u/Anik71

My OEM+ 330ci

As the title states, went to pick up some pieces for a friend’s car and this guy had an immaculate built E30 convertible and this as a project he never got to. He got this off of a guy who rear ended his truck in front of his house (parked on local roads). Automatic, 1990 325i, 91k miles. Interior is mint, just one rip on the driver seat, but everything else is perfect. Two cracks on the dash. Thoughts on buying for $4k with all those pieces included and having a $10k budget for restoration?

My build is essentially complete. Did a total mechanical overhaul when I bought the car this past spring (expansion tank, valve cover gasket, bushings/struts, brakes, engine mounts, etc.) The paint was pretty pristine to begin with, just some minor scratches and some slight cracks on the front bumper. But when I bought the hardtop this past month, I decided to paint match the hardtop + do a paint correction and fix all the tiny blemishes on the paint. Couple that with the style 73’s I bought and refinished and this looks like it came off the showroom lot. Fell in love with the E46 platform all over again during this and now it feels like I’ve got two cars with the hardtop.

Two owner, claims rust is only on the sunroof as shown in videos. Runs and drives well from the looks of it; sent me driving videos too. More photos in the comments. Trying to bring them down to 10-12.

Seller’s description: 30 years owned 325es.

Finished in Schwartz over black vinyl sport interior, ES trim resulting in front air dam, rear spoiler and LSD.

Very well preserved and kept, all original paint. Unmodified except for an aftermarket radio, BBS reps with new tires and Bilsteins in the front and rear.

Instrument cluster including odometer is fully functional, as is the power sunroof, windows, cruise control, fog lights, check control, and so on. Full tool kit.

Maryland/Virginia Car and was never driven in salt, so underside is rust free, including rear apron and battery tray.

Many have asked us to source a clean E30 and it has taken us over a year to find one, they do not come around often in this condition.

Owner lovingly cared for this car for over 3 decades. Hundreds of service records.

Some dings/scratches, but paint shows very well.

If you’ve been looking for a rust free E30, this may be a great option.

All cars sold subject to $200 doc fee.

Contemplating this, this is the description from the seller want to know if this is worth $12k :

1988 BMW 325is with 5 speed manual transmission, M20B25 engine and limited slip differential from the factory.

Finished in Bronzit Beige Metallic with 101,120 miles VIN WBAAA1308J8254137 - 4/21/1988 production

I’ve taken this car on road trips from Virginia to Vermont and it’s always been reliable and a great time. As you can see from the upgrade list below, the car is set up for spirited driving. I purchased the car in Nov. 2024 from a gentleman in Virginia who extensively maintained and upgraded the car. He purchased the car from the original owner in Florida, so the car is rust free with the exception of a small spot on the sunroof and hood. The car has always been stored in my garage and the same goes for the previous owners.

The car currently sits on BBS RG 003 wheels that were professionally restored at Proformance Industries in New Rochelle. The listing price does not include these wheels, but I do have the original Euro Basket Weave wheels and a set of aftermarket wheels that come with the car. I can include the BBS RG 003 wheels for an additional $3,000.

The car originally came with the diving board bumpers but I installed late model plastic bumpers (they have paint fade since I bought them off a car in Nevada). The diving board bumpers are included if you’d like them. The car also has some clear coat peeling, mostly on the hood.

-- MAINTENANCE UNDER MY OWNERSHIP --

• Replaced cooling fan clutch
• Front and rear Bosch brake pads
• Oil pan gasket
• Valve cover gasket
• New poly motor and transmission mounts
• Coolant flush (and new thermostat), full brakes flush, oil change

UPGRADES FROM PREVIOUS OWNER

-- DRIVETRAIN -- BLOCK - Original M20B25 block 2.494CC (152.2 cubic inches), 84mm bore x 75mm stroke, 8.8 to 1 compression, all managed by Motronic 1.3 (Upgraded Viton seals for the oil filter housing.)

HEAD - 885 head refreshed with OEM size intakes at 42mm in & 36mm out valves, and an Ireland Engineering 272 degree cam - SCHRICK profile

INTAKE - Miller PSIK cold air intake with K&N, MAS mod with a Miller Racing chip designed for free flow exhaust

EXHAUST - Sock manifolds into MagnaFlow downpipes, MagnaFlow cat, and MagnaFlow catback exhaust and muffler

TRANSMISSION - OEM Getrag 5 speed, UUC Short shift, EVO III weighted stock selector, HD tranny mounts, fresh clutch and throwout bearing, rear main seal and output flange seal (2024)

DIFFERENTIAL - Stock 3.73 limited slip differential with Red Line fluid. Good resistance in the clutches.

BUSHINGS - all were replaced

-- SUSPENSION -- SPRINGS - Ireland Engineering race springs with new perch pads in the rear

STRUTS/SHOCKS - Bilstein sports shocks rear, Bilstein sport inserts in the McPherson Struts, IE strut torsion bar

CAMBER PLATES - Ireland Engineering fixed camber/caster plates and fresh OEM strut bearings

SWAY BARS - Ireland Engineering 22mm front adjustable sway bars and 19mm adjustable sway bars rear with reinforcement trunk mounts and new urethane bushings

CONTROL ARMS - Lemforder control arms with sport M3 offset control arm bushings

STEERING RACK - BMW Z3 quick rack, powered

SUBFRAME - removed, cleaned and replaced OEM subframe bushings

-- BRAKES & WHEELS --

CALIPERS - Stock calipers front and rear with Turner’s stainless steel brake lines front and back (except inner rears)

Wheels - 14” inch Euro Basket Weave wheels and aftermarket wheels

-- HEATING & COOLING --

New (2019) OEM Behr radiator with new OEM viscous fan

New AC hose and charged system in 2024

New heater core and valve in 2024