# Need Some Advice, BMW Guys Come on Down
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [August 3, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044 "2012-08-03T17:59:18Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/1 "2012-08-03T17:59:18Z")
Well now its down to the nitty gritty because I made an offer to a gentleman for a trade in vehicles, without actually thinking he’d accept, and he actually has. So I have to make my decision asap.
The cars in question are my 2005 Mercedes E55 AMG for a 1989 BMW E30 M3. A few pictures are below. There is also a huge list of mods done to the M3 but some basics are as follows:
1989 BMW M3
Imola I Red (custom mix)
Freshly painted as of April 2012 with almost zero miles put on it since then. It is perfect! Jambs were done as well. Car was completely taken apart to do paint job.
No rust
131,400 miles currently(goes up as I tool around town)
Engine:
-S52 3.2l I6 swap out of a 99 BMW M3. OBD-I converted w/ S50 head and M50 manifold. Engine has roughly 60K miles and runs like a top. Have paperwork for swap
-Long-tube stainless steel headers to a custom 3" strait-pipe exhaust. Vibrant 3" in --\> dual 2.5" out strait through muffler (no cat).
-e34 oil pan and baffle
-BMP aluminum e36 radiator
-Short ram air intake
-New battery on 2/1/2012
(could use a $250 chip tune because it has an intake and open exhaust. I could have this done)
Drivetrain:
-3.73 LSD rear diff
-UUC stage 2 Kevlar clutch and stage 2 8.5lb flywheel
-OEM Z4 short-shifter
- Car will come with an extra 2.93 LSD incase you want longer gears
Stoppers:
Front
- Zimmerman drilled rotors and Carbotech bobcat pads
Rear
- Zimmerman drilled rotors with Carbotech bobcat pads
-Stainless steel brake lines all around.
-Treehouse racing modified e21 booster
Suspension:
- Ground Control 550F 650R coilover set up w/ custom modified front strut tube
- Koni “race” 11.5” front struts
- Koni yellow single adjustabe struts in the rear
- Ground Control camberplates
- Rear strut mount reinforcement plates
- Treehouse Urethane Trailing Arms bushings, urethane sub frame bushings (green) street, Urethane RSM (street), and LCA bushings
- OEM 22mm front and 19mm rear sways
-Vorshlag 90mm stud kit with Muteki SR35 black lug nuts
So now the question, do I really go through with this? I am getting to the point in my life where I want a “sports” car for the summer/garage queen and a nice suv for everything else. I need to get a new winter car anyways even if I keep the Benz so that doesnt matter.
I see prices in the AMG also dropping extremely fast and I havent been actively trying to sell it however the best offer I have gotten as of late is $22,500.
With all this being said, is it worth it to go through with this? Even if I stay like my usual self and only have it for a few months or whatever? Any advice and comments are welcome because I am totally stuck in the middle. Thanks
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### Author:  [@Saxon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Saxon)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/2 "2012-08-03T18:54:03Z")
with how you flip cars i would stay away from anything like this, it takes a particular buyer for an e30 and that means it takes awhile to sell a car like that
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### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/3 "2012-08-03T19:06:53Z")
> [@Saxon](#):
>
> with how you flip cars i would stay away from anything like this, it takes a particular buyer for an e30 and that means it takes awhile to sell a car like that
oh i know and i figured that. however that doesnt really bother me because itd actually force me to keep it for a while haha. but in all seriousness time frame doesnt bother me. this isnt a situation where id be looking to flip it quick for something else
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### Author:  [@Axis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axis)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/4 "2012-08-03T19:09:12Z")
Seems like a clean car and probably worth the asking price. If it was me though and I was dropping that sort of coin for the e30 m3 experience I’d want it to come with a solidly running s14. If I wanted an s50/52 car I’d look for a regular e30 and swap that. But thats just me.
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### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/5 "2012-08-03T19:12:36Z")
> [@Axis](#):
>
> Seems like a clean car and probably worth the asking price. If it was me though and I was dropping that sort of coin for the e30 m3 experience I’d want it to come with a solidly running s14. If I wanted an s50/52 car I’d look for a regular e30 and swap that. But thats just me.
thats honestly my only main concern, the swap and the re spray. he sent me pictures receipts etc and its all done exceptionally well and legit however from a collectors stand point i know it kills it
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### Author:  [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/6 "2012-08-03T19:12:54Z")
not into s50/52 e30m3’s. even euro s50b30 or b32 doesn’t do it for me. s14 and s54 only.
plus, if you’re not really intent on getting an e30, don’t get an e30.
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### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/7 "2012-08-03T19:19:06Z")
> [@Coldaccord](#):
>
> not into s50/52 e30m3’s. even euro s50b30 or b32 doesn’t do it for me. s14 and s54 only.
>
> plus, if you’re not really intent on getting an e30, don’t get an e30.
well i have always wanted an e30 m3, ever since i knew they existed so thats hanging over my head. but again i agree, if i were to do this, this winter i would without a doubt do a s54 swap. something ive always wanted to complete
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### Author:  [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/8 "2012-08-03T19:51:22Z")
IMO, that car is only worth 14-19k. Is he including the BBS LM’s? (I preferred it when it was on the SSR’s personally). One of my friends bought an original schwartz e30 m3 with 10/10 pristine paint and an 8/10 interior without a motor for ~$7k. If you’re telling me you don’t care about the S52 and you want to swap it, I’d tell you to buy another e30 M3 and swap that. Also, S54 swaps are a waste of money, S62 swaps are a bolt in affair with a set of mounts (WHICH I HAVE), and it costs you an extremely similar amount, with more power, and less headaches. The only way I’d do this deal is if he’s throwing a bunch of money on top of the M3 and the LM’s are included.
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### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/9 "2012-08-03T20:03:59Z")
> [@MPD47](#):
>
> IMO, that car is only worth 14-19k. Is he including the BBS LM’s? (I preferred it when it was on the SSR’s personally). One of my friends bought an original schwartz e30 m3 with 10/10 pristine paint and an 8/10 interior without a motor for ~$7k. If you’re telling me you don’t care about the S52 and you want to swap it, I’d tell you to buy another e30 M3 and swap that. Also, S54 swaps are a waste of money, S62 swaps are a bolt in affair with a set of mounts (WHICH I HAVE), and it costs you an extremely similar amount, with more power, and less headaches. The only way I’d do this deal is if he’s throwing a bunch of money on top of the M3 and the LM’s are included.
hmmm. there is no money on top, it would be a straight trade. the bbs lms are included as well as the ssr’s but they need to be taken apart and cleaned up. its not that i dont care about the s52, i think its cool, but id want to go for more power if the car was sticking around. if we say the car is worth on the top end of $19k, its crazy that hes asking almost $29k…
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### Author:  [@TradersBASE](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TradersBASE)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/10 "2012-08-03T20:10:00Z")
I’m curious why he had it ripped apart, re-sprayed and is already wanting to trade/sell it without even enjoying the work? Just seems odd to me, beyond that the car l looks pretty sweet.
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### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/11 "2012-08-03T20:21:05Z")
> [@TradersBASE](#):
>
> I’m curious why he had it ripped apart, re-sprayed and is already wanting to trade/sell it without even enjoying the work? Just seems odd to me, beyond that the car l looks pretty sweet.
from what im told and talking to him, it was resprayed due to fixing a few dings and scratches. he was planning to turbo it to make it a show car and felt that i wouldnt hurt to do so, also being low and such he handled all the fender work prior to paint so its all set. and reason for sale is due to a kid and needing either a family car or truck for work. he seems like a very straight forward and honest guy and has a great rep on the forums ive seen him on
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### Author:  [@Jeller](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jeller)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/12 "2012-08-03T20:24:37Z")
I was looking at this car on six speed the other day and noticed this in his flikr account photos:
Was this engine turbo at one point?
I dont know that there is any profit to be had on this car in the future thats all. You should go on [S14.net](http://S14.net) and see what other S52 cars have sold for previously.
Jeller
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### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/13 "2012-08-03T20:27:30Z")
> [@Jeller](#):
>
> I was looking at this car on six speed the other day and noticed this in his flikr account photos:
>
> Was this engine turbo at one point?
>
> I dont know that there is any profit to be had on this car in the future thats all. You should go on [S14.net](http://S14.net) and see what other S52 cars have sold for previously.
>
> Jeller
i actually saw those earlier today. it has not been turbo, but was being set up to be turbo. all this info is just what im being told
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### Author:  [@Axis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axis)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/14 "2012-08-03T20:35:14Z")
Thats actually an sr20, didn’t know he was the same guy. Remember seeing that car ages ago, thought he sold all the swap parts including the car.
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### Author:  [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/15 "2012-08-03T22:12:45Z")
$30k and no S14? hahahaha.
> [@Jeller](#):
>
> I dont know that there is any profit to be had on this car in the future thats all. You should go on [S14.net](http://S14.net) and see what other S52 cars have sold for previously.
> **[BaT Exclusive: S52-Converted 1988 BMW M3](https://bringatrailer.com/2011/02/07/bat-exclusive-s52-converted-1988-bmw-m3-2/)**
>
> Learn more about BaT Exclusive: S52-Converted 1988 BMW M3 on Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online.
$18k asking price
[http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1806174&highlight=e30+m3+s52&page=2](http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1806174&highlight=e30+m3+s52&page=2)
$22k asking. Pretty sure this one sold in the high teens but I might be mistaken. I’ve personally seen this one and it was extremely clean (some of you may remember it from BlownEuros meets.)
Point being, $29k is absurd.
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### Author:  [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/16 "2012-08-03T22:57:52Z")
grow up already.
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### Author:  [@Quattro\_Krant](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Quattro_Krant)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/17 "2012-08-04T04:20:45Z")
Are you a faggot? If so, I’d do this trade.
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### Author:  [@EvoMR](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EvoMR)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/18 "2012-08-04T04:32:17Z")
> [@Quattro Krant](#):
>
> Are you a faggot? If so, I’d do this trade.
Nice concise answer.
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### Author:  [@steve2k1116](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve2k1116)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2012, 7:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/19 "2012-08-04T07:55:39Z")
> [@MPD47](#):
>
> $30k and no S14? hahahaha.
>
> Point being, $29k is absurd.
i agree completely mike
> [@XwalkerX](#):
>
> grow up already.
im trying, shits hard
> [@Quattro Krant](#):
>
> Are you a faggot? If so, I’d do this trade.
not a faggot no, but i never took that into consideration for a trade of cars. hmmmm
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### Author:  [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2012, 8:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/need-some-advice-bmw-guys-come-on-down/225044/20 "2012-08-04T08:19:15Z")
If you like it, do it, who cares about the dollars. You trade cars so often, with the tax implications on most of your purchases, a couple grand is lost every time anyway.
On that note, I hope you have another DD, or I wouln’t do it. This car seems far from a daily driver.
x…
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