E30 323i

[DingChavez]

Hi everyoneI hope somebody can help me. My uncle wants to sell his E30 323 2 doors 1983 model to me because he cannot drive since 3 years ago. but some problem:-1. The car sudah 3 years not running (road tax mati 2002)2. He overhauled the engine before those 3 years (2001)If i want the car what do i have to do? what's my budget? is it a good car? Problematic? is it recommended?Thanks for your help guys...

 

[flash]

Best to get a BMW specialist mechanic to look see the car first.

But if you do not want the car... I am sure there are some members here who do...

 

[ALBundy]

1) Can the car be started?
2) If yes to 1), and your uncle to decide to sell it to you cheap2 then bring you need to drive to JPJ (or puspakom) for an inspection before the road tax is allowed to be renewed.

Problematic or whatsoever, that comes later after you have sort out the road tax issue.

 

[bmwky]

wellcum...hope you can get to buy the car from your uncle. IMO if the car is well maintained you may be able to pass the puspakom test without any problem. But if you fail the test (eg: brakes not working, speedo dead etc) you will not be able to renew your road tax. unless you use the "malaysia boleh" way to kowtim the test, which i would not recommend coz your safety is more important than all "malaysia bolehs" combined.

Good news is that the car has been overhauled recently, the engine will run. Find out which mechanic did the work and ask him to do some remedial work b4 sending for the inspection. post on the forum if you want to know what need be inspected, better still join us for tt, there will be members willing to help you look at the car. you can deduct the expenses from your buying price. ...I hope.

lastly the E30 is not a problematic car at all- minimal electronics, smooth engine and well engineered. It's a plesurable car to drive. however, it has many of its own idiosyncratic behaviors that you get to love or hate. If you maintain it well it can last a very long time, longer than you care to drive it.

P/S IMPORTANT: Find out when the timing belt was last changed (it should have been changed during the overhaul) You need to know this.

 

[535i]

bmwky is rite .. so is albundy ..

U might to PM Hartge because he drives/own a 323 for years.

 

[DingChavez]

Thanks Guys

I'm working in KJ just beside a workshop for Beemer and Merc. Any of you know the shop? is it good?

PS whats a TT? I have no idea... and also how to PM hartage? I would like to know about the car before buying it.

PS my uncle selling it to me about 8k. is 10k enough to make it good again? (inc paints)

Regards guys

 

[Jules]

Wah so many sifus watching thread with me....magicfox, master zog....

Anyway, back to topic.....I drive a 323i too! Most engine spares are similar to other models 320, 325 - all 6 potters, so no need worry.

On getting it re-registered, do what you have been advised and yes, if it starts & can move - do smile cos you are halfway there to be a UDM owner.

On your budget - depends what you want but 10 K is a good start to get a reliable & presentable car to drive around.....IMHO.

Cheers! Come to TT to learn more about your car.

Jules

 

[ALBundy]

Wow, looking into the future and restoration already...and that's the interesting journey!!!

It all depends on the condition of the car and how you want it to look like.

In general....I would do this (gonna do this for mine)

1) Get a set of M-Tech seats (about 1k on the average)
2) Re-upholster it (I am going with fabric, about 700 bucks)
3) Change the interior carpet (hard to find, someone bought it for 700 bucks)
4) Re-upholster the door panels or look for used ones in good condition
5) Upgrade the brakes (if the rear is still drums)
6) Get a set of original bodykits (M tech 1, zender and etc)
7) A nice set of 15 inch rims (such as hartge, BBS about 1500)
8) A good paint job to top it all up (depending on materials used and also whether there is rust or not, usually does!)
9) Change the water pumps, thermostat, water hoses and timing belts/bearings (check with your uncle what was done/not done)

Hope this helps!

 

[mrhartge]

Originally posted by ALBundy@Mar 10 2005, 12:57 PM

5) Upgrade the brakes (if the rear is still drums)

BOSS BUNDY....sori to interupt but m20b23 comes standard with rear disc.......

 

[ALBundy]

OOppss forgot mine is a 320i. Thanks for pointing that out :yes:

 

[535i]

wwwuuu hartergay .. touchy ...

Mosts of the parts can be source. We hv a lot of input and ppl who can direct u on wher eto get the parts.

But .. remember .. safety first .. .. Brakes must be good !

 

[Alvin]

Yes you need help???? he hehehe

 

[pussy]

Originally posted by Alvin@Mar 10 2005, 01:00 AM
Yes you need help???? he hehehe

oh-oh... alvin here..

 

[DingChavez]

Oh a few more questions...

how about running costs? maintenance? and hidden cost...? Can it use unleaded? or only leaded? Dashboard top sudah crack... how to do?

i takut i can afford the restoration and cannot afford the usage of the car :blink:

BTW I only wanna do like original. No mods whatsoever.... Standard Modified!!!!
and also i have 1 set of second hand 3 series rims (e36 i think) 16 inch... boleh muatka?

 

[ALBundy]

YUp, use all original parts!!! Ori bodykit, ori M tech seats, ori M tech steering, ori M tech pedal set, ori M tech bodykit, ori BBS rims and the list goes on :nyehehe:

On a serious note, E30 is a relatively economical car to own and maintain. I have one which I had owned for more than a year. I replaced the timing belts/bearings when i first bought it and a month ago replaced the compressor. That's all about it really.

Talking about the compressor, after I replaced it to newer piston type compressor, there is a difference meaning the engine feels a lot lighter compared when I had the original rotary type compressor.

Rgds

 

[535i]

DingChavez ...

U hv to be a bit explicit abt ur 'Standard Mod' ..

Kevs car is also standard mode - using genuine parts (i know u are reading this) .

So is mine ...

But to start off - BBS rims will be nice ...

or maybe AC Schnit .... 16" (ok ok I know .. I just open the racun botol)

 

[DingChavez]

Hey 535...

I meant stock standard..... just the rims is 16 inch. Good idea? Bad idea?
Maybe in 5 years time i'll mod into a lean mean drifting machine...

 

[bmwky]

Originally posted by DingChavez@Mar 10 2005, 01:45 AM
Oh a few more questions...

how about running costs? maintenance? and hidden cost...? Can it use unleaded? or only leaded? Dashboard top sudah crack... how to do?

i takut i can afford the restoration and cannot afford the usage of the car :blink:

BTW I only wanna do like original. No mods whatsoever.... Standard Modified!!!!
and also i have 1 set of second hand 3 series rims (e36 i think) 16 inch... boleh muatka?

wow..... u r heading into all the 'right' directions.

running cost is just like a jap car, change oil and filter every 5000km, bushings ball joints and bearing when worn, timing belt, tensioner and water pump every 60000 km, etc.

a lot of the parts for E30 are cheaper than jap cars, one example is the brake rotor.

one more thing is that the E30 of the eighties were made to run on 87 octane fuel. You can use 92 octane fuel (minyak merah) and it will run happily.




if you can afford the restoration and do a good job (10k should be able to cover most of the required work) i am sure you can afford the running cost, but beware if you trash the car around, your bill will shoot up. Also try to budget some money for the 'medicines' (as succintly described by wkwoo) that may be required from time to time.

If the 16" wheels are for the E36 then it will not fit your E30. Sell it here to get some moolahs. If youe are into drifting, you have come to the right place as we have some in-house sifus to show you the ropes.

 

[Strider]

Originally posted by ALBundy@Mar 10 2005, 12:57 PM
3) Change the interior carpet (hard to find, someone bought it for 700 bucks)

Need advise on this. Should i change mine or clean it. Direction pls. Many thanks

 

[ALBundy]

If its still good then just clean it.