E30 Zone

Hello folks.

Im Stan and live in a small town called Dumfries in the south west of Scotland, and i first introduced myself last year sometime, when i was looking at purchasing an E30.

Well, that didnt happen, and i've since found myself with a fairly long string of Vauxhalls. Hey, its happens to the best of us. . . . .


Anyhoo, the time has come again, like any sane red blooded male, to consider purchasing one again.

Basically what id like to know is what engines to avoid etc. Bodywork is pretty obvious as my Vauxhall history has taught me.

Im 22 with a non-clean license (sounds better that way). I commute to work which is less than 3miles away, through town.

I like the look of the 325 for obvious reasons, but i fear that insurance and general day-to-day running costs may cripple me.

What are 318is's like in respect of reliability and fuel economy?

Also any further pointers would be very much appreciated.

Thanks hombres.

And just for fun, heres a funny picture of a cat


Much love, Stan.

318is 32-37 mpg.


pmsl @ the cat!

lol the cat is like "wtf!"

Even though i posted the picture of the car, im still sat here laughing at it!

to be honest through town any e30 is going to be bad on fuel. A 325 will do low 20's through town traffic and creep into the 30's on a motorway run if your steady.

I got a fairly good quote on a 325 but i think i will try and keep it sub 2000 for running costs etc. Then at a later date i can always upgrade . . . . Oh and i will be less inclined to be a dick in a smaller engined E30.

stan_the_man wrote:Even though i posted the picture of the car, im still sat here laughing at it!

it reminds me of this, no matter how many times i watch it i laugh my head off

[youtube][/youtube]

jaymos wrote:It reminds me of this, no matter how many times i watch it i laugh my head off

Oh my god thats funny. Actually LOL'd there.

stan_the_man wrote:I got a fairly good quote on a 325 but i think i will try and keep it sub 2000 for running costs etc. Then at a later date i can always upgrade . . . . Oh and i will be less inclined to be a dick in a smaller engined E30.

hmmm maybe! The iS is a revvy little thing...

I guess we shall have to see then

Any more advice for a BMW virgin?

I must not rust
Rust is the car-killer.
Rust is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my rust.
I will ku-rust over it and waxoyl around it.
And where it has gone through I will turn the grinder to see its path.
Where the rust has gone there will be nothing.
Only steel remains

Amen brother

Like Morat says,your big enemy is rust.
Common areas are the rear arches,not just the bit you can see,but the inner one as well...on the driver's side(you DO still drive on the left in Scotland?)behind the fuel filler and in the boot is a vertical panel at the back of the wheelarch,this area needs the boot trim removing and careful examination.
More obvious is the scuttle panel in the corners of the windscreen.
Cills on late tourings rust on the joins for some reason,close to seatbelt mounts so can be difficult at MoT time.
Tourings,BTW,have 50/50 wieght distribution,so make very cool sleepers ...this one is hiding an M50 engine,photo'ed close to you as well...
318is is a good choice for a saloon,like most twin cam engines it has little 'bottom end' power,but goes quite well once wound up,you need to talk to an owner of one to get inside knowledge of what goes wrong with this engine,I have not run one,yet..
Welcome to the zone,BTW

Thanks for the replies folks.

Will £2000-2500 get me a nail?

stan_the_man wrote:Thanks for the replies folks.

Will £2000-2500 get me a nail?

That should get you the best 318is available!

Hmm, a very apt photo!

E30, salt water, Forth Rail Bridge...

There's a cracking black 325 sport for sale in Edinburgh, but insurance will kill you. An IS sounds right up your strasse but there ain't many to be found for sale in Scotland.

We have a pretty strong section up here in the Frozen north, have a look at the meets section and you'll see the next meeting is a Perthshire run on 22 November. Get yourself along. There are quite a few of us who know what to look for in these cars and with our help, it'll save you from buying a turd, and there are no shortage of them.

Don't be tempted by the 320, they are thirstier than 325i's and you'll get more punch from a 4 pot 318is.

If you don't do many miles, you may be able to get a 325 on a classic car policy with limited mileage, it'll save you a fortune.

jaymos wrote:

stan_the_man wrote:Even though i posted the picture of the car, im still sat here laughing at it!

it reminds me of this, no matter how many times i watch it i laugh my head off

[youtube][/youtube]

Jaymos you have made my day!!!

Topblag wrote: Don't be tempted by the 320, they are thirstier than 325i's

No they're not! A decent one can give 25-ish+ around town and mid 30's on a long run without driving like your maiden aunt.

and you'll get more punch from a 4 pot 318is.

That's true and you'll get better fuel consumption. The 318iS is your best and most practical choice, though it sounds as though you may need to source one south of the border.

If you don't do many miles, you may be able to get a 325 on a classic car policy with limited mileage, it'll save you a fortune.

Most companies will not offer Classic Car ins. to under 25s. They guy is 22 and with a less than clean licence, he'll be hammered.

Topblag wrote: Don't be tempted by the 320, they are thirstier than 325i's

Lies, lies!! But they aren't exactly miles better either. They're often more expensive to insure than an iS though, despite the iS being quicker, so probably less than ideal for the OP's circs.