E30 Zone

How much do you think I should be paying for a mint 320ise coupe, preferably in sterling silver around G reg onwards with the factory body kit etc.
I am still pining after my last one G705 GTY

If any one knows of any coming up mint and low mileage, teher must be some out there

Really mint and honest low milage? Doubt there are many and to get it you'd be paying more than its worth. £1500-£2000 possibly if really mint.

Its going to be a long hard slog looking for all the specific things you want.

That'll teach me for getting rid of my one.

I will just have to keep my eyes pealed

march109 wrote: to get it you'd be paying more than its worth.

That doesn't make any sense? Low mileage cars are worth more than high mileage ones, all other things being equal, it's just a fact of life. Otherwise I agree with you though - there's no point writing a wish list for a 20 year old car, you have to see what's available and buy the best condition you can.

By low mileage I mean under 100k

I think its worth spending a bit more if it means there is less to do body wise and mechanically. It should be cheaper in the long run

Cars are worth what people are prepared to pay for them.Simple as that.

If you see the car you want and the guy wants £2k and you pay up...it's obviously worth £2k in your eyes.That's all that matters,unless you are a car dealer

Good luck with your search!

Agree with above! Well said

Why a 320? I'd go 325 all day long over a 320.

B7 wrote:Why a 320? I'd go 325 all day long over a 320.

Ah, but you are possibly (and maybe understandably) wrapped up in power being everything. There are those of us who are not that bothered about the b-all and end-all in torque and hp. We just like how a car drives.

This may seem odd to some or many, but having owned a fair few hairy motors in the past and having finally realised that nowadays UK roads don't lend themselves to frenetic driving I fail to see the need for masses of Powah.

For me it's a case of been there, done that, but now I want a nice, quiet, easy, reliable and smooth drive. We all have our own expections, but there are probably more un-molested and decent 320is around than wholly ragged 325is. I like the B25 .... provided it's in really good order. Do I want one or need one? Definitely not - I'd have one if I did.

A pal who's opinion I wholly respect (yes he's a zoner and a well respected one at that) teases me about an engine change from time to time. However, he also admits that mine and another 320 auto (cabby) are surpisingly sprightly, having driven both. Ça suffis pour moi. I'll never rip the heart out of my car, although I might eventually think about 'pushing the envelope' to see just how much can be coaxed from this supposedly lowest of the low of BMW's efforts. That would be by way of enhancement not replacement.

I suspect there are quite a few zoners who choose to remain quiet to avoid the shrill, sneering and arrogant responses from some on here. They, like me are very happy to pootle around most of the time and occasionally give their cars a bit of welly when they want to hear that wonderful howl. I don't give a monkey's about the jibes, but I do know that there are one or two on here at least who feel slightly wounded by such childish nonsense.

Each to his own. I like (all) E30's for what they are and what they represent.

DavieP wrote:

B7 wrote:Why a 320? I'd go 325 all day long over a 320.

Ah, but you are possibly (and maybe understandably) wrapped up in power being everything. There are those of us who are not that bothered about the b-all and end-all in torque and hp. We just like how a car drives.

This may seem odd to some or many, but having owned a fair few hairy motors in the past and having finally realised that nowadays UK roads don't lend themselves to frenetic driving I fail to see the need for masses of Powah.

For me it's a case of been there, done that, but now I want a nice, quiet, easy, reliable and smooth drive. We all have our own expections, but there are probably more un-molested and decent 320is around than wholly ragged 325is. I like the B25 .... provided it's in really good order. Do I want one or need one? Definitely not - I'd have one if I did.

A pal who's opinion I wholly respect (yes he's a zoner and a well respected one at that) teases me about an engine change from time to time. However, he also admits that mine and another 320 auto (cabby) are surpisingly sprightly, having driven both. Ça suffis pour moi. I'll never rip the heart out of my car, although I might eventually think about 'pushing the envelope' to see just how much can be coaxed from this supposedly lowest of the low of BMW's efforts. That would be by way of enhancement not replacement.

I suspect there are quite a few zoners who choose to remain quiet to avoid the shrill, sneering and arrogant responses from some on here. They, like me are very happy to pootle around most of the time and occasionally give their cars a bit of welly when they want to hear that wonderful howl. I don't give a monkey's about the jibes, but I do know that there are one or two on here at least who feel slightly wounded by such childish nonsense.

Each to his own. I like (all) E30's for what they are what they represent.

Two words. "Fuel" and "consumption".

DavieP,
couldn't agree more

My former 320iSE could really shift if needed yet was a smooth drive and pretty economical.

I do belive you are less likely to find a ragged one.

I have been there when it comes to fast cars and speed and have had my fare share of turbos. I have driven over 400,000 miles as I used to drive as part of my work as an engineer around the country.

You just cannot drive around like the old days with all the speed cameras used as a stealth tax.

B7 wrote: Two words. "Fuel" and "consumption".

On a recent trip to the Midlands and back I covered 410 miles and used 58 litres of petrol, which translates to just over 32mpg. It's an automatic so I'm quite happy with that, although I usually see around 34mpg on a long run, but I was in a hurry to get back and averaged 76mph for the return journey. I get about 26 -27mpg when driving around town, which for an automatic is not too bad either.

As soon as can insure one a 320i SE 2 door is what I dream of.

eldarvanyar! I can confirm that your old 320 is still going strong. I've owned it for 2 years and in that time covered about 8K (almost trouble free) miles! However, it's just about to go up on axle stands as the prop centre bearing needs attention.

hellblazer wrote:eldarvanyar! I can confirm that your old 320 is still going strong. I've owned it for 2 years and in that time covered about 8K (almost trouble free) miles! However, it's just about to go up on axle stands as the prop centre bearing needs attention.

Hi,
if you EVER decide to let go of her then please let me have first refusal

I really mis the old girl. I first bought her in 2001, sold to a mate had her back and foolishly got rid of her after spending a load of money on her.

I know Jack who bought her of me lowered the car, have you done anything else or kept her pretty much standard?

Any pics would be appreciated.

Thanks

Lee

Jack also painted the kidney grill black and fitted a Scoprion exhaust.
I've replaced the thermostat, water pump and timing belt amongst other service items along the way and the only mods I've done are to fit front and side clear repeaters and M3 TCA bushes, oh, and a manual steering rack!
The car still looks as good as it does in your picture and drives well too, a credit to it's past, careful owners I'm sure.
I may be looking for a 325i next year so you might see it up for sale then.
PM me your email add and I'll send you some pictures.