E30 316i 4DR auto

Mahatma coat

Right, I've got an option to purchase & Keep one of these for smallish money, or see about shiftin it on again, tis in good nick, but its an 89 so no odds on classic insurance ( I mentioned that I was lookin for a 2002 or similar ) what are the pitfalls on these specifically, I havent Driven it yet, I moved it off the trailer around the yard, but that dosent really give me a feel for the car.

it was garaged for 6 years and looks fairly tidy, where should I start lookin for problems.

also anyone got a Ballpark retail value for one of em??

Pdfile

give it everything a usual cars needs, full service, oil all hinges, a very good clean, fresh petrol, turn her over then check for the electronic faults, if thats grand, roll here back and forth in gear and work the steering...

then go about getting cheap tyres, pc/tax it... bobs you're uncle ??
( these are a very Very well made car btw... i done the exhaust with a relation before and it took us forever to get the thing off.. everything fitted to last, methodically placed, and well.. time consuming ! )

hi5

You should be able to get classic insurance on an 89.

Mahatma coat

Really?? I thought it had to be at least 25 years old to qualify as a classic for insurance purposes and 30 for tax

Muckie

A few insurance companies will insure you on classic insurance

on a 20 year old car, was on to Avia and Carol Nash a while ago about

this. Love the 80's BMW's. Happy motoring.

ants09

lovely car hope you enjoy motoring in it

first check the following

around the back lights, the back wheel arches, the jacking points, the front still and the battery tray for rust.

check the engine to see if she overheats and also the fan while your at it

i also do a full service on her change the belts, water pump etc

if you need any advice on them join e30owners.com

Mahatma coat

Well, Looks like I'll be floggin it:(

talked to my broker, the guys I'm insured with wont touch anything over 15 years old.

SO,anyone wana buy a 316i???????:D:D:D

ants09

Mahatma coat wrote: »

Well, Looks like I'll be floggin it:(

talked to my broker, the guys I'm insured with wont touch anything over 15 years old.

SO,anyone wana buy a 316i???????:D:D:D

try first ireland as they insure it !

i give you a and take it off your hands if you really push it on me :P

unkel

Mahatma coat wrote: »

talked to my broker, the guys I'm insured with wont touch anything over 15 years old.

No regular insurer will insure classic cars. They just call them "old"

Have a look at the charter of this forum. There is a link to a thread about classic insurance in there, you'll find all the insurers who will insure classic cars and a lot more info / experiences about classic insurance!

macplaxton

Mahatma coat wrote: »

Well, Looks like I'll be floggin it:(

I'd be floggin' your broker :pac:

Mahatma coat

had a look at that thread, I checked out the IVS site, looks like they will cover anything over 20 years old for E133 + E25 membership, must call em in the morning, that said tho, I gave her a bit of a run around the field today, I'm not overly confident in the front hubs and brakes, and there is a bit of rust on the back corner and it seems a bit underpowered compared to the manual 318i I had in Australia many years ago.

But at those prices I might Keep it.

Captain Slow IRL

Rust is the biggest pitfall, check everywhere!

The M40 engines seem to be a bit of a lemon and if neglected can get very noisy in the top end - you'd swear it was a diesel if it's bad enough! If they do, you'll probably need to replace the camshaft, rockers and tappets. Timing belt kits will need doing every 25k.

If it's been sat up for 6 years, you'd probably want to be replacing the rubber bushings up front (and possibly in the rear) and brake hoses. Metal brake lines and fuel lines like to get rusty as well.

Depending on condition, I'd say top money is about 1.5k for one, the market for them right now is very poor.

kdevitt

First Ireland cover BMW's 15 years of age and over as classics - once you're a member of a recognised club. (such as my website )

ants09

kdevitt wrote: »

(such as my website )

your website :eek: bows to master kdevitt

agrees with ye there first ireland will insure e30's no problem once a member of ye website

Mahatma coat

ah Well, Easy decision in the end, Lad I know had an operation on his foot and was lookin for a Cheap Automatic. so I Sold it on.

If anyone hears of a Cheap 2002 or similar I'm lookin, got space in the Shed and need something to keep me fromgoing stir crazy over the Winter.

Wishlist also includes any of the LARGER Engined E34's which I will mothball

unkel

Mahatma coat wrote: »

If anyone hears of a Cheap 2002 or similar I'm lookin, got space in the Shed and need something to keep me fromgoing stir crazy over the Winter.

Did you see the 2002tii in the for sale sticky? Not cheap, but looks good value for money. And very desirable, so will keep value well.

Mahatma coat

Gorgeous, but even tho thats Cheap its still a Fair bit over the Current Budget

Really looking for a rebuild Jobbie