E30 Zone

Seems a lot of people only get their cars out in summer. This made me question whether in the sea of financed cars these days, are there any remaining petrol heads who daily or atleast use their E30s often?

As we all know the E30s were made at a time when BMW made quality cars and thats why alot of ours are still around after 30+ years.
Im sure some of you will have heard the joke about the man who was praising BMW about how good his 30 year old car was and how it had never broken down. Then they asked if they could study it so that they would not make that mistake again

Not sure that BMW made reliable cars, here in Germany BMW stands for "bring mir Werkstatt" as the common myth is that Beeema's spend half their life in the shop.

Joking apart, I use my car most days and also use it as my work transport covering thousands of miles all over Europe, next week Holland then Verona in Italy.

Paul

i've had my tech 2 sport nearly 13yr's, in that time ir has been used as a daily for about 3yr's,

main reason being i pulled it off road 5 - 6yr's ago to get some work done to it, it was only meant to be off road a few months while i did a few little jobs on it,

fast forward nearly 6yr's & in the next few weeks it will be getting used as a daily again, though this time sporting a rebuilt & modified hartge 2.7 lump, with a whole raft of upgrades throughout the whole car,

really makes me laugh when folk buy a 30yr old car thats in pretty good condition then claim they can't use it more than once a week/month because of it's age, but what do they thing it was designed & built to do?? sit in a heated garage all the time?

i know someone who uses an E21 232i everyday, yes it looks a bit rough, but the owner keeps on top of the maintenance (as you should) & it's still going strong at nearly 230K+ miles.

as i've always said, it you are going to buy the car then make sure you use it.

as for reliability? my e30 has been far more reliable (when it was on the road) then my mates end of line e46.

thats seen more AA men then their annual meeting.

I use mine as a daily, rain or shine

I use my daily,work,and weekends.

Yup, I've got a 316 carby that I'm using as a daily driver. Seems to be working fine so far, despite the battle with the cooling system when I first bought it!

I imagine If I owned a more expensive 320/325 I'd be more apprehensive to drive it. But then if ya don't, seems a shame!

My e46 cab is still having running issues so I am running the Baur right now and loving it to bits. I also believe you should drive what you have bought, what else is the point ?

Mart.

steve_k wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:06 am

really makes me laugh when folk buy a 30yr old car thats in pretty good condition then claim they can't use it more than once a week/month because of it's age, but what do they thing it was designed & built to do?? sit in a heated garage all the time?

I would use mine all the time but I'm just too frightened it will get nicked or damaged. If I take it anywhere it doesn't leave my sight.

Steve wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:40 am

steve_k wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:06 am

really makes me laugh when folk buy a 30yr old car thats in pretty good condition then claim they can't use it more than once a week/month because of it's age, but what do they thing it was designed & built to do?? sit in a heated garage all the time?

I would use mine all the time but I'm just too frightened it will get nicked or damaged. If I take it anywhere it doesn't leave my sight.

i know what you mean, but in my present situation needs must, got a few little bits that might help stop it from being nicked but as with any car there is always that chance/risk,

paultv wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 17, 2019 7:54 am

Not sure that BMW made reliable cars, here in Germany BMW stands for "bring mir Werkstatt" as the common myth is that Beeema's spend half their life in the shop.

With the things ive heard, this is very true of newer cars and has put me off buying an e46.

BristolE30 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:36 pm

Yup, I've got a 316 carby that I'm using as a daily driver. Seems to be working fine so far, despite the battle with the cooling system when I first bought it!

I imagine If I owned a more expensive 320/325 I'd be more apprehensive to drive it. But then if ya don't, seems a shame!

Having owned a 316 carb myself, I did not feel the lack of speed everyone seems to talk about. They are so enjoyable and smooth when youve got them running right. But getting them running right can be a bit of a mission at times.

Steve wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:40 am

steve_k wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:06 am

really makes me laugh when folk buy a 30yr old car thats in pretty good condition then claim they can't use it more than once a week/month because of it's age, but what do they thing it was designed & built to do?? sit in a heated garage all the time?

I would use mine all the time but I'm just too frightened it will get nicked or damaged. If I take it anywhere it doesn't leave my sight.

Same problem I have, too many thieving scum about makes me want to keep my pride and joy locked away. However, I feel bad doing this because as mentioned above, whats the point having such a glorious car and not using it. They were made to be driven. Bit of a dilemma.

JMcGill wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:49 pm

Steve wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:40 am

steve_k wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:06 am

really makes me laugh when folk buy a 30yr old car thats in pretty good condition then claim they can't use it more than once a week/month because of it's age, but what do they thing it was designed & built to do?? sit in a heated garage all the time?

I would use mine all the time but I'm just too frightened it will get nicked or damaged. If I take it anywhere it doesn't leave my sight.

Same problem I have, too many thieving scum about makes me want to keep my pride and joy locked away. However, I feel bad doing this because as mentioned above, whats the point having such a glorious car and not using it. They were made to be driven. Bit of a dilemma.

Get yourselves a Baur guy`s..........by the time they figure it out the old bill is there lol.
I have used it now for my daily for the past two weeks and even my Baur is attracting alot of attention.

Mart.

E30 recently purchased is to be my daily driver. Bought a nice one and have had lots done to make it close to new, mechanically, as possible. Lovely to drive now and ready for some gentle wafting about.

Next stop: Aircon. Saving up for £4,500 retrofit. !!! So not this year...

OE68

Steve wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:40 am

I would use mine all the time but I'm just too frightened it will get nicked or damaged. If I take it anywhere it doesn't leave my sight.

I'm the same. I'm going to London tomorrow, 230 miles and I really don't want to do it in Mrs Saint's Fiesta as the seats are very uncomfortable, but I don't think I'd sleep knowing my pride and joy was parked unattended on the street or a hotel car park

I travel to loads of cities, including London, and always put the car in an underground 24 hour car park, unless the hotel has a private and secure car park.

At least the beast is not on display in the street.

One small caveat, I always remove the hub caps and the DME relay when leaving the car anywhere.

Paul

The BBS caps and iS lip are the 2 things I would worry about.

There was a post on here, to add grub screws to the BBS caps. I've added two to each wheel cap. If someone was going to take them, they'd break the caps, rendering them broken.
However I do agree leaving her on the street anywhere except my drive does give me a slight twitch!

had mine since 07 used to use it daily for college/ uni for about 4-5 years, then after spending ££££ into it i was just too scared to leave it out on the road, especially after so many getting stolen,

woudnt bother plus an e46 330 is a much nicer daily than the e30, generally mine only comes out if on shows/ sunny days, rain rarely only if the 46 is off the road,

Foe wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 21, 2019 1:10 pm

There was a post on here, to add grub screws to the BBS caps. I've added two to each wheel cap. If someone was going to take them, they'd break the caps, rendering them broken.
However I do agree leaving her on the street anywhere except my drive does give me a slight twitch!

Yeah, it was my post but let's be honest, a couple of grub screws can easily be removed with a flat screwdriver or similar. Anyway, my car survived 48 hours in London unscathed so it's all good.

Well after the centres were chiselled off my Alpinas back in the 90s I put bottletops on.

Didn't like the handling so compromised at 15" and put on some surprisingly good style 5 replicas. The waffles are held in with 2 allen bolts but the centre nut just pulls out. It also rotates freely.

Did watch two low-lifes go at them with the big hex spanner once. They couldn't understand why the nut just spun.

Made me laugh for a minute or two before I sent the dog out for some fun.

What Alpinas go for these days let alone the brand new centre caps I would not leave it out,

Cloggy Saint wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 23, 2019 10:47 am

Foe wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 21, 2019 1:10 pm

There was a post on here, to add grub screws to the BBS caps. I've added two to each wheel cap. If someone was going to take them, they'd break the caps, rendering them broken.
However I do agree leaving her on the street anywhere except my drive does give me a slight twitch!

Yeah, it was my post but let's be honest, a couple of grub screws can easily be removed with a flat screwdriver or similar. Anyway, my car survived 48 hours in London unscathed so it's all good.

Ah yes! A good idea. It stops the opportunistic scum. However if they really want something they'll take it!

Yep use mine everyday

steve_k wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:07 am

as for reliability? my e30 has been far more reliable (when it was on the road) then my mates end of line e46.

thats seen more AA men then their annual meeting.

Yes i know whay you mean,my wifes 2000 318i se is off to scrap yard its been nothing but trouble from day one,biggest piece of sh1t ive ever owned.

ah wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 26, 2019 10:49 am

steve_k wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:07 am

as for reliability? my e30 has been far more reliable (when it was on the road) then my mates end of line e46.

thats seen more AA men then their annual meeting.

Yes i know whay you mean,my wifes 2000 318i se is off to scrap yard its been nothing but trouble from day one,biggest piece of sh1t ive ever owned.

i've heard a few folk say that about them, lost count of the amount i've seen with rusty front wings, rear arches & boot lids,

Had my 320 since 07 and it has been the daily and still is. Although looking tired now the mechanicals are still good.

Not bad for a £70 initial cost.

yip... use mine daily... have the odd niggle now and then but thats to be expected on a car that is 33 years old...

hennabm wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 28, 2019 11:55 am

Had my 320 since 07 and it has been the daily and still is. Although looking tired now the mechanicals are still good.

Not bad for a £70 initial cost.

Long shot but Angus ????

Mart.

martauto wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 28, 2019 1:34 pm

hennabm wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 28, 2019 11:55 am

Had my 320 since 07 and it has been the daily and still is. Although looking tired now the mechanicals are still good.

Not bad for a £70 initial cost.

Long shot but Angus ????

Mart.

Nope, sorry.

Daily... Especially if its raining...