Forum + Bmw newbie

[ezzysi]

Evening all, i'm new here and have to be honest... only joined as i' seriously considering buying an e30 as a winter plaything/trackday toy.
Has anyone got any advice on what to look for on a 6 to £700 budget.
I was hoping for a reasonable 325i, do they all have lsd's?

Sorry for the first post full of questions, have a pic to make up for it

[/url]

[mrLEE30]

welcome to the zone,

that sort of budget will not buy you much of a 325 to be honest unless you are quite lucky, best advise is to look for a 320 and swap the engine later if you feel like it.

the lsd was an option and is generally found on the sport models, but again one can be found for 100-200pounds and retro fitted to any BMW

good luck

mrlee

[magpie]

welcom to the zone,,,,have fun

[stu_316i]

Welcome to the zone mate

This is an ideal winter project if you dont mind painting, and comes with everything you need to get it on the road, even has an LSD

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=120317

I was hoping to get it but its out of my price range

[rebelcruiser]

welcome to the zone

[ezzysi]

Thanks for the replies chaps, i've hankered after an e30 or e21 for ages, i'm getting fed up with having nothing rwd in my life that either works (mk1 escort) or is chuckable (vw camper!)
Interesting idea with buying a 320 and upgrading later... will the e36 engine slot in easily as i've read these are a bit more powerfull and hopefully less thragged! also seems to be lots of sad looking cheap ones on the bay!

[ezzysi]

Welcome to the zone mate

This is an ideal winter project if you dont mind painting, and comes with everything you need to get it on the road, even has an LSD

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=120317

I was hoping to get it but its out of my price range

Thanks for the link stu but tbh I'm not really after another project, got enough of those to last a while

[stu_316i]

Fair enough to be honest I think I read your first post wrong, I thought you were after a project, so apologies

Do get an e30 though, they are such sexy cars .

[Felix79]

Hi there

[Nay]

Welcome!

[e30bmlover]

welcome mate

[Morat]

Welcome to the zone!
Get yourself a test drive or two and you'll soon love these cars The bad news is that your budget is a bit tight for a 325i in good condition. That said, if you find a straight, rot free shell then get it and replace the bits as you go. Apart from rust, look out for corroded brake lines (especially the rear ones which are routed over the fuel tank), knackered rear subframe bushes (check for MOT advisories, most garages seem to give a bit of warning on these, possibly because it can be such a bitch of a job), and check for fuel leaks - especially when the tank is full (the fuel filler neck into the tank can rot).

Most jobs on these cars seem to be have been done by someone on the zone, although that doesn't make everything DIY - it just means there's some really gifted mechanics on here that you can badger for advice

Oh, and never overheat an M20. If it is heading towards the red - shut if off before it gets there or you could be looking at a cracked head. Incase you're now thinking "what the hell is right with these cars???" I just walked to my 325i Touring on a cold damp, freezing day and fired it up for the first time in two weeks. First crank, up she came into a steady 6 cylinder idle and pulled away as smooth as silk. Lovely

[gooner1]

Welcome ezzysi. As others have said ,your budget is a bit tight for a decent 325i, but they do come along now and then. Your other alternative to a 320 would maybe a 318 touring. Think i,mright in saying these already come with better suspension and discs all round, so really just a case of dropping a 325i lump in.
Good luck anyway.

[ezzysi]

Thanks for all the replies chaps.
I managed to miss an ideal 320 on ebay last night by bidding a second too late

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-320i-e30-race ... 240%3A1318

Wouldn't have minded doing an mot for such a cheap straight looking 2 door, Ho Hum!, did anyone on here get it?