E30 Zone

Hi I'm looking to buy an E30 316, I've got about Ԛ£500 to spend, What are my chances of getting something half decent for this? Where are best places to look for them I've treid Ebay, adtrader and the local paper. What sort of thing do I need to look for when I veiw.

Cheers Guys

what sort of spec are you looking for? i.e are you wanting taxed and tested. I have a 320 that needs a new steering rack to pass its MOT but otherwise a nice car that I dont want much more than Ԛ£500 - maybe about Ԛ£750 if i fix all the problems and get it MOT'd first.

bargins are easy to find and you might find a nice E21 3 series for htat sort of money - those are serioulsy old skool coooool!

They are about at that sort of money. My tidy 78,000, mile 1988 318i auto I bought for Ԛ£300. It only had 2 months MOT left, but it passed that very easily. My mum recently bought a 1990 316i Manual with 12 months MOT for Ԛ£250, but it has done 140,000 miles.

a 320i even with tax and MOT is worth less than 318's and 316's of the same condition

320 like that is worth about Ԛ£400 if that if u ask me!

You should get a reasonable 316 for Ԛ£500 no worrys, look at plenty of them though, some clean ones about still

You just need to keep your eyes open, one will come along.

Hi cerbera84
You could get a 316 - but - forgive me if you know all this - but stirctly speaking this is a 1.8 litre carburettor (non fuel injection) and these were available up to 1988ish on F or G registraion cars. At this age these carbs can have problems.

In my humble opinion go for 316i and this is 1.6litre engine (just as it says on the tin) with fuel injection with a newer engine version installed.
Advantages - better fuel econmy (slightly) and no engine valve adjustments necessary on servicing (cheaper bill - slightly).

Always buy with a car technically minded person with you.
Someone on this site may even help...where are you based?

the easy way 2 find cheap cars iz not the ones that charge u 2 put it on there site or paper freeads local paper supermarket notice boards

I got mine for about that.

122,000 miles, FSH, 12months MOT, no tax.

Mine is in good condition, its been looked after and generally hasnt missed a beat since i got it, now on ~127,000 miles.

316i is a good car. Slow as death, but a laugh in the wet if you give it enough of a shoeing.

But aye, for Ԛ£500 you should find a decent one.

where abouts are you from?

Welcome to the zone!

n my humble opinion go for 316i and this is 1.6litre engine (just as it says on the tin) with fuel injection with a newer engine version installed.
Advantages - better fuel econmy (slightly) and no engine valve adjustments necessary on servicing (cheaper bill - slightly).

1983-1987 Early Chrome/metal bumper cars
316 (carb) 1766cc m10 engine
318i (injection) 1766cc m10 engine

1987-1992 Late plastic bumper cars
316i (inj) 1595cc m40 engine
318i (inj) 1789cc m40 engine

Forget early 316 carb engined cars, lots of problems with carbs
If you can find a nice (unrusty) early 318i you will love it.

M10 engiens are actually cheaper to look after then m40, all the service parts are cheaper, check www.eurocarparts.com.
E.g m10 dizzy cap Ԛ£6.95, m40 dizzy cap Ԛ£16+

M40 engines don't like high miles, hydraulic lifters become noisy around 100 000.

However later bodied cars have slightly better rust pretection which is the most important thing on buyng an e30.

Buy on condition and service rather than mileage.

Oh
i bought a 316i (1991) with 64 000 with Air con and FSH for Ԛ£380 on ebay......

Gwynleym10 wrote: i bought a 316i (1991) with 64 000 with Air con and FSH for Ԛ£380 on ebay......

Aircon on a 316 must really kill the performance.
As a special favour, I'll remove it for you free of charge, and replace it with a non aircon heater unit.

Hi dude!

I got bored at work and had autotrader website open...only one outcome in that situ!

1991 H Reg BMW 316i
2 Doors, Manual, Saloon, Petrol, 124,000 miles, Green, MOT-12-2006, 2 Owners. 150 CHEAP CARS TO CHOOSE FROM, CALL ANY TIME OPEN 7 DAYS, GUARANTEED FINANCE FROM 25 PER WEEK, guarateed finance avaliable ring now, ROSEWOODCARCENTRELTDCOUK, 07780602563 anytime, CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS WELCOME, PX WELCOME, ABS, Alloy wheels, Cloth upholstery, Electric windows, Power assisted steering, Sunroof, or 07834730019, 1 years parts and labour warranty, ALWAYS.Insurance Group:12, 3 mths parts and labour warranty inc claim anywhere in uk unlimited px welcome credit or debit cards welcome southsea in portsmouth open 7 days Ԛ£495.

Rosewood Car Centre Ltd
Dealer's Website Dealer's Location

Tel: 02392 753573

Distance: 368 miles
Price: Ԛ£495

1990 BMW 3 SERIES 316i Lux 4dr Saloon,
156,000 miles, Red, 5spd manual, 4dr, very reliable, excellent condition inside and out, e/w, e/m, s/r, front fog lights, over 30mpg fuel economy, 8 months MOT, 4 new Firestone tyres, recent cambelt change. Please call for more info. Ԛ£495. ono
Telephone: 07941 985749
Distance: 239 miles
Price: Ԛ£495 ono

Although these both have over 100k on them, a good service and cleaning of the oil spray bar should ensure that they stay relatively quiet on the tappet front

good luck

been 2 rosewood cars itz a dumb and a rip of fone up once 2 veiw a car bald tyres dents bumper hanging off

Cheers for your help guys, I thought the 316 would be best cost I presumed that the running and insurance cost would be cheaper but will now look at a 316i. I live in a place called Lowestoft which is East Suffolk

My sons 316 is still for sale and he is looking for Ԛ£500.

Link is here http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=25935

ello mate,

click my url link below for pic, i got this 316i tourer with 6 months m.o.t and 96000 miles for Ԛ£650