NEED OPINIONS QUICK

[FREQUENCY 24.7]

ok, heres the deal, im currently looking at a 1984 318. 160k manual. 1000$

the good: the body is nearly perfect and the paint (frost) is terrific, black leather interior, no rips, and clean. good quality tinted windows and good stock alloy wheels, 160k. new air idle control valve, new radiator, new altenator, new battery, brakes and tires good, clutch feels good, engine is very clean.

the bad: shift lever is super loose no resistance what so ever from side to side, shift lever plastic trim and shift boot needs replacing, cracked driver side tail lense, moon roof crank broken, and of most concern...
third gear grinds on entry every time, ive tried rev matching, letting the rpms drop off, everything, it still grinds. also there is quite a vibration from the center/rear end on acceleration, i can feel it in the shifter, and through the floor.

my questions...
1. replace transmission... or check all shift linkage and replace all bushings and hope for the best? the shifter is sooooo loose, is it possible its just something with that? but every other gear is fine.
2. vibration: flex disc, transmission mounts, diff mounts?

if im going to get this car, it needs to be within the next few days, please advise with educated advise and opinions. im a former honda tech, and i owned an e36 325is, so i know my way around a bmw also. i feel i can do the transmission swap no problem.

thanks to all in advance,
-a

[BlackMagic]

I would say get the car, however if you havent had a 318 it is going to be a lot slower than the 325is that you had, just fyi. I would say get a new transmission and new linkage and you would have a very nice 30mpg car!

[FREQUENCY 24.7]

yea, thanks for the quick response. the m50 did have some guts behind it, but i figure after a year or so, i can pop one in the e30 no problem.

[ANDRÜ]

Personally the only 318 Id ever buy would be a 1989+ for its improved looks, but I still would avoid one. Its not impossible to find a decent 325i, I dont think I could live with a 318. Basically Im saying theyre alittle slow haha

[FREQUENCY 24.7]

but if i were to be interested in just the 318, does this sound to you, like a good deal?

[ANDRÜ]

Well I paid $110 for a 325e in great mechanical shpe once, not much better performance wise. I just dont know how much it would cost to fix the car up, 318s can be found cheaper than 325s, so I would probably wait for one that is pretty good. If you feel you can fix it up which is very rewarding, Id say jump on it.

[BlackMagic]

I agree with Adnru, the price doesnt seem too bad as long as everything is working. If you are going to do a motor swap save up for an s50 bc most e30 guys who have done the m50 swap into their 325i have been disappointed bc the motor is 70lbs heavier and you only get an extra 20hp, but if you swapped it for the m40 it would be a lot better.