What mileages are E30's good for?

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Justdirk
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Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:12 pm

If looked after what kind of mileages are a safe buy? I would imagine the 4 pots are not as hard wearing as the 6cyl? Cheers JD
snakebrain
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Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:14 pm

Exactly 50k after the last documented timing belt change.
maxfield
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Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:24 pm

Both the 4 pot and 6 pot engines will go forever if looked after.

When buying an E30 mileage is not something that I'd worry about, I'd be looking at the dreaded tin worm.
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AlpineCab
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Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:32 pm

done over 160,000 in mine, nothing more than a head gasket and clutch change needed recently which is sort of understandable on a car that's close to 24 years old.
Andy325i
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Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:36 pm

My 325i has done 199,980ish miles and doesn't smoke/ rattle/ burn oil, gearbox and diff are quiet, neither engine or box have been apart. As Jamie says tin worm is what kills most E30's

My 1990 318i had 240k on it when I pulled the engine out to drop in an M20B25 lump.

Andy
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Justdirk
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Thu Feb 21, 2013 11:18 pm

Cheers guys :) I has an E46 330 that was rustier than an old jap bean can!! Not to mention an abundance of rotten mercs, they really are appalling ime
kitch
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:57 am

I've got a 318i on just under 260k been in the family since new and has fsh. Never have problems with it. Origional hg, clutch, diff etc. as mentioned, body work is key on these cars.
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Justdirk
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:17 am

Are all these panels easily available or is the structure also susceptible to rotting?
bigwinn
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:24 am

220k on my M20 325

and I suspect thats light... :D
Bronzit gone- she lives on
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Now, I'm no gynecologist, but I know a tw4t when I see one...
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Funnybear
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:51 am

130k on my tech 1 cabbie. And yea it's the body thats the bugger.
age
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:12 pm

this says it all really
M40 rightness if you can get to 6000rpm noone can hear your tappets
pac1982
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:12 pm

i had 175k on my old 318is
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BEERBOY123
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 5:24 pm

A million miles. Literally in the case of the Mobil 325i.
Two headblenders, couple of bags of MC Hammer, 5 litres of FFF, a 48ft bastard, a box of jumped-up custard and some soggy chimps
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Smithy89
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:30 pm

What's the tin worm?
Cloggy Saint
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:33 pm

Smithy89 wrote:What's the tin worm?
Rust rust and more rust.
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Justdirk
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Fri Feb 22, 2013 11:40 pm

And jap crap was meant to be the bad choice lol
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