E30 Zone

If you had a dick of brother who was 19 years of age who was adamant about getting a E30, but no, not any E30, but a E30 325i Cabriolet, what would you advise him to do, take into account, the only car he's driven is a Ford Fiesta Ghia (1.25)

I told him as he's not working full time he's dreaming, because he wants one with some form of a bodykit, but insurance and lack of experience is the main thing that I feel he lack's. I said go for 1.8 if he has to get one, atleast that way insurance and petrol won't hurt him as much, but he's been watching too much too fast too furious and think's he need's 6 cylinder's.

I just wanted too see what kind of a response and feedback I get from you guy's, maybe he'll some sense when I show him some of the replies

Anyway, let me know what you think.

S.K.

It's a none starter if he can't afford the insurance and it will not be cheap or probably viable. Tell him to get a smaller engine and modify it somewhat. A good introduction and way to learn about your motor..

Forget it.

Someone i know owns a 325 that's locked up as he can't get insurance on it. He's now driving a brand new civic while his e30 sits in his garage!

Even if he could, that's too much of a car for someone who's just passed to be driving (yes i know he'll claim he's the best driver in the world, we all are till we have our 1st crash and write-off the car we spent all our money on!). It will cost too much to maintain and will slowly (or quickly depending on how he drives) rob him of any money he has access to.

Get him a 316i or 318i and let him learn about e30's (all the niggles/problems and also all the fun they can be), which will give him e30 ownership.

Once he's got a few years driving experience under his belt, and a few years NCB then let him rethink the 325 thing.

If he wants kit, then there are plenty of tech 2 kits that come up on the zone, get him to tech2 his 316i/318i (if it doesn't come with it) and that way once he's ruined the car (which he will as he won't understand the importance of maintenance and will be too busy 'chilling) then he can sell it on and make some money back whereas any other type of kit will reduce the potential market when it is up for sale.

Sorry if any of this seems harsh or misguided, but i've been there and i speak from experience!

^^What he said

I got a 316 for my first E30, and even that had a knack for helping itself to my wallet regularly for petrol
At least insurance was manageable.

A convertible 318i would be a nice car (If convertibles are similar to insure). could throw an M-tec kit on it then and eventually, a proper 6 pot could be stuck in a few years down the line when he has gained both experience and money.

Getting a 325 for a first E30 is just jumping the gun altogether. He'll end up 1/4 paneling it into a pole on the first gressy country bend with unexpectant over steer. Even if he is a well capable driver... going from fwd to rwd and low power to a relatively torquey car coupled with being only 19 is an accident waiting to happen.

ok just registered on the zone, I'm SK360's younger brother, my insurance is quite cheap suprising enough, i was either thinking of getting a BMW E30 325i or a Ford Fiesta Rs Turbo but now I'm having doubts about the Rs as from what people tell me its a "death trap" and so i looked towards an E30, i've been driving for just over a year and yes im guessing everyones thinks another "boy racer" but i enjoy driving and i would like a car where i put my foot down i would like a relative response (something similar to my brothers E30) lol, with the 2.5 caby petrol will guzzle and thats putting me off, but theres a huge difference in power between the 2.0 and 2.5, maintenance is another key issue which many experienced if not all drivers will bring up,

with the current responses i've read so far, im either thinking of a 318i covertible or 318is, any other suggestions to what i should get, even if its not BMW

thanks.

-WIZEE- wrote:with the current responses i've read so far, im either thinking of a 318i covertible or 318is, any other suggestions to what i should get, even if its not BMW

thanks.

E30 318i with a M-Tech 2 kit, get a nice late model aswell. Getting a car with almost three times the power you already have is, well it's stupid! Even I had 1.8 Sierra to gain some rear wheel drive experience before getting my E30, and i've learned to respect my 2.5 more, otherwise i'd have wrote it off by now.

just get a 325, (if you can afford it) get anything else and you'll always be wishing you'd just gone that extra step, and you'll probably end up getting a 325 at some point anyway.

a 325 is no deathtap, just don't assume you're the best driver in the world and don't treat it like a 1.1 fiesta

whilst there are a lot of rubbish teenage drivers around, there are some decent ones too, and just because you make it t 25 or even 30 doesnt suddenly mean you're a great driver either.

A 318iS is a great car for somebody of this age. Still needs to be respected but it won't catch you off guard as much as a 325 in dodgy road conditions etc. Although an iS with poor tyres can make for quiet interesting senarios too. On the back or the front since I've had experience of both cases in the past 5 months

318i or 318iS will also be the best of the bunch for fuel costs too.

All depeds if you want a saloon ro a cab?
318iS or a nice clean 318i Motorsport rep?

Dave_M3 wrote:A 318iS is a great car for somebody of this age. Still needs to be respected but it won't catch you off guard as much as a 325 in dodgy road conditions etc. Although an iS with poor tyres can make for quiet interesting senarios too. On the back or the front since I've had experience of both cases in the past 5 months

318i or 318iS will also be the best of the bunch for fuel costs too.

All depeds if you want a saloon ro a cab?
318iS or a nice clean 318i Motorsport rep?

probaly 318i cab, i really want a cab, i wanted a 2.5 because i know someone thats selling one cheap with a kit which is appealing to me and for the price hes asking its very tempting, but thats the case with cars, sometimes you miss decent cars going cheap at times and other times they sell for their full worth, i would say im a sensible driver, currently im driving a fiesta zetec sport, nothing amazing but i would say i've grown out of it and need something more with torque and im starting to detest that word "nippy" its not raw power, im not saying i want raw power otherwise i would want a Cosworth lol, but its very dissapointing when you dont get the car you want but like the real world it comes down to experience, I'm going to have a look around, before i forget is there anyone on the zone thats under 21 driving a 2.5? lol

I know somebody driving a 24 valve 325 Sport that's under 21

He's selling it now however, wants to get something jap and something turbo'd

its do able but most insurance compaines dont like under 25's for a 325i??? let alone a cabby

What about putting it in someone else's name and being a named driver??

at 19 years old, id say a 318is, if you can afford to insure it.

ive had both, 318is and 325 and although the 25 is more powerful the 18 is still very good.

your £Â£Ã‚£Ã‚£ though fella only you can decide.

Wizee, IF you can afford to insure and maintain it then go for it. After all if driven sensibly they, 325i cab,s, are no more dangerous than anything else on the road. Just treat it with respect or it WILL bite you.

i had an RS Turbo at 19 (and E46 M3 at 24) so if he can stump up the cash why not!

I had and insured an m3 at 19... go for it just have your sensible boots on in the wet

i had a 180bhp mk2 escort rs2000 when i was 19! i say go for it. take it easy and do not EVER show anyone how fast it is. that will be the time it bites you in the arse! i've seen it too many times! enjoy it as a toy for you, not showing off and racing things. have a play by all means, but alone!

that said, i'd be tempted by a 318is. the chuckability of a decent 4 pot is not to be sniffed at and with the petrol and insurance savings, you'd be able to spend more looking after the car. i'd rather have a super clean 318is than a dog of a 325.

im 19, and bought a 320i cabriolet, biggest mistake!! i cant afford the petrol!! but lucky insurance is not a problem my family have fleet insurance so im covered for all the cars in the house
but still i would tell your bro to get a design cab! there are a cool color and only 1.8!

I had a 325 when i was 21, abit too much car id say. Like giving kids a rocket launcher.

When i was 19, i had a Vauxhaul chevette and an E30 was so far out of my reach, it was untrue and that was a 316i that i dreamed about. If i was 19 now and had the chance of owning ANY e30, rusty and knackered or not, i would feel like i'd won the lottery. Power, in a road car with a 19 year old, 1yr experienced driver is just an accident waiting to happen, there just isn't the room on the roads these days to have that kind of fun. So why do some people drive a 325 and higher powered cars? Put quite simply, it's not all about more power, it's more of an advanced level of driving and especially machinery. Most 325 owners don't do pointless drifting around corners just to get a high, they save that for the right place and the right time for many reasons, including mechanical sypmathy - experience of driving is not just about pushing pedals, it's about recognising when and where are the right times to have fun and also how to do it without killing yourself, other people and / or your car.

If this has come across the wrong way, i apologise and i am not trying to disrespect you, just because you are only 19 - i respect the fact the want such a car instead of following the modern trend. If you get a healthy 318i, it will be more than enough power if you also spend lots of time and money on the suspension (Not just the shocks and springs). With properly built suspension, the available power of a 318i will be even more evident and make for a much more interesting car than you think it will be at this point in time. Also, there is a huge servicing and running cost difference between a 318i and a 325i, it is not just about engine cc. All that extra money could build a 325i project car, over the next 2 years for your 21st birthday (When you can insure it and have intimate knowledge of how an e30 chassis handles).

Just some ideas, i hope you get into the right car and enjoy every minute. If you can, buy some tools and learn to do as much as you can yourself, it makes every mile thereafter, just that bit more special because you made it happen.

All the best

just buy a 316i, economical , cheaper ins, then mod it or keep standard , drive it to see if you like e30's

very wise words by many, and yes it will come down to maintenance and i feel i may struggle with the 325i cabby, but then again i would like something like that now because i would not want to do a conversion a few years down the road as most insurance companies class this a major modification by which means it is sticking a bigger engine/powerful in the car and the cruel reality of life is i wont get insured, lol. i know i'll be able to afford the 318i cabby or 318is, can someone post the specifications of the all e30 models please (yes including hartage, motor sport and alpina), also i don't want anyone thinking im a rich kid, lol im paying all of this out of my own money which will sting being at University as a full time student and working whatever days i get off, but i wouldnt like to struggle at my age and i want to enjoy my driving experience, all i want a is nice response when i put my footdown (on a straught long stretch of the road of course)

there is a 318i touring on the zone for sale under £300

Well thought out advice from Gene-genie.As far as costs go,normal maintainance items for both of my E30's are pretty much the same.Both return around 32mpg when used out of the city and other parts are a similar price as well.The 2.7 is so much more fun to drive,the 316i feels very safe at it's more modest speeds.It's your money,I expect that insurance will be your biggest bill so get a quote before you buy.When I was 19 I was put off from buying an E type by the insurance quote.......

I have to disagree with most replies here.. I'm 17 and i own a SWEET Delphin Grey e30 325 Sport. Yes I've been driving less than two years and only 6 months without a guardian, however there's nothing in the rule book that says every young driver must have an accident. All one has to do is be careful with such a beautiful car and pray to God that they get safely from A to B and drive with caution.

daimlerman wrote:Well thought out advice from Gene-genie.As far as costs go,normal maintainance items for both of my E30's are pretty much the same.Both return around 32mpg when used out of the city and other parts are a similar price as well.The 2.7 is so much more fun to drive,the 316i feels very safe at it's more modest speeds.It's your money,I expect that insurance will be your biggest bill so get a quote before you buy.When I was 19 I was put off from buying an E type by the insurance quote.......

How much do you regret that, and tbh i think that sums it up.
This aint no dress rehearsal, if you,ve got the chance to do, drive.travel or whatever, grab it. As long as you dont hurt anyone its all good.

Worth noting that even the most humble 316 touring has suspension and brakes up to the spec of the 325 saloon.
I'm currently driving a 318i 2 door saloon and a 318i touring most days; both absolutely standard, and both in first class order. The touring's handling is far better than the saloon, and inspires much more confidence.

If you want an insurable german cabrilot, consider a Mk1 Golf "Clipper" - it's got all the GTI bits on including a big bodykit but as it's a 1.8 carburettor engine it's pretty insurable.

If it doesn't have to be a cabby, then get a quote on a 318iS - they are very good!

Alfa_Delta wrote:get a quote on a 318iS - they are very good!

This has the 325/touring type suspension and brakes as well.

wallya1 wrote:I have to disagree with most replies here.. I'm 17 and i own a SWEET Delphin Grey e30 325 Sport. Yes I've been driving less than two years and only 6 months without a guardian, however there's nothing in the rule book that says every young driver must have an accident. All one has to do is be careful with such a beautiful car and pray to God that they get safely from A to B and drive with caution.

Yea thats great mate.... if you can afford to insure it. or if mummy and daddy do it for you. its not about crashing this thread its about the sheer cost of running the bastard.....

Dave_M3 wrote: I got a 316 for my first E30, and even that had a knack for helping itself to my wallet regularly for petrol
At least insurance was manageable.

Likewise. I had a few other cars first but my first BMW was a 316 (1800cc) Kep it for 8 years and loved it. To be honest the only reason I sold it was because I wanted more power so bought a TVR but thats another story. Here is my 316

HI newbie corkie here my first bemer was a 318is geat car plenty power then a325is 2b respected I now own a 325i cabrio its a much heavier model because of strengthening and not so easy to trash about.

If you can afford to buy it and maintain it, go for it!!!! I had a 320i as a run around and thought it was great and then I bought my 2.7

Be safe and be happy!!!!

6 cylinders all the way

hmm 325 ftw,

my 316 was no worse on petrol when on the run compared to a 325 which was stupid.

but i am biased condiering im soon to be driving a 316 converted to a 325

My mate had a 320i at 20 (B reg, Grey on Azev A's if anyone now owns it)

Like all cars its whether the driver has a brain that makes the real difference. If he can afford to buy, insure and fuel it. Let him get on with it.

I'm slightly younger than your brother and as much as I'd like a 325i I know that a 325i is too much for a new driver and especially a first car. 318i cabs can be easily made to look like motorsports, I was looking at 318i cabs for a first car but then I decided to get a 2 door 316i for cheap insurance and experience and later drop a b25 in it which is what I plan to do