understanding the models

[cormar]

can anyone help with a basic question?
what is desireable in e 30s
i am just getting my head round the different models and options and m3 models
i wondered if 2 doors were more desireable /or leather interiors/or 325i/or 318/ 316/ factory fitted options (ie body kits) engine options / customer upgrades at the dealers/ cloth interior/metallic paint/bbs alloys/ upgrade alloys/its very confusing as theres so many options

[Grrrmachine]

I never did finish writing this, but it gives you the gist of how things break down:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... s_it_worth

[sunnysr]

depends what YOU want from a car ,a m3 is always going to be the best then for me a 2 door 325 sport without going into stuff like alpina`s ,zone wikki will point you in the right direction .2 door is much more desirable than 4 door , 318is and 325i are the most desirable out of the normal price range ones ,if your going pimping you want a convertible if your going racing you want a 2door hard top if you have kids and like going shopping the 4 door might be the most desirable to you ,its a personal point of view thing

[batleyrhino]

I never did finish writing this, but it gives you the gist of how things break down:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... s_it_worth

Great article, really helpful, although I do feel like I'v ejust had a game of Monopoly...

[polsta]

buy what you see and like,want,suits you, not what people on the internet tells you is desirable what you gonna do buy a 2 door e30 is people say its desirable but you have 4 kids to cart around ? or youl want a juicy 325i if your skint and need to do 400 miles a week in it or buy a soft top cabby when you need to cart around a load of tools for work , just because people on the internet said it was more desirable

[pacerpete]

More morsels = good
More CC = good
Less owners = good
Less miles = good

More doors = bad

[andyp]

one without any rust

[capri_rob]

no substitute for cubic capacity

[cormar]

im a boring sod
i think its the metallic 4 door for me with the original bmw alloys with service stamps
i think im realising that under £1500 thers some real bad uns

[Kedge]

buy what you see and like,want,suits you, not what people on the internet tells you is desirable

On the other hand people on the internet telling you what is desirable will help stop someone going out and spunking way over the odds on a worthless car that they are unlikely to see their money back on!

[cormar]

on the subject of wheels
are the bbs a big thing
they are nice but is it the big thing in a sale

[spook]

You should be able to get a decent 2 door car for 1500 mate, Four doors are ok if your over 70 or a fooking peado.

[bmw9818]

heated seats and an armrest!

[snakebrain]

on the subject of wheels
are the bbs a big thing
they are nice but is it the big thing in a sale

BBS aren't the be all and end all, but they're a lot better than a set of shiny chrome Halfords specials or similar, which tend to suggest the car has been owned by a yob who's also most likely made some budget repairs involving P40, zip ties and/or sticky tape, and probably thrashed the car to within an inch of it's life too.

I'd look for nice original condition without too many non-standard parts (run a mile if it's excessively lowered, covered in M badges in unlikely places and similar), low miles if possible, evidence of sensible owners who've maintained the car well, and a car that handles and drives smoothly without knocks, bangs or clonks. Tired creaky interiors will drive you mad quickly, but anything apart from the dash can be replaced by any competent individual for reasonable amounts of cash.

There's an E30 external ads section on the site where you can post links to cars you're considering - it's sometimes very interesting to do so as people on here may have owned the car previously, or be aware of horror stories from the past. Only thing is, you're giving it extra exposure in the most E30-centric place on the net, so you may find if it's a good one some cheeky chap from here will nip down and buy it from under you.

There are also a number of reputable zoners who will do pre-purchase inspections for a reasonable fee. Just pop a thread up asking who does them in your area.

Hope that helps.

[Kedge]

If I was looking for an E30 I'd be checking this one out,

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/clas ... new/826192

[pacerpete]

You should be able to get a decent 2 door car for 1500 mate, Four doors are ok if your over 70 or a ********* peado.

BEERBOY told me that Sir Jimmy Savile had a four door, with well worn rear door child locks !

[shanehaward]

if you want to be like everyone else buy a 2 door. you will go unnoticed at car shows because there are so many. buy a 4 door, m50,m30 or m60 it and stand out

[pacerpete]

if you want to be like everyone else buy a 2 door. you will go unnoticed at car shows because there are so many. buy a 4 door, m50,m30 or m60 it and stand out

Says the man who has been trying in vain to serve his desireable quattroporte for the last three months !

[johnl320]

if you want to be like everyone else buy a 2 door. you will go unnoticed at car shows because there are so many. buy a 4 door, m50,m30 or m60 it and stand out

Brilliant, get noticed by buying one with more doors

[e30-EVN]

i havent read most of this but it seems the typical 'zone idiots' are spouting shite as per.!!
i agree totally with shanehaward, if you are a sheep buy a 2 door sport and follow the crowd, or buy a 4 door, insert an m52 and create a genuine sleeper. and as for not being noticed at shows..... plenty of attention for my car. shes still an e30 at the end of the day with added spice.

but once all the 2 doors are rotted to high heaven and are crushed the 4 doors will march on

buy what you see and like,want,suits you, not what people on the internet tells you is desirable what you gonna do buy a 2 door e30 is people say its desirable but you have 4 kids to cart around ? or youl want a juicy 325i if your skint and need to do 400 miles a week in it or buy a soft top cabby when you need to cart around a load of tools for work , just because people on the internet said it was more desirable

THIS THIS THIS.!!! when are people gunna think for themselves, if someone said herpes was a good thing would you want it??

[pacerpete]

i havent read most of this but it seems the typical 'zone idiots' are spouting shite as per.!!
i agree totally with shanehaward, if you are a sheep buy a 2 door sport and follow the crowd, or buy a 4 door, insert an m52 and create a genuine sleeper. and as for not being noticed at shows..... plenty of attention for my car. shes still an e30 at the end of the day with added spice.

but once all the 2 doors are rotted to high heaven and are crushed the 4 doors will march on

buy what you see and like,want,suits you, not what people on the internet tells you is desirable what you gonna do buy a 2 door e30 is people say its desirable but you have 4 kids to cart around ? or youl want a juicy 325i if your skint and need to do 400 miles a week in it or buy a soft top cabby when you need to cart around a load of tools for work , just because people on the internet said it was more desirable

THIS THIS THIS.!!! when are people gunna think for themselves, if someone said herpes was a good thing would you want it??

FACT = 4 doors are very difficult to sell and those that spend loads on them DO NOT get it back !

FACT = an E30 touring has four doors , looks good and is much more useful than any moredoored bridge dodger

[e30-EVN]

im not dead against tourings but in no way do they look better than the 4 door saloon you mad man
a 4 door hatch back = epic fail
a 4 door saloon is perfectly fine imo, and the e30 carries the extra doors well in terms of shape ect ect

[pacerpete]

OK , let me sell it to you a different way. You can get a lot more sheep into a touring than a 4 door ! E30-dk goes off to look for a touring

[suedenim]

im a boring sod
i think its the metallic 4 door for me with the original bmw alloys with service stamps
i think im realising that under £1500 thers some real bad uns

I would always buy any of these turds (affectionate term for E30) on body condition and I wouldn't ignore one based on the fact it's rolling on steelies with a complete set of trims or bottle caps, tends to be an indication of an older previous owner; so many rusty turds have been broken making it easy to pick up a set of 15" basket weaves.

The four pots are known for better handling than the sixes, the iS being the best of them - all round discs, bigger struts upfront, rear ARB as standard (ditto 325, touring, cabs?) and a screamer of an engine c/w forged crank (often termed as a baby M3). Also don't feel it necessary to buy a 320 over a 325 based on fuel economy, they aren't much better, that said the 320 has a reputation for being silky smooth if you intend to just cruise.

None of the engines lend themselves to big power gains from throwing £££ at them, the most economical thing to do is to drop a more powerful one in. At this point are the brakes and chassis in your 316 up to the job, should you have started with a 325 in the first place? Not the end of the world because if the shell is solid most high spec parts are readily available/interchangable, sub £1,500 cars this age could be due for a overhaul in terms of brakes, chassis, etc anyway.

Just by this thread alone the poll would suggest that the coupe and cabs the most desirable due to their clean lines, the touring is highly practical (I hate my coupe whenever it's sat in the Ikea car park) and a real cult car, the saloon being the least desirable meaning you'll stand a chance of getting a better condition turd for your money.

[johnl320]

i havent read most of this but it seems the typical 'zone idiots' are spouting shite as per.!!
i agree totally with shanehaward, if you are a sheep buy a 2 door sport and follow the crowd, or buy a 4 door, insert an m52 and create a genuine sleeper. and as for not being noticed at shows..... plenty of attention for my car. shes still an e30 at the end of the day with added spice.

but once all the 2 doors are rotted to high heaven and are crushed the 4 doors will march on

buy what you see and like,want,suits you, not what people on the internet tells you is desirable what you gonna do buy a 2 door e30 is people say its desirable but you have 4 kids to cart around ? or youl want a juicy 325i if your skint and need to do 400 miles a week in it or buy a soft top cabby when you need to cart around a load of tools for work , just because people on the internet said it was more desirable

THIS THIS THIS.!!! when are people gunna think for themselves, if someone said herpes was a good thing would you want it??

Who the hell are the typical Zone Idiots? I was laughing at the comment about getting more attention in a four door than a two door at a car show, surely the car in better condition will get more attention, regardless of model type. For any E30, as previously posted its got to be body condition that decides value with exception of your tuning house types.

[alexdejonghe]

can anyone help with a basic question?
what is desireable in e 30s
i am just getting my head round the different models and options and m3 models
i wondered if 2 doors were more desireable /or leather interiors/or 325i/or 318/ 316/ factory fitted options (ie body kits) engine options / customer upgrades at the dealers/ cloth interior/metallic paint/bbs alloys/ upgrade alloys/its very confusing as theres so many options

These questions were always going to throw up some good banter with each defending his own!

For my tuppence worth; go for a minty late 320 cab. These usually haven't been as ragged as their 325 counterparts and are often rot free owing to being the youngest out there!

[shanehaward]

i havent read most of this but it seems the typical 'zone idiots' are spouting shite as per.!!
i agree totally with shanehaward, if you are a sheep buy a 2 door sport and follow the crowd, or buy a 4 door, insert an m52 and create a genuine sleeper. and as for not being noticed at shows..... plenty of attention for my car. shes still an e30 at the end of the day with added spice.

but once all the 2 doors are rotted to high heaven and are crushed the 4 doors will march on

buy what you see and like,want,suits you, not what people on the internet tells you is desirable what you gonna do buy a 2 door e30 is people say its desirable but you have 4 kids to cart around ? or youl want a juicy 325i if your skint and need to do 400 miles a week in it or buy a soft top cabby when you need to cart around a load of tools for work , just because people on the internet said it was more desirable

THIS THIS THIS.!!! when are people gunna think for themselves, if someone said herpes was a good thing would you want it??

Who the hell are the typical Zone Idiots? I was laughing at the comment about getting more attention in a four door than a two door at a car show, surely the car in better condition will get more attention, regardless of model type. For any E30, as previously posted its got to be body condition that decides value with exception of your tuning house types.

pacerpete (i dont like anything other than tech 1 sport's but they have to be mint and 100% standard). this man is a special one by what ive read, all he seems to do is slate other peoples cars. I bet he wouldnt be so open about his views in person

[pacerpete]

i havent read most of this but it seems the typical 'zone idiots' are spouting shite as per.!!
i agree totally with shanehaward, if you are a sheep buy a 2 door sport and follow the crowd, or buy a 4 door, insert an m52 and create a genuine sleeper. and as for not being noticed at shows..... plenty of attention for my car. shes still an e30 at the end of the day with added spice.

but once all the 2 doors are rotted to high heaven and are crushed the 4 doors will march on
THIS THIS THIS.!!! when are people gunna think for themselves, if someone said herpes was a good thing would you want it??

Who the hell are the typical Zone Idiots? I was laughing at the comment about getting more attention in a four door than a two door at a car show, surely the car in better condition will get more attention, regardless of model type. For any E30, as previously posted its got to be body condition that decides value with exception of your tuning house types.

pacerpete (i dont like anything other than tech 1 sport's but they have to be mint and 100% standard). this man is a special one by what ive read, all he seems to do is slate other peoples cars. I bet he wouldnt be so open about his views in person

You have me confused with that other freak Polsta His views on 4 doors are unknown but as he likes Landrovers and is known for barebacking his Fertanned fist, he probably is partial to a quattroporte !

Facts are facts, only a Chinese mother could love a 4 door

[hennared323i]

pacerpete (i dont like anything other than tech 1 sport's but they have to be mint and 100% standard). this man is a special one by what ive read, all he seems to do is slate other peoples cars. I bet he wouldnt be so open about his views in person

Oh yes he would - you've obviously not met him.

To the OP - choose what ever you want and do what ever you want to to it, just make sure it is as rust free as possible - all mechanical can be changed/fixed

[Duke137]

It's threads like this that makes me think the zone needs a DRIFT type section, as there is nowt wrong with bodged up scrap IMO but in 'E30 chat' this is what happens as there are too many differing opinions

[Jim320i]

It's threads like this that makes me think the zone needs a DRIFT type section, as there is nowt wrong with bodged up scrap IMO but in 'E30 chat' this is what happens as there are too many differing opinions

+1 for a drift section...

Somewhere near the bottom though... Im not a fan of the whole scene, even those not into drifting, but the whole 'new' scene... Just sort a section somewhere so it stays in there

[Duke137]

It's threads like this that makes me think the zone needs a DRIFT type section, as there is nowt wrong with bodged up scrap IMO but in 'E30 chat' this is what happens as there are too many differing opinions

+1 for a drift section...

Somewhere near the bottom though... Im not a fan of the whole scene, even those not into drifting, but the whole 'new' scene... Just sort a section somewhere so it stays in there

You need drifters and people keeping bodged up scrap on the road to sell parts too IMO

Live and let live, if you like mint 4 door Auto's or bodged 316i 2.5 engine conversions with welded diffs I say fair play, it's better than driving a Korean shitbox

[The_Diddler]

Its all down to personal choice, for me any E30 is a good choice, it could be a highly sort after 4 door 320 auto (well at least they were sort after........ by granny's in 1985) ........ or a lowly 2 door 325 ( erm thinks BMW HQ how do we get rid of all these 2 door 325's nobody wants in the UK....... ok lets morsel them up with crap out the parts bin and call them Sports that'll work) sport.

It whatever works for you and what you want and nobody else.

[Kedge]

Its all down to personal choice, for me any E30 is a good choice, it could be a highly sort after 4 door 320 auto (well at least they were sort after........ by granny's in 1985) ........ or a lowly 2 door 325 ( erm thinks BMW HQ how do we get rid of all these 2 door 325's nobody wants in the UK....... ok lets morsel them up with crap out the parts bin and call them Sports that'll work) sport.

It whatever works for you and what you want and nobody else.

Oh I've missed this stern defence of the moredoor lately