Project Upgrade

[trekkor]

Buy, Fix, Sell...


I picked up this '91 BMW 325i and I was trying to figure out what to do with it.
I came up with a fun idea.

I'll go through it with the goal of doubling or tripling my investment.

Searching Craigslist and local classified, I should be able to continue doing this until I have a pretty nice car.

"What could possibly go wrong?"

Here's my starting point at $500 in:




KT

[RWebb]

tile interior

[Flieger]

Like the Top Gear Merc S class?

[klaus]

Slush box or 5 speed?

A nice way to add value on the e30s is to restore the trim to the proper black color. I am a fan of this stuff: Forever Black Car Care Products

[trekkor]

5 speed.

Clutch is good and it shifts very well.

It's a fun car to drive. Really scoots.

I will track it on the 14th at Infineon.



KT

[azasadny]

Fix it up and drive it! Great car!!

[Heel n Toe]

Fins. It needs some fins. Small... only about three inches tall at their highest point.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nice car. Assuming that it's straight outside and clean inside, it has potential. Clean the hell out of it inside and out, like pre-concours clean, people will pay much more for a really clean car and it really only takes your labor. Fix what is broken and catch it up on maintenance then make sure you market it accordingly, being able to market a car as "everything works" as well as up to date on maintenance is a huge plus. Take care of the little stuff like rattle canning wiper arms, using Back to Black or similar on the black trim as klaus suggested, spray paint the wheels if they're faded or chipped, replace that faded roundel, etc. Little subtle details make a HUGE difference.

That car in good running and cosmetic condition would be $3k around here all day long. If you're careful about your spending (it's easy to find good used E30 parts), you should come out of it in great shape.

[trekkor]

Another option is find the right buyer that wants a track car.
Then I build it their specs.

I did this last year on a 325e. Full cage, seats, harnesses, suspension, brakes, etc.

Labor is about $3000.
Parts are $1500-3000.


KT

[trekkor]

Sold today for $1500.


KT

[trekkor]

Looking for the next one...


KT

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Sold today for $1500.


KT

You don't happen to host a show on Velocity with your buddy Ed China, do you?

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by BReif61

You don't happen to host a show on Velocity with your buddy Ed China, do you?

They would have put $2,500 into it then sold it for $400...

[trekkor]

Next car comes home tomorrow.

$200 914 basket case parts car.
Should be able to get $700-1000 out of it.

We'll see.


KT

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Next car comes home tomorrow.

$200 914 basket case parts car.
Should be able to get $700-1000 out of it.

We'll see.


KT

I wish I had the time/space to do stuff like this.

[trekkor]

Here it is !









I should be money ahead by next weekend!


KT

[A930Rocket]

^^^^ Looks great on my iPhone.

[porsche4life]

Looks like a hell of a teener for 200....

[cantdrv55]

Are you going to make it run and stret legal? I love 914s.

[trekkor]

I'm not sure what to do at this point.

The body is super straight, minimal rust and I have the parts to do a V-8 swap from a previous tires for parts trade...


I'll likely keep the front air dam, GT rockers and axles for my track car.

The wheels are worth $250.
The light weight doors are desirable.
Came with the 901 trans and all of the engine parts less the long block ( intake, F.I., exhaust, etc )

Again, not sure.


KT