E30 Zone

Hello everyone,

ive decided that finding a 325i sport will take longer than i can be bothered to wait for at teh moment!

although there is a nice alpina e30 and a awsome looking hartgage not sure they would be good as a daily, so

im seriosly thinking of a e30 m3 as my only car and thus my daily. just wondering if anyone here has used one as a daily and if it realistic with reliablity and cost of maintiance.

thankyou in advance

frosted,

hello,

My m3 is my primary car and its great.

It costs no more maintenence wise than my e36 318 did.

The main issues with e30 m3's are however, finding one that is mechanically and structurally sound. The major costs of m3's tend to be rebuilds etc so its ideal to get one which has had a nice life, full of oil changes and loved by its owner.

LHD takes no time at all to get used to and I actually prefer it now. The dogleg box will leave you changing gear with the door handle for a few hours but again, its not an issue.

Some people complain that driving an e30 m3 everyday is tiresome...i suppose it could be on a long motorway journey or sitting in traffic, but thats mundane in every sense in any car.....

Things to watch out for bodywise are scuttle panel, inner wings, sills, jacking points, rear arches and number plate lights plus the usual areas for most 'old' cars.

Enginewise: MAke sure you see them from cold and listen for a rattle on start up. if there is none, bingo, its a gooden or more likely a nice well looked after engine. However, if there is a rattle, walk away.

Ignore mythical stories about timing chains. Its a load of cobblers. No need to religiously count the miles down to 100kmiles. The chain is duplex and will never snap. it could jump teeth, but this would be due to neglect and problems with the tensioner. So ultimately, the first thing you should do is swap the e30 tensioner for the one piece e36 m3 evo chain tensioner which will make the car purr on start up.
Dont be alarmed by the buzzy 4pot sound at idle, they all sound like irt.

Transmission wise, sitting at idle, you may hear a minor rattle which doesnt sound that bad but feels weird. When you depress the clutch, it might go away. This is just the clutch release bearing and again, nowt to worry about.

Anyway, I think they are fine as daily drivers and put it this way, great fun to and from work.........

wow, thankyou very much for your reply. i keep seeing all the posts on s14.net about how many 1000$ they spend each year on it and wonder if its not some way to stop people buying them ;)

personally cant see them being unreliable if you buy a good one.

again thanks for info,

note - do u service yourself or take to a specilist,

and how do you find the real performance on the road compared to other cars,

any more opionions would be wicked,

cheers all

frosted

I would say don't expect a street drag racer. there a lot of cars with simliar or better straight line speed. saying that it is not slow. this car is about going round corners fast and putting a smile on your face. IMO I would say that it is very simliar in performance to a type-r civic as i have raced my mates one and we are always neck and neck.

M3Imy wrote:I would say don't expect a street drag racer. there a lot of cars with simliar or better straight line speed. saying that it is not slow. this car is about going round corners fast and putting a smile on your face. IMO I would say that it is very simliar in performance to a type-r civic as i have raced my mates one and we are always neck and neck.

I would expect a M3 to be faster.

as in the newer shape type r? wow. then they are quick enough for me!

those things are rapid for a n/a car.

im not bothered if its not the quickest thing around. TBO its all about the looks, handeling (from what ive been told). im down in cornwall and to be honest its the handeling that will make it fun rather than the streight line speed.

friend got rid of a 330fq becuase it was so easy to drive everywhere at 120. as he puts it "does what it says on the tin, but no real fun after u get over the fact it is quick"

will simply get one. put some nice wheels on it and retrim in leather if it has non and be happy. thats what im thinking anyhow.

very intersted to know if many people use them as a daily. been told they are VERY expensive to run daily.

regards,

frosted

oh and thanks for theinput so far everyone

well, Imran has hit the nail on the head. The m3 is still a fast car by todays standards, i was at santa pod and went against an s3 last year and it was neck and neck! But its all about the handling. Don't expect the e30 m3 to keep up with todays m3's, its just asking too much as they have two extra cylinders and 100horses more.....

Servicing, well, i have done oil changes and replaced the water pump myself and tend to keep on top of most things.For Major work/general servicing to keep some obvious proof of looking after, I use one of Pacerpetes mates, called phil, who works at Birds/Hartge who are located near Heathrow in Uxbridge/Iver. He knows shedloads about m3s and knows his stuff.
Anyway, servicing isnt anything to worry about as you have hartlake, bexleys(cough), Moseleys, Munich legends and many other independant bm places. I would avoid BM dealers as they do not really have time for the original m3 and are unlikely to have techies who have everyday experience of working s14 lumps.

The m3 has everything one would want in a fast car for its price. The only thing I am disappointed about is the lack of airbags and jealousy!

The number of times people have commented how nice my car is has got to the point where I am embarrased, but then, when you drive a legend in motorsport or hero chariot, it is understandable. Don't get me wrong, they are not the best cars in the world by a long shot, but there is just something rather rugged and tough about them......I think people comment as they are old but have a fresh look about them...or they just like my fibreglass bodykit

Another thing, I would not be too bothered about finding an evo, evo2 , ravaglia, cecotto or sport evo(overpriced for what they are relative to a normal e30 m3)as a priority.....look at any aged m3 of any spec.....condition is more important than anything...

you can find an alright H plate m3 for 5grand and a really nice one on a D plate for a similar price, i would go for the latter. As they say, age is only number!

Remember, these cars are normally aspirated so cars of the 'riced' variety normally have the legs over an m3, but who cares...its not all about getting from a to be the fastest...anyway, if a to b consisted of windy roads, its bye bye supra, hello M3!

Demlotcrew wrote:

M3Imy wrote:I would say don't expect a street drag racer. there a lot of cars with simliar or better straight line speed. saying that it is not slow. this car is about going round corners fast and putting a smile on your face. IMO I would say that it is very simliar in performance to a type-r civic as i have raced my mates one and we are always neck and neck.

I would expect a M3 to be faster.

you would expect it, but people expect a lot as the m3 tag is associated with a very very fast street car in the more common e36 m3 and e46 m3......but the e30 m3's s14 lump is 60/70's technology so it aint bad for todays standards....

anyway, if a to b consisted of windy roads, its bye bye supra, hello M3!

you have the nail on the head

plus im not into new cars. the ONLY car that tempts me a tvr tuscan. but ill think ill wait for one of those when im a little more settled with my business ventures.

the m3 is just a agressive amaxing looking car. if its quick. wow what a bonus

thankyou for all the info, keep it comming. its a convincing argument to definaly get one so far.
frosted

The M3 is ok as an everyday car. Mcdonalds drive through is well unpractical though.

If things start going wrong its expensive.

A 6 clyinder RHD of any varient in my opinion is that little bit more practical. Alpinas and hartge are even more driveable than a 325i because of the extra bottom end torque.

As mentioned above, biggest problem is finding a decent M3 and not paying silly money for one.

I would say you try one out before you take the plunge. I know a few people who couldnt handle it.

I personally didnt have an issue with the M3 but as an everyday driver the M20 engined cars are alot more practical and alot more smoother.

M3 suspension is quite compliant unless you have LEDA suspension.

Drive an m3 and you'll know if its for you. I'm sure some of the above guys will be more than glad to let you have a go if your insured.

Sal

yep sal is right...

Alot of M3's when new were traded back in for sports etc after 6-12 months as the yuppies back then found them quite hard to live with compared to the 6cylinder cars

2p

The only grumble i have with using my sport everyday is the clutch gets heavy when i'm stuck in start stop traffic, plus the economy aint to good either

Simon13 wrote:Alot of M3's when new were traded back in for sports etc after 6-12 months as the yuppies back then found them quite hard to live with compared to the 6cylinder cars

2p

The only grumble i have with using my sport everyday is the clutch gets heavy when i'm stuck in start stop traffic, plus the economy aint to good either

LOL!

if you want economy get a diesel!

Well for my 2 pennith, I have had my M3 now for nearly 6 years and was a daily driver for the first 2/3 years until I got promotion to a Central London office!!

I agree with what all the others have said, its not a dragster and does make mincemeat of the bends in the road. I have a disabled users hand grabber thingy for when I am out shopping on my own.....the ticket machines aaargh!

Other than that and now I only use the car at weekends I can honestly say that I have a smile on my face from start to finish and take great pleasure in seeing other drivers pointing, smiling etc.

My next car if this one had to be sold would be a left hooker again, I much prefer it.

M3RAGS wrote: The dogleg box will leave you changing gear with the door handle for a few hours but again, its not an issue.

I remember those days, then you get back into a right hand drive
car and end up punching the door card funny how the mind works.

Or even better when you,ve run into the busy petrol station to get some fags, get so frustated as the que is massive, come leggin out, dive in the the car............................

only to be confronted by the glove box!

Out you get nice and slowly, try not to draw to much attention to youself,
slip in the corect side of the vehicle (bastard thing) flick the key off we go

"BASTARD" second gear,

Now first gear

NOW Full on broad side the lenght of the dual carridge round the
roundabout!!!

PHEWW!!!!!!

M3Jimbo wrote:Or even better when you,ve run into the busy petrol station to get some fags, get so frustated as the que is massive, come leggin out, dive in the the car............................

only to be confronted by the glove box!

Out you get nice and slowly, try not to draw to much attention to youself,
slip in the corect side of the vehicle (bastard thing) flick the key off we go

"BASTARD" second gear,

Now first gear

NOW Full on broad side the lenght of the dual carridge round the
roundabout!!!

PHEWW!!!!!!

Have you been watching me!!

But on a serious note, they are great cars and I agree with what Rags and the lads have already stated........Although for everyday use I think I'd preffer a nice 325i and keep the ///M3 for the weekends.

can actually picture myself doing that if i had one

Well mines the daily driver. 44 miles a day to Horsell (Deepest Surrey) and back from near Croydon.

I shall be different (as ever) I HATE driving this car every day. It costs too much on fuel, (1 full Tank per week give or take) and attracts too many idiots. Its very noticeable and Ive had people remember me from 1 week to the next. People see a Black BMW with a spoiler overtaking them and they call you a wanker and try and fight you.

I come up on servicing more regularly as Ive done around 10K since June last year. And I HAVE to keep the car working at all costs as If it breaks down I cant go to work. Which can be a pain on the wallet sometimes. And thats always at the backof your mind when it come to doing something at the weekend as you cant afford to run over.

LHD is no problem really when driving, but where I work has swipe pass card gates,and I'll be damned before I buy a arm grabber thingy.

If I only did a few miles a day maybe Id be happier, but I am constantly thinking Im running the car into the ground using it so often. Personally Im seriously considering another form of transport, and relegating the M to weekend and evening work. Also means I can enjoy it more.

Ԛ£2

BMK wrote:
But on a serious note, they are great cars and I agree with what Rags and the lads have already stated........Although for everyday use I think I'd preffer a nice 325i and keep the ///M3 for the weekends.

i agree with this but not because its a chore, but to keep the m3 mint.
Anyway, i don't use it that much as I walk around most places or use the london public transport. Safer keeping the car at home anyway, away from tesco car parks and roadside parking!

yep i was talking about a new shape type-r. they are bloody quick and handle very very well for a fwd car. you have to rev the nuts off it just like you do with the m3.

that was the hardest thing to get used to for me. oh and i have done the getting in the wrong side thing too

Demlotcrew wrote:

M3Imy wrote:I would say don't expect a street drag racer. there a lot of cars with simliar or better straight line speed. saying that it is not slow. this car is about going round corners fast and putting a smile on your face. IMO I would say that it is very simliar in performance to a type-r civic as i have raced my mates one and we are always neck and neck.

I would expect a M3 to be faster.

similar power but less weight.

its no wonder type r is as quick or quicker.


crap on low revs tho, they really do have no torque till vtec kicks in

M3RAGS love your rims by the way. All the rims ive every found on ebay like that are always 5 stud . Sorry

LOL!

Thats not true...

i am a vw lad as well and build up bbs rs/rm and the majority are 4x100 et25...so would fit nicely on an e30...rags

I automatically assumed that the offset would be no good? i knew the stud pattern was fine

thankyour everyone for ur input. this is really helping

So what you decided?

Custom 2.7 (like Karans)
Alpina 2.7
Hartge 2.7
E30 M3 215 bhp varient +
325i Sport (Trust me, you'll end up putting a 2.7 in it!)

Just to add, the 2.7 Alpina I advertised maybe be coming with a Full Mtec kit fitted.

grin, well the plot thickens. i have teh money aside to get a daily and a toy. for the toy m3e30. although as this thread discusses i was considering one as a daily and wanted to know if this is viable. seems it is

i would like a 325i sport as my daily with an m3 as my weekend car. that would be the master plan.

sports however seem to be 3-4k for a "maybe" decent one. not willing to pay that however rare they are

well not when a decent m3 can be had for 6-8k!!

note - the reason im not sure aournd non standard models is i think the insurance would be interesting with the alpina, hartage types.

so really i have decided nothing apart from i want and will buy an m3. wahaha. no more drugs for me!

if you can get insured on a M3 then an Alpina wud not be a problem

true, but to insure an m3 and alpina might be a tad expensive

grin

M3 on a classic ltd mileage policy and Alpina on normal FC policy

Insuring an Alpina/Hartge is very very cheap under a classic car policy.

I am going through a company called Heritage.

I am paying Ԛ£200 for a 325i and I live in East London.

All you have to do is declare all the modifications and thats it.

The same goes for an M3.

I could insure both for Ԛ£500 Fully Comp and I'm 27.

Therefore get yourself an Alpina or Hartge rather than a sport which is going to cost you the same and your getting alot less for your money with the sport.

grin. do u still own the car?

jsut cos ur selling to me and im confused cos its not urs ;)

- note i am appreciating the views and advice m5pilot!

its an option for sure. the other option that has just arrived (and im off topic from the thread title here but sod it) is that chaos 325i pahse one sport is up for sale. tempting!

bit fo work and would be good daily

Why is it people keep refering to E30 M3's as "Toys"?!!!



Every day drive? Hmmm... not had it long, and not covered many miles so I'm still not sure. When I first drove it I thought "no way", but already its getting that much easier which in turn makes it much more fun.

nice car dude- soooo jealous!

btw-we can see your full reg number in your avatar