E30 Convertible - how much for a nice one?!
Discussion
Afternoon one & all,
I'm thinking about selling my wife's boring supermini and spending half of it's value on a nice E30 3 series convertible - head says a late 318i whilst my heart screams 325i...!
As she doesn't do many miles a year I would hope to get one on a limited mileage policy (?) but she does need the 4 seats for the sprogs!
Looking on the Autotrader site, I have found a few around the £2300 mark (318i s)and as long as it has PAS and a good service history with preferably a leather interior (more 2 year old proof!) I have no particular version in mind, although I would prefer the later version with the color coded bumpers - what was the difference between those and the earlier cars?
Any guidance much appreciated!
Many thanks again
Nick
I'm thinking about selling my wife's boring supermini and spending half of it's value on a nice E30 3 series convertible - head says a late 318i whilst my heart screams 325i...!
As she doesn't do many miles a year I would hope to get one on a limited mileage policy (?) but she does need the 4 seats for the sprogs!
Looking on the Autotrader site, I have found a few around the £2300 mark (318i s)and as long as it has PAS and a good service history with preferably a leather interior (more 2 year old proof!) I have no particular version in mind, although I would prefer the later version with the color coded bumpers - what was the difference between those and the earlier cars?
Any guidance much appreciated!
Many thanks again
Nick
Values..... hmmmmm interesting one!
Very much a game of luck from what I can see
£3k ought to secure a very nice one with a proper pedigree and history, in original very nice condition, though you may get lucky and pay less
, theres also tat out their for this price too though
Things to watch
Electric hoods are best avoided...more trouble than there worth, if it works fine now, it might not for long!
Rear Arches check throughly for rust, its where they tend to go worst
Auto boxes have a reputation for going out to lunch circa 100k miles, go for a manual, quite rare on 325i's but soo much better
regards engine... maintenance cost arn't much different between models, 6 cylinder 320i & 325i arn't that economical but if your not doing that many miles shouldn't be too bigger concern
Cam belt and tensionor changes, when was it last done? circa £150 at a specialist
www.the80semporium.co.uk has a nice 320i, not sure of the price as its still being fettled, but his stuff usually reasonably priced
Very much a game of luck from what I can see
£3k ought to secure a very nice one with a proper pedigree and history, in original very nice condition, though you may get lucky and pay less
, theres also tat out their for this price too though Things to watch
Electric hoods are best avoided...more trouble than there worth, if it works fine now, it might not for long!
Rear Arches check throughly for rust, its where they tend to go worst
Auto boxes have a reputation for going out to lunch circa 100k miles, go for a manual, quite rare on 325i's but soo much better
regards engine... maintenance cost arn't much different between models, 6 cylinder 320i & 325i arn't that economical but if your not doing that many miles shouldn't be too bigger concern
Cam belt and tensionor changes, when was it last done? circa £150 at a specialist
www.the80semporium.co.uk has a nice 320i, not sure of the price as its still being fettled, but his stuff usually reasonably priced
Edited by mustard on Monday 6th November 18:43
Thanks for that, most interesting.
Had rung about this one, but it's a flipping long way away!!www.pistonheads.com/sales/105224.htm
The price seems very cheap if it is anything like as good as he says?
Will try the 80's emporium number tomorrow
Many thanks
Had rung about this one, but it's a flipping long way away!!www.pistonheads.com/sales/105224.htm
The price seems very cheap if it is anything like as good as he says?
Will try the 80's emporium number tomorrow
Many thanks
Never be afraid to travel for the right car!...We live in a very small country and you can basically get anywhere and back in a day if you have the will. I talk to a lot of guys in the USA about BMWs and you should hear the distances some of them will travel and then drive back with the right car! To me, distance is never an object if the car is potentially 'right'.
I'm basically the same now when it comes to selling a car. Anyone 'serious' will travel!
The chap who bought my last 840Ci Sport basically travelled, from abroad, 12,000 miles round trip to buy it. That's a serious buyer!
The enquiry I had from an (arrogant idiot)'buyer' prior to this, from someone in London, who suggested that coming to Shropshire from London was:
"...not possible in a thousand years...and would I transport the car down to him at his cost but if he didn't like the car would send it back but give me £1000 pounds for my trouble..." [SERIOUSLY!] would now be met with the "click" of a phone receiver being put down!
That red convertible you've pointed out looks promising...especially at that price! It gives you a little money in your pocket to spend sorting anything out you might like to do.
The other car I had seen...but seems a deposit has now been taken...was the very nice looking white one on this site:
www.oldcolonelcars.co.uk/
Keep your eyes open and be prepared to travel...buying a good example of an old car like this isn't going to be like popping into your local dealership and buying an E46. But it'll be worth your effort in the end.
Good luck!
I'm basically the same now when it comes to selling a car. Anyone 'serious' will travel!
The chap who bought my last 840Ci Sport basically travelled, from abroad, 12,000 miles round trip to buy it. That's a serious buyer!
The enquiry I had from an (arrogant idiot)'buyer' prior to this, from someone in London, who suggested that coming to Shropshire from London was:
"...not possible in a thousand years...and would I transport the car down to him at his cost but if he didn't like the car would send it back but give me £1000 pounds for my trouble..." [SERIOUSLY!] would now be met with the "click" of a phone receiver being put down!
That red convertible you've pointed out looks promising...especially at that price! It gives you a little money in your pocket to spend sorting anything out you might like to do.
The other car I had seen...but seems a deposit has now been taken...was the very nice looking white one on this site:
www.oldcolonelcars.co.uk/
Keep your eyes open and be prepared to travel...buying a good example of an old car like this isn't going to be like popping into your local dealership and buying an E46. But it'll be worth your effort in the end.
Good luck!
Edited by derin100 on Monday 6th November 22:01
www.wlnautomotive.co.uk/prodpage.cfm?CategoryID=28000&CFID=16121166&CFTOKEN=4806128
if you want the very best! lol
if you want the very best! lol
For my money the 320 or even the 318 are as good as you need - either will be a step up from any supermini.
That red car looks good value, certainly not too cheap.
We recently bought a 320 on ebay for that sort of money and it has been an excellent car.
At that price I wouldn't tolerate any serious damage history, rusty arches or sills and the hood had better be good too.
These cars are classic and if you buy the right one you can expect to have a couple of years motoring and still sell at a profit!
That red car looks good value, certainly not too cheap.
We recently bought a 320 on ebay for that sort of money and it has been an excellent car.
At that price I wouldn't tolerate any serious damage history, rusty arches or sills and the hood had better be good too.
These cars are classic and if you buy the right one you can expect to have a couple of years motoring and still sell at a profit!
Many thanks for the replies - that red car went into a local specialist who had agreed to do a pre-purchase inspection for me, fortunately as it turned out!
As I live 300 miles away, I thought that would save a wasted journey!
I'll keep it brief, but the car can be summarised by the specialist's comments on the engine bay - "it'll never go rusty under the bonnet due to all of the oil mist being sprayed out by the engine and gearbox..."
That 80's Emporium site is excellent and having spoken to the guy this morning, he seems to know his onions and the very pale gold 320i cab that is in his previously sold section would have been perfect.
Cheers
As I live 300 miles away, I thought that would save a wasted journey!
I'll keep it brief, but the car can be summarised by the specialist's comments on the engine bay - "it'll never go rusty under the bonnet due to all of the oil mist being sprayed out by the engine and gearbox..."
That 80's Emporium site is excellent and having spoken to the guy this morning, he seems to know his onions and the very pale gold 320i cab that is in his previously sold section would have been perfect.
Cheers
you could keep an eye on the adverts on the bmw owners club web site
http://bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/ its free to use.
http://bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/ its free to use.
derin100 said:
That does look sweet doesn't it!?
What is it? late 318i?
What is it? late 318i?
Yep 318i 'Design'
on Ebay
1992 BMW 318i Convertible 'Ltd Edition Design'
69,000 miles with service history, very late E30 Convertible
Supplied by Hallywell Jones BMW of Liverpool on the 24th April 1992, finished in Neon Blue Metallic, it was a limited edition model offered by BMW with various options offered as standard equipment, giving it a unique specification.
In 2000 the car went to live on Jersey, where it has remained until very recently, and due to the nature of its geography, the mileage has remained exceptionally low, with the car remaining in the hands of just one enthusiast owner on Jersey, and judging by its general condition, I know it has been very well looked after.
The car comes with all its books etc, the Jersey export certificate, a current MOT certificate which runs until November 2007.. .all import taxes have also been paid and the customs form is also present. The car when re-registered will be issued with its original DVLA registration number.
The car also has its three original keys and its alarm fob.
Date of Registration: 24 April 1992
Model: BMW 318i Convertible 'Design Ltd Edition'.
Colour: Neon Blue Metallic with black hood.
Optional Extras: JVC Radio cassette player and 10 stack CD player. Ltd Edition 'Design' features include special dark blue/grey interior trim with contrasting blue piping on the seats. 15'' BBS alloy wheels. M-Tec leather sports steering wheel and leather gear stick. Original colour coded boot lip spoiler. Alarm System.
Edited by mustard on Wednesday 22 November 22:41
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