E30 320i, Thoughts?
- Thread starter allllec
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Also has the potential for being a complete money pit. I bought an E30 325i touring a few years back. Looked immaculate, but suffered from a host of issues that totalled around £1500 over the year. Go check the E30 forum. I remember someone once asking if any members had totally trouble free cars. No one said yes.
For all that, if you can find a good one, they're more fun than newer Bimmers (IMO) and still do everything you need on a day to day basis.
I had one for a while as a company car.
It was a proper nail but oh-so-slideable, had many a near miss in the snow with that thing. Very laggy throttle response from the bottom of the rev range, you have to really rev them to go anywhere. Sound divine at the top of the rev range though.
As Fox says they seem a bit pointless when you can have the 325 which is definitely better, but the bonus of the 320 is it tends to be very cheap.
It was a proper nail but oh-so-slideable, had many a near miss in the snow with that thing. Very laggy throttle response from the bottom of the rev range, you have to really rev them to go anywhere. Sound divine at the top of the rev range though.
As Fox says they seem a bit pointless when you can have the 325 which is definitely better, but the bonus of the 320 is it tends to be very cheap.
Love the look of the E30's, but unsure as to whether i would ever own one given the stories that some owners post. They do indeed sound like expensive machines to fix-up. There is a lovely red E30 M3 parked at a garage near me, oh how i'd love to take it out for a spin.
Slightly off topic, but still about E30's. I saw an add on pistonheads stating that a 320i was a 'tax break' (I believe this is the term the owner used) M3, the guy claimed it was built for the Italian market and was basically an M3 with a slightly less powerful variant of the engine. Was this guy talking crap? Or was it a nod in the direction for the tax disc scrimpers who wanted an M3?
Slightly off topic, but still about E30's. I saw an add on pistonheads stating that a 320i was a 'tax break' (I believe this is the term the owner used) M3, the guy claimed it was built for the Italian market and was basically an M3 with a slightly less powerful variant of the engine. Was this guy talking crap? Or was it a nod in the direction for the tax disc scrimpers who wanted an M3?
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Not a million miles from the truth. The 320 in this country isn't the best choice. The Spanish 320, while not quite as good as an M3, but pretty close according to the performance bmw article on it.
Soldato
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I had my E30 for a year, did 7000 miles in it and all I did was change the oil and coolant once (that was it........no tires, pads, discs, anything...). Had to put a new battery on it when a -12 degree low hit where I live, but other than that.....sold it for 500 quid more than I bought it for as well at the end of it all (negating running costs and fuel, as it was my daily driver).
Oh, I did have to change a tail light bulb! ZOMG!
320i's not a bad machine but an iS, or a 325 is a better bet and if you dig around you'll find one in budget - but if you're just looking for an entertaining daily there's absolutely zero wrong with the 320i and plenty you can do to liven it up a little. The four pots have no timing belt so if you're looking for cheap to run - then that's the model to swing towards.
Just buy the right one!
Sharp little machine, much fun. Even smaller-engined variants are an enjoyable drive
Oh, I did have to change a tail light bulb! ZOMG!
320i's not a bad machine but an iS, or a 325 is a better bet and if you dig around you'll find one in budget - but if you're just looking for an entertaining daily there's absolutely zero wrong with the 320i and plenty you can do to liven it up a little. The four pots have no timing belt so if you're looking for cheap to run - then that's the model to swing towards.
Just buy the right one!
Sharp little machine, much fun. Even smaller-engined variants are an enjoyable drive
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Nope, it was the 320iS. Built for the Portuguese and Italian markets to get round the high tax on cars of over 2,000cc.
I think it was based quite heavily around the e30 M3's 4-pot engine, even carrying an S prefix, just slightly down on power (not far off 200bhp). None were ever officially imported to the UK, but if I was looking for an e30 it would be something I'd seriously consider.
It was leaking water through the spoiler, cut the spoiler off with bolt croppers and welded up the holes. Primed. Primer ran down the lights.
Job's a goodun.
Associate
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Bang on. The motor is an s14 unit just like the M3's but sleeved down slightly within the block and with different cam profiles. The non M3 e30 to have I think, but extremely rare. JC racing in Thirsk have one for sale at the moment, although the bumpers and sport side panels gave been painted red to contrast with the black of the car. Looks a bit gash but the car is otherwise ok. They are horribly expensive on the market overall. They should look like a sport with mtech kit, black roof lining etc.
Nice! And here was me thinking a bird had taken a particular shining to your car which also had toxic ****
Also cheers for clearing up the 320iS business, it does indeed make it sound like quite an interesting ownership prospect. Not to mention the one I saw was considerably cheper than a real deal M3.
Lashout: Your example doesn't count mate, you seem to be able to find just about by vehicle in better condition and half the price of us mere mortals
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what utter nonsense about the relaibility of an e30! i have run my she 325i one for almost 60k miles, nothing but wear and tear parts on her!
That is with young persons driving as well, just about to hit 200k on her. I have a few friends with them as well, they dont seem to have these relibility problems?
I will admit the 325i will cracks their heads if you rev them cold, the only "common" fault with them.
320's are lovley smooth engines, but are on the dull side - might as well have a 5 series and have the comfort! The 318iS is a fun revvy engine, with more studnet like insurance but you have to live with the fact that you are 2 cylinders short.
Think it is only rust that will kill my current 325i, but then she only cost £200 5 years ago!
the www.e30zone.co.uk is a very good resource for e30's, few people who like to bicker but genrally find out anything you need to know!
That is with young persons driving as well, just about to hit 200k on her. I have a few friends with them as well, they dont seem to have these relibility problems?
I will admit the 325i will cracks their heads if you rev them cold, the only "common" fault with them.
320's are lovley smooth engines, but are on the dull side - might as well have a 5 series and have the comfort! The 318iS is a fun revvy engine, with more studnet like insurance but you have to live with the fact that you are 2 cylinders short.
Think it is only rust that will kill my current 325i, but then she only cost £200 5 years ago!
the www.e30zone.co.uk is a very good resource for e30's, few people who like to bicker but genrally find out anything you need to know!
I was sorely sorely tempted by a nice example of an E30 M3.
Cost of getting one in the condition I wanted with the spec and RHD was entirely prohibitive along with what looked to be a list of TOO many things that could go wrong for a car I would want to daily.
The real shame was when there WAS one I could not insure it. An AC Schnitzer tuned/kitted E30 locally was sold with a bored engine that had 3,000 miles on it since a rebuild and a complete new coat of paint.
Cost of getting one in the condition I wanted with the spec and RHD was entirely prohibitive along with what looked to be a list of TOO many things that could go wrong for a car I would want to daily.
The real shame was when there WAS one I could not insure it. An AC Schnitzer tuned/kitted E30 locally was sold with a bored engine that had 3,000 miles on it since a rebuild and a complete new coat of paint.