e30 M3

[kdacey]

OK im a total noob here, i was just wondering what a decent nick e30 M3 would cost in the UK market.

Further to that, I was wondering if any of you guys could reccommend some 'essential' performance upgrades if I were to buy a smaller engined model.

Finally, how easy is it to live with these cars now they are 'classic'?

Would love your input!

thanks

[ross_jsy]

looking at 10k onwards for an m3.

essential performance upgrades for smaller engined cars would be sticking a bigger lump in. either m20/b25 or an m50/52 out of an e36.

and as long as its nice one, very easy to live with.

HTH

Ross

oh and welcome to the zone

[snakebrain]

Further to that, I was wondering if any of you guys could reccommend some 'essential' performance upgrades if I were to buy a smaller engined model.

You do know it's not a huge engine in the e30 M3 - only a 2.3 4-pot I think in the first ones? Classic case of 'it's not how big it is, it's what you do with it!'

[pukar]

absolutely....all 2.3 4 cyl (except the legendary sport evo model which was a 2.5). if your gonna mess with the engine, then buy a cheaper non-m3 to start with. m3 hold value best when un-molested. there were a few engine "evolutions"...the biggest change being around 1990 when BHP increased from 195 to 215....

check this out for all the details

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=8

[keskinKT4]

E30 M3 prices look on pistonheads except the munich legend ads as they seem to charge an extra few k because the car is on their forecourt.

If you want performance dont buy a smaller engined model.

Get a good one and they're easy to live with as they're a modern classic with most parts still easily available and reasonably priced , also they were well engineered for their time so therefore dont feel quite as old as their age.

[davpkav]

I use mine almost every day for most of the year (except when the cra**y weather sets in). Very easy to live with but as stated above, it has to be a decent one. Lots of options for more power, some quite expensive, all depends how deep your pockets are.

[Falkster]

I think £12500 gets you a good ones these days. I used to use mine pretty much everyday but being a girl I don't like putting miles on mine as it's not quite got to 70k. When buying one make sure you've got a couple of grand a year to look after it and also make sure the one you're looking at has a stack of bills to prove it's history.
As for upgrading the engine. I agree to a certain extent that unmolested examples will fetch more money but if you're selling one with a few discreet mods that could be reversed won't affect mods. To release some of the power from this race engine you'll have to do a few bits to it eg schrick cams, remap, supersprint, upgrade the suspension and brakes. As long as it doesn't look like something from halfrauds with a boiler flu sticking out the back.
I've had mine 8 years and totted up what it's cost me to keep it right (I think I've cut corners sometimes) and I've spent over 13k so be prepared - once you get one you won't sell it.
Chris

[davpkav]

I agree with Chris above. You will need £2000 ish per year. I've had mine 6 years and I would seriously scare myself if I totted up what I had spent. But as Chris says....'you will not sell it'. I do not intend to sell mine.... ever!

Here is a little anecdote just to give you a flavour of how special these cars are. In a few weeks time (18th April) there is a 'Super Car Sunday' meet in Sheffield (you can check it out on Pistonheads) and the line-up of cars is pretty impressive. You name it....it's included....Porsche GT3s right through to F430s etc etc. And the guy organising it 'can not wait to see my E30 M3' (his words). How amazing is that? Hundreds of thousands of £s worth of super car metal and he can't wait to see my almost 20 year old M3!!!!! Makes me feel quite proud actually.

You will not regret getting one but as already stated, get a good one.

[magpie]

i'm getting rather suspicious of new posters on here this evening

[gary]

I have had My Sport Evo since 2002 and a 2.3ltr for 4 years before that. I used use both as my everyday car, but like Falkster I don't like putting miles on so it leads a much sheltered life now.

I agree with Falkster I think around £12000 gets you a decent one, but watch out for turds lurking around pretending to be good ones.

As for living with, they are not the fastest cars now a days but the chassis is sublime and when the engine is buzzing and in the sweet spot they are more than a match for the modern day equivalent.

Servicing can be done at well known speciallists for a fraction of the price at your local dealer. They are not too expensive to upkeep. Body panels are ready available from the dealers. EG; a wing approximately £125, doors again about £250.

Buy on condition and not mileage and as has been said above, check service history and bills to back this up.

Rust is a big issue with these cars. I completed a full restoration on mine 2007/2008 and found the scutlle panel shagged, along with the rear portion of the front wheel arches, where they meet the sill.

As for engine upgrades. I will leave that for those more qualified than I to chip in

[pukar]

what about the timing chain issue at 100k miles?

fact/fiction??

costs??

[Falkster]

That's Munich legends bollox. I know my car hasn't reached that yet but I've had the tensioners replaced with e36 ones.

[weed1]

what about the timing chain issue at 100k miles?

fact/fiction??

costs??

The timing chain is a duplex design. It is not an issue.
The tensioner rails for the engine tend to need replacement at 100k miles.
Be wary of post 100k mile cars with no maintenance records, as they are due for rod bearings.
If you buy one with this mileage, do the rod bearings ASAP, otherwise you may end up with a very expensive total rebuild.
I did a total DIY rebuild a year ago and it was north of $5k.

m

m

[pukar]

ah, good old munich legends

so best to buy low mileage or over 100k that has had the work already done then.

[Falkster]

As said before you buy a car on condition and not mileage. I've seen cars at 150k that are stunning.

If you engage an M3 owner in cnversation they should know what their car needs this year and what their plan for the car is for the year.

[pony2]

Have to agree with Falkster, buy on condition. Many M3's will have "lost" a few miles over the years. Mine has over 170k but the engine is strong. Check everywhere rust and don't be afraid to take bits off as so much is hidden form sight. I thought mine had very little rust until Pacerpete revealed its true colours.

[gare30]

wat would an engine cost to buy these days?

[ross_jsy]

an s14?

from about £1.5-2k for a shitter to 12k+ for a race prepped one

[gare30]

interesting been offered a 87 m3 with the engine missing in white 2grand bargain?

[Falkster]

interesting been offered a 87 m3 with the engine missing in white 2grand bargain?

I'd have to see it to believe it.

[ross_jsy]

if its true then yes, although could be wrotten.

[Falkster]

if its true then yes, although could be wrotten.

But even in poor shape it's still worth that. Best place to start, blank canvas interms of body and engine (cos £2k will get you one that needs a rebuild).
Just have to have loads of patience!!!! Oh and give all your spare cash to it for s long while.
Just look at the 'minor rust' thread. He was only going to do a few bits and look where he's got to. You don't have to go that mad but 4ish k for rolling shell and engine and box is a bargain.

[Morat]

If its a full rolling shell with no rust issues... yes. Drop in an S50 and away you go

/me dodges the hail of M badged rotten fruit

[Falkster]

If its a full rolling shell with no rust issues... yes. Drop in an S50 and away you go

/me dodges the hail of M badged rotten fruit

I think the door is that way ------------->

[gare30]

the fella who ownes the m3 is suposed to be emailing me some pics of the car within the next few days could be a rot box but watever the condition i think its a good buy

[Rich_W]

I haven't spent any money on the car since end of 2008ish. Save for MOT's and Tax and Insurance. The fact it's done less than ~300 miles in that time is immaterial! Going to be servicing it and getting it all back up to scratch over the next month or so. MOT's due! And I want to fit some better parts. Pics to follow

But I agree that I do have a mental list of stuff to be sorted out. I finally got round to fitting my Samco coolant hose kit (Group Buy on S14.net for the FULL set, not the normal incomplete one) and found a few things that needed to be sorted. Main one being the coolant bottle had cracked! And the multiplug had been broken and glued (under the rubber boot) by a previous owner. So that's another thing! in the process of being sorted. And NOTHING is ever cheap! Even the O rings for the TB's were £3 each!

I'm just pleased values are getting spastic as it means I haven't spent too much more than the cars worth Whats a few grand between friends!

[davpkav]

what about the timing chain issue at 100k miles?

fact/fiction??

costs??

In the April edition of 'Total BMW', there is a question on just this topic. As Falkster says it's a load of rubbish and Total BMW confirm that it is indeed a load of rubbish.

[Falkster]

I bet if you had a wish list Rich, you could spend 10k in an instant??

[davpkav]

I bet if you had a wish list Rich, you could spend 10k in an instant??

I could easily!

Probably £2 to 3k on essentials, new front legs etc (last owner put Bilstein Coilovers on and I want it back to original), then a full leather interior, Shrick cams etc etc. and lastly a full respray.

Holy Cr*p!.....Where did my 10k go?

[sweep]

Carbon airbox too ^^^^^^

[davpkav]

Now we are talking 'wish lists' That would be awesome. And seeing as I am keeping it forever, then I probably would do it.

See you tomorrow Peter. After 3:00 if that's okay.

[Falkster]

I bet if you had a wish list Rich, you could spend 10k in an instant??

I could easily!

Probably £2 to 3k on essentials, new front legs etc (last owner put Bilstein Coilovers on and I want it back to original), then a full leather interior, Shrick cams etc etc. and lastly a full respray.

Holy Cr*p!.....Where did my 10k go?

I've had mine for 8 years and started spending money, other than normal maintenance, started a year later.
I thought I'd done what I intended but I could go on forever.

Why would you want to go standard on shocks? They're rubbish, not that I'd want to go barmy with a group a set up but bilsteins with H&R springs and eibach arb is a great setup for the money.

[Falkster]

Carbon airbox too ^^^^^^

But that gets rid of the AFM and that would mean alpha N so it becomes a huuuuge one.

[pony2]

Roughly how much would the airbox and everything required cost, fitted?

[Falkster]

Roughly how much would the airbox and everything required cost, fitted?

John (s14power) does a group buy every few months. It's a while since I looked into so might be wrong but I'm sure it was about £2k for the kit which includes airbox, alpha N plus fitting kit.

I bought my schrick cams when he did a group buy a couple of years ago. Exchange rate was good and it worked out about £600 compared to about a grand.