E30 Zone

Hi everyone,

I'm really liking the E30's shape and am planning on buying one soon. I used to have a 325 E36 coupe which I unfortuntley sent to BMW heaven. Currently driving around in a V6 Cavalier as a stop gap, good car though.

I'm not sure which E30 I'll be going for yet, even though i've had 2 big engines in past, I'm not particuarly fond of 20-25mpg and petrol prices rocketing! So wouldn't mind a 318is, what are the opinions on these?

I don't mind a buying one needing a bit of TLC as I like to do a bit of DIY mechanics (not bodywork tho), so what would 1000-1400 get me?

Any other models in the e30 range worth looking at in this price bracket?

What are the "lux" models too? some of those seem to have more sporty seats/looks.

Also, my major worry, how tail happy or these cars? I am certainly more careful these days after my accident of "getting the arse" out and won't be driving so aggressivley ever again, unless on private road. I don't want something that will catch me out easily as it wasn't a nice experience - are the e30s's easy to control if the worst does happen?

Previously I made the mistake of flooring it the car to get out of the zig zagging (i don't know where I got that idea from), which made it worse. I understand you're supposed to ease off? Any tips on controlling and regaining control of a RWD car would be good too.

Sorry got the long read

Cheers

Matt

Hi there!

The v6 Cavs are quite quick aren't they, but inlet manifold off to change the plugs?!

Anyway....

The 318iS is a good model, smaller engine than most of the E30's but just as quick as the 325's!

They do better MPG too if driven carefully.

1k to 1.4k would get you a half-decent iS with average mileage. Keep your eye out on Autotrader and the for sale section on here. Look for good service history, a well maintained higher mileage car is better than a low mileage car with no history.

The 'lux' models are late 1.6 and 1.8 cars with a few extras. You can't get a 318iS 'lux'.

E30's can be tail-happy, especially in the wet, but with decent tyres on and driven with respect, you'd be fine!

If you do start to slide, don't brake, steer into the skid, and come off the throttle to bring the back the back end in. Be good to do a day on a skid pan as practice.



Good luck, and I hope you find a good E30!

cheers dave

yeah v6 cavvy is right ball ache to maintain sometimes, cambelt and tensioners look like a nasty job to do, so i let the garage do it. Cheapest quote - Ԛ£400 and they require changing every 40K. Rubbish! Tis pretty quick though and does suprise alot of cars, but terrible at getting power down easily, alot of pedal adjusting.

IS sounds like the one to go for, been searching about 325's as well but the MPG just won't cut it for me at the moment.

I've seen a Red 318IS for 1300 quid with 147K, has service history, doesn't say if it's full or not though. Is that too many miles? What's the cambelt change interval on these engines and do they require tensioners changing too?

cheers

matt

Hi mate,

Yeh the tail end on the e30 is great fun .. not that i condone this kind of behaviour. But they are quite easy to control. I remember the old 325i with dog leg box , that used to slide in 1st, 2nd and 3rd would straighten up spin and go..

but like dave said, steer into it, and ease off the throttle, once corrected you can still accelerate away, just incase it happens while joining at a junction with another motor coming

Don't know much abt the other models as im new here myself

Matt,

147k shouldn't be a big deal, but you should look for evidence of the timing chain having been changed. IF it snapped it's an expensive repair/rebuild.

Listen for timing chain rattle from cold and when warm on the iS. They are the only model with the chain.

welcome aboard

WELCOME TO THE ZONE MATT

hi matt

welcome to the zone

1000 to 1400 will get u a very nice e30 ......me i paid 250 and got a 325sei
that needed a new floor pan and a bit of welding on the sills whitch i did myself cost me about Ԛ£30 , now i have a very sweet motor

good luck in finding your dream car.................


mark

cheers for the comments lads

i'll get pics when I get one, jsut a gotta finish off my saving

Welcome to the zone Matt.

Welcome to the Zone Matt,

The iS is a great car, I have one, can see it in the picture section called 318iS Ab Fab Beemer, As already mentioned, much better to get a car with full history and higher mileage than one that has done 60K and doesnt have a piece of paper to its name.

With that money you should find a decent e30. Shop around, you will find the right one for you!

Welcome Matt and good luck with the search - the 318is is a good choice mate.

Welcome to the ZONE Matt

There's plenty to get for your dude and I would definately recommend a 318is....Not being baised or nothing

All the same welcome....

as you can see i am a newbie too, and i love it.

its the best place to be... buy a 318is, awesome

cheers for all the cool comments

seems to be a lot of local people to me on the board too (north london)

Can't say a bad word against the iS.

None of them seem to have much rust on them at all for some reason so no worries there really. Very easy to handle as well, the back end only comes out in the wet. You should be able to find a pretty good one in that price range as the prices seem quite low at the moment.

Good look!

tailhappy in the wet sounds good to me, i'll just drive like a saint.

Does lowering make a difference on how easily to back flips out? My last bmw was lowered a good 60mm at the back (bought it like it, was planning on chaning it to a 30/15 drop)

What are the points to look for?

Cam chain maintence
rust around arches? is there anywhere underneath i should double check?

thanks everybody

matt

hi matt

i lowered my e30 by 70mm and found that when you get the tail out you can control it better and hold very nice power slides that go on for ever............. apart from that i have noticed that it does handel better in the wet but will still fick the ass out if dont respect it

regards mark

welcome to the zone mate wish i could of afforded an is at the time i brought mine

Just bringing this back to life, I'm back looking for an E30. I laugh now looking at my previous comments - £1300 budget and more alarmingly it seemed I would get a good one for that! I never did manage to get one back then, I met my missus and went travelling, then house + kids etc.

I've been into VWs for long while and currently own a fully restored Corrado VR6, a low mileage (86.5k) Corrado 16v in very good condition, a mk2 Golf GTi project and a couple of daily drivers. I want to sell or even swap the Corrado 16v for an E30 coupe, convertible or touring.

There's no such thing as an E30 coupe.

Ben

BenHar wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:59 pm

There's no such thing as an E30 coupe.

Ben

Not quite the same welcome as in 2005

BristolE30 wrote: ↑

Sat Sep 05, 2020 4:54 pm

BenHar wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:59 pm

There's no such thing as an E30 coupe.

Ben

Not quite the same welcome as in 2005

After 15 years, I think everyone has hit middle aged. pedantic, grumpiness

BenHar wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:59 pm

There's no such thing as an E30 coupe.

Ben

That's my line!