Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Just checked out a '92 318i convertible...heart loves it, but brain is saying no.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    165
    My Cars
    2003 540it

    Just checked out a '92 318i convertible...heart loves it, but brain is saying no.

    Owner is asking $3950.

    Pros:
    -front end of car looks beautiful
    -shifter is very tight, like brand new
    -steering is tight and suspension is decently tight.
    -no leaks anywhere.
    -engine bay is clean, engine is very clean as well.
    -idles well
    -no rust anywhere.
    -cloth sport seats are charming
    -headlights look brand new. really clear and adds to how beautiful the front end looks.



    Cons:
    -cracked dash in 3 places.
    -lots of swirl marks on the black paint.
    -both sides of car have heavy clear coat fading running along the window.
    -trunk lid/rear of car needs to be repainted (really bad spray can paint)
    -top fabric is actually in great condition, but has a tear covered by tape and heavily hazed rear window.
    -there's something wrong with the stock exhaust, the car is very loud on the gas and it's definitely coming from exhaust. Embarrassing to drive around town, it's not a good kind of loud haha. Visual inspection of exhaust doesn't show any rust...could it be an exhaust leak?

    In the end, the car does drive well besides the loud exhaust. The top down, wind in the hair feeling is great and what they say about the M42 is true. The thing revs and sings at the high end. It's really fun and I don't care about having to wind it up to get going. 0-50 is actually pretty fast, taking it up to 90 mph didn't feel like it took that long either. all in all, i don't mind the "slowness" of the car.

    Definitely not paying $3950 for it, but...worth it for $1200? I'm prepared to offer that but don't want to insult the guy haha. The car has alot of potential, just needs work to get there.
    2019 X3 M40i Glacier Silver
    -stock

    2003 540iT Titanium Silver
    -Dinan Exhaust

    2003 325i 5-speed Japanrot
    -BMW Performance Intake
    -Dinan exhaust

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    corpus christi, texas
    Posts
    6,738
    My Cars
    No e30s, again :(
    he probably won't go below 2k but point out the paint, the trunk, the top, and exhaust leak and just say "would you take 1200 so I have money to fix all the problems?" he will counter and you guys can go back and forth to a neutral number, hopefully below 2k but who knows if you will get that low. than you just have to decide if you want to pay what y'all settle at
    No e30s again.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Los Angeles, California
    Posts
    444
    My Cars
    1991 320i M-Tech II
    Wow, $1200 on a $4k asking price... That's pretty damn insulting, if you ask me. You're asking almost 1/4 his asking price. That's really ridiculous. You obviously could try it, but some folks may react angrier than others and it may not end well... I'm thinking the lowest he'll be willing to go is $2500, but even that may be a stretch (although I can't see the pictures myself, so it's hard to guess). Most likely he will want to get at least $3k for the car, but of course, that depends on market condition and other factors.
    My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7l...rJvxZHr_00nuhA

    Current cars: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E, 1991 BMW 320i M-Tech II, 1991 Mitsubish Galant AMG Type II, 1992 Nissan Figaro, 1993 Toyota Chaser Tourer V

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    6,479
    My Cars
    1995 M3 - 2007 X5
    All the cons sounds to be aesthetic only. If he isn't desperate to sell, I doubt he'll accept the offer at $1,200. Especially if it has no rust.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Joliet,IL
    Posts
    1,121
    My Cars
    87 325is 96 GMC Suburban
    Why $1200? Is that the extent of your budget, or is that all you think the car is worth?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    165
    My Cars
    2003 540it
    I realized that I can actually go up to $2000, but that's as much as I can push it knowing that it'd cost about $1500 to fix the paint and another $500 to fix the exhaust .

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    32
    My Cars
    1988 320i Convertible
    What do you want From the car? Daily driver? Weekend project toy?

    Unless you’re really handy body and roof can be the expensive parts.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    165
    My Cars
    2003 540it
    I test drove it and I can see myself daily-ing it no problem. Main problems is the heavy comestic paint issues. Body panels are all straight.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    corpus christi, texas
    Posts
    6,738
    My Cars
    No e30s, again :(
    If you get it, drive it till a repaint is affordable. Who cares how it looks currently, its a work in progress

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Los Angeles, California
    Posts
    444
    My Cars
    1991 320i M-Tech II
    While paint is an annoying issue, like you said, the body is straight which would have been more of a concern. You also mentioned that the car is sound mechanically and electronically. The interior you also mentioned is in good shape. Seems paint and exhaust are the only real issues here. It's up to you to decide if that makes the car not for you. Again, I would say $1200 is a really insulting offer and don't think the seller would want to discuss things further after hearing that low of an initial offer... Your call though.
    My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7l...rJvxZHr_00nuhA

    Current cars: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E, 1991 BMW 320i M-Tech II, 1991 Mitsubish Galant AMG Type II, 1992 Nissan Figaro, 1993 Toyota Chaser Tourer V

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    165
    My Cars
    2003 540it
    would $2000 be insulting?? A pristine e30 318iC sold on BAT for $5800 last year so...I dunno. I mean, that car had a lot replaced in it, new shocks, cooling, bushings, alternator, top, and paint was in good condition.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Los Angeles, California
    Posts
    444
    My Cars
    1991 320i M-Tech II
    I found this one currently on BaT at $4k: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-bmw-318i-14/
    There are 3 1/2 more days left. I'm guessing that will probably go for a similar price to the other one you saw last year.

    There's also this coupe at $4,500 with another 12 hours left: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1984-bmw-318i-8/

    If you feel the car is worth $2k, then go ahead and offer it. All I know is the one time I lowballed on a car I really lost out. It was a 89 560SEC owned by one owner. He passed away and his wife was selling the car. Over the phone we agreed to a price. When I saw the car, it was driving, but similar to the 318 you saw it definitely needed some paint work and some cleaning. I decided to try asking for a lower price and was immediately grabbed by this old lady and kicked off her property, gate electronically shutting down behind me. I tried calling back a few hours later, but the car was sold right after I had left. I really regret that moment and never made the mistake of lowballing again. I say go based off what your gut tells you. If you have some hesitations than maybe it isn't the right car. I'm pretty sure this guy is willing to negotiate if he hasn't sold the car by now, only question is how desperate is he.
    My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7l...rJvxZHr_00nuhA

    Current cars: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E, 1991 BMW 320i M-Tech II, 1991 Mitsubish Galant AMG Type II, 1992 Nissan Figaro, 1993 Toyota Chaser Tourer V

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    165
    My Cars
    2003 540it
    wow thanks for those links, i appreciate it!

    Yeah...the car i'm looking definitely does not have as extensive maintenance as the ones in the links you provided, nor is the paint as in good condition as those. I'm pretty sure $2000 is a fair price haha, just depends if he wants to sell. I can use those links as ammunition for bartering haha.

    I'll keep y'all updated!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Los Angeles, California
    Posts
    444
    My Cars
    1991 320i M-Tech II
    Here's one more, currently at $8100 with 2 days left: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...-cabriolet-12/
    The coupe from yesterday ended up selling for $7500.

    You can try $2k. I'm thinking the seller's lowest is probably going to be $3k, but we'll see.
    My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7l...rJvxZHr_00nuhA

    Current cars: 1990 Mercedes-Benz 300E, 1991 BMW 320i M-Tech II, 1991 Mitsubish Galant AMG Type II, 1992 Nissan Figaro, 1993 Toyota Chaser Tourer V

Similar Threads

  1. E30 FS: 92 318i Convertible in PA
    By J3t in forum 3 series & Z Series
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-10-2014, 01:02 AM
  2. '92 318i Convertible Radio Install Issue
    By doublebassdanny in forum 1983 - 1991 (E30)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-06-2008, 04:30 PM
  3. '92 318i Convertible - Tint?
    By doublebassdanny in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-25-2008, 09:24 AM
  4. Electrical prob 318i convertible E36 '92
    By proxomos in forum Convertible Questions
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-07-2007, 05:34 AM
  5. Hey...Just bought a 92 318is!
    By E30 Girl in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 92
    Last Post: 12-13-2006, 01:07 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •