E30 Zone

Hi all

Hoping you can help, im looking at getting me an E30 soon.
I have seen a 325i for sale, which im tempted to go for,

my only issue is that its got 164K on the clock, I appreciate these cars are reliable (from what i read) but thats high miles really, any chance its going to blow up within the first 100 miles? or will it be usual replacement parts??

Any help is appreciated.

It's just run in.

lol, you serious??

As long as you know some of the history of the engine, e.g. regular serviced, looked after and generally maintained I would think it would be fine?!

It will see another 100k miles. Assuming it's been well maintained.

Lots would say that 164k in just about run in! As with any car of this age your first check is rust. Look for evidence of a caring owner,service history etc. The cambelt should be changed every 30,000 miles or 3 years,any proof of this? What is the interior like? Expect a bit of wear on the driver's seat. A good read is Andyboy's book, the E30 restoration bible.There is a buying guide sticky'ed I think on the tech help,worth a read.Oh,and welcome to the zone BTW.

Nice one guys, appreciate it. I might have a look at it, but hes asking 3K, which for a 325i with 163K on the clock, strikes me as a bit much.

People always say 'just run in' which is a bit of a joke really. Its of course more than run in, closer to worn out in most cases, but if its been well maintained all its life and carefully driven then no reason why it shouldnt do another 100k! Its all about how well its been serviced really.

3k is steep if its a standard 325i, but if its a sport they can easily go for that.

That needs to be very special at that money....

its not a sport, i think its a little expensive really, might give it a miss, as its nice, but not amazing. certianly not 3Ks worth

My new 325i has 195k on the clock!!

bmwe30mtech wrote:People always say 'just run in' which is a bit of a joke really.

I used to laugh when Brian used to say he'd removed the head on some M20 blocks and could stil lsee the hatching marks in the bore of the engine.

That was until I pulled the head on mine - It hadn't been cared for and the head was well past its best, but the hatching was still visible at over 160k miles!

Obviously another new member who's been brought up on Ford, Vauxhall and other non BMWs!
Certainly can't get my insurance company to see a 325 as being worth £3k!

actually, Honda and old VW. ford and vauxhall!! dont make me laugh

If your coming from a Honda and VW background why are you so warry of mileage? Both manufactures engines will last longer than the shell they are in.

Richard just sold a CR-X with 184k on it

my tech 2 sport had 182k on the clock when i bought it, its now on 191k and runs a sweet as a nut and starts first time every time. as long as it been well looked after it will run for 100k more. Rust will be a more likely issue.

Richyb wrote:If your coming from a Honda and VW background why are you so warry of mileage? Both manufactures engines will last longer than the shell they are in.

Richard just sold a CR-X with 184k on it

because Ive never owned or driven an E30 perhaps....? gotta do ya research ;)

Red touring in my sig. has done just short of 300,000 miles and the engine performs as new! (As does everything else on the car.
Best part of the last 100,000 miles on LPG propably helps.

BMW engines can certainly stand the test of time assuming they have been well serviced.
My M52 has done a whopping 233k in the 9 years its been alive and still sounds/performs/runs perfectly!

fookin ell, not bad at all then! nice work gents, ive decided not to bother with the above 325, gonna look at a 320 instead. looking forward to e30 ownership!!

the bloke who is sorting my b25 out said you can still see the original honing marks in the bores and its supposed to have done 130k!

if your up for spending a couple of grand but not wanting a 2.5 then go for a 318is

My 325i sport has 159000 on the clock and runs like a dream. its the best car iv ever owned. my mk3 golf had 64 on the clock and it just didnt compare to the bm even with the milage. my m8s is on 200 k and runs just as good as mine.

My track 325i has 210000 miles on it an still pulls like a train

funky-monkey wrote:My track 325i has 210000 miles on it an still pulls like a train

My 325i Tourer has 173k on it and still feels tighter and more sure footed than many lower mileage 'other' cars i've owned.

It's my first BMW as well.

my 325i touring snapped a rocker on 216,000 miles. It went like a rocket for a 325i and i've had 4 so far. I rebuilt the top end, was maybe over kill but i've tracked it for over 300 miles on track since, so i felt the need. It's on 232,000 miles now and going strong.

Oh the honing marks where still fresh on the bores when i took the head off at 216k too, engine didn't smoke then and doesn't now!

Mine has about 113k and shes great 325i 4door