I love my E30 but...

[Dezzy]

Its like any kind of car get the best models available instead of woefull turds that give you no pleasure at all. I.e try a good 325 with an LSD or 318is with an arch kit then call it a crappy shed

Or the mondeo ghia, it has electric rear windows and better trim.

O yeah i forgot about the ghia what a slur on the name of ghia late fords were

Ive had a 328i sport and a normal 328i coupe, both very good cars in different ways. The sport had brilliant handling and all important lsd which you will need.


Or just 24v your E30 like i am doing simples
The normal 328i felt faster as the engine had done 32k compared to the 156k on the sport, but it was lethal in the wet without the lsd Find a nice manual sport with lsd instead of traction control and you will be a happy man as i fought mine was great fun(good on petrol suprisingly as well)

[Nay]

E30s are one of the best looking cars available to the average person (on average budgets too). They are great to drive, but can always do with improving. I understand there are some people out there who want their car as standard as they can, which is fine, but when you sharpen up an E30 with some good driving aids (suspension, racks, bushes, bearings etc) and get it running properly, they aren't tiresome to drive and much more fun that any playstation.

Anyone drove a Focus ST? The LSD on the front wheels consistantly working makes the steering wheel feel like an arcade game with a force-feedback wheel. Proper playstation init bruv.

[SeymourCake]

The only thing about e30's is that there is ALWAYS one thing after another which goes wrong or needs replacing. No matter how big or small.

[Sawyer_E30]

The E30 is now a 20+ year old car. Mines still going strong past 156,001 as of yesterday, on M40 powah*!!

Feel the roar of the mighty tappets!

*just enough powah to brake traction in the snow... going uphill.. with people pushing in the opposite direction... with greased tires.

[Alex]

The E30 is now a 20+ year old car. Mines still going strong past 156,001 as of yesterday, on M40 powah*!!

late tourings/cabbys are 15 years young

mine is 18 years

[Sawyer_E30]

The E30 is now a 20+ year old car. Mines still going strong past 156,001 as of yesterday, on M40 powah*!!

late tourings/cabbys are 15 years young

mine is 18 years

Don't be so bloody pedantic!

You know where I'm going with it! How many other classic (Sorta) cars survive this long with only quibbles. Apart from other German cars of the time #cough# Mark2 Golf GTi

[Sawyer_E30]

MX5 has to expierienced, amazing car.

I drove my mates Mk1 last week and he has only uprated the shocks, so standard ride height, but I was surprised how smooth and quick the turn is was. Fantastic little car! +1 for double wishbone suspension in each corner!

[Alex]

The E30 is now a 20+ year old car. Mines still going strong past 156,001 as of yesterday, on M40 powah*!!

late tourings/cabbys are 15 years young

mine is 18 years

Don't be so bloody pedantic!

You know where I'm going with it! How many other classic (Sorta) cars survive this long with only quibbles. Apart from other German cars of the time #cough# Mark2 Golf GTi

[Jon_Bmw]

Anyone drove a Focus ST? The LSD on the front wheels consistantly working makes the steering wheel feel like an arcade game with a force-feedback wheel. Proper playstation init bruv.

Pretty sure either variation of the ST's 170 phase 1 or 225 phase 2's did NOT come with LSDs as standard, I doubt it was even an option... The new and old RS does have one though, a quaife shitter.

So without a LSD it might make it feel like an 'arcade game bruv.'

Try a FWD car with a proper plate diff, that will tug you about a bit. Not really suitable for an out and out road car, but they are fecking good on track. Trust me.

[BEERBOY123]

Let's be honest, they're crappy old sheds really.

I'd rather drive my wife's Polo diesel any real distance.

E30s look good yes, but that's really about it in my book.

sell it then and buy yourself a polo

Exactly

RATCH! Why don't you just go away and stop winding every f*cker up. You're a waste of space and have absolutely NO valid input to the zone.

Mods, Please lock it. He's obviously on a wind up.

1. I'm not 'Ratch' for the hundredth time;
2. If you read this string you'll see that there is some support for my original point;
3. I thought the point of the Zone was that everyone's input was valid provided it's not offensive (you are offensive);
4. Why lock this? I like an interesting debate now and then, breaks up all the dull questions (many of them mine) about the trivialities of E30 ownership.

[Nay]

Pretty sure either variation of the ST's 170 phase 1 or 225 phase 2's did NOT come with LSDs as standard, I doubt it was even an option... The new and old RS does have one though, a quaife shitter.

I drove an ST3 (one of the facelift models) and that had an LSD, but I think that quaife diff was only fitted to the RS which made them kind of nasty (dangerous, apparently) on the road, but great on the track. I would love to drive an RS one day

You could feel it tug left or right and feel mechanical twitches that would lock either side for a short period. Also leaving two lines of skid marks from the front wheels whilst turning was a bit of a give-away.

I'm yet to drive a FWD car with a plate diff.... I'm yet to learn what a plate diff is so off to google and probably wikipedia

[SHAKEELE30]

Which e30 do you own, maybe its got something to do with that. I know id rather drive my 325 on a long journey much more enjoyable than most new(ish) cars.

[SUMPCRACKER]

An E30 on a long journey is like marmite, some like it some dont.

[SHAKEELE30]

yeah depending on which e30 you have!!

obvioulsy if its got no power, its going to be boring on a long journey, if you have some power which can be used when you want it, it might not be as boring...

[DRIFTBOY]

I agree!

I think they are slightly rubbish but great at the same time, and most of my favourite cars are, but when strangers come over to me in car parks or petrol stations and say "Nice car mate .... blah blah..." it makes me feel all warm and fluffy inside!

I also agree that they are more fun than a Playstation.

You can't always have it both ways, but not knowing if your car will complete it's journey or not kind of adds to the excitement!

Be prepared to get a flaming from the people with no sense of humour or realism though, I did when I started a similar thread a while back!
Some of the insults were very amusing though!

[rossmc88]

MX5 has to expierienced, amazing car. 328-OK car.

I bought an MX5 to cruise around on sunny days and I was astounded by the way it drove, it honestly needs to be driven to be believed. I thought they were crappy hair dresser cars, but they really aren't. Just drive it with a bag over your head

[Reflex]

Let's be honest, they're crappy old sheds really.

I'd rather drive my wife's Polo diesel any real distance.

E30s look good yes, but that's really about it in my book.

that's the craziest thing i've heard... ever

[Ollie_bwoii]

The E30 is now a 20+ year old car. Mines still going strong past 156,001 as of yesterday, on M40 powah*!!

late tourings/cabbys are 15 years young

mine is 18 years

23 years old for mine!

[BEERBOY123]

I have a 318IS, not a bad model.

I did a twenty mile round trip to the airport the other day and when I got out I felt like a Mustang pilot after a mission to Berlin.

Seriously, I love the looks and the public interest/approval now and then, but relaxing cars they are not! And quite frankly if it weren't for the nostalgia and the strange joy I get from polishing the damn thing, I'd cash it in for 2K against some luxo barge or other.

[Sawyer_E30]

The E30 is now a 20+ year old car. Mines still going strong past 156,001 as of yesterday, on M40 powah*!!

late tourings/cabbys are 15 years young

mine is 18 years

23 years old for mine!

My old chromie was 23 years as well, earliest examples are coming up to 27 years now!

[Blitz]

I have a 318IS, not a bad model.

I did a twenty mile round trip to the airport the other day and when I got out I felt like a Mustang pilot after a mission to Berlin.

Seriously, I love the looks and the public interest/approval now and then, but relaxing cars they are not! And quite frankly if it weren't for the nostalgia and the strange joy I get from polishing the damn thing, I'd cash it in for 2K against some luxo barge or other.

My 316i is mine long trips. Maybe because of the 65 profile tyres.

[oakey]

When I bought my car it was pretty much standard and well looked after. I flew to Inverness and drove the car back to S.London. I stopped a few times for 15 minutes or so but it was pretty much a non-stop drive back. The weather was bad, it was January and snowy and rainy.
The car got back without a fault and returned 30mpg. The suspension is nice and soft so the ride is comfy, seats are comfy, gear change is nice, there is nothing awkward about driving a good e30! I couldn't have asked for a better drive back considering the conditions. The headlights are poor though, but that's the only real fault I can think of.

[jasonbold]

my 323i coupe is 25 years old. i still prefer it to any newer car. i love it! just think, its 1/4 of a century old and still pulls away from a lot of cars.

[Westy35]

Just read this thread and can't believe what i'm reading. Who in there right mind would buy a FORD over a BMW,and especially a mondeo over an E30. Just step back and take a look at the cars of today,they all go through a wind tunnel and come out looking the same with ther fancy triangular lights and od shapes. Older cars have a lot more individual style and the build quality is far better.
So ,if you want to drive around in your sales rep car,with your shirt 'n' tie,feel free.At the end of the day no matter what model it is,it's still a FORD.Maybe you should stop clogging the zone with your jibber jabber and sign upto the henry ford owners club.

[The_Diddler]

late tourings/cabbys are 15 years young

mine is 18 years

23 years old for mine!

My old chromie was 23 years as well, earliest examples are coming up to 27 years now!

My moredoor chromie project is now 25 years and 6 months old, buts who's counting

Still a young un compared to some

[Westy35]

'89' tourer for me.Bought off fleebay for 200 english,rust free and drives like a dream!

[town325i]

only big problems ive had with my car is my right foot and shite no history engines

[town325i]

beerboy your a bit of a tit imo

[psychochild187]

new cars are better , but the give different results
750 for a 325 that will last a few years un touched with naff mpg ,great sound,good looks,low space and safty and cheap enough to maintain and work on yourself

newer cars
7500, maybe on finance ,quiter but boring better handleing from standard , maybe too hard to maintane yourself but quite pricey if you get the wrong brand of car to send to a dealer alfa/merc etc etc .
good mpg and radio and safty and space but dull new looks that most other people wouldnt care if they saw a clean version or not

takes the whole point of driving away from you
it becomes a work horse or a A-B car

i wouldnt do a track day in a mondeo (unless it was the 4x4 2.5 v6 on a wet track)

[anisotropy]

I have a 318IS, not a bad model.

I did a twenty mile round trip to the airport the other day and when I got out I felt like a Mustang pilot after a mission to Berlin.

Seriously, I love the looks and the public interest/approval now and then, but relaxing cars they are not! And quite frankly if it weren't for the nostalgia and the strange joy I get from polishing the damn thing, I'd cash it in for 2K against some luxo barge or other.

I think you've bought the wrong car -why did you buy a revvy 4 cylinder if you wanted a luxury car? Trade it in for a 325i or even a 320i they're a very relaxing drive imho especially compared to the turbo diesels every reps in now.

[Westy35]

Good answer!
Although i would do a track day in a mondeo,just so i could thrash the nads off it till it can't take anymore,and not give a ball sacks if i put it in the tyres at top speed. That,s another one to the recycling centre!!

[jamie323i]

My mate has been driving a v reg 1.8 mondeo the last week or so and its a right gutless peice of shite no fun what so ever, e30's are all about the fun factor and not for mondeo man

I have both,the mondeo is perfect for everyday driving to work and back and for family days out,the E30 is my fun car for weekends and just when i fancy hearing the sound of a proper engine

The E30 is an old car by todays standards but it has character unlike most euro boxes you will drive,i have driven a few,laguna,Vectra etc...

Two completely different cars IMO

[rhubarb]

Beerboys beemer must be shagged out, and/or he's got no soul..

I run a E30 320i touring, now 20 years old, nice to drive, could do with a tad more power, but its reliable and does the job

[BEERBOY123]

I accept most of the above, and I am well aware that I am a bit of a tit .

A 320i might have been a better bet on reflection - I had one before and it was more relaxing.

[beemerbird]

I accept most of the above, and I am well aware that I am a bit of a tit .

A 320i might have been a better bet on reflection - I had one before and it was more relaxing.

I find it highly entertaining that Beerboy starts many of his threads with all guns blazing, only to end up administering first aid to the injured and apologising for shooting people.

I see a pattern developing. Maybe the whisky has a lot to answer for