E30 Buyers Guide?

Heinzftw · 12-10-2009, 11:05 AM

Out a whim, on craigslist I finally found a decent E30 325i and am seriously debating whether or not to pull the trigger. What are a few things to look for? Thanks all!

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1501779007.html
http://bmwe30325i.shutterfly.com/27#27

Spec 1 · 12-10-2009, 11:44 AM

That 3rd light in the front is yuck.

Rust under the passenger foot well.
Electrical problems with the gauge.
Working HVAC.
Timing belt on the inline 6's (the I-4's have a timing chain instead)
Taillight seal

Otherwise most are rock solid.

ZJP · 12-10-2009, 01:13 PM

I think the main thing on the 6cyl E30's was just the timing belt (needs to be replaced every 50k-60k).

ENINTY · 12-13-2009, 10:27 AM

Here's a few things to look for:

Leaking steering rack seals (the tirerod boots will be full of fluid).
Sticking antenna mast.

Gages inactive (board may have bad solder joints or bad ground)

Rust under the battery tray.

AC compressor (based on age).

Missing front air dam lip (it pops off easily and people loose them parking)

Check if the heater core was replaced. Some E30s had plasic heater core sides (BMW upgraded it to all aluminum later). There was a recall where BMW put in a valve in the heater core inlet hose to prevent scaling in case the heater core blew). It's easy to replace the heater core BTW.

Clock display will not be working

Radio is toast.

If it is a two door, the seatbacks may not come back to the upright position.

12-10-2009, 11:44 AM	#2
Spec 1 Faster in the Corners 58 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: '91 E30, '05 ZX6-R, '06 300C Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	That 3rd light in the front is yuck. Rust under the passenger foot well. Electrical problems with the gauge. Working HVAC. Timing belt on the inline 6's (the I-4's have a timing chain instead) Taillight seal Otherwise most are rock solid. __________________ '91 M42 E30 - All sorts of goodies. Last edited by Spec 1; 12-10-2009 at 01:54 PM..
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12-10-2009, 01:13 PM	#3
ZJP Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,759 Posts Drives: F10 535xi / B6 S4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (7)	I think the main thing on the 6cyl E30's was just the timing belt (needs to be replaced every 50k-60k).
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12-13-2009, 10:27 AM	#4
ENINTY Banned 188 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Here's a few things to look for: Leaking steering rack seals (the tirerod boots will be full of fluid). Sticking antenna mast. Gages inactive (board may have bad solder joints or bad ground) Rust under the battery tray. AC compressor (based on age). Missing front air dam lip (it pops off easily and people loose them parking) Check if the heater core was replaced. Some E30s had plasic heater core sides (BMW upgraded it to all aluminum later). There was a recall where BMW put in a valve in the heater core inlet hose to prevent scaling in case the heater core blew). It's easy to replace the heater core BTW. Clock display will not be working Radio is toast. If it is a two door, the seatbacks may not come back to the upright position.
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