Keep Original or Go The Other Way?

Fri Aug 17, 2012 9:51 am

iv had my E30 for about 4 years now. its been garaged for the last 3 of them!

1985 316 with proven 61000 miles from new!
As it has the 1.8 carb engine with a 4 speed box i must admit i would like a bit more oomph from a classic E30.

What i want to know is wether i should go ahead and transform this 2door non sunroof into a 2.5 toy or just leave it standard and sell it on to someone that will appreciate it more, and then buy a 2.5?

it doesnt need much to get it into very good original condition. i even have the proper head unit!

any ideas what it would be worth with full tax + MOT?

Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:24 am

The difference between a 325i is more than just an engine, theres the suspension set up, roll bars, brake system, exhaust., upgraded interior, factory options.

You'd be better selling on your 316i and buy a 325i outright. You could break your 316i.. which whilst I'm at it.. I'm looking for a good chrome rear bumper.. and yours looks great.

Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:26 am

It's an interesting quandry, but personally i'd modify your car because a 316 is never going to be the most valuable in it's own right but that said a good non sunroof shell would make a really nice modded motor - just look at the guys on here eg Danthe whose Alpina engined Cromie was featured in one of the mags ( and it's a beauty ) a while back - this started life as an immaculate lower model. Yours is crying out for an M52 2.8 conversion. It's much harder to find a really good shell particularly with no sunroof than it is to buy a supposedly immaculate sport (That likley will turn out to be a rotter). The main tip i'd give is take time to decide what mods and additional OEM spec you want as it's so much cheaper to do it right first time, for example i converted mine to a 2.5 m20, but really always wanted a 24v and i'd have saved so much if i'd just done it the hard way first time LOL.

Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:38 am

Yeah good shout Ian, I guess it all depends on how much rot your 316i to be worth it and how mechanically skilled you are to carry out the conversion.!

Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:39 am

I like it on its steelies as it is.

Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:40 am

Would be a shame to break such a well cared for chromie. if you know you have a solid shell on your hands and you know exactly what has been done to this car over the years, keep it. Could always do a conversion to suit if you want to keep the car looking oem! 2.8 M20 build? Twin carb M10? Nothing like a standard looking classic inside and out with a few surprises up it's sleeve.

Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:18 pm

would be a shame to ruin it, for a track car just buy a tired facelift for cheap

although that car would make a nice tech 1 project

Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:22 pm

thats a good shout Motorhole. i had considered either a M20 2.5 or the M50! i work as an engineer so there shouldn be a problem doing the work. i agree that it looks nice as it stands, that was the appeal to begin with. i had not thought about going down the twin carbs route! that sounds interesting! the car wouldn be used for daily commuting. more of a summer time toy. the shell and chasis is quite unbelievable for its age. just one or two spots of surface rust. underneath the car is still factory (and not rust) red! the only bit that wants attention is under the accelerator pedal. so is the M10 with twin carbs a done thing? and are the results positive? i could just recon the engine i have got and that would be less work for me then! though i am in no rush. i would like to keep it as a family heirloom if possible!!

Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:27 pm

If I had that car I would build it to my own spec, sod all this keep it orginal crap it is a worthless turd (no offence intended). It's not like it is a 325i let alone an Alpina or anything like that.

Buy yourself a cheap E36 328i and get it converted

Then get out and have some fun! Lifes too short not too!

Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:39 pm

Im of the mind that whilst this may not be the desireable e30 in the world, the fact its original and low miles means that one day in the future this will be a bona fide classic and worth a few quid.

If you sell now you will get a very low price for it, to frag it would be a shame as it sounds like a very straight car.

Given your a man who sound capable of modifying an e30 why not get a tired 325i (plenty around) and have your fun in that!...why not get a cabby?

I inhetited my MGB some years ago and at the time they were going for next to scrap in value. In the last 2 years i have had offers from half a dozen people (often when im driving around in her) for between 2-3K!

its your call.

Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:49 pm

DanThe had an unmolested low miler 316 non sunroof once.....

Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:03 pm

Someone on here built a 316 chromie sleeper. It was very cool.

Forget who it belonged to now tho

It would be a pity to do it to a car with such low miles.

Get a turd and fix it. Much more satisfying

Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:06 pm

you could do this to it

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4146229.htm

Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:36 pm

I would turn it into a properly sorted motor while keeping it looking old school.

Decent suspension, brakes, new bushes, m/s50 and on RS' would look the bomb

Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:46 pm

ross_jsy wrote:I would turn it into a properly sorted motor while keeping it looking old school.

Decent suspension, brakes, new bushes, m/s50 and on RS' would look the bomb