what would u buy?

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
squeal
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 183
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: glasgow

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:42 pm

evenin all-quick question-maybe sellin my 320i,but what would u buy for approx Ԛ£4k?-e30 320is,e36 328i sport or e30 325i sport?jus like to hear various opinions,thanks
M5pilot
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4968
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Luton

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:45 pm

Me personally?

No way would it be any incarnation of an e36 for a start.

E34 M5 3.6
Alpina C2 2.7
Karans GUG
Hartge H27 if you can find one.
JOSEMI
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1106
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Eastbourne

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:48 pm

e30 325 sport DEFO

Jose
Andy325i
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4052
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Avon

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:53 pm

Depends what you need I guess, E36 328i is a great family car and a great driving machine, but if you want the ultimate driving machine there really is no question is there 8)

Andy
Image
M50B25NonVanos & M52B28Vanos Heads for sale. Pm Me.
Conan
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1557
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Reading

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:00 pm

get a 320iS if you can live with the left hand drive. bit different and as fun as you can get :D
'91 Sterling Silver e30 320i SE
'96 Avus Blue e34 525i Sport
'92 Alpine White e30 318iS Touring
'86 Alpine White e28 M5 (008/187)
'02 Titan Silver e39 530d Sport Touring
'54 Cosmos Black e61 535d MSport Touring
'07 Sapphire Black e61 M5 Touring

[
Simon13
The longest resto in the world !
Posts: 22697
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Camberley, Surrey don't u know

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:05 pm

i have a 325 but an S14 really does go and a 320iS i feel would waste sport. Both of these 2 two would be the most fun. But they go about it in such different ways.

Ones torque and the other reving screamer like hondas!
User avatar
m3ben05
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2555
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: High Wycombe

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:05 pm

320is if you can find a good 1, like the M3, if you get a bad one youl also need a money tree!
ianeire
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 181
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cork, Ireland

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:06 pm

Out of the three options above, 320is for me also
1990 Brilliantred 325i Sport

www.e30owners.com Irish e30
Andy325i
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4052
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Avon

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:21 pm

Simon13 wrote:i have a 325 but an S14 really does go and a 320iS i feel would waste sport. Both of these 2 two would be the most fun. But they go about it in such different ways.

Ones torque and the other reving screamer like hondas!
I want to see how my M52 will do against an S14 :D

Andy
Image
M50B25NonVanos & M52B28Vanos Heads for sale. Pm Me.
tylerma
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5790
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Dagenham, Essex

Post Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:34 pm

M5pilot wrote:Me personally?
E34 M5 3.6.
where would you pick one of those up for 4K
:jester: :jester: :jester:
Razza
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 296
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:02 am

Mint 325i SE for 2k and spend the rest on flooring it with big ass rims :cool:
User avatar
squeal
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 183
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: glasgow

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:03 am

would b interested in hartge h27 and alpina c2-jus dnt find many at all at ma price bracket,lhd would b different-r the s14's reliable as the 6 cylinders?
User avatar
m3ben05
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2555
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: High Wycombe

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:05 am

As long as you keep the s14 maintained properly, you wont ever have any probs, mine has never let me down
User avatar
stevetigger
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4659
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:00 pm

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:05 am

My car and the rest on yourself in the pub!!


http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=20622
User avatar
squeal
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 183
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: glasgow

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:07 am

spoke to wayne at german cars a couple of months ago-talkin around about my price margin could pick up a tidy 320is and it wouldnt be hiding anything nasty under the kit taken from the climates they have been in-my old boy has a 328i sport,its a bit of a machine but e30's just rock
User avatar
squeal
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 183
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: glasgow

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:18 am

anyone on the zone got a 320is?
RustyRuss
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 985
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Central Scotland

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:04 am

My dad had an E30 5 years ago, he retired and bought himself a last of the line E36, he hated it and wished hed kept his 30, sold it after a year. Get a 325i Sport E30 IMHO. Im certainly after one!
Russell A Macfarlane
Central Scotland
1987 Lachs Silver BMW E30 320i 4 Door Manual
Simon
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 14939
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South Wales

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 8:43 am

320is for definite, 4k will get you a nice one.

What do you want to know squeal?
Image
Fushion_Julz
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1295
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Blackwater

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:21 am

squeal wrote:evenin all-quick question-maybe sellin my 320i,but what would u buy for approx Ԛ£4k?-e30 320is,e36 328i sport or e30 325i sport?jus like to hear various opinions,thanks
E30 M3?
1987 Henna Rot M3 (was 195bhp CAT..now more and no cat)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
Fushion_Julz
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1295
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Blackwater

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:23 am

m3ben05 wrote:As long as you keep the s14 maintained properly, you wont ever have any probs, mine has never let me down
likewise
1987 Henna Rot M3 (was 195bhp CAT..now more and no cat)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
User avatar
andrewe30m3
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 254
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Chessington, Surrey

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:29 am

go for a e36 328i sport if you want comfort and more speed that a 325i.

go for a 325i e30 if you want more response than an e36 328i
Image
User avatar
m3ben05
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2555
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: High Wycombe

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:43 am

Fushion_Julz wrote:
squeal wrote:evenin all-quick question-maybe sellin my 320i,but what would u buy for approx Ԛ£4k?-e30 320is,e36 328i sport or e30 325i sport?jus like to hear various opinions,thanks
E30 M3?

If you can find a good one for 4k then go for it without a doubt. IMO, as a rule an M3 will always cost around 8-9k, so if you buy for 4k, be prepaired to spend the rest on fixing it up. Im sure there will be people that disagree, but this is what iv always found.
M5pilot
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4968
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Luton

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:51 am

tylerma wrote:
M5pilot wrote:Me personally?
E34 M5 3.6.
where would you pick one of those up for 4K
:jester: :jester: :jester:
You'd get a highish mileage one in good condition for that. A very good one infact!
Fushion_Julz
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1295
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Blackwater

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:56 am

Still possible to find a decent, unmolested, M3 for <Ԛ£5K (I know, I bought one this year)...
So far, it is running perfectly...Only parts replaced have been gear linkeage bushes plus the gearknob (to cure a rattle/buzz) and the water pump that was leaking.
Few other minor jobs needed sorting and the rear spoiler needs a re-paint and the drivers seat has a small tear on the side bolster.

It is possible, just keep looking!
1987 Henna Rot M3 (was 195bhp CAT..now more and no cat)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
kam-325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 4851
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: TELFORD !!!! (Shropshire) Stevetigger Land !!!

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:00 pm

I would love a M3.....

Or the 320is Nigel has.....
Last edited by kam-325i on Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Pete don't care about colour, He would shag a rainbow if he could find the end of it....
Image
User avatar
m3ben05
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2555
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: High Wycombe

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:00 pm

Fusion, you did really well mate, when i was looking (over a year ago now) i couldnt find anything decent for under 6k, and nothing with an engine rebuild inc timing chain for under 8k.
Fushion_Julz
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1295
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Blackwater

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:16 pm

Well, the timing chain thing is a myth perpetuated by a well-known Sussex specialist.
Change the tensioner (preferably for an E36 one) and all will be well.

A well maintened S14 will last for long past 100,000 miles and isn't significantly shorter lived than the average M20

My motor has done less than 150,000Km (<100,000miles) and it had <140,000 on the clock when I purchased it...

I did look at quite a few dogs, though, before being put onto this one by the chap who had done some of the servicing since it was imported (in 2000) from its first owner in Germany.

I am the 3rd owner of the car (and it is an early 1987 car) and it has a pretty complete history one way or another.

Oh, and it's fusHion (not fusion) btw :wink:
1987 Henna Rot M3 (was 195bhp CAT..now more and no cat)
2001 E46 330i SE Touring (manual)
User avatar
m3ben05
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2555
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: High Wycombe

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:27 pm

My mistake fushion :wink:

I dont really want to re start the whole timing chain debate again, but the head mechanic at that well known sussex specialist is a good mate of mine and iv seen 2 cars that have had the chain break, one at 130k and the other at 140ish.

Dont get me wrong, im not saying they will definately break if not changed, thats just not true, but i wanted to be safe! I only pay for parts from there, so the rebuild was done quite cheap :D

Getting back to the origninal topic, 320is or M3 for sure mate, you know it makes sense :D
E30BeemerLad
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 16806
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Norfolk

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:31 pm

M5pilot wrote:Me personally?

No way would it be any incarnation of an e36 for a start.

E34 M5 3.6
Alpina C2 2.7
Karans GUG
Hartge H27 if you can find one.
could the GUG be purchased for Ԛ£4K???
Karan
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 8004
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cheshunt, Hertfordshire

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:36 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:
M5pilot wrote:Me personally?

No way would it be any incarnation of an e36 for a start.

E34 M5 3.6
Alpina C2 2.7
Karans GUG
Hartge H27 if you can find one.
could the GUG be purchased for Ԛ£4K???
its not for sale just yet, but going price will be Ԛ£5kono
Karan
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 8004
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Cheshunt, Hertfordshire

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:42 pm

gonna wait for the mag feature to come out i think
6potWil6pot
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2371
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: North London

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 12:52 pm

Id probably get the E36 if it was my own Ԛ£ :bolt: But not sure how good an example youd get for 4k!
Image
User avatar
squeal
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 183
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: glasgow

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:39 pm

av seen a few ok ones for about 4k with history and approx 100k-any websites relating to the e36 328i sport?-insurance is an issue wen talkn m3's as they simply wont touch me-primarily cos of my age n glasgows not the best location from insurers perspective-im swaying bak towards a 320is at the mo,the only downside is the lack of specialists in glasgow for these
User avatar
m3ben05
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2555
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: High Wycombe

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:41 pm

how old are you
User avatar
squeal
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 183
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: glasgow

Post Wed Nov 16, 2005 3:44 pm

jus turned 22 n hav 6 points at mo