Purchased: 1985 BMW 325es, $150

[JulesMaximus]

What are you referring to? I know the redline has nothing to do with it. I never said it did. The e is short for eta. These cars were designed for efficiency. The max rpm has to do with how the engine was designed and built. The resulting low rpm in 5th gear going down the highway is due to the gearing.

Which is short for efficiency...which is short for economy...which is short for slow...those cars didn't accelerate, they acquired speed...much the way a savings bond acquires interest.

Those cars can be a real money pit. Unless it's an M it's pretty much worthless except for parts.

 

[Excelsior]

Which is short for efficiency...which is short for economy...which is short for slow...those cars didn't accelerate, they acquired speed...much the way a savings bond acquires interest.

Those cars can be a real money pit. Unless it's an M it's pretty much worthless except for parts.

I appreciate the enthusiasm.

I disagree though. The platform is just as good to modify as an i or is. You won't find an M, salvage or not, for less than 5 or 6x what I paid for this car.

As for the money pit part....parts are very plentiful for this car. Shouldn't be terrible.

 

[Excelsior]

did they ever say why it was a salvage? just curious. kind of makes me want to save up an extra $200 for something like it.

No, I imagine it was the roughed up fender, hood, and headlight.

 

[cprince]

I bought an '87 325e for $500 last summer and absolutely love the car. If you haven't already done so, register for: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/index.php

also, www.pelicanparts.com has most of the parts for it, and great DIY articles too.

Lastly, you'll need these two links:

http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/561en/index.htm
http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

And if you have extra money, buy this:
http://www.amazon.com/BMW-E30-Servic...1362672&sr=1-1

 

[Raduque]

A hundred and fifty bucks? Sounds like a LeMons car to me! :awe:

 

[zCypher]

Sounds like a sweet deal, doesn't look too bad at all for $150.

 

[Jodell88]

A hundred and fifty bucks? Sounds like a LeMons car to me! :awe:

This

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

I agree new cars squeek less. They do spend a lot of time getting interiors to be quieter. Everything else though.... no.

 

[Excelsior]

I bought an '87 325e for $500 last summer and absolutely love the car. If you haven't already done so, register for: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/index.php

also, www.pelicanparts.com has most of the parts for it, and great DIY articles too.

Lastly, you'll need these two links:

http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/561en/index.htm
http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

And if you have extra money, buy this:
http://www.amazon.com/BMW-E30-Servic...1362672&sr=1-1

Thanks for the links!

 

[earthman]

Old Beemers will nickle and dime you to death....assuming they run long enough. Most of them have been beat on, too.

 

[Excelsior]

4/22/10 UPDATE:

The car finally came in. Arrived at my dad's place this morning. I went over after work to help him load it onto the trailer. Unfortunately, the trailer he borrowed ended up losing a tire not long after we loaded it. The transmission works great, engine runs smooth, idles fairly well. Amazing for just having to get the battery charged and for $150.

Plan B- I drove it home, the 8-10 miles. Very illegal, I know, but it was kind of fun. Dad drove behind me in my car. The interior pretty rough...the roofliner needs to be redone, both seats should be refurbed, dash has the typical cracks, etc. The OBC doesn't function but I am impressed by the number and type of functions it has. The MPG gauge is amusing. It has enough grunt on the lowend to be in 4th going 35-40 and it doesn't feel too weak to get up and go.

I noticed a loud noise on the drive home and the ride was quite floaty. Turns out after looking under the car with my roommate that the driver's side rear shock was just hanging there. Of course most of the suspension components will be replaced with new ones.

All in all, I am very pleased with the purchase. Very pumped to get started on it. I will take some more pics in the daylight (the original paint looks pretty good for being so old after a wash).

 

[Tristicus]

I would have bought that in a second.

 

[Excelsior]

I would have bought that in a second.

Yep, easy decision. Forgot to mention that the car has been in the south all of its life, or so it seems. From a dealer in Atlanta and had been at Ft. Bragg in Fayetteville in its last days before the wreck. There is virtually no rust anywhere on the car except for a small spot on the roof. The under body looks flawless.

This is in direct contrast to the 325e I looked at from Craigslist which lived for 165k miles in NY state. Its under body looked awful, even the fender wells.

 

[Stifko]

I would have bought that in a second.

me too, nice find.

I wanna manual E32 or E34 wagon.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I owned a 1986 BMW 325e with automatic transmission. It was a 4 door, black with beige leather interior...it was a completely forgettable car.

 

[Excelsior]

I owned a 1986 BMW 325e with automatic transmission. It was a 4 door, black with beige leather interior...it was a completely forgettable car.

Pretty sure you mentioned this earlier. You also had to remind me how slow they are.

1) I bought the car for $150.
2) I did tons of research about the 'e' before I considered buying one.
3) It is a 5 speed, not fail auto.
4) I got it for $150...and it runs and drives.

Maybe it is completely forgettable...maybe it isn't a fucking Maxima, but for the BABE Rally and as a project car, it is ideal. The rust is very minimal for a nearly 25 y/o car that hasn't lived in a dry environment. The engine and trans are practically bulletproof. With some TLC, work, and a bit of $$, a "completely forgettable car" will be rescued and put to use. Could even be a DD for someone.

Those cars can be a real money pit. Unless it's an M it's pretty much worthless except for parts.

And they're a money pit if you don't know how to do the work yourself...or where to get the parts for the cheapest. And I assume you could do neither of those. Hell, the M car is almost money pit due to the rarity/cost of the parts alone. It only isn't one because they're highly sought after.

 

[Throckmorton]

It's a Jeep. What do you expect?


...yeah, I went there.

Well to be fair it's a Jeep that was first released in the year I was born, 1984.

 

[Excelsior]

did they ever say why it was a salvage? just curious. kind of makes me want to save up an extra $200 for something like it.

No. I figure they just priced the fix/parts so high the owner said screw it and wanted something newer. It is obvious they didn't do much to keep the car up on the interior. They at least kept the engine going alright. I've already found a fender, hood, grill, and headlight for $100, and that is color matched. Won't take long to put those on either.

 

[Tristicus]

Sell it to me after you get done with it for $300. :awe:

 

[Excelsior]

Sell it to me after you get done with it for $300. :awe:

What a deal....for you.

Honestly, when we are finished, there will be a good bit more than $300 in this car.