1988 BMW E30 M3 Project
Spotted in San Fernando Valley is a 1988 BMW E30 M3 Project for $27,500 USD.
The M3 is currently a project as it sits. The seller owned it since about 2011 and have let it sit over the last few years and have somewhat lost interest. At this point, the seller thinks he wanted something that is ready to go and enjoy out of the box because he didnt have time or garage space to tinker with it.
What do you think of this M3 Project?
What do you think it will take to get this back on the road?
The story:
The car was purchased from Colorado about 7 years ago. The previous owner was an M3 collector who bought the car in Virginia (where the car was originally sold) in 2010 and had it shipped to him. He was a stickler for his cars having history and was promised a folder of records by the seller which did not arrive with the car. Upset, he fell out of love with the car and it sat, being used sparingly.
At some point, at about 160k miles during the Colorado owner’s ownership, the gauge cluster died and was replaced with one he had in his parts stash which had about 5k miles on it. When I found the car, the cluster read in about 6,000 miles and I’ve put about 1k on it since my ownership (as you can see, I’ve really had no time for it). It has about 165k on it currently. I have some old CarFax and Autocheck reports I’ve saved that I can send to interested parties.
I had the car shipped to CA, did a couple of auto-x events, drove it around a bit on weekends and then got busy with life. It ended up being one of two cars I’ve had sitting for several years now that I’ve really done nothing with.
The story:
The car was purchased from Colorado about 7 years ago. The previous owner was an M3 collector who bought the car in Virginia (where the car was originally sold) in 2010 and had it shipped to him. He was a stickler for his cars having history and was promised a folder of records by the seller which did not arrive with the car. Upset, he fell out of love with the car and it sat, being used sparingly.
At some point, at about 160k miles during the Colorado owner’s ownership, the gauge cluster died and was replaced with one he had in his parts stash which had about 5k miles on it. When I found the car, the cluster read in about 6,000 miles and I’ve put about 1k on it since my ownership (as you can see, I’ve really had no time for it). It has about 165k on it currently. I have some old CarFax and Autocheck reports I’ve saved that I can send to interested parties.
I had the car shipped to CA, did a couple of auto-x events, drove it around a bit on weekends and then got busy with life. It ended up being one of two cars I’ve had sitting for several years now that I’ve really done nothing with.
Issues:
* Paintwork
When it came to me, the car’s rear quarter panel had the very beginnings of peeling clearcoat. It has become progressively worse since I’ve taken possession (again, my fault, as I just haven’t had the time to deal with it). The paint, although it used to shine up decently, now needs serious help.
Rust:
All of the rust was present when I got the car and none of it has gotten any worse. There is 1) a hole in the battery box, 2) a small rust area near the rear jack point (jack point still functions), 3) a surface rust spot at the corner of the rear quarter and under the passenger rear side window, and 4) a weird spot of rust on the floor of the interior door frame (passenger side, pics attached). Again, in the near-decade I have owned it, the rust has just remained steady (obviously a benefit of the car leaving the terrible Virginia and Colorado climates).
*Engine:
Ran just fine but, due to sitting, the gas has gone bad and it won’t ignite. I’ve been meaning to tow it to my mechanic for a flush and tune up (all the various tune up parts have been purchased) but have not had the time.
*Brakes:
The rear brakes are frozen (in the disengaged position) and the calipers need a rebuild. Again, the rebuild kit has been purchased but I have not had the time to do it.
*Wheels/Tires:
The Toyo Proxes are likely flat-spotted and are old date-code wise. They should be replaced. The car also comes with OEM wheels on equally-old tires.
*Interior:
The dash has a crack (ugh, it was a perfect dash when I got it, and this was caused by sitting). The driver’s seat leather is worn. One of the center seams on the rear seatback has split.
*Mods:
– Racing Dynamics 15×7 wheels
– Autopower Race rollbar with diagonal and harness mount, BMP strut front strut bar
Uninstalled: KMac camber plates, H&R Sport springs, Bilstein Sport shocks, rear strut bar
* Weird issues:
– The dash VIN plate cracked off prior to my purchase. It’s in the glove compartment. All VINs match (including the various stickers around the car) and it passed a CHP VIN inspection.
Price $27,500 USD
What do you think?