E30 Zone

hi all, im pretty new here i introduced myself a few days ago in the newbie section.
as per the title im on the look out for a cheap project car for next year, im looking for a 325i cabby and was just wondering if there are any particular models i should be looking for/avoiding etc, you know the common fualts, rust points, which engine, gearbox etc etc
i have a knack of buying the wrong car then spending a fortune trying to make it into the car i wanted in the first place, when if i would if waitied and looked around i could of bought the one i wanted for less than i have in the "rep"
i pretty much sussed already that "you lot" seem to be purists when it comes to the e30 and i'll try not to stray too far from the norm but i do like my cars to be a little different





lol only kidding

jimbob

there are a lot of purists on here but a lot of people that enjoy a few choice modifications a good start would be to look at the e30 restoration bible its got loads of info and was written by a member on here afaik

Look out for rust mate under every bit of the car, if there is trim at the bottom, there may well also be some rust underneath. The arches are easy to spot and feel for.

Front scuttle panels need to be check, where the wint meats the engine bay at the top too.

Inside the boot wells check for rust, all the sills etc etc, you know what to look for as it pretty standard with all cars.

You say your handy with the tools? Would you be able to convert a auto to a manual?


Autos are generally more looks after by their owners meaning you can find better examples then switch the gearbox yourself, but at the same time you may as well search for a decent manual.


Whats your budget? I was thinking about this the other day when you linked the kinda car you wanna go for and you'll be able to achieve that kinda styling at loads less that the asking price of that other car.


I would start by putting up a wanted ad on here for a 325i cab in any condition and going from there.


People always have things sitting around on here and dont think about it until someone is looking for that car if you know what I mean.


Also, if you buy it from a reptible zoner they'll tell you whats wrong with it and what needs sorting not like some dodgy gits out there trying to make a quick quid.


The engines are pretty simple to work with and all problems can be fixed with the help of some very good zone members who are always there with great info.


Millege, doesnt really matter if it has good service history and you can see its been cared for. Even the cars without any history are good but its a gamble with them as alot of us have tried in the past.


Regardless of what work has been carried out on it your gonna want to make your mark on it so dont be too picky when it comes down to certain things like interior perhaps? You might find a motor with a shredded interior and be put off by it, but keep in mind you'll probably replace it anyway to suit your final look of the car, so just knock down the price instead of walking away.


Anyway, I have babbled on enouigh and im sure someone will be able to top off my advise and do better with one simple line but expect most replies to have the words RUST in there somewhere.

good stuff jim thanks, i could convert to manual but it just seems like work for the sake of work when theres probably a decent manual out there for me somewhere, i see what your saying interior wise, infact i'd probably be looking for one with a fooked interior so i could do some more bartering and try get it cheaper as its going to be getting a full leather retrim anyway
ive had a bit of a nosey round and theres a few "project" cars for less than a grand or i could hit the ground running with something clean and in good nick for around the 2K mark and put my mark on it from there.
regardless of what i buy the inging will be coming out just for a fettle and some powdercoating more than anything, one has to have a tidy engine bay you know . ive also been looking into the e36 engine conversion. is it worth the hassle or is it easier just to get the 2.5 bored to a 2.7
there is a custom made conversion on ebay for the e30 with an e36 m3 enigne!!! now that would be nice, but at 2k it might be a bridge too far and i'll end up divorced lol
thanks for the link to the book whispey, could come in handy

pm sent

From my understanding the M30 conversation is pretty simple if you have got everything you need. Its a big favourite on here for most conversations. Check the engine swap section on here and read peoples projects.

I personally love the look of the m20 engine, just looks perfect for the bay and cleans up super well. I cleaned my chromie engine last year but never got any prictures of it like a plonker. I too need to have a clean engine bay.

to be honest i THINK i'd probably leave the m20 in it for a while at least but can you imagine what these things go like with an e36 s50 lump in there???

I think we have all bought cars for one reason or another,changed them to our own spec or just trying to make that model much better in some way.But you do get what you've paid for in some cases.

yeah thats good point i think it would be best to spend that little bit more and get one thatsright and improve on that than buy a POS and spend a fortune trying to get it to an acceptable level

jimbob88 wrote:yeah thats good point i think it would be best to spend that little bit more and get one thatsright and improve on that than buy a POS and spend a fortune trying to get it to an acceptable level

True, but all too often someone spends "a little bit more" on what turns out to be a "POS".