E30 buying advice needed - high mileage specimen

[dtys]

Hi all, first-time poster on this forum. I'm looking to purchase my first E30, have read through the buyers' guide, etc., and would like some advice on a potential E30 that's up for sale in my area.

Mileage 290k
325e 4-door
Runs and drives
Exterior looks good, no dents, appears a rust-free Oregon car
Interior looks decent, tears on the seats, probably cracked dash
Clean title
*Will need a cat back
*Will need an O2 sensor

Asking price: $1000

This is as much detail as I could great from the owner prior to a meetup later today. Not sure on head gaskets, timing belts, fluids and seals... but it was a project car for him over the past year or so and just needs the cat back/O2 sensor to be road-worthy at this point (according to him).

Thoughts? Should I go for it? I am mechanically inclined and if purchased I wouldn't be unwilling to replace timing belts, fluids, rubber components etc., BUT 290k miles seems like a lot to start with.

Thanks for your help!

[superj]

i would do it. I have no problem with m20 engines having that many miles and have owned a number of them with more miles. I would try and talk him down though because of the exhaust. the 02 is no problem but a pain to change since they get rusted in place. I just took the one I had to change to a muffler shop and let them do it when mine went out.

the newest 325e is going to be 30 years old, actually, probably 31 years old so if it only has 10k a year then 300k would be right.

[dtys]

Thanks for the feedback!

More info from the seller: appears that it would start but die under load but now runs with cap, rotor, plugs and wires replaced. ICV and intake meter cleaned. Idles rough when cold.

Intake leak?

[superj]

not sure. have to trouble shoot it. but it runs so its not going to be anything bad