325i sport (e30)

rare

rare

rare

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Jez , does the ABS work? I had a similar problem with mine. They are fairly simple enough systems, its more than likely down to a sensor. I would check all of these first, not to difficult to get to. There is also a pad warning light, but I guess this isn't it.

328i sport in E36 are a good car, as long as you find one thats been looked after. I sold my E30 and bought exactly that. They are easier to live with, a hell of a lot more modern, later ones are put together well. And they still look attractive enough if taken care of. Not as much fun as an E30 and no where near as "cool" as a 325i sport tbh. But a lot less of a headache :D

Make sure they have a good history, and make sure the Nikasil problem has been dealt with. BMW replaced a lot of engines under warranty. Rust is still an issue on some, rear arches and boots. 328i sport wheels are the BBS two piece, many are corroded now.
 

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

[TW]Fox

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David _b said:
Was there 2 versions of 328i sport. One with the engine problem you mention and one without. Also, some come with a LSD, some dont ?
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Most of the 328's are affected by Nikasil, becuase by the time the problem was rectified in late 1998 the E36 was being phased out. I believe models up to and including 1996 have an LSD.
 

rare

rare

rare

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They are all old cars now however you look at it. But keep it clean and straight and they can all look good. I saw a very very clean early 90's fiesta the other day. I still looked at it because it was mint, not because of what it was:) At the end of the day its a case of not really what you drive, but how you keep it and present it that imo is more about image.

My 328:

http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs411&d=07053&f=Dscf3633.jpg

http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs411&d=07053&f=Dscf3637.jpg

E30:

http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs411&d=07053&f=DSC00417.JPG

http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs311&d=07053&f=DSCF1479.JPG
 
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SgtTupac

SgtTupac

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£5k is a bit OTT!! I got offered a MINT 325i Cab, in same colour, with alpina alloys and it is immaculate.. i mean really clean. Full service history the lot.. £2.5k
 

benneh

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benneh

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rare said:
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7481/dscf01504je.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/2135/dscf01804ge.jpg

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9352/dscf01778au.jpg

http://img9.echo.cx/img9/7666/dscf22036ao.jpg
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That's a lovely lovely looking car.

I was having a play with a sport earlier (silver on strange looking Irish plates for anyone in the Liverpool area), excellent condition and being driven by a middle aged chap who clearly knew how to have fun :p.

Personally I see nothing wrong with spending 4-5k on the right e30. Bit rich for my tastes, but they're really only worth what the buyer is willing to pay.
 

volospian

volospian

volospian

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David _b said:
Really cant be bothered registering :(
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While only a handful of people on this forum will have experience of long term ownership of such a vehicle, you are happy to ask the question here, however, you "really cant be bothered registering" on the specialist forums where pretty much everyone on there has vast experience of this particular range.

Hmmm, I think I'd be "bothered" to ask the right people if I were going to spend twice the going rate on a 18 year old car.

I really struggle to understand people's logic sometimes.
 

saitrix

saitrix

saitrix

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GSXRMovistar said:
That excatly what I'm trying to find at the moment, but getting hard to find a nice one.

I want that one. :(
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That's the only problem with older cars really. :( I know exactly how you feel though, been looking for a certain car for ages now, haven't seen one in my budget with a good enough condition for a long time. Though in the past few days I may have got lucky...
 

rare

rare

rare

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All you can do is constantly search. I went to see so many E30's in the past its silly. Pretty much all dogs, with stupid adverts claiming to be the best in the country.
 

THE CHOPPER

THE CHOPPER

THE CHOPPER

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Make sure you check the bulkhead as my mates was pulling away from the rest of the car. Fantastic car though, Fully lowered, 18" wheels. Custom full stainless exhaust. Subaru impreza blue sprayjob with glitter in it. He ended up taking the wheels off and sold it on a well know auction site for just over £500 and the guy had the cheek to have a bit of a moan. He said he just wanted the engine for his 5 series. But he managed to get a load of speeding tickets in it which my mate was contacted about. Anyway the guy's dad grassed him up in the end so all's well that end's well :) I could get him to post some pics as he is also a member on here. He had a nice e30 cabriolet too.
 

commited

commited

commited

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Nice choice :)

Buyers guide:
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=56277&highlight=buying+guide

Have you considered a 318is - way easier on petrol, handle better and are just as quick after a chip, filter, exhaust treatment?

You can get an absolute MINTER of a 318is for about £2000 ( overpriced - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/128541.htm )

If you decide to go for a sport, you're better off buying one for around £2500 that is structurally sound but needs a bit of love. The silver one pictured in the first few posts isnt as amazing as it first seems and apparently needs a bit of mechanical work and has seen a fair bit of paint work in its life.

Make sure you do a HPI check. I posted up pictures of an IS that I'd left a deposit on here a while ago, turns out it was a cat c write off a few years back. Got my deposit back and I'm heading to the UK this weekend to buy another, better one :) Heading to the UK is your only option imho, but there are a few sports for sale in Northern Ireland if that isnt an option.

Check out:
http://www.ni-bmw.co.uk
http://www.jon44w.com
http://www.reallymeansounds.com

To try to give the people who dont understand the love for E30s an insight, I'll explain why I like them. The IS and 325i Sport models are fairly rare - especially over here in Ireland. They are fantastic to drive, are cheaper to run than newer BMWs (as long as you get a good one) and they hold their value or appreciate, unlike an E36/E46.

Most of the people suggesting alternatives are the people who would never even dream of buying one in the first place, and have a different taste in cars completely, so dont listen to them and buy what you want to buy - there is a hell of a lot of preaching on this forum..
 

Jez

Jez

Jez

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rare said:
Jez , does the ABS work? I had a similar problem with mine. They are fairly simple enough systems, its more than likely down to a sensor. I would check all of these first, not to difficult to get to. There is also a pad warning light, but I guess this isn't it.
Click to expand...

The pads are all new, and the ABS works fine. What other sensors might it be down to?
 
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