First e30...first car
Moderator: martauto
Hi all im new to the forums, im 18 and come early next week il be picking up my first car which is an e30, a 325i sport which has had the smaller 2 litre e30 engine put in it as the larger one blew up apparently. Basically im just looking for a few bits of advice on how to tune it up a little. The cars got a stainless steel straight through pipe on it which will add a little power, i intend to put an induction kit on and get the filter poking through the grille for max air flow and lower it 60/60. I want to keep it classy/euro look but also get a little extra power out of it aswell, what do all you guys recommend, im very much new to this.
Thanks, Euan.
Thanks, Euan.
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Jim320i
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Welcome to the zone Euan...
The best thing you could probably do is source another 325i engine...
As for the extra bits you mentioned... Dont bother! The filters etc have no gains over the standard BMW ones...
As for classy/euro... This forum is very... 'picky' so Euro and classy dont come into the same catergory!
They're are the oem geeks on here, then the odd mods, then everyoine else is lined up and shot at.
Any pictures of your new E30? How much is your insurance gonna be?!
The best thing you could probably do is source another 325i engine...
As for the extra bits you mentioned... Dont bother! The filters etc have no gains over the standard BMW ones...
As for classy/euro... This forum is very... 'picky' so Euro and classy dont come into the same catergory!
Any pictures of your new E30? How much is your insurance gonna be?!
- mercdriver
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scrap the m20b20 and save your effort - get an m50 or an s50 in the beast and feel the horses your 20 will never achieve 
I'll check with the manager
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Tom_Maverick
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I'd recommend a smaller engine! have you had an insurance quote? don't forget you'll be penalised for having the 325i modified.. you might as well get a 320i and enjoy cheaper insurance, if it's a real sport you'll pay through the nose! get a quote before you hand over the readies!
although My first legal car was an E30.. in zinnobar red, I loved it D431FSP.. wonder if it's still out there...
anyway hello!, oh and don't lower it 60/60.. I've just made that mistake on a st of 16x9's and the rear is too low.. it looks weird.. I've had to order a set of 40's so I can stick them in the back.. Apex do a 60/40 set which is ideal!

although My first legal car was an E30.. in zinnobar red, I loved it D431FSP.. wonder if it's still out there...
anyway hello!, oh and don't lower it 60/60.. I've just made that mistake on a st of 16x9's and the rear is too low.. it looks weird.. I've had to order a set of 40's so I can stick them in the back.. Apex do a 60/40 set which is ideal!

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Tom_Maverick
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anyone with those opinions should be shot.. it's your car and you can do what you like with it.. even if it is lexus lights (which are sh*t)Jim320i wrote: As for classy/euro... This forum is very... 'picky' so Euro and classy dont come into the same catergory!They're are the oem geeks on here, then the odd mods, then everyoine else is lined up and shot at.
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had enough of the OEM Nazi's on E38.. twats..

Haha jesus christ this sounds like a dam in depth forum but that means theres plenty knowledge about i guess! well insurance is gunna be around 12-1300 pounds i think. I kinda want to stay away from putting another 2.5 in because im an 18 year old rowdy alcoholic murdering, gang representing bad driving youth ( so the government tells me ) so insurance would rocket. Also petrol up here in Aberdeen is kicking around the 1:45 mark so id rather stay with the 2 litre just now. I suppose im just looking to gain a few horses but mainly just improve response and get the engine running a bit smoother, quicker than it is. I have one picture just now but il upload more when i get it. 
The guy im buying it off is also called Euan so hes including the private place as pictured.

The guy im buying it off is also called Euan so hes including the private place as pictured.
Iv seen the apex 60/40 kit actually, il have a look at it on some cars and have a think. What i mean by classy euro is just black with chrome trim and some deep ass BBS, none of this VIP nonsense haha. Il see how it goes.
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Jim320i
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Bit harsh Tom...
Personally, I don't care what people do to their own cars, my advise was to not have aftermarket parts that have no gains... Then was stating that classy & euro are not classed as the same on here...
Personally, I don't care what people do to their own cars, my advise was to not have aftermarket parts that have no gains... Then was stating that classy & euro are not classed as the same on here...
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Jim320i
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Has the car been registered as a 320 now? As it would be classed as a modded 325
And they'll remove your pants for that one.

Saying that, there is nothing wrong with the 320i, a few things can be done...
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/320i
Hope this helps you fella.
The 320i and the 325i use around the same amount of fuel as crazy as it sounds... So if its registered as a 325i, you may aswell get one in there and enjoy it.verde wrote: Also petrol up here in Aberdeen is kicking around the 1:45 mark so id rather stay with the 2 litre just now.
Saying that, there is nothing wrong with the 320i, a few things can be done...
http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/320i
Hope this helps you fella.
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Tom_Maverick
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I don't think so.. lexus lights ARE shit!Jim320i wrote:Bit harsh Tom...
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Personally, I don't care what people do to their own cars, my advise was to not have aftermarket parts that have no gains... Then was stating that classy & euro are not classed as the same on here...
sounds ok and that insurance sounds pretty good for the amount of car you'll be rolling around! and a private plate too.. ideal.. flog it and buy yourself a bigger engine

- mercdriver
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320i is a thirsty lump for the performance you get in return, and you'kll be good at flooring it to feel any kind of push. 325i same consumption and the performance you were actually wanting in the first place mate 
I'll check with the manager
Haha yeah the private plates gunna suck if police catch on, but feck it.
As for you guys asking, it is still registered as a 325is so i guess i could track down a bigger lump for it and stick it in ( be a good chance to develop my mechanical skills ha! )
Its kinda worrying they use the same amount of go juice....i dont know if thats an ecconomical 2.5 or a thirsty 2 litre...il hope for the first.
Thanks for the site jim il check it out and see what i can do to the motor. A dream would be to take it over to austria next year to worthersee festival and show it along side some of the Vws and Bmws that go, maybe even have a blast round the nurburgring!
As for you guys asking, it is still registered as a 325is so i guess i could track down a bigger lump for it and stick it in ( be a good chance to develop my mechanical skills ha! )
Its kinda worrying they use the same amount of go juice....i dont know if thats an ecconomical 2.5 or a thirsty 2 litre...il hope for the first.
Thanks for the site jim il check it out and see what i can do to the motor. A dream would be to take it over to austria next year to worthersee festival and show it along side some of the Vws and Bmws that go, maybe even have a blast round the nurburgring!
- mercdriver
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you'll be needing this as a vote of confidence then...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NURBURGRING-N ... 4aa888f5ba
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NURBURGRING-N ... 4aa888f5ba
I'll check with the manager
Yeah fills me with confidence that does. Ach il see how it goes. That link was very helpfull, gives me a rough idea what to do.
Pissed off at younger people joining the BM scene blitz? Does it not fill u with some confidence some of us have an eye for quality and dont just run off and buy a corsa with a 16 inch tail pipe or some japanese piece of shit?
Pissed off at younger people joining the BM scene blitz? Does it not fill u with some confidence some of us have an eye for quality and dont just run off and buy a corsa with a 16 inch tail pipe or some japanese piece of shit?
Thank you eko, maybe its not a sport, just going on what iv been told, i mean its had like 10 owners and an engine swap, il see on monday the thing could be a dog so wel see. Im just happy iv got a car to call my own, especially an e30, had my eye on them for a long time
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Blitz
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This does not sound like quality.verde wrote:Yeah fills me with confidence that does. Ach il see how it goes. That link was very helpfull, gives me a rough idea what to do.
Pissed off at younger people joining the BM scene blitz? Does it not fill u with some confidence some of us have an eye for quality and dont just run off and buy a corsa with a 16 inch tail pipe or some japanese piece of shit?
"i intend to put an induction kit on and get the filter poking through the grille for max air flow"
Fair enough thats a pretty sketchy modification but id heard it can improve power and help the engine breathe better, iv seen it numerous times, people wouldnt do it if it didnt improve something. Besides the euro scene is flooded with shit like that, look at mike burroughs, im sure he didnt have " pristine motoring quality " in mind when he doused his car in salt solution and diesel then sawed the door handles off yet its one of the most iconic old beemers in the scene.
- mercdriver
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uh ohhh - someones mentioned the e28 of doom again
i'll stand back and watch the fireworks now!! 
I'll check with the manager
Welcome to the E30 experience
Awesome first car, certainty beats what I had when I passed my test.. although your insurance is dirt cheap for your age and the vehicle so that's nice!
Check the usual spots for tin worm when you view it or you might be in for a shock further down the line
Good luck for monday 
Check the usual spots for tin worm when you view it or you might be in for a shock further down the line

Thank u very much man. I agree im very lucky, i decided id rather pay a bit more on insurance than drive a car i would hate. What was your first car? By the way thats an eviil lookin machine you have there, very nice.
There is a little welding to be done but il get that sorted and it should be fine, the whole engine bay has been redone so thats saving me some panic. I mean as i say the things had something like 11 owners and probably had its nuts thrashed but for 550 quid i cant complain.
There is a little welding to be done but il get that sorted and it should be fine, the whole engine bay has been redone so thats saving me some panic. I mean as i say the things had something like 11 owners and probably had its nuts thrashed but for 550 quid i cant complain.
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Blitz
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Standard BMW airbox is better and very good and wont look crap. Mike Burroughs and everyone who thinks that E28 is one of the most iconic cars are mentally ill and need sectioning.verde wrote:Fair enough thats a pretty sketchy modification but id heard it can improve power and help the engine breathe better, iv seen it numerous times, people wouldnt do it if it didnt improve something. Besides the euro scene is flooded with shit like that, look at mike burroughs, im sure he didnt have " pristine motoring quality " in mind when he doused his car in salt solution and diesel then sawed the door handles off yet its one of the most iconic old beemers in the scene.
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Tom_Maverick
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well I'm fitting mine tomorrow so I'll take a bunch of pics!verde wrote:Iv seen the apex 60/40 kit actually, il have a look at it on some cars and have a think. What i mean by classy euro is just black with chrome trim and some deep ass BBS, none of this VIP nonsense haha. Il see how it goes.

Well thats you opinion man. I find it pretty offensive you think im mentally ill because i like the fact he thought fuck it ( sorry if theres swearing rules on this forum ) and did what came to him as an idea, i appreciate that and think its cool. He had a car like no other and pushed boundaries. I understand why bmw elitists and purests would be sickened by that by im not one. I also think its pretty stupid to so hostile to new people trying to bring new ideas and indulge in the scene, if you dont let new people and ideas in the whole thing will die. Im trying to learn and find out things hence why i joined this forum not get told to bugger off and have my opinions shunned because i happen to be a young guy.
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Tom_Maverick
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your opinion.. not everyones.. pretty negative and crap if you ask me.. I don't like flares but I'm not going to walk up to someone on the street wearing them and tell them they look like a twat..Blitz wrote:Standard BMW airbox is better and very good and wont look crap. Mike Burroughs and everyone who thinks that E28 is one of the most iconic cars are mentally ill and need sectioning.verde wrote:Fair enough thats a pretty sketchy modification but id heard it can improve power and help the engine breathe better, iv seen it numerous times, people wouldnt do it if it didnt improve something. Besides the euro scene is flooded with shit like that, look at mike burroughs, im sure he didnt have " pristine motoring quality " in mind when he doused his car in salt solution and diesel then sawed the door handles off yet its one of the most iconic old beemers in the scene.
as for Verde, without new people getting into the scene, the cars and the people die and thats that..

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Tom_Maverick
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skinned knuckles and plenty of tea.. it'll be fine.. it's the second time in a week I've had it all apart!verde wrote:Oh excellent Tom, i look forward to it! hope the fitting goes as planned

Thanks tom, apart from that everyone here seems really friendly and helpful, its great. Those are some deep ass As you have there by the way, i dont think iv seen any that dished before. Once i get mine welded up and lowered i need to decide on a set of wheels, love the bbs look but its pretty common, il just keep an eye out for designs i like.
- mercdriver
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problem you have is... Vw scene lives on because theres new angles all the time. Newer ones have ultra shiny chromie bbs's and old campers and bugs get ratted up or cleaned to almost perfection and the older golfs are somewhere between the balance. But the look of vws 10 years ago didn't involve deliberate rust - it just sorta happened in random uncontrollable ways!
And OEM and modifying will always clash - like tonight!
And OEM and modifying will always clash - like tonight!
I'll check with the manager
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Tom_Maverick
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16x9 all the way round! (I almost lost them in a moment of stupidity) but they are coming off for the winter soon.. and so I can have some arch work done, plus I'm buggering about with the car generally and it's off to the bodyshop again next week.. I'm just going to stick the old 15" bbs back on her till spring.. gives me time to refurb the borbet's too! bbs are lovely, maybe do something different with the spoke colour / bolts.. I was looking at my wires.. might put them on for fun and take some pics (I've got a set of 16" 100 spoke players off the cadillac I sold recently and the hub adapters are kinda multi-fit!) 

Yeah i guess so merc.. I take alot of influence from the wagenwerks scene, infact my original car choice was a mark 1 jetta ( waits for storm of abuse ) but i love e28s/30s just as much. I just want to have a car thats unique, looks good and has my touch on it, if people dont like it, well thats their decision. But dont call me insane for it. This cars probably been owned by drug dealers, raced, its not as if im taking a 2002 turbo with 50 miles on it, rusting it, binning the interior and putting a supra motor in it you know. Il get photos up next week and a few ideas up. Im going for a nice vintage sorta interior, OMP vintage range, nice black and chrome trim, BBS. Its not gunna be that outlandish.
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Tom_Maverick
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the trouble is that I can appreciate a completely standard and box fresh M3 and I fully respect someone who has put that car together with love.. But some OEM guys really don't have any time for the kids squeezing a 301 into a 325i and smoothing in some flush doorhandles! there's all sorts of people make a world!mercdriver wrote:problem you have is... Vw scene lives on because theres new angles all the time. Newer ones have ultra shiny chromie bbs's and old campers and bugs get ratted up or cleaned to almost perfection and the older golfs are somewhere between the balance. But the look of vws 10 years ago didn't involve deliberate rust - it just sorta happened in random uncontrollable ways!
And OEM and modifying will always clash - like tonight!





