VW nut wants an E30 cab - advice please

[2low4u]

Hi all, my name is Chris and im a regular poster on www.edition38.com. Im thoroughly in love with my Mk2 16v but i fancy a nice reliable convertible fo the summer and for when i become a surveyor in september. this is my mk2 16v:







Schwartz black mk2 GTi 16v

Engine:

Stroeve Motorsport Induction Kit
Polished Power ROHR
Neuspeed Short shift kit + shortened gearnob (nice action)
Polished 50mm inlet
Full Powerflow Stainless Exhaust (burbles & growls - not chavvy)

Chassis:

G60 Brakes
FK Konigsport Coilovers
Neuspeed Front & Rear Anti Roll Bar
Steel Braided Brake Hoses

Exterior:

BBS RS001's - 9.5" x 15" rears, 8.5" fronts
New TOYO Rubber all round within the last 4 months
VAG Rallye Front end
VAG G60 Arches
VAG VR6 front spolier (very well fitted one too)
Venom Deep Eye Spoiler
Crystal Indicators
Crystal Repeater
Single Wiper
Light Smoke Privacy Glass
FK Smoked Crystal M3 Rear Clusters
Factory Sunroof

Interior:

Alpine CD head unit
JBL GTO components all round & 6x9's
Full G60 interior inc. Leccy Recaros
VAG Factory Votex With Dials
Clifford Concept 300 Alarm & Immoboliser (nobody is gonna steal this bastard)
One of those crummy armrest things

Tax till March i think, MOT Feb.

Things done since purchase:

Piston Rings
Cambelt
Head Set
Water Pump
Sump gasket
Cam & Crank seal
Belt Tensioners
Big End & Main Bearing Shells
Water Pump & Pulley
Sunroof Seal
Alternator belt
New stainless steel centre section on the Powerflow
3mm Carflow wheel spacers for the rear

Always kept polished and washed. the bodywork has a few minor dents from trolleys, doors etc, but nothing to write home about and is generally arrow straight, with the paintwork being in equally fantastic condition.

Genuine 92K which is flippin low for a mk2 GTi, When i bought it it had 86k. its got a FSH (part VW) apart from the last owner (a forum member) who did his own services for 2 years.

The engine is solid apart from a minor cold start problem, it ticks over for about 5 seconds then springs into life, probably 5th injector or warm up valve, but pulls like an absolute steamtrain (previous owner RR'd at 161bhp), hardly uses any oil and there is absolutely no smoke whatsoever and idles perfectly.

Now, Im in need of some advice as i quite fancy a 325i motorsport cab, is anyone interested in trading?

this was up for 4.5k not long ago but am willing to take offers around 4k.

thanks again.

[2low4u]

looking for this euro look btw

[maxfield]

Wow!!!! your golf is beautiful love the euro look!

[2low4u]

thanks for the comment, what engines are avaialble in the cabs? i really want a dark colour with tan leather also!

[Widge]

Tan leather will be very hard to find.
TBH mate I think you will have put a load of people off with the lendgt of your first post about the VW, I quite like it but most of the guys on here will probably not be interested.
You can get cabs from a 316 up to an M3 depends what mullah oyu have to spend etc.
My brother is a surveyor and he drives an E30 cab, when he can.

[2low4u]

Tan leather will be very hard to find.
TBH mate I think you will have put a load of people off with the lendgt of your first post about the VW, I quite like it but most of the guys on here will probably not be interested.

why is that? im only introducing myself and giving some info on the car i currently drive.

[TouringMatt]

Nice car there mate

Cant help you on the Cab, but do the feds ever give you grief over your plate?

Matt

[2low4u]

only once when got pulled for speeding but the copper didnt have the expertise to do me and let me go, fingers crossed not yet though, but im on thin ice as they have just been made fully illegal, especially as mine have fake TUV stickers aswell!!

[Widge]

Sorry mate, it's just a bit long....and not an E30

I don't think tan was a factory option, you'd hvat to get it recovered or one that's already been done. Try looking for a Motorsport cab 325. What sort of size engine are you looking for?

[2low4u]

Ideally i'd like 6 cylinders, but i can imagine a 325i cab would put a significant dint in my insurance premium. Ive had a brief word with them and a cab puts it up £400!!! whereas a 325i coupe is only £100 more. With a 318i Cab i get an £80 refund!!

Just a few q's:

What is petrol consumption like on the 325's? (my mk2 does about 300 miles on a £45-50 worth of optimax)

are the 318's slow as they look it on paper?

did any of the cab's come with power hoods?

What is servicing like?

[Widge]

I do my own servicing, as do quite a lot of people on here, so can't comment.

Some had power hoods but they can break quite easily.

318i are as slow as they look on paper.

Fuel consumption on my 325 sounds similar to your golf, although fuel consumption can go down as well as up!!! I once got 390 miles out of a tank which is about 55 litres. You do the maths.

Insuring a cab for me, fully comp, is no different to insuring a Coupe! Change insurance company.

And don't even consider a 320 unless it has everythig else you want, you obviously like driving so you'll want a 2.5. 2.0ltrs are much slower and do the same fuel economy. No really they do...

[2low4u]

ive whittled my options down to a 6 cyl, end of...

i love the straight 6 sound and much as the sound of a VR6 on full chat, so, now begs the question, Cab or tin-top?

I love the idea of being able to have the roof down on a hot summers day, but also i fell in love with the e30 when i saw that pic i posted previously of those two tin-tops, and would love something similar looking to those. I take it were talking full on coilovers/arch work/stretched tyres to get a stance like that?

[Widge]

Just lowering tyres alloys and shocks, along with rolled arches, I think.
Yeah I have a touring which is broken so I'm using my brothers cab and to be honest if I was ever going back to a 2 door I would get a cab and save up for a hard top for the winter. So Id go for a cab if I was you.

And if you really want a 6 cyl, don't bother with a 2.0ltr.

[maxfield]

Yeah there definatly on coilovers. I dont think there would be that much arch work.

[iil325i]

iv had a cab, i didnt like it, it dont handle well, you get wet when it rains,
its noisy, your music sounds shit and people can rip and get in ya car to to easy,


get a hard top sport thats the way to go,

[Widge]

If you are that bothered about handling....... aren't a great fan of top down motoring.......... and live in an area / are paranoid about getting broken in to................... Don't get a cab.


Yeah they aren't as tight as coupes but then that's made up for by the fact the roof comes off or at least it is for me I love it.

[Wigsworld]

Everyone slags off the 2.0 ltr but i love my 320 cab, its sounds great. I don't really care that it isn't the fastest car in the world, people don't buy four seater convertibles for performance do they? But if you're coming from a golf gti then maybe the 325 is a better bet.

[Grantley]

Like the Golf mate very nice but as already said you'll have a hard job finding a cab with the spec you want and if you do youll be paying top $ for it, just a thought why dont you get a late Mk1 Golf cab and put a VR6 lump in it ?

[2low4u]

Like the Golf mate very nice but as already said you'll have a hard job finding a cab with the spec you want and if you do youll be paying top $ for it, just a thought why dont you get a late Mk1 Golf cab and put a VR6 lump in it ?

because its a right mission, involves modifying corrado subframes and literally shoehorning it in there!! admittedly it would be great though.

It looks like im swaying towards a tin-top now, needs to be clean as, either a nice blue/dark red/black/delphin grey. I like the look of the one in the classifieds atm in grey with tan leather but the owner isnt replying (albeit i only posted today), anyone know the car?

[panesar_e30]

ive had a motorsport cab, and will second ill325i's comments on them.

to sum it up, they look good but are shit to drive compared to a sport.

i know many people tht have sold their cabs and then gone on to buying coupe.

[m3ben05]

Mate that is a stunning golf, if i had more space i would have one just like it!

As far as your e30 hunt goes, i would go for the tin top because we live in a country with shit weather, they handle better and will cost less to buy and insure.

Just my opinion but iv never owned a cab so i cant speak from experience.

[DaveD]

Dont listen to them///cabs are great they might be a bit more noisy but then you can have the top down and that is what you are buying...you will have to look hard for a msport cab at a reasonable price ,,,there is a very nice one on ebay at the moment for £8.5k but you should be able to find a reasonable one for about £4.5k try the bmw club classified
what to look out for ...electric hood ,,fantastic when it works expensive when it doesn't also the condition of the fabric..£600 to replace
check the back seat to see if the leather is ok might have fried in the sun
after that it just the usual for a car that is at least 14 years old

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/e30.html

http://www.bimmerdiy.com/e30

a couple of useful links

[JonChapman]

Hey dude, I'm in the same boat as you, but I think I'll go for a 318i. Got my GTI for speed and cornering - I'm more than happy with it!

Looking at taking a loan out, then I can sell my coupe.

[2low4u]

so what would be better around the corners? my coilovered-anti roll barred-wide rubbered 16v or a 325i sport mtech 2? if i boot it mid corner will the back end kick out? i realise i will have to readjust my driving style as ive never owned RWD before, have driven plenty though like porkers and some jap crap.

[Widge]

if i boot it mid corner will the back end kick out?

YES

[2low4u]

btw what is the check computer?

[Widge]

The bit above the rear view mirror that tells you when lights are out or fluids are low. Very handy really.

[bootyman]

Dude you seem to be a bit confused. I think you need to decide what you want your car for 1st before you take the plunge. If like me you want drop top motoring when the sun comes out and some poke too, then the cab is the car to have. I should know cause i had 4, now down to 3. However, if you're a bit of a lad and like tearing around the place and taking corners on 2 wheels, the go for the tin top. All thsi crap about noise in the cab can easily be sorted with a hardtop, and that way you have the nest of bothe Worlds. As for the pic you've put up about the cab you want, forget it cause no one has that kind of cab here. I'm in the process of doing one, but i would most defo not swap it for another car cause it will be my baby, so yo're probably better off buying a cheap cab (If it's what you deicide to go for) and do it up yourself

Welcome to the Zone by the way

[Morat]

so what would be better around the corners? my coilovered-anti roll barred-wide rubbered 16v or a 325i sport mtech 2? if i boot it mid corner will the back end kick out? i realise i will have to readjust my driving style as ive never owned RWD before, have driven plenty though like porkers and some jap crap.

Once you get the RWD bug you don't go back. I reckon the Golf will pull more lateral G with its tweaked suspension and fat rubber but you'll be grabbing the keys to the E30 on sunny days when your favorite road is calling....

[Blue_MK2]

2low4u

Remember me? Its Blue MK2 off edition38 (the other VW nutter)

im also looking for a cab but im not selling the mk2! NO WAY

small world

Cabs dont last long in the 'for sale' section mate. Ive missed out big time

[2low4u]

alright mate, small world, tandino is on here and ive seen treadstone81 knocking around!...

Im not confused just indecisive! I really would like a cab, but the extra £400 on my insurance is slightly daunting, might have to wait until the beginning of the summer i.e july until i get one as my policy is up for renewal mid august, therefore they wont charge me as much extra.

Thing is, who is going to be seilling thier cab come summer time? could be difficult finding the right one!!! AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH i hate insurance, Im 22 with nearly 2 years NCB, 3 points but live in high risk merseyside (well, south wirral) im at uni in notts but the car is insured as being back home.

[m3ben05]

dont wait til the summer mate, i would imagine prices would go way up. Insure your car as being at uni, will definately be cheaper

[Widge]

Sh1t that's a bummer. I was driving a cab at 22 with 2 yrs claims free for £590 but I live in the middle of nowhere in Yorkshire so I'm in lowest risk possible.

Change the insurance to nottingham, and buy one now, whilst it's still cold, don't wait till it's warm!!! Or you'll end up waiting till next year. If you want the euro look your going to have to do it your self, so spend £1500-200 on the car and the rest on mods I'm afraid.

[2low4u]

Nottingham would be a hell of alot more as im right in the city centre, i could insure it at my old mans house which is in the sticks in north wales ..

I need to sell my golf first before i even begin to start looking for one, but its nice to browse and plan things. I have a dissertation to hand in in less than 3 weks and this website has done a good job job or preoccupying me for the past 2 days on and off!! then ive got my finals to think about! so come June/july ill get the ball rolling.

[Widge]

Bit late to be looking for a cab if i was you. Keep the golf and look for a cab in the winter.