E30 Zone

Hello all.

I've just recently passed my driving test at 38 years old(automatic) and I am looking to purchase a used e30. Unfortunately all the ones I have found so far are quite high insurance wise. Does anyone know of a cheap introduction into the e30 world?

I was looking at e28's but I much prefer the e30's looks though insurance on a 525e is surprisingly cheap.

Apologies if this thread has appeared before but I couldn't find it and in all honesty I've never been in a forum before!

Maybe try classic car insurance

Hi, no, it's rare that someone of your age has just started driving so it's probably a unique post in that sense. Best of luck sorting it out.

pre facelift 316 m10 carb powerd e30 should be cheap and you cant go any lower engine wise.

Try Lancaster for classic car insurance

Many thanks guys for your help guys.
I've been checking quotes on money supermarket for a rough estimate. I found an 320 H-reg for quite cheap insurance. I thought about classic car but don't they limit your travel?

I'll be the using the e30 as my daily driver, is this advisable, will it be reliable. From what I've read the main problem is rust, all mechanics are pretty sound though? I'm looking for some unbiased thoughts, is an e30 a good first car or should I just get something cheaper and wait awhile (I'm a pretty impatient guy!)

Hi there,
Welcome to the Zone.
This is a great place for help and advice.
Unfortunately i can only give a narrow band of advice as ive only owned one e30 (325i) so far.
I would say that using an e30 as a daily driver is fine, they are a well engineered and reliable car (maybe wait for someone with knowledge of the smaller engines to confirm this).
Obviously they are all getting towards 30 years old now so it is important to either buy a well maintained car or spend a bit of time and money on preventative maintenance before you use one as a daily driver.
Do you have any mechanical experience, ie, working on cars, motorcycles etc?
I only ask as its not essential but it is a big advantage when owning a classic car, as being able to take on service/repair work will save you money.

blorezum wrote:Many thanks guys for your help guys.
I've been checking quotes on money supermarket for a rough estimate. (I'm a pretty impatient guy!)

Money supermarket will look at policies being offered by the main players, so I suspect will be on a level regarding prices (high!).

I would try some of the classic car companies.

You can't be that impatient if you've left it to turn 38 before getting your license....!

Classic car insurance does usually carry a mileage limit, and might not be available for a daily driver, a question often asked is due you have another car available. I note that you are restricted to an automatic, which will considerably limit the number of cars available. A 316 with the 3 speed automatic ought to be slow enough to attract a low premium!

Gert_8 wrote:

blorezum wrote:Many thanks guys for your help guys.
I've been checking quotes on money supermarket for a rough estimate. (I'm a pretty impatient guy!)

Money supermarket will look at policies being offered by the main players, so I suspect will be on a level regarding prices (high!).

I would try some of the classic car companies.

You can't be that impatient if you've left it to turn 38 before getting your license....!

Hahaha! This is true! I've never been a big fan of driving and learning in a manual just bored me. Since being in an automatic I've been converted. It all started with getting a lift in a BMW and I saw how nice an automatic could be. I've always had a thing for them and not really any other cars (apart from the old Ford Falcon).

Again, thanks guys for all the help. I'll look at some classic car insurance quotes. I got a quote for £1180 a year on an e30 320i with some mtech extras on money supermarket which didn't seem bad to me.

I'd haggle the company down to 1,000 if possible.

Try Footman James, I've just been quoted £195 for a Multicar Policy with both my E30's on it. Autos rock BTW!

320i Cab Switch Auto
325i 4 Door Auto

You could also try adding a friend with a clean licence and a high no claims bonus tally as a named driver on the policy, this has been known to reduce premiums.

Cheers guys, so far you've been a great help! I reckon ive got the insurance side covered now onto the car. Judging from quotes I think I can afford an e30 320i but I'm no rich man. I make about £1100 a month give or take but I have some savings. I know I need to get a good runner with lots of history and no rust. What are the running costs if anyone knows. I would hate to jump all in and then have to sell my dream car

Well I own an 325i which is the same engine with a larger capacity and I get around 30 MPG.
I don't know if a 320i achieves better MPG than this?
When it comes to servicing, being able to do a bit of spanner work yourself will save money, but these are generally reliable cars with reasonably priced parts.

I would be buying a 318i over a 320. 320's have all the fuel consumption of a 325 with the performance of a 318

I had a 320i and it drank petrol very very quickly. 318 is the obvious candidate if you're on a budget. It has much the same performance than the 320i, drinks less and costs less to insure. Of course, how well the car has been maintained is am equal if not more important factor for consideration.

Cheers guys, I'll have a look now for a 318! You've all been a great help so far.

Either go for a post '87 318i or a 325i - give the 320i a miss.
The 325i touring I ran for 100,000 miles or so as a daily driver returned about 27 MPG overall, But I converted that to run on LPG, giving me the financial equivalent of 40 - 45 MPG.
One advantage that an auto 325i will have over a 318i is that it will have a more sophisticated electronic control for the gearbox, rather than the purely mechanical control of the 318i box.

Brianmoooore wrote: One advantage that an auto 325i will have over a 318i is that it will have a more sophisticated electronic control for the gearbox, rather than the purely mechanical control of the 318i box.

Only if it is the switchable box.

Plenty of 325i E30s around with the normal mechanical auto box.

Ben

ChrisHC wrote: A 316 with the 3 speed automatic ought to be slow enough to attract a low premium!

LOL, it is not a slow car, it's entertaining.
And the F/C insurance is £87

I'm still looking guys. I found a few nice condition 316i's but there's not a lot of 318's at He moment. I'm just typing 'BMW e30 for sale' into google search. I'm quite keen on the two 316's I've seen. This will be my first car so I don't want it to all be vain and end up buying a lemon. Again, thanks for all the advice and help, I've taken it on board and it all helps

Just sent you a pm.

i have a 70,00mile 318 auto touring here that would do you perfect

Try using http://www.trovit.co.uk/ for a review of all the classified