Looking at a car, you opinions please

[BMWBIGBOY]

Looking at a car, your opinions please

The link is here

You can see the 318i is really a 318is in the picture.

I know the #1 concern, is the dmv fee, but disregarding the what your guys opinion? I don't have much experience with e30s, so I thought this would be a could place to begin. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Big Daddy]

That is a 318is, good cars and well sought after. That has the M42 motor which was a good motor (except for the profile gasket issue) but this one should be well past the profile gasket trouble considering that occurred between 50 and 75k. When was the timimn chain and or tensioners replaced, could be due for that?

 

[E30m42cab]

Great little car! I love my 318i cabrio (same as a 318is). "needs a front shock" actually means "needs 2 front shocks". The 318is aka "poor man's M3" is tonnes of fun to drive... there's a great site dedicated to them including advise on purchasing one...
http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/
I wouldn't worry too much about the timing chain... the tensioner and guides maybe, but the chain should be fine for a while. Only if you notice a rattle at the front of the engines should the tensioner be replaced (easy, easy job).
There's no cruise control, I'll tell you that, and the highway cruising speeds are high reving, but still fairly good on gas. The engine is a DOHC 16v with a fair amount of power. Very good engine for it's time. Very fun car to drive, but can be tiring... lots of gear changing as the engine doesn't have much torque... which makes it fun
Check that website out though, Brendan Purcell know's his 318is' !

 

[BMWBIGBOY]

thank for the information, hopefully it this all goes well