Is this a bad idea?

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
04/14/2014 at 14:38 • Filed to: E30 Hunt

As some of you may know, I've recently been on the hunt for a car for my younger brother. Browsing CL last night I ran across !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

A little info about the car:

The trunk lid was replaced by the P.O. after somebody broke into it. New trunk lid was put on, but never painted. Doesn't leak at all. Current owner replaced transmission/motor mounts and the center support bearing for the driveshaft.

Current owner bought the car with 92,xxx original miles on it, but the odometer froze at 99,xxx just recently. Timing chain hasn't been checked but the current owner says the car runs wonderfully.

Current owner also states "It kicked out of first gear only twice in my ownership, but that was extremely rare." Forgive my ignorance, but what do you think he means by that?

Right now my brother is having the car taken to a garage for a pre-purchase inspection. If everything checks out, he might buy it. The last E30 we looked at (325xi) was sold out from under him so he's determined to not let another slip through his fingers.

Here's a few more pictures that aren't included in the ad.

If you think it's a bad idea, let me know! This could possibly be my brother's first car and if it's going to be a money pit, I think he needs to steer clear. What say you, Oppo?

DISCUSSION (27)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 14:41

All E30s bought on the cheap puke coolant. People who say theirs doesn't are either liars or in constant need of a jump start. I will bet my Fiesta ST that car has mechanical or electrical faults that will be expensive to find and repair. Don't do it. Not for a non-car person's daily driver.

Brian Silvestro > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 14:42

Could use a little TLC, but I like it. The 318is is one of my favorite E30s.

Big Bubba Ray > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
04/14/2014 at 14:43

Thank's for the input! I'll definitely tell my brother to have the shop look out for this.

Big Bubba Ray > Brian Silvestro
04/14/2014 at 14:44

Yep, kinda rough around the edges, but if my bro picked it up, he'd get some things sorted out, drive it for a few years, and either sell it to me or somebody else for a small profit.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 14:47

Oh and I don't for a second buy that "It froze just recently at 99,000 miles". That car is either a) much higher in mileage or b) VERY VERY VERY poorly maintained.

Try and find a nice mustang or camaro if he needs RWD or maybe get something like a 200SX or Civic Si if he wants a reliable yet sporty DD. Oooooooooooo Gen 1 neon ACR would be cool. As would an NA engined 300zx or 3000gt. Stay away from twin turbos.

Actually that's what your brother needs - late 80s/early 90s non-turbo Supra.

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 14:47

Could of had a V8. Also you gonna be around STL area this weekend? cause there is a car cruise in my neck of the woods on Saturday evening.

Ducky > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 14:50

the cheapest BMW is the one you paid the most for.

For a first car get something slow, shitty and boring like a Mustang, NA Miata or Civic.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 14:50

There are no bad ideas only ideas that need more work to complete than others-Vdynamo

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
04/14/2014 at 14:52

Haha he can't afford gas on a V8 unfortunately! But ya I'll be around! I think there's some type of C&C meet up in Rock Hill off Manchester road that I might hit up that morning.

Jobjoris > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 14:53

Current owner also states "It kicked out of first gear only twice in my ownership, but that was extremely rare." Forgive my ignorance, but what do you think he means by that?

This means that the current owner knows it WILL happen to you (this never happened to my 40 year old 2002). Leave it be. It's a poorly maintained basterd, just look at the front: would you treat your car this way? This one shouts 'moneypit' everywhere.

Right now my brother is having the car taken to a garage for a pre-purchase inspection. If everything checks out, he might buy it.

Curious what the garage had to say so keep us informed!

Big Bubba Ray > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
04/14/2014 at 14:53

I like the way you think

Big Bubba Ray > Jobjoris
04/14/2014 at 15:11

Definitely will do!

Cherry_man1 > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 15:15

Ya I have to leave Sunday afternoon so my family moved Easter dinner for me while im home, but Saturday night at Culvers in Collinsville IL has a cruise at like either 4 or 6.

jariten1781 > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 15:21

Jumping out of first gear can be a lot of things. I'm not familiar with the E30 trans, but from what I've seen elsewhere:

Syncros worn leading to the driver not getting full engagement. Normally happens right when pulling off from a stop...not a big deal, just be extra cognizantWor of shoving it all the way in there

Misadjusted linkage. Usually an easy fix. Tends to effect all the gears on the same side of the gate eventually (1st occurs first because it's typically harder to engage).

Bad bushings and mounts. Lends to slop leading to not fully engaging. Usually a fairly easy fix.

Worn gear or missing teeth. Only seen it once. Needs a rebuild or trans swap (usually the second is cheaper)

If I were to pick this guy up I'd just preemptively replace all the bushings and mounts, swap the fluid, adjust the linkage, and pay specific attention when putting it in first until I had learned the quirk then I'd just drive around it if it were still showing up.

Big Bubba Ray > Cherry_man1
04/14/2014 at 15:22

Cool, I'll see if I can make it out there! I have to tune my carb, it's been running a bit lean and god knows how long that could take haha

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 15:30

By "kicking" out of gear he must mean the trans will literally pop out of first gear and go into neutral while driving.

Honestly this thing looks like an absolute pile. If your brother is looking for a total beater I guess this would work but if this is going to be his main DD I'd tell him to keep looking. Is he dead set on a E30? What about an E23/24/28?

Big Bubba Ray > offroadkarter
04/14/2014 at 15:36

Ya that's what I figured by him saying "kicking" outta gear.

Here's the thing. My brother is an asshole and gave me a very strict budget and within that budget I have to find him a car that he finds appealing. This wouldn't nnecessarily be a "daily" driver because he's at college so it would get driven maybe once or twice a week. He's not entirely dead set on an E30, but he does love them. If this one turns out to be a turd, I'll tell him to pass it up.

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 15:39

Tell him to look at the other 80's BMW's. They're basically the same thing just larger. The E28 5 series is smaller than a modern 3 series. I know this because my e23 7 series is basically the same size as a modern 3 series.

I was also never really a fan of the M20, sure its probably reliable but its pretty weak. Even the M30 is pretty weak but its better and a bit more powerful.

I hope your brother isn't getting caught up in the "OMG E30 best chassis ever" crap that gets thrown around a lot, especially here. I think most 80's BMW's are going to be fun to drive, hell my e23 is pretty light on its feet for an executive sedan.

RPM esq. > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 16:53

No way that's a 99k mile car, unless CarFax actually shows some kind of reasonable progression of miles over the years. The odometer going out on E30s is pretty common, and has been for a long time...so I don't buy that "just went out at 99k" story at all. The paint, the bumpers, the ill-fitting hood...it all points to a very rough life, even if the car does have low mileage. Also, is that front grille original? It looks to me like a replacement, not least because it doesn't seem to fit together with the hood.

RPM esq. > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 16:54

My other comment notwithstanding, I had an E30 as a first car and it was great, even if it inspired an expensive, lifelong BMW habit.

Big Bubba Ray > offroadkarter
04/14/2014 at 17:09

I've been looking for 80's BMWs recently in my area, but most of them are complete turds and they're falling apart.

But he's not caught up in the whole E30 fanboyism haha he's just a huge fan of old boxy cars and he loves the look of old BMWs.

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 17:10

what area do you call home

also, this is plenty boxy IMO

Kinja'd!!!

Big Bubba Ray > offroadkarter
04/14/2014 at 17:13

Very boxy. I love your BMW, especially with those wheels.

And I'm from St. Louis, MO.

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 17:27

East St. Louis?

Is there any other St. Louis?

Have him check out the E28 and E34 5 series cars to. E28's are straight up 80's boxy and E34's are a good mix of 80's boxy and 90's style.

Kinja'd!!!

You can get the M30 I6 in both of these and the M30 is a damn good engine. Mine started up and ran on the 6 year old gas still in the tank lol

Big Bubba Ray > offroadkarter
04/14/2014 at 17:33

Haha East St. Louis is technically in Illinois. I live on the Missouri side. Think of it as west St. Louis. I'll definitely keep the E28 in mind. They're fantastic looking cars and he'd love the look of them.

offroadkarter > Big Bubba Ray
04/14/2014 at 17:35

The lowest model E28's, which I don't even know if they were sold in the US, had a 90hp M20. Do not buy one of those. Try to find one with an M30 in it.

He also has this option if he wants to be classy as fuck. These cost the most out of any 80's BMW non ///M from what I've seen

Kinja'd!!!

Big Bubba Ray > offroadkarter
04/14/2014 at 17:48

Oh he loves the old 6 series, but he's got a Honda Civic budget so that would never be in his possession haha

That is a damn good looking car, though.