I'm looking to buy my first car and an opportunity to buy one of my dream cars, an E30, came up and I could use some advice from people who already own one. The price is pretty cheap for my country, around 5k €, but it's a family member selling it so I trust it a little more than the usual seller, although he's not the first owner. It's a 318i from '85 so it has the M10 engine in it. It seems to be in great mechanical condition and he had started reworking it a bit when he decided to sell it so, fuel pump's been switched, oil changed, spark plugs, it's been repainted and lowered and I believe he did a few more QOL maintenance as well.
I have always wanted to own this car, and to learn how to maintain it as well. I have very limited experience however, having only taken a class in uni, though I learned how to take apart an engine and a transmission.
My question is, how "safe" could you say this purchase is? And regarding replacement parts, does anyone know of websites that sell them in Europe? Because I checked the FAQ and it's all US based stores.
Could use some advice on my first car purchase?
Moderator: martauto
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steve_k
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 8044
- Joined: Fri May 23, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: in the vale of mansfield
welcome,
an early M10 318 is a good car to learn on, sounds like it's been looked after.
as for parts sites in the EU? main one would be the likes of autodoc, also there's ebay & i'm sure some of the traders on here would be willing to ship abroad.
an early M10 318 is a good car to learn on, sounds like it's been looked after.
as for parts sites in the EU? main one would be the likes of autodoc, also there's ebay & i'm sure some of the traders on here would be willing to ship abroad.
if it's got t*ts or wheels it's bound to be trouble...............prove me wrong.
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
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Grepot
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:31 am
- Location: Suffolk
I've only got experience with the M40 but I started my ownership with literally zero experience with car maintenance or really any understanding of how cars work. I'm just coming up to my first year of ownership now and I've just finished up a head gasket job which I did in the carpark outside my flat.
The M40 is really straightforward and forgiving to work on, most parts are avaibile from bmw, autodoc or breakers yards. I'd assume the M10 is about as easy to work on as my M40, so I'd say go for it! I always wanted my second car to be more 'interesting' than my last and the E30 fits the bill.
Do it! Go for it! Make sure to post some pics when you buy it!
The M40 is really straightforward and forgiving to work on, most parts are avaibile from bmw, autodoc or breakers yards. I'd assume the M10 is about as easy to work on as my M40, so I'd say go for it! I always wanted my second car to be more 'interesting' than my last and the E30 fits the bill.
Do it! Go for it! Make sure to post some pics when you buy it!
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coopman
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2020 10:19 am
- Location: Sydney
Similar to me - I always wanted an E30 and wanted to learn how to maintain it as well. I had very limited experience, having only taken a class in uni, where I learned how to take apart an engine and a transmission (of what I seem to remember was a Talbot van).
The E30 has been a mostly positive experience. I've spent more on parts and maintenance than the original purchase price, but that wasn't all essential stuff. I've managed not to completely destroy anything yet, so it's somewhat idiot proof!
Schmiedmann are good for parts in Europe.
The E30 has been a mostly positive experience. I've spent more on parts and maintenance than the original purchase price, but that wasn't all essential stuff. I've managed not to completely destroy anything yet, so it's somewhat idiot proof!
Schmiedmann are good for parts in Europe.