looking to buy an E30

noodles101 · 01-20-2009, 10:27 PM

i currently own an e36 328i
but ive been looking to buy a new car . maybe like newer e46 or sumthing
but ive looked at some e30s on this forum and there are some NICE NICE looking ones. and im looking into buying an e30. and have 2 bimmers

which model and year shud i stay away from? ( lemon wise lol)

craz azn · 01-20-2009, 11:35 PM

They are all pretty durable, and all of them have their differences and little quirks. Try and buy the newest/lowest km car that you can, with good records to show stuff has been replaced. They are not new, and haven't been, newest being 18 years old. If any clear favorite comes out of the group of e30s, its the 89-91 325i/iS. Decent looking, fair power, fun to drive etc. '91 318i/iS is much like a 'budget' e30 M3 in terms of characteristics and feel, but certainly won't match a 325i in terms of straightline performance.

craz azn · 01-20-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wannabe

rudy you know thats not true about newest and low km. I'd rather own a high km well maintained than a new low km one. For example. my 85 325e has 418,000k and still the original clutch. that clutch has hauled trailers across canada 3 times. and will be forsale in may when i come back to canada. haha

Correcto. Thats what I said

Quote:

Originally Posted by craz azn

They are all pretty durable, and all of them have their differences and little quirks. Try and buy the newest/lowest km car that you can, with good records to show stuff has been replaced. They are not new, and haven't been, newest being 18 years old. If any clear favorite comes out of the group of e30s, its the 89-91 325i/iS. Decent looking, fair power, fun to drive etc. '91 318i/iS is much like a 'budget' e30 M3 in terms of characteristics and feel, but certainly won't match a 325i in terms of straightline performance.

Edit. But ya, I do agree with you. My car has over 350k, and I'd rather take that then any other e30 trying to be pawned off on those sketch used car dealers for less than 200k. Maintenance>some Number

Wannabe · 01-20-2009, 11:41 PM

rudy you know thats not true about newest and low km. I'd rather own a high km well maintained than a new low km one. For example. my 85 325e has 418,000k and still the original clutch. that clutch has hauled trailers across canada 3 times. and will be forsale in may when i come back to canada. haha

325isStephen · 01-21-2009, 12:18 AM

I agree with rudy too, If your going to buy an old car, find one well maintained with lots of records, paying a premium for that is well worth it in my eyes.

Also my car has 487,000kms on it. mileage doesnt say to much about it. My floors are mint, because the PO took care of the car.

Steve

p.s some places to look for rust is, license plate lights, under fuse box up front, rockers( mainly by the fender bottoms) and of course the battery box in the rear.

e30_kid89 · 01-21-2009, 12:31 AM

I have to agree with this thread as well, and its something people who don't really understand E30s properly will get mixed up. High kms are excellent WITH service records. Another example is my car...I got it with 362kms...The most high mileage E30 i've owned and its been by FAR in the best overall condition versus my other E30s that had 240kms and 260 respectively. The PO took real good care of it and kept track with records which made it worth every penny.

Yep, 95% of the work done to my E30 the previous 4 years prior to me owing it was at the dealership

noodles101 · 01-21-2009, 06:56 PM

ya i just want to buy a decent shape e30 and drive around in the city
im a detailer at GM lol so i can pretty much make it look good outside but nothing mechenical wise LOL
so do u guys know any1 selling an e30
i looked at kijiji and i think e30 325is go for around 3 ~ 4

325isStephen · 01-21-2009, 06:59 PM

If your looking for a 325is, you may be interested in mine. its a 1990 325is with all options. OBC, heated seats, power sunroof etc.

Steve

Edit: would be sold mostly stock. its no longer lowered and has weaves on it.

noodles101 · 01-21-2009, 07:38 PM

r u selling the one in ur signature?!?

325isStephen · 01-21-2009, 07:39 PM

that would be the car, I could sell it looking like that or stock, up to you.

Steve

Ej_Red · 01-21-2009, 10:46 PM

BMW will break your wallet. Especially the e30. If you got cash to blow, get one. It's a fun car to drive but at the end it's still a bmw and you have to keep $ saved for the shit that will go wrong. And trust me, on the 20 y.o car it will go wrong.

325isStephen · 01-21-2009, 10:53 PM

I agree, however parts aren't all that expensive. I did my rear brakes for 80 bucks, pads and rotors, and its not even cheap junk.

Steve

noodles101 · 01-22-2009, 05:42 PM

ya i know to maintain a bmw does cost lil bit more then other cars
but i had my e36 328i for almost 2 years...daily driver and no major problems at all
jsut regular oil change and stuff.

Ej_Red · 01-22-2009, 08:46 PM

Pads and rotors i could care less how much they are. Shit like fuel tank, drive shaft u-joints, subframe bushings, ridiculously routed hard brake lines and this can go on and on. Unless you do your own work and you can do more then just brakes and you don't mind working on your car every other weekend, get a bmw.
Otherwise, stick to hondas.

slimjim · 01-22-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ej_Red

Pads and rotors i could care less how much they are. Shit like fuel tank, drive shaft u-joints, subframe bushings, ridiculously routed hard brake lines and this can go on and on. Unless you do your own work and you can do more then just brakes and you don't mind working on your car every other weekend, get a bmw.
Otherwise, stick to hondas.

an e30 is a great car to learn on. Mostly everything is constructed pretty simple and logically.