Should I fix my E30 Touring?

"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
03/23/2015 at 18:00 • Filed to: E30 Touring

As you might know I've !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! a (2nd) 1989 BMW E30 Touring sometime late last year. The idea was to ship it to the US, just !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! before. However, my US based partner's priorities changed and the US based E30 Touring market isn't like it was a year ago. So now I'm left with the choice what to do with my current E30, as it does need some loving to make it right.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The car will need a new exhaust (muffler), viscous fan clutch, lots of brake line and the headlining sags in the back. The factory side skirts need remounting, the after market steering wheel needs replacement (I've already got a nice OEM one) and the worn drivers seat should be replaced with a matching one. For good measure it should get new oil/filters/plugs too.

What do you think? Should I try to sell it locally as-is, or should I fix it and maybe still ship it to the US? With the value of the Euro dropping like it has been I can easily have this in the US (east coast) for $6k including shipping and all the required work done to it as listed above. Maybe even €5.5k. Is it worth it, and if so, how do I find an appropriate buyer?

(it is a bit dirty in the pictures, not rusty, excluding the exhaust)

DISCUSSION (46)

E. Julius > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 17:27

If only I was in the market : / I know my girlfriend would love one of those these

cabarne4 > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 17:45

Shit, why did I buy an FR-S? ...I need this in my life.

TheBaron2112 > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 17:54

I've been looking for a wagon. And this is a little out of my price range, but the uniqueness is just enough to have me interested.

But what I've had on the brain is a Mercedes W123 turbo diesel.

Would you be capable of pitching the E30 compared to the W123 to me? I'd be interested in hearing a sales pitch as to why I should consider this over a Merc. :P

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 17:59

Man, I wish I had a buyer for you. The US needs more touring love!

B_dol > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 18:08

Start posting this on Craigslist in LA/SF/SD. You will have buyer in 1 week willing to ship it overseas I guarantee! Or plop it onto the Bimmer forums.

RustedSprinter > cabarne4
02/27/2015 at 18:23

Return FRS buy E30.

RustedSprinter > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/27/2015 at 18:24

The world needs more touring love!

RustedSprinter > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 18:25

Can you ship me your 205 for my AW11?

cabarne4 > RustedSprinter
02/27/2015 at 18:29

Serious consideration is serious...

But I seriously need a truck, to be honest. :(

RallyWrench > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 18:34

So, how much can you get it to CA for, not fixed? I'm, um, asking for a friend...

duurtlang > RustedSprinter
02/27/2015 at 18:36

I know you're not serious, but I am thinking of selling my 205 GTI as well, as I dont drive it as often as I should. Although I like MR2s it would wind up the same as the 205; not driven enough.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 18:38

My opinion? If you can't sell it for a good price, disassemble it as much of it as you can, put it in a container and ship it as 'car parts'.

Then use those parts on your US-registered car.

RustedSprinter > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 18:44

I would be serious if I had the money. What do they cost to ship to the US and are they legal in the US?

duurtlang > RallyWrench
02/27/2015 at 18:48

As is, but with fixed brakes (safety first!), viscous fan clutch (it could overheat otherwise, if it's left idling too long at warm temperatures), remounted side skirts and at a major CA port? $5k?

It depends on shipping costs. Maybe $5.5k is more realistic, I'm not sure. I'd have to ask.

duurtlang > RustedSprinter
02/27/2015 at 18:55

I've shipped one the US before, I almost shipped one to Doug DeMuro even, had he not been looking for a car that incredibly hard to find within a 1000 km radius. The legality in the US is simple: as long as it's 25 years old it's fine as far as I know. You might want to read a few of those Doug DeMuro columns on importing a 25+ year old car.

My E30 Touring was built and first registered in December 1989, the 205 GTI in 1988, so both 25+ years ago.

edit: cost of shipping is probably roughly $2k, from European port to American port without the whole bureaucratic import process in the US.

duurtlang > TheBaron2112
02/27/2015 at 19:04

They're very different cars. The E30 is far more sporty, smaller and weighs far less too. The W123 is more of a relaxed highway cruiser, especially with a diesel. This E30 is about 1230 kg (2700 lbs) 'dry', even with the straight six it's got. The w123 turbodiesel was already close to 900 lbs heavier in Euro spec, probably even more in US spec. If you're looking for a sporty 1980s wagon with huge after market support, even in the US, the E30 would be it. It's far more of a head turner too, in the US, as they weren't legal to import until 2013.

RustedSprinter > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 19:04

Thanks for the info! What are you asking for your 205 btw? Just curious.

duurtlang > RustedSprinter
02/27/2015 at 19:12

I've had the 205 partially restored in November-December, four figures in parts alone. I'd say about €5k ($5.6k with today's exchange rate) excluding shipping but including bringing it to a nearby port and doing the paperwork for this side of the pond. Like I edited into my previous reply I believe shipping to be roughly $2k, depending on where it needs to go.

ly2v8-Brian > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 19:13

I'd say yes just because I saw your build sheet in the other post and saw it was 'born' exactly a month before me. It deserves it. Of course I understand that a lack of money would be an issue.

RustedSprinter > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 19:14

Stupid question but does any auto importer give you a general quote? Like if a car cost 1K do they know all the fees charged and give you a quote before you pull the trigger?

RustedSprinter > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 19:18

Well if you still have it by the time I get 8 to 10 k I'll hit you up for it.

jimmyjames > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 19:20

this post has made me feel more regret about going to law school in nyc than i have felt in a long time. i'm assuming you want to move this car before mid-august of this year?

duurtlang > jimmyjames
02/27/2015 at 19:22

Preferably, yes. April would be best.

RallyWrench > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 19:23

Wow, that's great. I'm looking for a car at the moment for around that amount or less, but wasn't looking at E30s because I've had one. A solid Touring, though... that might be worth stretching the budget for. And that color is wonderful. I'll have to think about it if I don't pick up something else soon.

duurtlang > RustedSprinter
02/27/2015 at 19:24

I don't think the value of the car matters all that much. You might have to pay a little in taxes, but that's only a small percentage. I have been mostly responsible for the European part though, so I can't really speak from experience. You might be interested in reading what Doug had to say about the whole process. Here's a link to his import-related columns. Or you can ask Brad, the guy I shipped my previous E30 Touring to and who Doug linked to in his column from last Wednesday.

TheBaron2112 > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 19:50

I want to mull this over. I want rugged and durable and something I can keep basically forever.

jimmyjames > duurtlang
02/27/2015 at 23:44

i wish i could help more! good luck!

Ferrero1911 > RustedSprinter
02/27/2015 at 23:44

I give general quotes. Although if you sourced the car yourself I would need to adjust it because that service is a large part of what I usually quote. It wouldn't be insanely difficult to bring in a car yourself though. The hardest part is finding one to buy.

Ferrero1911 > RallyWrench
02/27/2015 at 23:45

You will not be able to register this car in California.

duurtlang > Ferrero1911
02/28/2015 at 11:27

Why not? Legitimate question. Is it because of CA-specific emission regulations? The M20 straight six engine was sold in CA, right? Isn't it possible to modify it a little to make the engine CA spec?

RallyWrench > Ferrero1911
02/28/2015 at 11:38

Why is that? There are several VW dokas of similar age registered fairly recently here.

ST8OMND > duurtlang
02/28/2015 at 14:03

I had this issue with some mtn. Bikes years ago when I was poor, and spent 3 years trying to get back the 1 bike I sold. Will never sell another bike. My cars are the same. I have an e21 and an e30. My e30 sits in a garage waiting, and I daily drive the e21. My e30 is not a touring, and I feel it is jalop enough to keep. Yours is a touring, making it even more jalop, and I know for a fact you will kick yourself every day if you get rid of it.

duurtlang > ST8OMND
02/28/2015 at 14:22

Not really. I do live in Europe, the Netherlands, I could get another one. The issue is that I have a daily driver (Peugeot 406 coupe), a weekend toy which I hardly get around to ('88 Peugeot 205 GTI), this BMW and my first car tucked away in a shed ('91 Golf). That alone makes the BMW the most obvious car to sell first. The BMW is parked on the Dutch side of the Dutch-German border, but it still has its German registration, meaning I can't drive it legally in my own country until I've imported it legally. This isn't too much of a hassle and not overly expensive, but selling it across the pond and driving it to a shipping company is more interesting. T hat's what I bought it for in the first place, as a project to sell, a bit of a hobby.

Ferrero1911 > duurtlang
02/28/2015 at 17:13

California is basically not allowing direct imports of any vehicles after 1966. It is possible to modify the engine to make it California spec, but it would be expensive. Even when the parts that need to be changed are known you still have to take it to a BAR inspector. They've been known to make people change gas tanks and other "emissions equipment" to certify cars in California. I know it sounds straight forward, but it can take months and thousands of dollars.

Ferrero1911 > RallyWrench
02/28/2015 at 17:16

How recently? As of last June California is denying all direct imports after 1966. They will accept them if you get the BAR certified, which you could do for this car. It would be expensive and time consuming, but it can be done. But for my 1970 car there is no emission standard to meet, so the they want me to meet a standard that does not exist.

duurtlang > Ferrero1911
02/28/2015 at 17:17

Right. To be avoided at all costs. Is this true for indirect imports as well?

Ferrero1911 > duurtlang
02/28/2015 at 17:26

That gets a little weird. They still consider it a direct import if it's titled in another state first because it's still being imported into California. If you have a standard 17 digit VIN then they probably won't notice, but if your VIN doesn't conform you'll still get flagged. As with anything with the California DMV it is unpredictable what they will do. Even this memo doesn't really clear anything up.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/con…

RustedSprinter > Ferrero1911
03/02/2015 at 10:58

Thats awesome thanks Ferrero! I will be contacting you in the future.

Moves-Like-Senna > duurtlang
03/02/2015 at 13:54

I saw you mentioned 5-5.5K to CA do you know how much to Quebec or Nova Scotia in Canadian$?

What sort of condition would the interior be after all the repairs?

duurtlang > Moves-Like-Senna
03/02/2015 at 14:28

I haven't done anything to the interior just yet. I've got a worn drivers seat and a replacement seat that doesn't match the passenger seat in fabric motif. It came with the car when I bought it, but I consider mismatched seats unacceptable. So normally I'd source something else. Dash is uncracked, if I recall correctly.

However, when I mentioned $5-5.5k I mentioned them in reply to someone asking about the car as-is. I in reply mentioned a few things I will do anyway as I'm not going to sell an unsafe car (brakes) or one that might overheat, but I didn't include the interior. It doesn't have to be expensive to fix though, it depends on what you want. Matching cloth seats ($cheap) or an as-new full leather interior ($500+) fall in some very different price categories.

Quebec or Nova Scotia should be cheaper to ship to than CA as they're geographically far closer to Europe. As long as it's a large port where the ships specialized in shipping (new) cars offload their cargo. If you're seriously interested I could find out. Do note that $5.5k US is roughly $6.9k CAN. I personally don't mind $US/CAN as both need to be converted to Euros anyway.

Here's the interior as it was when I bought it. I don't have better pictures, and the car is at my mechanic so I can't get to it now. I'll clean it up obviously. The steering wheel will be replaced by the OEM one. Actual replacement steering wheel pictured below.

Kinja'd!!!

RallyWrench > Ferrero1911
03/02/2015 at 14:28

Hmm. The Dokas I know of locally were definitely registered before that. I have a good relationship with the local BAR referee because I run a shop and have successfully passed cars with him before, but it might be more headache than it's worth with the changed rules.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > duurtlang
03/02/2015 at 14:56

I'd say fix it, better the devil you know.

Also serious question; what is the going rate for Land Rover 109's in your neck of the woods? Are there sites you can point me in the direction of (don't worry if they're in Dutch as I'm an Afrikaans speaker so I can muddle my way through) so I can do some research?

Towards the end of the year I'm looking to getting a 109 Series IIa/III and the prices over here in the States are starting to go through the roof. I was looking at a 5 door 109 IIa that wasn't running, needed new brake system and a major overhaul of the running gear for $12500... Crack Pipe all the way to the crack house.

I know I can get a decent 109 in England for around £4500 but I'm curious if it's cheaper in Europe (plus I don't have to worry about swapping over the steering wheel) than England.

duurtlang > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
03/02/2015 at 15:00

The major sites I use are http://www.mobile.de/?lang=en and http://www.autoscout24.eu/

They're mostly focussed on Germany, but include lots of cars from other countries as well. The biggest Dutch one is Marktplaats . Click the 'uitgebreid zoeken' button.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > duurtlang
03/02/2015 at 15:04

Baie dankie ;). I have quite a few family members living in Germany so that's useful to know.

Moves-Like-Senna > duurtlang
03/02/2015 at 21:04

Thanks! I'm going to think about this, I just love the color/exterior combination of the wagon. For the interior, for a like new leather one, is there a orangey/tan available?

Also, engine specs?

Do you export a lot of cars?

duurtlang > Moves-Like-Senna
03/03/2015 at 07:21

Engine specs are in this article I wrote when I picked it up, in the screen shot of the build sheet. It's the smaller displacement M20 straight six cylinder engine. Availability of interiors depends on what's available in the used market, Ebay and our equivalent of craigslist if you will. I'll have to get back to you on that one. You could source one yourself as well, the interior of the sedan should fit if I'm not mistaken. The only issue is the foldability of the rear bench.

I don't export a lot of cars at all. I've shipped one in 2014. Had he not been looking for a total unicorn I would've shipped one to Doug DeMuro as well , as explained by himself.