Looking at my first e30 - any potential in a vgc e316i?

[dunc_keith]

Starting to look at e30's, problem is I'm alergic to rust

First localish one I've spotted that looks to be totally rust free is a bottom of the range '89 316i auto though It's a non-sunroof 2 door, I would buy it to run around in but with the intention of converting it into either a race car (I've got a licence already) or a good track car.

I like the thought of taking it from a std car and making it how I want it to my standards but would I be flogging a dead horse with this one?

I've already got got two troublesome cars so I'm reasonably handy with the spanners, I think e30's might be easier to work on than most as well due to the relative simplicity?

Any opinions/advice welcome.

Thanks,

Dunc.

[irish320i]

If its a clean shell at the right price its a far better place to start than a rotten 325I. The amount you can do with these with basic mechanical skills is brilliant and far more fun than trying to patch up a rotten car.

[greg124]

I've been running around in a 316i auto for the last six years or so with very little trouble.
A good rust free 2-door shell sounds like a good basis for what you have planned.
However, if you are planning a racer you will most likely end up changing struts, brakes (rear discs), diff, etc. as well as an engine upgrade, and presumably a manual box.
It might be better in the long run to start with a rust free 325i, on the other hand if the 316i is cheap enough...

[dunc_keith]

It's just shy of 1k (too much?), rest of the car sounds superb also. was thinking most parts could come from a rotten 325 or similar (there's a crashed one local for £300 for example). Glad to hear that it's not too silly a purchase? Perhaps I'd end up just running around in it and get a higher spec one in the future, you never know I might like it. There's not anything else I'd be interested in up this neck of the woods just now, I'll see how it is.

Thanks,

Dunc.

[kangman]

around the 1k mark is a bit expensive for a 316i , i picked up mine a few weeks back for just over half that. Its a 1990, electric sunroof, no rust and a manual box. Found the car a bit sluggish so within 7days I got a m42 block put in it

[bmw9818]

picked mine for £300, poverty spec but 316i lux so larger tank spoiler etc,

i upgraded the interior for some leather heated seats, got all the optional extras and now doing all the performance mods to it,

doesnt matter as to the model but the condition of the shell, mine was in pretty good nick

[TouringTash]

A good clean 2 door shell with sunroof delete is worth a grand.
Far too many people have no idea of rust issues and 'think' their cars are rust free, an autopsy will 90% of the time reveal otherwise, ramps, long pointy metal things, torches, tea and an hour will show the true state of a car..
As for a 316 auto being a lowly vehicle in some eyes, the shell wouldn't have been through the same driving style as most 6 pots so has a better chance of being straight.

Granted it's sluggish and an engine swap would require the front and rear clips, all the drive train and suspension and brakes ie find a rotten but mechanically sound 325 and play swapsies.
Maybe more work converting to a manual? Though unsure of this, just more thinking aloud.
Would also require the engine loom as you'll be upgrading to Motronic with the 6 pots.

as for dropping in an M42 that'll still require more than just donk, box and ecu. A nice engine but have a work with Magpie before going down that route.

[dunc_keith]

Thanks for all the advice guys! Any particular insurance companies you lads get on well with, especially with an engine swap etc on the cards later down the line?

Thanks,

Dunc.