well as removing the engine, gearbox etc and sourcing manual (clutch) pedal/pedal box and all the other bits and pieces. 
 

will be a bit of a project but should be fun, have been spending most of my time on the 135i clubsport car I’ve built which I’ve still got and won’t be going anywhere, but nice to do something different and something a bit nicer for the street. 

[Vass 929]

Sounds like an awesome project, great chassis-engine combo, best of luck with it and real keen to follow your progress. I've got a mate that's gone down the same route with his sedan, absolute banger of a car, pretty crazy seeing it today compared to what he started off with. Would be happy to put you in touch for some tips and advice if needed, he's a great down to earth fella.

Haven't looked into it but have wondered for a while why people prefer to go M52 for these swaps as opposed to M54? Is it the cable throttle vs fly-by-wire of it all?

[elias 286]

1 hour ago, Vass said:

Sounds like an awesome project, great chassis-engine combo, best of luck with it and real keen to follow your progress. I've got a mate that's gone down the same route with his sedan, absolute banger of a car, pretty crazy seeing it today compared to what he started off with. Would be happy to put you in touch for some tips and advice if needed, he's a great down to earth fella.

Haven't looked into it but have wondered for a while why people prefer to go M52 for these swaps as opposed to M54? Is it the cable throttle vs fly-by-wire of it all?

Yeah bit of a set back today unfortunately seller has decided to back out of the deal as someone has made him an offer and is picking it up before the weekend. Pretty shitty thing to do imo considering we had a deal. So back to the drawing board to keep looking for a coupe rolling body.

not too sure why people don’t do m54 more often but from what I understand they’re slightly more expensive engines and a little more tricky to get going in an e30.  

[elias 286]

Still looking for a tidy rolling body.