E30 Zone

Hi guys

New to this forum so thought I'd post and say hi.

A bit of background, I'm looking for a 325i cab to buy to run as a weekend car for two reasons. Firstly because I've loved them since I was a child and secondly, I need to build up some no claims bonus under my own name and having gotten quotes around the £300 mark, this car seems like a good way to do it.

Anyone know of any good ones for sale? Aside from auto trader, piston heads etc, any other sites i should keep my eye on?

Is my choice of 325i a good one? Are any other engines more desirable?

Thanks in advance

Diable on here, Stefan, was thinking of selling his, if the right money was offered he might let it go.
It's a 320i convertible, consensus seems to be that, in open top form, the 320i is the favoured engine. Cruising and all that

Diable's is a 325 and this is the most desirable engine.

2.0 litre M20 engine has the bore/stroke ratio of a purpose designed race engine. 'Cruiser' engine it is not.

All e30,s are drinkers we don't buy for m.p.g .we buy because were all mad here.

All e30,s are drinkers we don't buy for m.p.g .we buy because were all mad here.

The M20B20;
It's a brilliant engine, bomb proof, smooth and lovely. Not fast and thirsty in my experience. I wouldn't want to race a fiesta with one.

This is about the best looking cab. BMW made, even if it only has a 1.8 6 valve engine: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 17#2876217
Pity they didn't put the M42 in it.

Brianmoooore wrote:This is about the best looking cab. BMW made, even if it only has a 1.8 6 valve engine: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 17#2876217
Pity they didn't put the M42 in it.

Cheers brian

Whats the 318i engine like? Underpowered or is it fine?

dm2583 wrote:Whats the 318i engine like? Underpowered or is it fine?

Used one as a daily driver for several years a while back, and while it wasn't the fastest thing on the road, it kept up with ordinary traffic OK.
I also have a neon blue design cab. with that engine.
Engine is just about indestructible, but has a well known and recurring problem with its hydraulic tappets. Wear/clogging in these results in them not 'pumping up', and the engine sounding like a diesel or one with 'big end' problems, especially when idling.
Doesn't actually cause any problems, other than the noise, and can sometimes be helped by a change of oil grade.

The M40B18 engine is an extremely reliable engine and very simple to work on. I used to have a 318i auto as a daily a couple of years ago and it never missed a beat in the year and a half that I owned it. I would of still kept that car and never replaced it with my 325i cab if it wasn't for it a rear end collision.

It had no troubles keeping up with modern traffic and I quite enjoyed it in automatic form, made for a very relaxed driving experience when just bumbling along and not trying to hustle it along.

I've had a 325i and now a 320i cabby. It's having an engine swap Monday for a 2.5. Hope you get the message...

Personally, i find the B20 engine is well suited a cabby and its a great cruiser. Ive added a longer legged diff and a mild chip and its superb.

Iv been advised that the 733 head is less prone to wrapping and cracking than the 885.

DM - you haven't disclosed your budget - that may help the forum discern what's the best option.

Budget wise I think around the £5k mark. I don't expect the car to be perfect, it will be 20+ years old, but I don't want one which requires a load of work doing either.

Id also like it to have service history and receipts of work. I feel having these will help maintain the cars value. I'm not looking to buy to make money when it comes to selling time, would be a nice bonus if there was any appreciation, of course.

The 318i mentioned above looks a tidy example but is it desirable? Is it worth holding out for a 325i? I'm in no rush, have an e92 335i as my daily.

Thanks for your input so far...

Where you based?
I have both a 325i (pre face lift) and 318i ( design) and you are welcome to compare them if it helps to make up your minda˜€

I may be selling my 325i convertible M-Tech 1 to raise funds for a sport. Check my build thread on it

Bought my 1988 pre-facelift 325i cab just over two years ago and love it! Lucky to find a low mileage 2 owner car locally on a private sale. Totally original, massive history but getting too much for the owner, basically bought as a rolling project for a fraction of your budget. Spent a bit on it, sorted the mechanicals for first MOT, passed next with no advisories. Sorted the major rust issues, but will need need new wings at some point soon. Sorted all the old blown OEM speakers so now have a fully working original stereo, upgraded the 14" bottletops to OEM 15" BBS and I'm still probably under your budget.

It's been faultless. Yes, there's always a list of niggly jobs to do but it's nearly 30 years old. Got a pile of parts to fit over the winter, next project is to get the heater/fans working properly.

Running an auto box, yes it holds back the engine but I like it. Cabs are big lazy cruisers and I find the auto perfect.

Irony is I bought it to flip it but just can't bring myself to sell it!

chh137 wrote:Where you based?
I have both a 325i (pre face lift) and 318i ( design) and you are welcome to compare them if it helps to make up your minda˜€

Would love to take you up on the very kind offer but I fear I'm too far from you, based in Gloucestershire!

RetroAde wrote:Bought my 1988 pre-facelift 325i cab just over two years ago and love it! Lucky to find a low mileage 2 owner car locally on a private sale. Totally original, massive history but getting too much for the owner, basically bought as a rolling project for a fraction of your budget. Spent a bit on it, sorted the mechanicals for first MOT, passed next with no advisories. Sorted the major rust issues, but will need need new wings at some point soon. Sorted all the old blown OEM speakers so now have a fully working original stereo, upgraded the 14" bottletops to OEM 15" BBS and I'm still probably under your budget.

It's been faultless. Yes, there's always a list of niggly jobs to do but it's nearly 30 years old. Got a pile of parts to fit over the winter, next project is to get the heater/fans working properly.

Running an auto box, yes it holds back the engine but I like it. Cabs are big lazy cruisers and I find the auto perfect.

Irony is I bought it to flip it but just can't bring myself to sell it!

I've seen a few cars as you describe but none had any history which kinda put me off. I'd be totally open to finding a car for say £1-2k which needed a bit of work but had stacks of history and receipts. I have a local bmw indy who knows old bmw's so shouldn't be too much of a headache.

dm2583 wrote:

chh137 wrote:Where you based?
I have both a 325i (pre face lift) and 318i ( design) and you are welcome to compare them if it helps to make up your minda˜€

Would love to take you up on the very kind offer but I fear I'm too far from you, based in Gloucestershire!

No prob. They both have there good and bad points like everything in life.
Just had a quick run round in the sunshine in the 318i, always a joy.a˜€

Still searching if anyone knows of one going...

Thought about trying a classic auction? ACA Classic auction (Kings Lynn) runs several times a year, easy to view before buying and loads of info on their web catalogue. Sure there's an equivalent for your part of the world as Norfolk's miles from anywhere!

Usually good selection of 80s BMWs, at least one cabrio went through this month.

A 320i is just too slow in my opinion and I'm no speed demon! Just felt seriously underpowered to me in a very annoying way. Now I hAve a 2.5 engine, I'm happy. But yes the 2.0 was very smooth.