'88 325is, Should I?

[mgfranz]

OK, I'm looking at picking up a '88 325is convertible that has 147k miles on it but is a pure SoCal car, I haven't jumped on it yet but would be interested in what I should look for in the walk through and what is a "go/no-go" item or two. The car is decent for it's age, but of course it needs a bit of work, it's a runner, only a few minor issues.

I guess I am asking is there a lot of difference between my E34 and the E30 to make the jump?

[e30jock]

FWIW there was no 325is vert. Just the 325i.

[dohcdoh]

I like the e34 for eating up highway miles. They're just so comfy. The e30 is going to be more fun, better on gas. What are you looking for?

[323i E30]

Rust is the no-go item for me.
Also: when the PO has installed a fancy shifting knob or any similar nonsense, makes me doubt his maintenance priority list. Not really a no-go item of course, but makes me lose interest twice as fast.

[mgfranz]

FWIW there was no 325is vert. Just the 325i.

Is there a way to verify that the car is a true "is"? VIN decode?

[Diamonddonbmw]

If you use realoem.com as if you're looking for parts, enter the last 7 digits of the vin, eg EE#####, when the production info displays it should say "you have selected...." and will indicate whether it's an "is" model.
And prior note is correct, there was no e30 325is convertible.

[mgfranz]

If you use realoem.com as if you're looking for parts, enter the last 7 digits of the vin, eg EE#####, when the production info displays it should say "you have selected...." and will indicate whether it's an "is" model.
And prior note is correct, there was no e30 325is convertible.

I was able to get the VIN from the owner and decoded to a 325iC which in my opinio is not worth $2000 with the work it needs, maybe $1000-1200...

[my1stE30]

having an E30 labelled "is" doesn't make it special in any way or drive a price differential over a non-s model .... the "s" just meant it had a small package of bundled options when new, all of which could be ordered as separate individual items when new, or could have been modified since new....

I don't know the market in your part of the world, but around here any E30 convertible that is decent looking and running can sell for several thousand $$$.

[mgfranz]

having an E30 labelled "is" doesn't make it special in any way or drive a price differential over a non-s model .... the "s" just meant it had a small package of bundled options when new, all of which could be ordered as separate individual items when new, or could have been modified since new....

I don't know the market in your part of the world, but around here any E30 convertible that is decent looking and running can sell for several thousand $$$.

I will be looking at it tomorrow, but knowing that it is a pure California car does make it worth a bit more...
I thought the iS designation meant you got the same handling package as the M, minus the wheels and tires.

[dohcdoh]

I will be looking at it tomorrow, but knowing that it is a pure California car does make it worth a bit more... I thought the iS designation meant you got the same handling package as the M, minus the wheels and tires.

No, that's not what the "is" meant.

[mgfranz]

No, that's not what the "is" meant.

Oh, ok. So do you remember what the "s" designator included? Cause now the owner is confused as well.

[Ceekers]

if you are buying a convertible; I would first and foremost see if the timing belt/waterpump was replaced. 2nd thing I would check the passenger foot well for water. lift the carpet and check this area to see if it's moldy or rusty. this usually means the soft top compartment plastic seals broke and water is getting from there leaking down into the floor pan. not good. Also check roof seals to make sure they aren't dried out and as a result leak. expensive to replace. check for sloppy shifter linkage. again signs of lack of maintenance. get a history report if possible for any previous accidents. check the panels for matching vin numbers as that indicates if any panels were replaced. you will see DOT-R sticker on any panels.

[e30jock]

having an E30 labelled "is" doesn't make it special in any way or drive a price differential over a non-s model .... the "s" just meant it had a small package of bundled options when new, all of which could be ordered as separate individual items when new, or could have been modified since new....

I don't know the market in your part of the world, but around here any E30 convertible that is decent looking and running can sell for several thousand $$$.

That isn't true at all. Both the 325is and 318is command higher prices than their non is counter parts. Sport seats, sport wheels, mtech steering wheel, oil cooler, front lip, rear spoiler, LSD, sport suspension, and 13 button obc where all standard on the 325is, where they were all options after the is was discontinued.