E30: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Classic Motorsports

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May 7, 2010 5:13 p.m. Moparman Reader

Now that we have found a buyer for the MX3, we are looking for an E30 somwhere on the NE or in the Mid Atlantic region. Any coupe except for an 325E
May 7, 2010 5:29 p.m. jrw1621 Dork

www.craiglook.com
Search diligently hitting on the key words of BWM and BMW 325 or BMW 318.
I found mine at a great price because the lister used poor word choices. He titled the listing with the words "87 BMW" and never said 325is but rather just listed it as "top of the line 3 series."

Try the E30 websites as well:
http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/index.php
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=7

Have cash and be ready to strike quick. The good ones are not listed long.

Good luck.
May 7, 2010 7:12 p.m. speedblind Reader

What are you looking to spend?
May 7, 2010 7:47 p.m. shadetree30 New Reader

FWIW Import Carlisle is in a couple weeks.
May 7, 2010 8:25 p.m. grimmelshanks Reader

whats wrong with a 325e? i know the e came with a different engine that was a little bit doggey but it is still a bimmer. you can port the head and get a cam etc...

pinion shaft? uh-oh
May 7, 2010 9:24 p.m. pres589 Reader

Thought it was more like, get a different set of valve springs and a chip...
May 7, 2010 10:00 p.m. ditchdigger Reader

The valves in the E head are smaller as well. It is just better to start with an i. The best of both worlds would be the 88 325 with the SETA motor.

"Sweat is what makes it rock and roll, otherwise it is just folk music with drums"
May 7, 2010 10:23 p.m. Moparman Reader

speedblind wrote: What are you looking to spend?

It is my son's project so we are looking the initial budget to be in Challenge territory. $1500 - $2000. Must be a project
May 8, 2010 9:01 p.m. speedblind Reader

You won't have a problem finding a decent E30 for 2k, but you may have to wait. Still plenty of people out there that don't really know how popular they've become.

As to the ETA thing, I'd consider a good condition 318is before getting an ETA.
May 9, 2010 11:59 a.m. JFX001 Dork

speedblind wrote: You won't have a problem finding a decent E30 for 2k, but you may have to wait. Still plenty of people out there that don't really know how popular they've become. As to the ETA thing, I'd consider a good condition 318is before getting an ETA.

There is a 318is (in FL) for sale now in the classifieds....

Easy like Sunday Morning.
May 9, 2010 3:46 p.m. z31maniac Dork

speedblind wrote: You won't have a problem finding a decent E30 for 2k, but you may have to wait. Still plenty of people out there that don't really know how popular they've become. As to the ETA thing, I'd consider a good condition 318is before getting an ETA.

Depends on your definition of decent. Clean E30s are already selling for about the same or more as E36s except E36 M3s.

www.gutenparts.com, call and talk to Levent, tell hm Buddy sent you. He will be able to help you locate a car.
May 9, 2010 6:54 p.m. speedblind Reader

For 2K you can find a running car in decent condition that needs a bit of work to be a great DD. And the projects will be the fun type - replacing suspension, adding stickier tires, etc. The kind of stuff that shows an immediate improvement in the way the car drives.