E30 Zone

I unfortunately don't yet own an E30 as am struggling to find one.
I want a touring and am stuck as to wether to get a 318i lux or if I can survive with the slower 316i lux!
If possible could someone list what I need to make sure I check when viewing an E30 please as the last one I saw was great drive apart from sponge breaks and then checked oil cap to find the head gasket had gone!

Thank you

first welcome ....... need to check diff two for wines.... will prob have rust but worsed places ive found are... round windsreen at drivers side and inside engine bay on drivers side..rear arch's .. bottom of front wings..sills as every car of an e30 age.. replacement panels are cheap but dear to have fitted proberly.. cant think of anything else of top of my head

Welcome to the zone Here is a guide that will help.

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=22543

get the 318i buddy

Look for rust on the body and also for ratteling sound from the M40 engine!
I would recomend a 318i for a Touring, 115bhp......

78dude wrote:Look for rust on the body and also for ratteling sound from the M40 engine!
I would recomend a 318i for a Touring, 115bhp......

what he means is, there will be rust, and the m40 will rattle.

one of these problems can be solved.........

get an m20 instead

What they said ↑↑↑

Welcome aboard! m20 all the way!

^^^^ +1

Cheers for all advice going take in on board when I find the next one to look at! Only question is as I haven't got much of a clue about BMW's yet is m40 the bloke used for a 316&318 and the m20 used for 320?!

and 325, yes. If you're hankering for power the 325 is the way to go here! However if you're a young driver and can't afford the insurance look for a 318, maybe a little more than a 316 on insurance but it has about 15(ish?) more BHP. Don't expect it to be a rocket ship though...

Hi just spotted this - its got intergalactic mileage but looks clean. If anyone knows of a car like it for sale PLEASE let me know! If not is there a mileage I should be weary of?! Oh and biggest engine I can currently afford to insure is a 320 and thats pushing it!


http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... x_mileage=

Looks like a good buy. M40 is a very strong little engine apart from the cams and you can see that they have been replaced. Assuming it's not dog rotten on the body or has wet carpets I'd give that a go. Sensible offers he'll probably take 600cash.

I wouldn't worry about spongy brakes - they're all a bit like that. You get used to it and they do certainly work fine if they're looked after.

touring..................good choice............eazy then