Thinkin' of buying an e30 325 - advice

[ob4cl]

Hi, just signed up and as title says im looking for a 325. Just wanting a few bits of advice like what I should look for (eg common faults), what particular model to go for (ideally i would like the sport with m-tech 2 kit) and what the performance and mpg is like for the car.

I got an insurance quote the other day and its gonna be about 1000quid which isnt too bad considering my age (23).

I was told that a 318is would also be a good choice for inscurance reasons but dont mind paying extra if the 325 is a miles better car.

Cheers.

[darkchild]

Do a search on here - buying advice is a popular thread.

Rust is you main enemy - check scuttle, rear arches, sills, sunroof tray, under carpets. Basically everywhere! The M-Tech kit typically makes it worse.

Check the cooling system is in good order - the M20 is known to crack the odd cylinder head. All M20's have a cambelt so you'll want to see evidence of this being recently changed - if not make it your first job.

Original manuals, fully stamped service book, folders of receipts, glovebox torch, original dealer numberplates, full toolkit in the boot, four matching tyres etc all point to a sympathetic and careful owner.

MPG? High 20's is probably a realistic aim for one thats running sweet. I've got the undesirable combination of a 320i with an autobox and that returns 32-35mpg on a 50 mile motorway run. 18-22mpg around town though.

For my money I'd be buying a 2dr 325i SE for £2K and spending £1k getting it minty-mint rather than a Sport.

A 325i will do 0-60 in 8'ish seconds.

[ob4cl]

cheers for that, I thought the e30 was chain driven or was that only certain models?

[darkchild]

cheers for that, I thought the e30 was chain driven or was that only certain models?

Only the M3 and 318is have a timing chain. M20 and M40 are both belts.

[pnd]

buy one that has had a lot of money spent that way your costs will be kept down. Otherwise as above.

[karaokebykris]

cheers for that, I thought the e30 was chain driven or was that only certain models?

Only the M3 and 318is have a timing chain. M20 and M40 are both belts.

M10 has a chain too! not reallly applicable here but....

[darkchild]

cheers for that, I thought the e30 was chain driven or was that only certain models?

Only the M3 and 318is have a timing chain. M20 and M40 are both belts.

M10 has a chain too! not reallly applicable here but....

Very true. Slapped wrist for forgetting that one. BMW only made them for about 931 years.

[e30bmlover]

ahhh i still remember the first time i laid eyes on my car... it was love at first sight, butterflies in the stomach and all that.. mine is a 320/325... the 325 will be a great choice for your first e30.. no doubt the m42 crew will be along in a moment to tell you about the legendary handleing the i.s has and how it was made by virgins and glavanised at birth but dont listen to their trickery!!!!! there is no replacement for displacment!!

[ob4cl]

ahhh i still remember the first time i laid eyes on my car... it was love at first sight, butterflies in the stomach and all that.. mine is a 320/325... the 325 will be a great choice for your first e30.. no doubt the m42 crew will be along in a moment to tell you about the legendary handleing the i.s has and how it was made by virgins and glavanised at birth but dont listen to their trickery!!!!! there is no replacement for displacment!!

yeh will ideally i would like the 325 but if i cant find a decent one for my budget 318is it is. Ive got an astra 1.6 16v sport (mk4) now so even the 318is would be decent

[AlexBaur325]

325 all the way.

[ob4cl]

if i decided to buy an e30 without the mtech kit, how much would the kit cost to buy and fit?

[e30bmlover]

the m technik kit's go for about 450 - 550... dont know about spraying and fitting.