E30 Zone

Hi guys, Ive come over as Im currently looking for an E30, prefferably a 318is. Im normally a dub boy, but Ive always liked E30's and decided the time is now to get one as a daily! Ive got this sitting in my garage for shows:




Anyway, the E30 Im looking at is a 318is, with 170k on the clock. Plenty of receipts, and seems to have been really well looked after from what Ive been told by the owner, Im hoping to see it in the next few days! Plenty of receipts and history etc. Whats the life expectancy on these engines, am I risking it at 170k?? What other common faults should I look out for? Assuming it is in excellent condition but with the 170k the chapo is asking £1300, is that high or low??

Excuse my newb questions but Ive had a search and cant find answers!

Thanks guys

nice dub

no as reliable as the m20 engined e30's... iv'e had my 325i for two years and except the brake pipes for its test its cost me a head light bulb ...its has 150,000 on the clock

Cheers cypriot!

Im after the IS engine dude to MPG more than anything, but trying to find a decent one with lower mileage is proving difficult! Im really tempted by this one Ive found if its as good as it sounds, but the 170k mileage is putting me off...

I wouldnt worry too much about the mileage on the car, as long as the rest of the car is solid and looked after it'll be fine. If the engine is rattly or is worrying you that much pre 1996 e36 318is' used the m42 engine aswell ( with very little differences) A low mileage engine can be sourced for £200 - £400. I got one today that's done 89k for £200.

£1300 is about right if the car is straight and has decent paintwork.

Glad to help

matt

Cheers bud! The last owner has had it for quite a few years and looks like he has taken real good care of it! Id rather not get into engine replacements as although I can do it all myself, its time at the moment.

Im going to go and see her anyway, thats what normally makes my mind up! Photo's can be so deceiving...

Make sure you check both rear boot wells, rear inner arches (pull carpet away from osr quarter panel) and underneath the glovebox on the inside of the car at the top of the baulkheadl! All for rust, as far as the outsides of the car go, front and rear mudflaps, bottom of wings and rears of sills for rust, if it's a clean shell then it's worth a tidy up.

As far as other faults go, you have to remember these cars are almost 20 years old now so some things may need doing to the car if not done, i.e rear beam bushes, trailing arm bushes, propshaft centre bearing and guibo, other than that there pretty much indestructable and ever so fun when driven right.

Well it sounds like its had those bits you mentioned done; Ill have to inspect the rust myself - thanks for the pointers!

I dont mind getting my hands dirty, Ive just rebuilt the engine in the dub ^. So any little bits that need doing arent a problem!

You could always get a 325 and LPG it,lovely engine,lovely economy.



Gareth (E30 Zone boring old fart) on here has just fitted LPG to his 3.5 converted Touring and seems to be getting good economy

Gotta love the six

the golf maddd!!!!!!!

im gald you have seen the light my friend... but the 325 is where its at.

Its the MPG that is my main concern, what sort of MPG do the 325s do, town/motorway?

Well I ended up buying the 318is I went to see! Diamond black, with heaps of receipts! Loving it at the moment, and with a little bit of tidying up here and there (things like gearknob worn) should look sweet. Shell appears to be solid, a few little bits of rust, but nothing major or the well known E30 rot places!

Will get some pictures up after Ive given her a good clean and wax