Cheap E30: 1985 BMW 325e

BMW built an astonishing 2.5 million E30s in coupe, sedan, estate & convertible trim from 1982 through 1994. The ursprünglicher gangster BMW 3-series was a successful yuppy-mobile when new and has generated a significant cult following as a cheap, fun & reliable sports sedan. Today the M version is overpriced and the convertible versions seem to always be for sale, but it is nice to find a manual transmission equipped coupe version, even if it has the low compression eta engine. Find this 1985 BMW 325e offered for $5000 in San Rafael, CA via craigslist.

From the seller:
1985 Bmw 325e
condition: fair
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 212000
paint color: white
size: mid-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: coupe
Unfortunately I have to sell my bmw. It’s a 1985 bmw 325e. Car is completely original including original keys with dealer tag number still on the key ring. Car sat for a while so recent service has been done including timing belt and water pump. Valve adjustment, belts tensioner, various vacuum lines. Cleaning of idle control valve, coolant lines, new trans and diff fluid, spark plugs, coil and coil wires, new fuel pump, all filters, oil and filter, fuel lines, injectors removed and flow tested, intake manifold gasket. Interior has partial restoration done. Rare sport seats are in 8/10 condition and carpet was re dyed. Only surface rust and has clean title. Perfect candidate for full restoration or motor swap. I also have s54 swap parts and am also willing to sell with the car if interested. I have a s54 motor with m50 pan and trans and all the reinforcements required

Cons. A/c does manually kick on but needs new sensor which will be provided with vehicle
Power steering does not work due to return line on the side of rack. Just needs new line which is also provided.
Needs four tires and alignment.
Damage to drivers quarter panel. Previous owner got hit but Can be either cut out or bondo, damage is not bad just missing paint, damage does not reach frame, and is straight. Rear bumper bracket did get bent causing bumper to sag. I want the car to go to a good home that will take care of it. I also have included a few extra parts I was going to install but unfortunately don’t have any time.

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Hmm.I cant make up my mind whether this is worth playing with. When 5K is considered cheap I have clearly not been paying .
I’ve decided. Nope. No sunroof and since when is someone else’s unfinished project worth 5 large?
This was (it’s sold already) a running E30 coupe for 5k. That’s a deal in 2022. Add the manual transmission and the slicktop? This thing was stolen.
“Here’s the all the easy things I haven’t fixed”
Because they’re not the problem.