So, there I was scanning craigslist for a truck when I laid my eyes on a white 1991 BMW E30 318is for $1200. I've always loved BMW's ever since I was a child riding around in my fathers 1971 BMW 2002. I also graduated from high school in 1991 and I always loved the BMW E30's, so the stars were aligning so to speak? I called up the seller for more information and all I could get out of the guy was "clean title, no leaks and, it runs great!"
I got $1200 cash together and jumped on a train from San Diego to Los Angeles. I've always had a car and even though I lived in the Echo Park neighborhood of LA for years, I wasn't up to par on public transportation. Now, this 318is was located in East Los Angeles at a tow yard so I boarded a super crowded bus going in that general direction and used the GPS on my iphone to see how close I was getting to my destination. Although, I had made good progress my bus started to go in the wrong direction, so I got off at the next stop and headed down a cross street. I saw a bus stop on this cross street so I figured I could jump on another bus. After waiting a bit too long I got nervous with all the cash I had and rather than stand there like a target I decided to start walking. At 6'1, 220 lbs, long hair, and beard I cut a fairly imposing figure, but being white in this area is like having a flashing sign attached to your head. I ended up walking like 14 blocks through East LA, with no incident, all the way to this tow yard. I never saw another bus!
She was parked right out front so I gave her a once over. She was in terrible condition! The original Alpine White finish had been painted over with a flat white spray can! This guy managed to take a single picture, for the craigslist ad, from the one slim angle that hid nearly all her flaws. Apparently she'd been abandoned on the highway or something and the cost of getting her out of the tow yard exceeded the value of the car so the previous own, possible still in jail, decided not to pay? I jumped in for a test drive and was directed to make a right turn only half mile loop back to the tow yard. The interior of the car was disgusting beyond description with a funky smell on top of it. The driver seat was destroyed and couldn't even support my weight haha! I could tell immediately the power steering was gone along with all the bushings, struts, and shocks cause the handling was terrible. However, the engine appeared to be strong despite the 217,050 miles on the odometer.
I Kelly Blue Booked the car at a fair value of $800 and said there was no way I'd pay more than that. I immediately asked for directions to the nearest bus stop! He picked up on the idea that I would not negotiate. He called his boss for approval and only got an answering machine. As we waited for a call back I sat there praying that he would decline the $800 offer cause this was more of a project car than I was interested in getting myself into. After 20 mins and no call back, my contact said he'd make an executive decision and sell me the car for $800! Oh man, she needed some major work, but it was a rare BMW, and I was already in love despite her condition. So, I paid up and drove her back to San Diego.
On my trip home I learned so much more! The odometer didn't work! How many mile were actually on this car? The temp gauge was also not working, one head light was out, and the rear right wheel bearing was shot. Nearly all of these things were not detectable in a half mile right turn only loop test drive haha! But, I didn't care this was 1991 E30 318is!
So, I named her Blanco Corazón because she's white, found in East LA, and at 217,000+ miles on top of all the years of neglect she certainly has true heart!
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