Temptation
Posted by John Yust
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I haven't posted anything about it here, but for the past year and a half my job (and therefore my income) has been up and down - with a lot of down. Just a couple of weeks ago I started a new job that has work lined up for months. My plan was to save money from this new job and get back on track with my plans to buy a house, so naturally one of my cycling buddies had to throw some temptation in my path by offering to sell me his car. Take a look at these pictures. This will delay my plans a little if I go for it, but the temptation is strong.
[attachment 173 2013-01-0516.23.51small.jpg] [attachment 174 2013-01-0516.24.12small.jpg] [attachment 175 2013-01-0516.24.36small.jpg] [attachment 176 2013-01-0516.25.03small.jpg] There is one little body flaw. The hood doesn't line up right at the front edge. It got hit and soemthing isn't quite right. The hood got repainted and looks fine. No rust. Perfect interior - no cracks in the seats or dash. The AC doesn't work - I've fixed that before, so I know what that involves. I drove it today. My car is an 87 eta and this one is an 88 is. It seemed kind of twitchy to me, but maybe that's just the way an i feels compared to an eta. The front end parts are all new, so it isn't twitching because of steering. It's the way it feels when you let off the clutch that I'm referring to. It drove fine - shifted nice and smooth - quiet transmision. I just don't know what a 325i normally feels like. It's different from an eta, that's for sure. What do you think? Good choice for my red mid-life crisis car? 
John |
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You make me want to cry
But I already had my mid life crisis so it's someone else's turn 
The 'i' should not feel twitchy; it should be rock solid like the eta. The only noticeable difference with the 'i' should be that there is no real torque and grunt developed until 3500 rpm at which time you will feel like you are in a slingshot, just released. Just a thought; check the engine and tranny mounts along with the rear end bushings...these could account for the twitchyness you described. |
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Looks good, how much is he asking?
Don't know your finances, but I imagine you would part with the 87 eta and keep this newish "is". The expenses involved shouldn't be far higher compared to the eta, unless you would drive around a lot with the car, consider a bit more fuel consumption! It looks good in the pictures, the hood should be adjusted right, obviously it had some body work done at the front but sounds no big deal really considering a car of this vintage. The "is" should pull strong from 1000rpm (perhaps less torque than the eta) and keep pulling until late 5000, lot's of power. I never drove an eta, so i can't tell what difference there is to expect... You hang around BENN for long enough to tell a good e30 from a lemmon, I guess!
OTOH, if you let it go, you must think of a good reason (like some major problem in the car, big expenses to fix something, lack of money, etc) or you may regret you did so the rest of your life. 
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Good news. I decided I couldn't afford to buy the car and the seller decided he wanted to keep it a while longer, so I'm first on the list if/when he decides to sell it. I see him about twice a week on bike rides once the weather gets warm, so I'll be able to keep an eye on it.
If the new job holds up I should be in a lot better shape financially in just a few months. I think this about the best way this could have worked out. Now maybe he'll fix some of the little things it needs - like the AC. 
He was asking $6,500, which is kind of high, but it's a nice clean example. John |
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I guess in the mean time, both will think the best solution...
Anyway, if he is considering to sell don't expect him to go fixing things in the car... Can't tell if the price is high or not, you may want to brouse adds and compare. The most important is you don't go deep in debt to purchase the car of your dreams! 
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