I'm selling my 1987 325i inline-six BMW E30 convertible. If you've never driven an E30, ou are not familiar with the pleasure of driving. The car is a stick and it's spent its long 29 year life in California so it is completely rust free.
I've owned the car since 2013 and it has been my daily driver ever since. I've got a whole stack of service records going back to the 1990's--I added up the amounts and there has been over $20,000 put into the car before I bought it. I've kept all records of what I've done (around another $5000).
I know the car well and will describe the work I've done and what it would need to be restored. I initially was planning on totally restoring the car and started with the mechanics first, See list below). I have decided I don't have the time available to continue the project so I've got to let it go.
Cosmetically, he car is really nice looking but would need three main things done if you want it to be very sharp: New top, aint job, nd New upholstery (There are a few rips you would expect from 29 year old leather!) There is a small ding on the passenger quarter panel, see photo), nd the dash just got its first two little cracks in it. The back window is still there but you can't really see through it, his would come with the new top which runs around $800-$1200 installed depending on the shop. I haven't really been bothered by it yet enough to get the top and if you will just use the car in the summer with the top down, ou wouldn't need to worry.
There are a few very minor electronic or cosmetic blemishes that can be expected from a car made in 1987 but nothing major. The cruise was working but isn't currently, did buy the new part but haven't put it in yet. Air conditioning works! I've replaced a lot of small things cosmetically including: Seat cables so they will fold up, aillight lenses, ew light in the onboard computer, loor mats, nd new headlamps. Here is a list of all the mechanical work I've had done, in addition to regular service). There are a couple things that you will want to do in the next few months at the bottom. I average 20 mpg and sit in rush hour traffic every day.
The car also has a removable hitch and a 12 disc cd changer that you will learn to love if you try hard enough...
Mechanical Work:
2014 and 2015
▪ All 4 tires and alignment - have at least half the tread or more
▪ Head and gasket replaced
▪ Timing belt and tensioner (at 150,000 miles)
▪ Thermostat Housing
▪ Water pump
▪ Coolant reservoir
▪ Distributor caps
▪ Fuel filter
▪ Fuel pump and pre-pump
▪ Spark plugs
▪ Radiator service
▪ Throttle body gasket
▪ Hoses
▪ Clutch Master Cylinder
▪ Brake Master Cylinder
▪ Catalytic Converter
2016
• Oil change and tire rotation 3/2/2016 at 169,325 miles
• I paid the registration in advance (Was not due until 4/20/16, ext smog is 2017)
• I had them look over everything at the last visit and there are a few things that should be done in the next 6 months:
⁃ Brakes (Shop said I probably have another 1000 miles left)
⁃ Alternator belt
⁃ Valve adjustment
⁃ Control arm bushings
The car will be listed locally and on ebay, he auction will be cancelled if I sell the car locally first.