Craigslist Finds Thread

That M3 has a gazillion miles on it. $5k is cheap, but I can think of better ways to spend $5k than that.

I like the old turbo 7 though. Probably needs a lot of work (more than the owner knows), but you don't see those every day.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/pts/2026422914.html

Badf*ckinass.

http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/pts/2029496419.html

Flip them for a few hundred?

Originally Posted by Los

http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/pts/2029496419.html

Flip them for a few hundred?

Tried contacting the seller yet? I saw those and emailed them twice....got no reply.

Figured you may have seen them. No I haven't tried yet, still thinking about it but if you got nothing then they're not worth the trouble for something I wouldn't keep.


However a wheel search has officially begun...

Originally Posted by Los

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/pts/2026422914.html

Badf*ckinass.

Sure, but this car is worth nowhere near what the seller is asking though. I've seen nicer 2-door e30 325s with 50k fewer miles and in flawless condition/enthusiast owned sell around here in the $6k range. The seller is fooling himself, and perhaps others, by advertising this car as a "fully restored" collectible, because it really isn't. It's a 4-door e30 with 150k miles, garden variety suspension upgrades, and some fanboy stickers.

Originally Posted by Los

Figured you may have seen them. No I haven't tried yet, still thinking about it but if you got nothing then they're not worth the trouble for something I wouldn't keep.


However a wheel search has officially begun...

If I'd have gotten a response I would already have them here. I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

Sure, but this car is worth nowhere near what the seller is asking though. I've seen nicer 2-door e30 325s with 50k fewer miles and in flawless condition/enthusiast owned sell around here in the $6k range. The seller is fooling himself, and perhaps others, by advertising this car as a "fully restored" collectible, because it really isn't. It's a 4-door e30 with 150k miles, garden variety suspension upgrades, and some fanboy stickers.

That's why I opened it. I was thinking what could this thing possibly have to make it worth so much.

I loled.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/2053967658.html

Going to look at them tomorrow. Good deal?

Originally Posted by LiLmL01

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/2053967658.html

Going to look at them tomorrow. Good deal?

BBS are notoriously expensive...and good

IDK what the going rate is where you are mate, but id say that over here a really nice set of used BBS wheels and tyres would go for five/sixhundred sheets.

Probably works out about the same as the advertised price

Originally Posted by Boab

BBS are notoriously expensive...and good

IDK what the going rate is where you are mate, but id say that over here a really nice set of used BBS wheels and tyres would go for five/sixhundred sheets.

Probably works out about the same as the advertised price

Okay. thanks!

Hey I'm going to look at this tomorrow:

http://lexington.craigslist.org/bar/2043415836.html

Do you think its a good deal? He's asking 3800.00 OBO.

Its got 190k on the odometer, it needs a glovebox door and a window switch. He said the headliner needs to be put back in as well. I figure I can get it for about 2500-2800k max. Are there many problems mechanically to look for?

We can find a glove box door I do believe/

Don't know how the pricing goes in your area, but I wouldnt go higher than 2800. If you can get it to that. Then consider it

Cooling system, suspension, any leaks, smooth idle,....

Honestly, I wouldn't touch a BMW with 190k without getting a pre-purchase inspection from a shop that specializes in E36s. Especially one being sold by a guy who composed a listing as vague as that one...

Yeah, that was kinda my theory too. I know some BMW mechanics, I'm going to try and get one to tag along with me. How are these things in the winter. Right now I'm stuck to my work vehicle and my daily driver which my wife drives. So the idea would be that I would drive this when I need to drive off duty. My Lightning doesnt do snow. lol.

Your Lightning is probably pretty bad because it has no weight over the rear tires, plus those rear tires are very wide and it has gobs of torque. The E36 has 50/50 weight distribution, and with proper tires underneath it, you shouldn't have any trouble in snow.

I've never had any trouble driving RWD cars in the snow, and I'm originally from Michigan, which gets buried under snow for months at a time.

The main things on the E36 to look out for are the following:

- Cooling system (radiator, fan, water pump, expansion tank, thermostat & t-stat housing, cap, etc. This stuff needs to be replaced every 75-100k miles)
- Control arms, ball joints, tie rods, lower control arm bushings
- Rear trailing arm bushings
- Rear shock mounts

I have had several Lightnings, most of them have done okay in the snow, and all I've ever driven in the snow is RWD vehicles. However, I just purchased a built lightning in March and its definitely a lot more powerful and its set up for road racing, so its not going to be snow/wet friendly.

Its a relief that the E36's are 50/50 weight distribution. I wish I had the dough for a M5 but with a little one that arrived in Jan. 2010 its kinda tight right now. But my wife is definitely into this car, manual transmission and all, she's ready to autox it and road course it with me next year. lol. Gotta love that.

I appreciate answering all of my newb questions.

Brian

Originally Posted by xsivhp

I have had several Lightnings, most of them have done okay in the snow, and all I've ever driven in the snow is RWD vehicles. However, I just purchased a built lightning in March and its definitely a lot more powerful and its set up for road racing, so its not going to be snow/wet friendly.

Its a relief that the E36's are 50/50 weight distribution. I wish I had the dough for a M5 but with a little one that arrived in Jan. 2010 its kinda tight right now. But my wife is definitely into this car, manual transmission and all, she's ready to autox it and road course it with me next year. lol. Gotta love that.I appreciate answering all of my newb questions.

Brian

Bold for win!

Alan- Not to thread hijack moreso than I have... Thats exactly why I married her. She's a motorhead, to keep it short and simple, the lightning is hers but I drive it when I'm not at work. She drives my supercrew so she can drop off our son at daycare in the mornings. She also rides sportbikes and does all of her own maintenance. /end hijack

Well I went and test drove the 325is today, its gonna need some work, but I think I can get it for under 2k.

Here's my concerns:

#1- driver rear suspension is soft, so soft in fact that it rubs on the tire. Keep in mind the rear tires are too large for the car's 18" wheels. Maybe a busted shock, it didn't seem look like anything was broken, but I'm not real keen on what to look for.
#2- rear seatbelts are stuck, as if they have been locked out. Should be an easy replace.
#3- I couldn't get the trunk to lock, the key would go in, but wouldn't turn. I'm a newb to BMW- so maybe its something I'm doing.
#4- Driver door wont unlock the car, but the passenger side will? I researched it, maybe its a actuator.
#5- other than the above listed- just some minor dents and dings, interior wear... a good cleaning up should be sharp.

I didn't tell the guy anything on price negotiating, but he understood I wanted to research some of my concerns. I'm going to go back and look at it again in a day or so.

Any heads up advice?

Here's a few photos:

Looks like it's been riced out at one point, but if you can get under $2k, it's not a bad deal. Just expect to have to put some money back into it right away.

With any non-enthusiast owned E36, I would just plan on having to replace all the bushings, ball joints, cooling system, shocks, etc.

Paint is actually pretty good. I'd say go for it

but what happened under the hood.... fire?

Yeah, I'm with ya on the riced out part. Its got a borla exhaust, which sounds good, but looks terrible IMHO. Also the ricer taillights would have to go.

Not sure about under the hood. I have the previous owner's information and I'm going to contact him tomorrow. I know from the carfax that it was wrecked in 2001. hit a curb and a utility pole, no frame damage, nor airbag deployment.

You sure that's a Borla exhaust? I've never seen a Borla system that looked like a fart can.