First car E30, good idea?

[crosslaa01]

Hi everyone,

I'm 19 and have had my license for almost 2 years, i've never had a car of my own or driven one consistently over these past 2 years (only ever had 2 week insurance policies on parents car).

The time has come for my first car, after pricing quotes and cars up, it turns out that an E30 would only cost about £600 more altogether than most other generic first cars (astras, corsas, etc). I've always had a love for BMWs, particularly those from the 80s and 90s after watching films like Ronin and BMW Short films. I'd love the chance to actually own my own, and at such a young age.

However, my only real issue is how good would an E30 be as a first car, considering I have limited experience driving?

I've heard comments like 'old cars are clunky and harder to drive' and ' they won't be safe'. Do you think issues like these, mainly considering the driveability, will be too difficult/dangerous for me to handle with my limited driving experience?

Sorry for the long winded post.

Thanks in advance everyone!

[jimbom30cab]

I think it would be a good first car. They are fairly easy to work on and parts are cheap. I would get a 2 door , ideally a 318is. They look cool and are easy to maintain, also they are desirable so will hold their value and loads of fun as well as returning decent mpg. My only tip would be buy one with the best condition body you can find. Have fun

[Speedtouch]

They aren't 'clunky' to drive, well, at least not if in good condition and you drive them properly!

You do, however, have to drive carefully in the wet or snow/ice because they are a bit tail-happy.

[crosslaa01]

I think it would be a good first car. They are fairly easy to work on and parts are cheap. I would get a 2 door , ideally a 318is. They look cool and are easy to maintain, also they are desirable so will hold their value and loads of fun as well as returning decent mpg. My only tip would be buy one with the best condition body you can find. Have fun

Thanks for the quick reply, i've heard that there are many electrical problems with E30s? is this true? Or is it a case of hit and miss?

Also the automatics in general seem to be cheaper, is £1300 for this car reasonable?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C396910

Or is there likely to be a lot of work cropping up down the road? What is a decent price to pay?

Thanks again

[crosslaa01]

They aren't 'clunky' to drive, well, at least not if in good condition and you drive them properly!

You do, however, have to drive carefully in the wet or snow/ice because they are a bit tail-happy.

Thanks for the quick reply and advice!

[Brianmoooore]

Thanks for the quick reply, i've heard that there are many electrical problems with E30s? is this true? Or is it a case of hit and miss?

Probably one of the highest quality and best designed electrical systems of any car ever built! With very few exceptions, any electrical problems are man made, and the majority are easily cured.

[crosslaa01]

Also, would you avoid an E30 with rust like the plague? Even if it is in the usual areas?

Cheers

[Rtaylor2208]

Rust is the usual e30 killer, not necessarily because it is terminal but the cost to fix it. Bolt on parts are far easier to replace than a rusty shell.

[FinalD]

Have a good read through this read too:

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=238415

[beemerbird]

I went straight from passing my test to driving an E30. OK, the clutch was a little heavier than the brand new Focus I'd done my lessons in, and the brakes were a little less responsive but you adapt really quickly - or at least I did.

[kangman]

e30s are not fast
e30s are rear wheel drive (insurance companies don't like that)
e30s are being stolen frequently so you need to make sure ur security level is good
e30s rust! not always visible so dont be afraid to poke around the car
e30s attract penny less losers, so be prepared to be asked if you want to sell your car on a regular basis
e30s are not a nice car to be in on frosty mornings

If you can cope with the above its all JIGGY!

I've owned 2 now and had a few bills but nothing serious, parts are cheap & easy to come by and there's tonnes of info on here to help with your car. I honestly didn't know sod all about engines until i had my e30, changing a bulb was as far as i went but now i know my way around my engine pretty well.

[aimlessrock]

E30's are very well built and are one of the last cars engineered(as opposed to style over form). With that said the youngest model will be at least 20 years old now and like any old cars maintenance is essential. The above post are all true and having owned a few of them I will likely have my cabby forever. Get one and enjoy it..

[daimlerman]

Old cars like E30 should be bought by those who are prepared to tinker with their cars.All old cars require constant maitainance to keep them safe and user friendly.

That 316i auto more door is way over-priced IMO,those over-sized wheels do it's looks nor it's handling/ride any favours.

I currently run two E30's,my 'daily' is an '88 touring....

[Billwill]

Lots of good advice above...my two cents/pennies worth...

I would not touch an automatic...much too slow and ancient technology.

Go for a four cylinder 318i M40 or M42 for more zip....the price of fuel really makes the 6 pots expensive to run.

Be prepared to get your hands dirty now and then...these lovely ladies need lots of TLC.

Only problem I have is that this old design does not have the same crash test abilities and no airbags.

I am on my second E30 now...had it for 10 years now and have no plans to part with it!

[zd3bx]

Old cars like E30 should be bought by those who are prepared to tinker with their cars.All old cars require constant maitainance to keep them safe and user friendly.

That 316i auto more door is way over-priced IMO,those over-sized wheels do it's looks nor it's handling/ride any favours.

I currently run two E30's,my 'daily' is an '88 touring....

I think this is the best advice.

No matter how well-built E30s are, most are at least 20 years old now. Being a new driver and with no mechanical experience, I wouldn't bother with one, because you'll regularly have to fix something on it, which won't necessarily be cheap, especially if you're going to take it to a garage.

If I were you, I would get something a bit more modern, like a Golf mk4 or maybe a Polo. Drive it for some time, get a bit of experience working on a car yourself, then a year later, you could start looking at E30s.

[Cypriotgeeza]

all good points above but main thing id check before even going to look at one is if you can get insured for a decent price!

Trust me on this it can wreck the whole dream lol

I got my 318is as my second car and I loved it!

Needed maintenance but nothing major but I may have got lucky with that side of it!

[gooner1]

crosslaa01, judging by the questions you asked, I'd say an E30 would
be your perfect first car.
You recognise your limited driving experience and ability, rare for a 19 year old.

Harder to drive? Not if you treat it with respect, and much more rewarding than driving a modern armchair. Nothing wrong with an auto, imo.
As others have said, buy the best you can afford and try to take some one with experience of this
model. You'll get plenty of help from here, if you ask.
Good luck.

[crosslaa01]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone, I checked out the thread linked and a few others too which have been a great help.

My Uncle is an experienced mechanic, he isn't able to get under cars as much as he used too due to health but I imagine he will be able to help guide me to any problems, and possibly help me fix any?

Insurance is definately feasible, it's marginally more than the 'usual' first cars.

I'm certainly willing to get my hands dirty in fixing the car, that is one of the things that attracts me to older cars.

I know how to do an oil change, but that is currently as far as my mechanical know how goes, but i'd love to learn more.

I'd hate to have to fork out loads for maintenance, can most problems which arise be sorted out yourself with a little help from a mechanic?

Cheers

[gooner1]

Apart from rust, I can't think of a single issue that can not be fixed with advice from
this place.

Oh, and don't discount the touring in your search.

[maxfield]

I had an E30 as my first car and haven't looked back since, had E30s and BMWs ever since.

E30s are very simple to work on. Aslong as you have simple mechanical knowledge most jobs on an E30 can be done.

[daimlerman]

I'd hate to have to fork out loads for maintenance, can most problems which arise be sorted out yourself with a little help from a mechanic?

Cheers

Beg,borrow,steal or even buy the following three books:

1 Bentley workshop manual,OK,it's written in American,but is very,very good.
2 Haynes 815,sadly long out of print and is focused on the earlier E21,but has a very handy suppliment for early E30 at the back.
3 The E30 Restoration Bible.This is essential reading for every potential owner as well as every other E30 owner.Written by Andrew Everitt of Total BMW fame,AKA Andyboy on the zone.

[zd3bx]

If your uncle is a mechanic + you're on E30Zone, then go ahead and buy an E30 Just avoid rust and boy-racer modified ones.

[pony]

Get a nice standard 325i with LSD with BMW Manual Gearbox and your larfing

[Jesus325iTouring]

Jesus says buy an E30, consider yourself told, anything else is just pants

Mine hauled my family around covering 100,000 miles on school runs, holidays, shopping etc for 10 years. Minimal issues and far cooler than a Mundaneo Estate for example that would probably have fallen apart anyway

Missus is currently driving an Audi A3, whilst built ok and reliable is dull as dishwater and she keeps on at me to put the Touring back on the road!

[Brianmoooore]

Oh, and don't discount the touring in your search.

Even a lowly 316i touring comes with suspension and brakes similar to that of the 325i saloon, unlike the rest of the saloon range.

[Morat]

I would hesitate to recommend an E30 as a first car to most new drivers simply because you can lose the arse end very easily if you're 1. not careful 2. not on top of the maintenance.
They are also far less safe than modern cars designed with NCAP ratings in mind, especially in a side on crash.

However... if you are a sensible kind of guy who isn't likely to get red mist moments exiting roundabouts or on wet/frosty country roads (and age is not the only indicator for this, ahem) then go for it. My advice would be to imagine how much depreciation a modern car would cost you and stick something a month into savings. You can keep this money for big ticket items when they turn up, or an engine conversion when your insurance gets cheaper!

Also, try a track day or some skid training or something that will teach you how to deal with a minor tail end moment. You'll get them in an E30 from time to time no matter what and if you don't know how to deal with it a little slide can go from a grin to a panic.

God I sound boring