What are E30 BMW's like
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Soldato
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They're getting old, and obviously that brings things with it...
I owned a 325i about 5 years ago.
The 320 engine is a smaller version of the inline 6, and just like the present day versions, has economy very similar to the 325 (i.e. not great), but without the power. The good news is that the engine is silky smooth. The only real reason for buying the 320 is if it's very cheap.
As mentioned, the cars are getting on and you can almost guarantee that you'll have some faults. When I owned mine, I was a member of the E30s forum, and remember seeing a question asked about faults on owners car. No one replied that their car was trouble free.
As an example, mine suffered from a noisy gearbox (replaced with a refurb unit), front wishbones, part of the engine management system, the indicator arm and also replaced one of the front seats as it was getting very warn. Frankly, my E30 was the least reliable car I've ever owned.
For all that, if you don't mind the associated hassles, it's a classic car. Not as big as the newer 3 series, and thus around 300kg lighter. The interior might not have swoopy shapes, but it's well built, switches feel nice and it's more roomy than you'd think given the size.
Lastly, they're a lovely car to drive. Certainly not the fastest motor around in a straightline, but beautifully balanced and can be a lot of fun on sweeping A roads.
Personally I wouldn't touch another with a bargepole, but I understand why others would.
The 320 engine is a smaller version of the inline 6, and just like the present day versions, has economy very similar to the 325 (i.e. not great), but without the power. The good news is that the engine is silky smooth. The only real reason for buying the 320 is if it's very cheap.
As mentioned, the cars are getting on and you can almost guarantee that you'll have some faults. When I owned mine, I was a member of the E30s forum, and remember seeing a question asked about faults on owners car. No one replied that their car was trouble free.
As an example, mine suffered from a noisy gearbox (replaced with a refurb unit), front wishbones, part of the engine management system, the indicator arm and also replaced one of the front seats as it was getting very warn. Frankly, my E30 was the least reliable car I've ever owned.
For all that, if you don't mind the associated hassles, it's a classic car. Not as big as the newer 3 series, and thus around 300kg lighter. The interior might not have swoopy shapes, but it's well built, switches feel nice and it's more roomy than you'd think given the size.
Lastly, they're a lovely car to drive. Certainly not the fastest motor around in a straightline, but beautifully balanced and can be a lot of fun on sweeping A roads.
Personally I wouldn't touch another with a bargepole, but I understand why others would.
My personal standing is get a 325i or don't bother. The 320i offer 325i running costs without the extra performance, so they very rarely actually make any sense unless you can find a blinding example of a 320i. I personally think the I.S is over hyped and overrated, and the 4 pots (The later M40 powered ones at least) are nothing short of woeful in every way imaginable
They are pretty well built, but look out for rust pretty much everywhere (scuttle, battery tray and roof area if sunroof fitted in-particular)
Don't be fooled into thinking "FSH" = Good, certainly on something as "old" as one of these. An enthusiast owner with a load of receipts for bits he's done himself is worth a lot more than a few stamps from an independent/back street garage, at least to me it is (I am however slightly bias as my last E30 had FSH and was a dog
)
Prepared to spend money regardless of it's history, but the good news is that parts availability is good and prices are pretty reasonable.
Awesome cars, but you've got to understand the age and the fact that they are fast becoming recognized as classics, and require classic like maintenance. If you're looking for a cheap runabout, or something that allows you to tell your friends "I own a Bimmer" don't bother, an E36 is a (slightly) better option for you.
They are pretty well built, but look out for rust pretty much everywhere (scuttle, battery tray and roof area if sunroof fitted in-particular)
Don't be fooled into thinking "FSH" = Good, certainly on something as "old" as one of these. An enthusiast owner with a load of receipts for bits he's done himself is worth a lot more than a few stamps from an independent/back street garage, at least to me it is (I am however slightly bias as my last E30 had FSH and was a dog
)Prepared to spend money regardless of it's history, but the good news is that parts availability is good and prices are pretty reasonable.
Awesome cars, but you've got to understand the age and the fact that they are fast becoming recognized as classics, and require classic like maintenance. If you're looking for a cheap runabout, or something that allows you to tell your friends "I own a Bimmer" don't bother, an E36 is a (slightly) better option for you.
Soldato
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Very much the labour of love.
avoid and buy a Nova
avoid and buy a Nova
I loved all the E30's I owned, but they are getting so old now. I ran around in a 318 just over a year ago before I bought my E46, was still fun.
If your goingto get one avoid the 320,its not worth it. A 325 is the only option, or a 318iS if you dont mind having only 2 doors.
The E30 is the finest car they ever made! I adored my 325 sport, a brilliant car. The majority of them are so abused and old now that they will be nothing but problems. It will be very hard to find a really good one for reasonable money.
If your goingto get one avoid the 320,its not worth it. A 325 is the only option, or a 318iS if you dont mind having only 2 doors.
The E30 is the finest car they ever made! I adored my 325 sport, a brilliant car. The majority of them are so abused and old now that they will be nothing but problems. It will be very hard to find a really good one for reasonable money.
Your 325 was superb.
I still miss my E30 iS, but I was lucky - I had a good one.
There are far too many tired examples out there now, so I'd buy with care. I wouldn't bother with a 320i, 325i is the only six pot worth going for!
Or of course, you could buy the 320i and drop in an E36 M3 engine
*may not be as easy as I'm making it sound...
There are far too many tired examples out there now, so I'd buy with care. I wouldn't bother with a 320i, 325i is the only six pot worth going for!
Or of course, you could buy the 320i and drop in an E36 M3 engine
*may not be as easy as I'm making it sound...Oh how I wish I could own one myself, but I fear that the insurance for a soon to be 21 year old could be just a little steep .
Nah my friend was looking at one. Its in Blue and is absolutely immaculate, with only 54,000 miles on the clock, one owner from new. Its literally like new.
How much would you say it would be worth? Disconcerting to hear that its a crap engine though. (its a 320i).
.Nah my friend was looking at one. Its in Blue and is absolutely immaculate, with only 54,000 miles on the clock, one owner from new. Its literally like new.
How much would you say it would be worth? Disconcerting to hear that its a crap engine though. (its a 320i).
As said, the engines to choose are the 325 and the 318iS.
They're very good cars, but as said they are getting on, so check for tin worm when you're buying it and expect it not to be trouble free motoring.
I'd also sign up to an E30 specific forum like E30zone for more reading material and advice.
They're very good cars, but as said they are getting on, so check for tin worm when you're buying it and expect it not to be trouble free motoring.
I'd also sign up to an E30 specific forum like E30zone for more reading material and advice.
Oh how I wish I could own one myself, but I fear that the insurance for a soon to be 21 year old could be just a little steep
Nah my friend was looking at one. Its in Blue and is absolutely immaculate, with only 54,000 miles on the clock, one owner from new. Its literally like new.
How much would you say it would be worth? Disconcerting to hear that its a crap engine though. (its a 320i).
I'm 20 and admiral with 10k miles commuting, 1yr ncb(they give you one even if you don't have any, if you've been a named driver with another company), no accidents etc. 1200 for the year for my 325i sport touring.
Everywhere else was circa 2 grand though..
Associate
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Yeah the 325 is the way forward, 318is is for students. Have run them for about 5 years, never heard of a noisy gearbox tho? The diffs can get noisy, got an lsd diff that has been whining loudly for about 60k miles now, still works, still locks.
Old car so they do like some maintenance, but never had a stop on one, been through most of europe in a £216 ebay special, no problems except the exhaust dropping of. Was loud!
Not the quickest of cars, but defo can be a lot of fun, can be hard to drive in a straight line!
Old car so they do like some maintenance, but never had a stop on one, been through most of europe in a £216 ebay special, no problems except the exhaust dropping of. Was loud!
Not the quickest of cars, but defo can be a lot of fun, can be hard to drive in a straight line!
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
What is an 'AC Schnitzer M3'?
the E30 though is now purely an enthusiasts car. Unless you are massively into them, which this thread makes clear you are not, dont bother - they are now very old cars and require a labour of love to keep them going.
the E30 though is now purely an enthusiasts car. Unless you are massively into them, which this thread makes clear you are not, dont bother - they are now very old cars and require a labour of love to keep them going.
But they are like a drug...
Thanks to this thread I want another one
.
Really? The Admiral group refuses to quote be on an E30 325i until 21... But has no issues with an E36 328i!?
Thanks to this thread I want another one
.Really? The Admiral group refuses to quote be on an E30 325i until 21... But has no issues with an E36 328i!?
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