E30 Zone

Hello everyone!

I'm new to this forum, but similar to you guys, im keen on getting a e30 318i as a first car too. I've been calling up various insurance companies (including Tesco, Footman James, Swinton) but none of them are able to offer me a quote even near the 1k budget which im struggling with....

A little about myself, i'm 21 this year and just converted my international license (I'm from Singapore) to the UK British driving license. As such, most companies are unwilling to even give me a quote as they take it that i've less than 1 year of driving experience... Technically i've about 1 year driving experience back home. My record is totally clean, so i really don't see why the prices are so exorbitant now. Is anyone able to offer any advice? The lowest quote which i've received via www.tiger.co.uk is standing at 3.6k

Thank you! [/b]

Hello and welcome,

When you say "Converted" your licence, converted it to what, a Green one or Pink....

Most insurance will only take into account the amont of driving you have done in the UK, and how long ago you passed the UK Driving test, or equivilent....

its actually cheaper to insure a 320 than a 318is. weird i know but two close friends work in insurance and say its because of the spec. but its a bigger engine. hope this helps. simon

he said 318i , not an is, which would be cheaper than a 320i

but , if your just 21 with under a year driving expirience, then theres probably not much you can do , classic insurance companies you have to be 25 / 2 years minimum driving

even if you had a 1.2 corsa or soemthing it wouldnt be cheap, nevermind a rwd bmw, which a young inexpirienced driver, loosing control with, is probably likley/a risk for the companies

Hello again, and thanks for the quick response.

kam-325, i've converted my license to UK Manual British license. Whether it's green or pink, i'm not sure yet as it has yet to arrive in the mail (processing time takes about a month).

Yeah i find it quite ridiculous that im quoted the same price even if i were to drive a Ford KA? Sigh if there's no other way i'll just have to find some way to lower the cost or not drive at all :S It's a pity though since car rental here isn't exactly cheap either....

Btw is anyone else able to offer any more recommendations for insurance? Thanks!

I am 18 with two years driving experience/no claims bonus. Started on a Multi-car policy with Admiral, very friendly service and with a Ford Fiesta, Lancia Beta, Land Rover Defender and the BMW 318i; it made the insurance on the BMW at around £1600.
So if you have family over here willing to go on your policy or even more than one car, chuck em' on a multi car policy and see what comes up.
I know the cars in my list are a little excessive and to be honest the Lancia didn't budge my insurance down, so you don't need 1,000's of cars.
I don't know what'll come up with your background but just have a go, you never know.

Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately im studying here alone and my parents are back home :/ i just received another crazy quote of 12k from Aviva! At this rate, it seems like i have to settle for a Austin Mini instead since i can get a Classic Car Insurance for that one.

aviva, churchhil, direct line all them biog companies etc, are the most expensive for your needs i should imagine

try adrian flux and them sort of companies, your a young inexpirienced driver, wanting to insure a 1.8 rwd beamer, thats your problem !

get a 1.0 polo ..

I've got a quote for £1,300 fully comprehensive on a 318iS, for when I turn 21, me being the policy holder, classic insurance.


Also, got a £865 quote on a Escort RS turbo fully comp all modifications declared at around 295bhp

Only after 4 years of waiting did I get these quotes.
Good things come to those who wait.

My licence is 4 years old though, and the car would be garaged.

I am with Admiral.
They are surprisingly cheap for me, and also a friend who is with them.

Though... we're both 25, he's got a 944 Porsche and I've got a 320I. He pays 900, and the 944 is a 2.5 (I know it's not an E30, but still a big powerful (ish ) motor.

I paid about £350 for my old policy on a 306 Peugeout, transferred it to the BM and it only cost an extra £13 a month for the last 6 months, which is peanuts.

Give them a try? Elephant and Admiral are owned by the same company, and are pretty much as cheap as eachother.

Good luck pal.

Thanks all for your responses still no luck here, Admiral and Adrian Flux are providing sky high quotations too :/ How i wish i passed my driving license earlier!

Peter D James insurance were great price wise... ive got 4 policies with them