Finally!

Finally time to buy a "new" e30. I found one at a good price. High miles, 190,xxx, 87 manual 325e...owner says it has an air intake leak, and needs gasket and an air intake boot. Suggests that I tow it.

My question is with this small amount if info, does it sound like a major problem, or a simple cheap DIY fix?
I'm no mechanic, and still learning about e30's. the cost btw is 1000

It really depends on the problem the car is having. I always recommend taking a mechanic with you to buy a car or take it to one before you buy. The owner shouldn't have a problem with this unless he has something to hide. Now you didn't give us a lot of information about what is going on with the car. Does it start? If so is it running rough? If so does the engine smooth out when you accelerate? Also, the intake boot you should be able to inspect yourself before you buy to verify. (look I was a poet and didn't know it ) And which gasket is he talking about? Intake? Valve cover? Head gasket? You may need to put some money into it to get it to run well depending on the problem.

Thanks or the response. That's all the info I have right now until I see it tomorrow. I'm sure it starts but again I'm not sure until I see it. I'm gonna try to get a mechanic out. I'll provide more info tomorrow. Thanks!

I'm finding that the $4K rule applies to E30s. You either buy a car for around $4k and put a small amount of coin into it, or buy a $1,500 car and spend $2,500 on maintenance and repairs. Either way you will be into the car for approximately 4 large.

That makes sense..I'm willing to put a grand or so into it. In the past I have been lucky to find e30's that need less work than the owner thought. I guessing I'm hoping that this is the case. The owner doesn't seem like an enthusiast. If it is a head gasket, anyone know the approx labor? Also if I'm going to take of the top what else can be done for performance while I'm in there (assumin I but it)

Originally Posted by markseven

I'm finding that the $4K rule applies to E30s. You either buy a car for around $4k and put a small amount of coin into it, or buy a $1,500 car and spend $2,500 on maintenance and repairs. Either way you will be into the car for approximately 4 large.

I fully agree. I was offered one for 3500.00 and i turned him down. So i bought one for $400.00 and am already at 3500.00 and still lots to do....

that being said, I know that important stuff has been replaced, i had fun doing it, i learned a lot, and I can now fix it if anything ever goes wrong.

Originally Posted by E30 hobby car

I fully agree. I was offered one for 3500.00 and i turned him down. So i bought one for $400.00 and am already at 3500.00 and still lots to do....

that being said, I know that important stuff has been replaced, i had fun doing it, i learned a lot, and I can now fix it if anything ever goes wrong.

I am with you on that. The journey is sometimes more fun that the destination.

buy this: http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/3546166712.html

Originally Posted by Tkaczuk

buy this: http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/3546166712.html

Looks good. If he's asking $800, he'll take $700.

Originally Posted by markseven

Looks good. If he's asking $800, he'll take $700.

Maybe even less. He has had it posted for a while.

Originally Posted by Tkaczuk

Maybe even less. He has had it posted for a while.

Offer $500 cash!!??!

The thing that scares me is the title. It may run perfect but if Simone else holds the title it may take quite a good amount of legal work to get it right

Sell you mine, 6k.

Freight mine out