e30 tips needed

[silvia]

hi, im still waiting for my drifty volvo to sell so i have enough cash to get my first e30 and its killing me waiting

anyway im planing on geting a 2dr 325 but i have no experience with bmws so any tips or what i need to look out for will be apreciated.

also whats the difference between a facelift and a pre-facelift, is there any difference in power,peformance or the interior/exterior?

many thanks
matt

[dobbie82]

pre-facelifts dont usually have power steering so have you got good upper body strength?

the pre facelift 316's and 318's are carburettor m10 engines i believe, but think the 320/325 are just m20 engines no matter what?

the post facelif usually have power steering, front electric windows, SE's usually have rear electic windows.

I prefer the post facelift but its just a metter of taste

[silvia]

thanks for the help dobbie. you live just up the road from me, im in rhos-on-sea

[Speedtouch]

Pre-facelift M20B25 (325i's) have the higher compression engine (although some facelift ones had it up 'til about '89 - check for the engine number which will be either 25 6E or 25 6K, respectively) though ideally you'll want an LSD (Limited Slip Differential) to take advantage of the power.

Facelift E30s are supposedly better for rust protection, though I'm not sure this is true.

I've had 2 pre-facelift ('84 320i and '87 320iSE) and 2 facelift ('88 325iSE and '89 325i Sport), and tbh all had their pros and cons.

325i's have rather fragile cylinder heads, so ensure the cooling system is kept in good order, but they're more fun than 320i's, having 50+bhp and more torque, and have similar fuel economy.

[steve1066]

Hi
I only got my E30 about a 2 mouth a go, first BM two. With blown head gasket
Had no probes doing the work my self all quit simple. I even re built the head.
Found the part cheep as chip if you look around and can wait a day or two for deliver
I think the most imported thing is to get one with as little rust as pos
All so done wheel bearing front, new hand brake lever doff 20min jobs
And I am no mechanic.
Good luck with your search

[steve1066]

For got to say 325se and I love it

[hongkongfuey]

check for the engine number which will be either 25 6E or 25 6K,

sorry mate which one for higher comp?

[Alex]

pre-facelifts dont usually have power steering so have you got good upper body strength?

the pre facelift 316's and 318's are carburettor m10 engines i believe, but think the 320/325 are just m20 engines no matter what?

the post facelif usually have power steering, front electric windows, SE's usually have rear electic windows.

I prefer the post facelift but its just a metter of taste

the pre facelift 318's are 318i's there injected its only the 316 which is carb fed

[Speedtouch]

check for the engine number which will be either 25 6E or 25 6K,

sorry mate which one for higher comp?

25 6E is the early high compression one. Later 25 6K is Katalyser (catalyst) prepared hence a lower compression and less power.

[Karan]

325 is the only one i would recommend for what u want it for

do the following

welder
bucket/harness
e36 rack
springs/shocks
e30 m3 offsett tca bushes
hydro handbrake

polybushes and coilovers if ure feeling posh

gd luck

[silvia]

thanks for all the help i no alot more now whitch is always handy. i would rather no rust but im a dab hand with a welder and got mates who are awsome panal beater sprayers so a good strong engine is the main thing i will be looking for