what do u think bmw could have done to make e30's better!!

[StuBeeDoo]

Standard gearing is too low. Steering could be quicker. Seat cloth is poor quality.
Can't think of much else, lets face it, it's basically an early '80's design and as such is well above average.
Stuart

[stevo]

glovebox light, or is it an option? i have the torch but feel silly using it in the glovey

[Simon]

glovebox light, or is it an option? i have the torch but feel silly using it in the glovey

There is one!

[Gromit]

Non-whine rear differentials, stronger heads with better lubrication. And last but not least, NO RUST TRAPS.

[stevo]

glovebox light, or is it an option? i have the torch but feel silly using it in the glovey

There is one!

bonus!!, think i'll need to go investigating though
cheers dude

[Simon]

glovebox light, or is it an option? i have the torch but feel silly using it in the glovey

There is one!

bonus!!, think i'll need to go investigating though
cheers dude

In a normal E30, it's where the glovebox latch catches, there should be a black switch, the bulb is located on the back of the switch, very often overlooked as you don't expect the bulb to be there!

[Wilson]

2) Put the bloody interior door handles further forward (on the 2-doors at least)!

I read about these in the owners handbook, they are put like that for comfort apparently, they are placed so you can open with your opposite hand, drivers left hand.

What an anorak Sorry!!!!

[stevo]

There is one!

bonus!!, think i'll need to go investigating though
cheers dude

In a normal E30, it's where the glovebox latch catches, there should be a black switch, the bulb is located on the back of the switch, very often overlooked as you don't expect the bulb to be there!

ive actually sen the switch! i thought it stopped the charge to the torch to pull it out or something, never really looked into it
cheers mate

[Wilson]

1) - Having a "lights on" buzzer of some sort. That really is silly.

I actually agree with this.... I always leave the bloody things on!!, I've had newer cars the last three years!!!

[StuBeeDoo]

........ And a lights-on warning of some kind would be handy.

[Zayyan]

3) Lighter clutch so you don't get bad knees

Are u having a laugh?! try driving a 325i with it's factory clutch then u will know heavy!

I was deadly serious

Can't say I noticed a difference between my clutch and one in a 325i I sat in.....maybe mine's particularly heavy

Either way it's really not light, trust me

Wilson, re the door handles, nice one!

[e30geezer]

Thinking about this realistically they could have:

1) Included stiffer standard suspension (although this was partly rectified later on as I think all tourings had M Tech suspension)

2) Put the bloody interior door handles further forward (on the 2-doors at least)!

3) Lighter clutch so you don't get bad knees

4) Decent headlights (though an Osram Silverstar upgrade sorts this one out )

That's all I can think of for now....

very good point,s there mate. this is becoming quite intresting.

[Rearwheel_nick]

i think being as its from the 80's its par for the course in its crapness so dont want to criticise too much but this is what i would personally change

better rust protection
get rid of the stupid rust breeding ground above front jacking points
better brakes
24v engine
LSD's that werent shit and locked up more than 25%
all the bodyshells should have looked like the M3.hence getting the nicer aerodynamics

erm thats it. but the crap factors make it fun. not the rust though never like rust ever.

[e30geezer]

........ And a lights-on warning of some kind would be handy.

yeah that's true i still keep leavin um on !!

[e30geezer]

i think being as its from the 80's its par for the course in its crapness so dont want to criticise too much but this is what i would personally change

better rust protection
get rid of the stupid rust breeding ground above front jacking points
better brakes
24v engine
LSD's that werent sh*t and locked up more than 25%
all the bodyshells should have looked like the M3.hence getting the nicer aerodynamics

erm thats it. but the crap factors make it fun. not the rust though never like rust ever.

very true mate , there are some intresting suggestions on this topic.

[e30geezer]

1) - Having a "lights on" buzzer of some sort. That really is silly.

I actually agree with this.... I always leave the bloody things on!!, I've had newer cars the last three years!!!

i know i keep getting out the missus, e36 and it buzze's when you leave em on , i allways forget on the e30!!

[e30geezer]

2) Put the bloody interior door handles further forward (on the 2-doors at least)!

I read about these in the owners handbook, they are put like that for comfort apparently, they are placed so you can open with your opposite hand, drivers left hand.

What an anorak Sorry!!!!

that seems to make sense now>

[e30geezer]

Non-whine rear differentials, stronger heads with better lubrication. And last but not least, NO RUST TRAPS.

this is very true mate.

[Zayyan]

........ And a lights-on warning of some kind would be handy.

yeah that's true i still keep leavin um on !!

If you were really an E30 lover you'd take a glance or 3 back at the car to admire it after leaving it, therefore you'd know if you'd left the lights on

[e30geezer]

Rear suspension with more adjustment options

Lighter pedals

LSD as standard

More space in the kicks for 6.5" speakers as standard

Bigger engine options as standard

All in all minor niggle, nice car as it is Didnt have much in the way of rust on my touring.

now that would be very nice!!

[e30geezer]

The two things I can think of off the top of my head would be

1) - Having a "lights on" buzzer of some sort. That really is silly.

2) - Have a better system than that hydraulic light level adjustment system.

this is also very true , some intresting opinions coming in today!!

[e30geezer]

Standard gearing is too low. Steering could be quicker. Seat cloth is poor quality.
Can't think of much else, lets face it, it's basically an early '80's design and as such is well above average.
Stuart

that's all true , especially those bloody searts!!

[johnono]

electrical contact in door pillars

better drainage on touring back window(rust under side strips on windows)

central locking that stays working

interior lights that light stuff up

adjustable steering wheel

5 stud hubs

seat controls reversed, pull up to lift up???

cup holder or something

lights on gong

check panel that doesnt need me to tap the brake evry time i start

split seats on saloons

but i love it anyway so who gives a toss

[e30geezer]

electrical contact in door pillars

better drainage on touring back window(rust under side strips on windows)

central locking that stays working

interior lights that light stuff up

adjustable steering wheel

5 stud hubs

seat controls reversed, pull up to lift up???

cup holder or something

lights on gong

check panel that doesnt need me to tap the brake evry time i start

split seats on saloons

but i love it anyway so who gives a toss

now that all make's sense, wouldnt this be great!!, but agree there still loveable cars!!

[Zayyan]

I see you ignored my last post e30geezer......for once have you nothing to say?

[johnono]

its true, and is THE only reason i ever manage to switch them off, unless i do whe i gat out the car as u should

[Chaos]

i. buzzer for lights left on (not like the e36 one tho, cos that sounds like a warning buzzer from thunderbirds or 60's batman series)

ii. quicker steering rack

iii. more sporty exhaust

iv. better sound deadening

v. e36 style light switches

vi. cup holder

vii. better rust proofing

viii. wider track (ala M3)

ix. more power on sport model (over normal 325i)

x. pillarless on 2 door

xi. better interior lights

xii. deadlocks that work via alarm remote

xiii. front arm rest

xiv. real recaros instead of sports seats

xv. thermostatically controlled electric fans

[Chaos]

3) Lighter clutch so you don't get bad knees

Are u having a laugh?! try driving a 325i with it's factory clutch then u will know heavy!

rubbish

my convertible has a factory clutch and its very light and easy to use.
my 325i se was the same.

You sure yours is a proper bmw one?

[beavis2k4]

e30geezer wrote:

If you were really an E30 lover you'd take a glance or 3 back at the car to admire it after leaving it, therefore you'd know if you'd left the lights on Tongue

I must be a real E30 lover then as i do this everytime i leave the car... EVERYTIME!! She's just such a gorgeous looking peice of machinery with her clean lines and quad lamps at the front... i just cant get enough!
Oh and through this habbit have noticed i left the lights on a few times i cant really complain about anything, one of the easiest cars to work on

[jonmsm]

most of the stuff you guys have suggested makes for easy rectification, like better exhuasts, better seats etc etc.. better heads on the M20's.. the answer... go for an m30 and again, 24v engines are about. I think someone should attempt to make a perfect E30 from the suggestions , including replacing all your rust spots with fresh metal then treated with a heavy dose of anti-rust primer, hammerite, then a layer of underbody sealant paint and just to be 100% sure... some waxoil! (this is what I have begun doing on my m535 cos rust is a PAIN in the ass!!!). The only thing mentioned that wouldn't be easy to solve that is an AWESOME idea... pillarless doors on the 2 door saloons, now that would be ace, just like the Audi Coupé's have!

As for heavy clutches, I have just moved from an Auto m535 to a manual one... that has to be the HEAVIEST clutch i have EVER had and a pain getting used to from the laziness that is automatic transmission. I do actually get the feeling my knee cap is going to shoot off sometimes in traffic!

[Zayyan]

Zayyan () wrote:

If you were really an E30 lover you'd take a glance or 3 back at the car to admire it after leaving it, therefore you'd know if you'd left the lights on

I must be a real E30 lover then as i do this everytime i leave the car... EVERYTIME!! She's just such a gorgeous looking peice of machinery with her clean lines and quad lamps at the front... i just cant get enough!

That's what I'm talkin' bout

[William]

on the standard gearbox's sort out the rediculous jump between 2nd and 3rd. Im sure I could do 0-60 in 5 seconds in my 1.8 cab if it wasn't for the g'box! I'd also resolve some of the build quality issues, everyone goes on about how well built they are, and compared to some cars maybe they are but beemers are meant to be the best! I'd get rid of anything that clips and pops on, like steering column panel, seat backs, trim, mirror triangles, and make something robust and good in its place. Other than that I can't complain, I love e30s.

great

[M3Compact]

RHD M3 and 320iS.

[Bob_S]

yep i have got out the car noticed my lights are on and gone back to turn em off oh well at least it knows i love it lol!

I have come up with an idea on how to attach the under column panel better too.. I will do it in the next week i think and post up how and what i did it will be cheap and simple to do

[Martinaston]

I've never had a problem with the panel above the pedals as long as you get the left hand side in above the vent from the heater and use plastic screws that are in good condition.

On the improvment side of things, a boot that you can actually use would have been nice