Newbie looking for an E30 - what should I look for???

[e30-EVN]

Lol @ johnno- I think a 4 door makes the perfect m52 sleeper mate

[rollergirl]

Cheers you lot theres some fab advice and tips on here

I have had a couple of cabrio's before a 73 beetle (oooh she was pretty!) and 3 mk1 golf's, sticking with the 80's vibe. 2 were manual hoods and the last was a mint one owner from new fsh (you know the sort of car history everyone hankers after) now that had an electric hood, wow was it slow and a bit noisy! It was quicker to do it manually. Though probably right I did pose a bit with my lecky hood!

'Moredoors' (love that phrase, its ace) hubby quite likes them tho I think i'm torn between a coupe and a soft top, whilst I agree its apersonal choice as to what car suits your taste its great having some pointers on what to look for rust places etc.
Touring - I do quite like them and practicallity they are bang on (we do a lot o fcamping), Ive had a few volvo T5 estates and cant fault them apart from being a bit brick like,but the beemers have a much nicer shape.

We no longer have a garage, so that may be a deciding factor into getting a hardtop coupe, plus the 4 and 5 seat thing.

Hmmmmm engines, I like to know that I can still hold my own and would probably go for a bigger engine, a 325 sounds good just because it will sound the best given the right non chavvy yet tasteful exhaust system, my golf sounds really sexy,I love driving it and its all down to the right equipment and the right engine in my opinion. I am a bit of a petrol head.

I'm torn between the 1's and the 2's (am I getting this jargon right?) love the shiny chrome and classic looks yet I also love the bodykits and trim.

I shall be trawling these pages and making a bit of a photo album of the ones I like, there will probably be a common theme that comes out when its time to buy but it all depends on whats available at the time and for what price.

Yes, it might be my VR6 you have seen, the purpley blue one £600, Ive got it dotted about advertised in a few places. Think someones coming for it at the weekend so fingers crossed ....... love it to bits but my mind is made up now and theres only one way this is going .............

[TheHeap]

If you can live with the slightly dated interior and the narrow seating arrangement of an E30 then you will defo enjoy it as much as the Golf

[tonybtonyb]

With so many views of which car to buy you must be confused by now!I am anyway good luck with finding your e30.

[pony]

Rust the big killer on these
If it were me 2-door saloon
Has to be six-pot unless you are particularly want the BMW E30 M3 cars.
Definetely 325i. Though watch your wallet they are thirsty.
Make sure you got a LSD and its a manual.
I think the Touring looks pretty cool though especially 325i Tourings Manual and LSD.

[polsta]

Rust the big killer on these
If it were me 2-door saloon
Has to be six-pot unless you are particularly want the BMW E30 M3 cars.
Definetely 325i. Though watch your wallet they are thirsty.
Make sure you got a LSD and its a manual.
I think the Touring looks pretty cool though especially 325i Tourings Manual and LSD.

makes me laugh when people say "must be a 6 pot, but they are thirsty/costly to run"

a 4 pot like an is or a 318i is a nice car for around town and daily driving, and a good reason is it is cheaper to run and less juicy for nipping around, and petrols expensive as it is !! it all depends on what you want and suits you and your wallet best

an LSD would be nice, but by no means a "must" is it, in 18 months of having an is with no lsd...been no time ive ever "needed" or wished i had one or anything at all

[RustyRuss]

I just love the soundtrack to a 6

[Dezzy]

If you like driving E30's it has to be a 2 door

[RustyRuss]

If you like driving E30's it has to be a 2 door

2 doors storming out in front in the poll

[beemerbird]

If you like driving E30's it has to be a 2 door

That is actually complete nonsense, Dezzy. You say that because you drive one.

Me? I'm loving the same driving experience, the same footprint, and a boat load more shopping space by having my Touring.

Don't get me wrong. I loved my old 2 door, but unless you're a friendless teen, 2 doors are for selfish people / those with no mates

[RustyRuss]

They do look good tho lol, practicalitys for wimps!!! lol. I enjoyed my touring ownership....but theres only one deivative of e30 for me....but we are all different.

[Dezzy]

If you like driving E30's it has to be a 2 door

That is actually complete nonsense, Dezzy. You say that because you drive one.

I am really shocked you dont agree with me

Its never happened before

[beemerbird]

If you like driving E30's it has to be a 2 door

That is actually complete nonsense, Dezzy. You say that because you drive one.

I am really shocked you dont agree with me

Its never happened before

Very good 3/10

[fozzymandeus]

Chrome bumper cars arent galvanised at all and so the majority out there have some pretty amazing rust.

The facelift cars with the plastic bumpers are part galvanised and the rust proofing seems better but still can leave a lot to be desired. These are old cars now and they all have tinworm as a potential "end of lifer".

You'll be familiar with rust having run old VWs (especially the mk3 golf), so it shouldnt put you off, however here are some areas to consider:

Wheelarches, sunroof surrounds, rear floors, front footwells, inner wings, battery tray, and, very importantly, the corners of the scuttle where they meet the outer front wings - a small bubble here that's visible on inspection can mean a dirty great hole concealed by the wing!

I'd want a plastic bumpered car for peace of mind, even though I prefer the look of the chromies.

Frankly I'd want a 318is.
Frankly I want a 318is! But I have a Mk3 GTi to offload!!

[Dezzy]

That is actually complete nonsense, Dezzy. You say that because you drive one.

I am really shocked you dont agree with me

Its never happened before

Very good 3/10

Really. 3?? Gutted

[rollergirl]

You'll be familiar with rust having run old VWs (especially the mk3 golf), so it shouldnt put you off

very true I'm never put off by a little rust, its character & comes with age.

It happens to us all at some point. I'll hold my hand up to having let it go a little with age. Its taken me age and some real commitment to the chips and cakes to grow my 'muffin top dough belly'

[beemerbird]

Beemerbird has now banned herself from replies to Dezzy

[RustyRuss]

^lol

[Dezzy]

Beemerbird has now banned herself from replies to Dezzy

That wont last long

[DanThe]

If you like to 'drive properly' you will want a 2 door

I see the galvanised lies are coming out again

[Gortour]

Yup, noticed that too. No such thing as galvanising on the E30s, Rollergirl.

I do think the Touring should be in the poll too though... lol

[robbo86]

Here is why you should get a 318IS (which came with the m42 engine)

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... od_Himself.

[cecotto479]

Chrome bumper cars arent galvanised at all and so the majority out there have some pretty amazing rust.

The facelift cars with the plastic bumpers are part galvanised and the rust proofing seems better but still can leave a lot to be desired.

Where did you get this "information". The only part of a facelift car that is better rust-proofed than a pre-facelift is the bumpers!

Spouting this nonsense is irresponsible. In threads like this, if you're not sure of your facts, surely it's better to keep it zipped rather than mislead a potential new owner into buying a car that she thinks is galvanised?

"I think I might have read somewhere......." or "I've heard that...", fair enough, but not just blandly stating it as a fact - when it's plainly wrong.

Yours is no doubt a Sport - it'll say so on the logbook!?

[fozzymandeus]

Mine's a car made in 2003 that isnt galvanised (!).

I read it on this forum in a buyer's guide many moons ago when I DID own an E30. So, yeah, let's watch our sources.

Fact is, my point stands about chromies being rusted to soddery.
Plastic bumper cars have always been better in my experience (which comes from looking at examples in the flesh and assessing for potential owners).

Whatever car you get you'll need to do some remedial work on the body and probably the structure. If you notice I emphasised the areas where corrosion is most likely in an attempt to help. Being flamed for trying to help is a little irritating, tbh.

Also Mr. "Yours is no doubt a sport"....

Why the hell do I say I'm looking for a 318is at the foot of the post?


And I never state things blandly. Always baldly.

I'm never bland.

(edit to correct order)

[cecotto479]

I read it on this forum in a buyer's guide many moons ago .......

My point exactly. If enough people say something often enough, it becomes a fact, irrespective of its veracity.

It wasn't meant to "flame" you, and the "Sport" comment was directed at that other great E30 myth - the "Sport" designation on the V5 - not really at you.

I'll agree that baldies are rarely bland.

[RM2186]

Big up for the baldies

[fozzymandeus]

Incidentally, rollergirl, in case this should matter:

Bald + Convertible = Win.

[rollergirl]

what about this one on piston heads, anyones on here?
Love the look of this one £1500 long MOT and 'oustanding condition', seems a little cheaply priced, or is this about right? I know you would need to have a good poke around etc

whats everyone thoughts?

[beemerbird]

Link would help, Rollergirl

[rollergirl]

lol

would help wouldnt it doh!!!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2746350.htm

[rollergirl]

this is very nice too
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

[Felix79]

One thing I would say about cabs , is they are slightly smaller inside because of the extra strengthening. That said nothing beats having the roof down and a 6 pot burbbeling in the background!

[beemerbird]

Rollergirl

You obviously like the metallic blue / grey cars (hell, honey, I'm a woman and understand these issues ). Personally I wouldn't touch either - and I've owned both modified and OEM E30s. Both are looking a bit like style over function

My advice for you would be to put together a list of requirements for your E30 and post them in the 'Cars and Parts Wanted' section.

And then wait.

Good luck with it

[rollergirl]

Rollergirl

My advice for you would be to put together a list of requirements for your E30 and post them in the 'Cars and Parts Wanted' section.

And then wait.

I will thank you
thats my bank holiday off planned, what wedding ......... xx

[rollergirl]

nothing beats having the roof down and a 6 pot burbbeling in the background!

mmmmmmmmm sounds dreamy xx