General Questions?

[bks]

Hi, I'm in need of a little advice or even answers for some queries I have. Ever since I was about 13 I have drooled over E30's like they were a set of 32DD's. Anyway, since I turned 16 just back in April (*applies flamesuit*), I have started getting into more detail and more technical about E30's and UK Laws etc.
I plan on buying an E30, not sure when... possibly in the next 3/4 years to come due to increased VAT, Tax and all that bullshitting stuff to come. I plan on setting my E30 up for drifting (Yes i know, but I'm a fanboy ..), and so I have been familiarized with the ever-popular M50 engine. However, when I buy an E30 I will be using it for daily use aswell. Now here are my questions...

1) If I do a M50 swap, is there a law or some kind of regulation that I must abide by?

2) If doing a M50 swap, how would this affect MOT?

3) What would you recommend I do, keep the original M20 or do the swap? Remembering this will be used for daily aswell as drifting.


I appreciate any replies & help.

- BkS.

[Brianmoooore]

1) No
2) Doesn't - emissions test is based on whichever is older, car or engine, and there is an exemption for non standard cars anyway.
3) M50B25 engine is a vast improvement over a M20B25. M52B28 is an even greater improvement.
The only British law that will give you problems are the ones regarding motor insurance. Even the most lowly E30 is Group 12, IIRC, and 325's are 16.
Insurance will be eye wateringly expensive.

[TouringTash]

How much wear is caused by drifting and I don't mean the tyres either?

If this does then how long will it last being used for both?
Could be something to ponder.

[Cook318IS]

im talking from experience here - don't do an engine conversion until you turn 21. Its less painfull if you get kicked hard in the nads. When i was getting quotes for my m50'd e30 when i was 21 most places would point blank refuse to quote me - even a few days before my 21st birthday.

[bks]

1) No
2) Doesn't - emissions test is based on whichever is older, car or engine, and there is an exemption for non standard cars anyway.
3) M50B25 engine is a vast improvement over a M20B25. M52B28 is an even greater improvement.
The only British law that will give you problems are the ones regarding motor insurance. Even the most lowly E30 is Group 12, IIRC, and 325's are 16.
Insurance will be eye wateringly expensive.

1) Ok, yey!

2) Could you please elaborate a bit more?

3) Yes, I do realise this, and if I must pay very high insurance for a dream to come true then so be it.

So I can just tick the list of in my head, an M50 engine won't affect any Laws in the UK, apart from the mind blowing insanely high insurance prices?

Thanks for the reply btw.

[TouringTash]

.......... apart from the mind blowing insanely high insurance prices?

Thanks for the reply btw.

Think of a number that equals your mind blowing, insanely high quote.

The double it

Hope you are going to be sitting down fella.

[bks]

How much wear is caused by drifting and I don't mean the tyres either?

If this does then how long will it last being used for both?
Could be something to ponder.

Well I'm assuming E30's stand up to wear pretty good. Lot's of them are used over in the Netherlands & Germany.. I haven't heard of many break-downs.

im talking from experience here - don't do an engine conversion until you turn 21. Its less painfull if you get kicked hard in the nads. When i was getting quotes for my m50'd e30 when i was 21 most places would point blank refuse to quote me - even a few days before my 21st birthday.

Thanks for that, will keep it in mind
May just thrash about the M20 for 2/3years XD

Sorry for the messed up replies.

[bks]

.......... apart from the mind blowing insanely high insurance prices?

Thanks for the reply btw.

Think of a number that equals your mind blowing, insanely high quote.

The double it

Hope you are going to be sitting down fella.

Well not to long ago I went onto confused.com (i know right? XD)
and made up an account for a year older than me, i.e. 17. They quoted me minimum of £700 a month fully comp.... weird ae?

[e30mtec]

and being 16 with an m50 in a rwd car with buggerall t/c aint a good mix tbh im 26 with 9 yrs clean (clever) modified car driving history and even i sometimes i get myself into possible messy situations..just think of the hassle u will have off the police..when they stop your "316" to find its not what it says on the tin..being young with a fast modified car is cool to ur mates but a nightmare to the police pal.. not trying to p*ss on your bonfire but just be careful what you do and how you do it pal..

just make it fast enough so you outrun them

[Cook318IS]

.......... apart from the mind blowing insanely high insurance prices?

Thanks for the reply btw.

Think of a number that equals your mind blowing, insanely high quote.

The double it

Hope you are going to be sitting down fella.

Well not to long ago I went onto confused.com (i know right? XD)
and made up an account for a year older than me, i.e. 17. They quoted me minimum of £700 a month fully comp.... weird ae?

then phone them up and tell them about the engine coversion, bend over and prepare for a buggering!!!

[e30mtec]

then phone them up and tell them about the engine coversion, bend over and prepare for a buggering!!!

+1 a very hard buggering!!!!

[bks]

and being 16 with an m50 in a rwd car with buggerall t/c aint a good mix tbh im 26 with 9 yrs clean (clever) modified car driving history and even i sometimes i get myself into possible messy situations..just think of the hassle u will have off the police..when they stop your "316" to find its not what it says on the tin..being young with a fast modified car is cool to ur mates but a nightmare to the police pal.. not trying to p*ss on your bonfire but just be careful what you do and how you do it pal..

just make it fast enough so you outrun them

I did take that into consideration. And that's why I'm holding-off on buying one. I personally hate people who put stupid ass, ricey stuff on cars and think it's cool to their mates, I wanna build my E30 with love & tender care. Not just stick-on anything you can. I've been reading so much about "young people" with their Civic's & Corsa's, and it doesn't appeal to me. I grew up with BMW's I wanna keep it that way.
So that's why buying one when I'm around 18-19 seems like a goodtime to buy one.

@TouringTash - I don't think I even want to phone them up. I was only looking for answers which I got and with that has lead me too making smart decisions which I made previously.. but knowing you guys' stories (if that makes sense :S), has helped alot and put my head in the zone ;).

[e30mtec]

i would...buy one as soon as you can..and start soon ...then when you are old enough..roll it off the drive and take her for a well earned spin..i did it with my first car..a fully nut n bolt rebuilt r5gtt..loved it when i drove it then lusted for rwd since that..it sounds like you have a fair passion for e30s so all i can say is go for it..everyone on here will help as much as they can whether it be parts or advice etc...i have mates who STILL drive zetec s/corsas etc and their jaw drops every time i turn up with the e30..ill let them stick to fwd toys..theyll never know what its like to own a real car

[rp2]

maybeif you get one keep the car standard for now and just concerntrate on getting everything on the car up to scratch. im sure whatever E30 you buy will need a lot of work doing to it especially if you want to be doing drifting. things like suspension, engine mounts, bushes, breaks and tyres are expensive and will need to be in good condition if you want to go sideways everywhere. start with handling and breaking improvements! these are the ones that really make you faster!

my first years insurance was £1450 for a 55bhp 1987 1.2 nova saloon and i live in a good insurance area. now im 24 and have 7 years ncb and its around £700 for the 325.

[bks]

Yeah I was but how would I be able to register the car in my name if I don't have a provisional or even a license yet? I would rather be legal, than buying an E30, and then the 5-0 turn up at my drive and say sorry son, we'll have to take your pride & joy . I was going to plan on buy one and claim it to be off the road, until I could get her off the drive and out for that well deserved drive. I do have a passion for E30's, it's just the doubts I have with the legal side of things. I know that the 316i is a very good starter car for drifting in, not that much HP, but lots of fun to drive and really let's you understand what the car is doing etc. How would I go about checking if my area is good for insurance? I live in Linlithgow, Scotland (It's a bit posh/rich). I heard this place was good for advice on parts & things, and the suspensions, bushes & engine mounts would be the first things I checked. I know tyres are expensive aswell.

[daimlerman]

We have a fellow zoner called Josh Hocking who started buying and selling cars to make up his pocket money when he was around the age of 13!
So I can see no reason why you cannot buy a car at your age,it's USING it that you will not be able to do until you hold your own licence.

It's difficult being a youngster and wanting to do it all today,rather than waiting until tomorrow,but get yourself known around the forum and discover the zoner's local(ish) to yourself who will be able to help you and give you suitable encouragement.Neil(320touring)is a team member is running an 'after hours' garage at Drem,I am sure that he will be happy to put spanners into your hands and see what you can do,and help when you get stuck.

[charlE30]

There was a thread in e30chat that had the postcode list used by insurance companies showing how they graded each postcode.. I'll see if I can find it.

You can leaglly own a car at any age IIRC you just can't drive it until old enough and have the appropriate licence.

[charlE30]

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... t=postcode

Charlie

[bks]

Well that's boosted my confidence a little ! Thanks guys.
Will be sure to check out that thread, I'll just have another look around.
See if I can spot any bargins ... It is difficult being young and seeing so many E30's around the forums It makes you wanna scream . Again, thanks guys