purchasing an e30 and have some questions..

[Meghallawy]

i'm currently looking for an e30 to be my daily driver. i'm planning on modifying the car as best i can without doing anything drastic at the moment. i was told the 316/318 models were the best as far as the suspension, i'd like to know if this is true and if it is, why? also, if anyone can give me a quick outline of the e30 models and how they differ... i'd be grateful

p.s. any advice or tips on things to look out for when buying the car would be appreciated...

[Bewdley320T]

Ordinary 316 and 318 models have the WEAKEST suspension except Tourings which ALL had the heavier suspension.

[FlappySocks]

Unless insurance is an issue, you will want a 325i. But No1 golden rule when buying an E30.... get a rust free car. You can always swap engines, suspension, whatever later. So decide if it's a saloon, touring or cab your after, and then take your time in finding an E30 thats not heading for the breakers yard anytime soon.

[Meghallawy]

so do the models differ only as far as the engine is concerned? and i'm sorry, but i'm not familiar with what you mean by cab and saloon , but i'm aiming at the sedan, 2 or 4 door.

[323iNathan]

cab - convertible, saloon 2/4 door.

They have more than engine differences. Different levels of trim, different bits of kit etc. But with the cars being as old as they are some of the cars that left the dealership with all the extras have been scraped and so cars still running that had next to nothing in terms of extras initially, are now all kitted up. So the factory list of what came with what is as good as redundant. You just need to be patient and find the best car out there (for you).

[Morat]

2.5s have 51mm front struts and ABS as standard. Some smaller engined saloons (sedans) did not have rear antiroll bars as standard or ABS.
These rules may not hold for Egypt, since different markets had some variations. I would still advise a 325i and in your case Aircon!!
Good luck.

[Bob_S]

If I were you I'd be looking at a 318is 136bhp twin cam.. nice engine reliable strong and more to the point it's not bad a juice.. or a 325i which while reliable is a little bit quicker but a little more thirsty.
obviously in a 2 door format I would look unless you need something with more doors 4? this would rule out a 318is or someting with more room - a touring? this also rules out the 318is..

[Ian_M]

I don't think petrol prices are a problem in Egypt? At least not according to my Egyption co-worker... Get a 325.

[Bob_S]

didnt see he was in egypt.. in which case they are about as good as each other the is comes with better suspension than a standard 5i

[Meghallawy]

thanx all...
about the petrol prices in egypt... they were fine until like 2 weeks ago ... but still i wouldn't compare prices here to anywhere in europe.
so what exactly is the difference between the is and i? and is the is availabe in all the line up? because personally i was aiming at starting out with a simpleton, so the 4-cyl was my target...

[stevotheevo]

the 'is' is the 4pot version of the sport, its twin cam running around 140 bhp.

all the other 4pots (not inc M3) are single cam with a lot less power.

the 318is would be a good starting place mate.

[aj_mckay]

I'd also vouch for the iS - by far the best bet as a starter with a good level of performance. Also came as standard with slightly lower and stiffer suspension which improved the handling.

Go for it...