No-one but me online here. Wow...

[spannerrash]

Thats a great point about the wiki answering almost all the questions already, its an incredible resource so unsurprising it gets so much traffic from search.

Pretty much search anything related to an E30 on google and you'll be presented with an e30zone link among the top results. Testament to how good it is.

I can't help but think theres more to why the forum has become very quiet though. Especially when I see other forums in the automotive niche still thriving. It's a real conundrum.

All I know is that it would be a great loss if it were to ever go.

[JungleGus]

Some interesting comments here - to me E30Zone has always been one of the default E30 forums ever since I got into them circa 2007, and probably the gold standard that helps with keeping cars on the road - along with bimmersport.co.nz in NZ (my "home" forum), US sites R3VLimited and the now defunct E30Tech. Probably a few things worth noting:

- The people on the original sites are now a bit older with more responsibilities with jobs/family and simply have a little less time to wander around on the internet
- The E30 is no longer a car that people modify as heavily or as often - that was always a lot of the content back in the day, and now a lot of "modification" is cosmetic stuff, or left to the professionals. I wouldn't simply put this down to trends - it's more difficult and expensive to modify cars - think insurance, garage space, time to tinker, etc. Plus (as I'm finding out) - rust has probably killed a lot of cars and it's starting to take serious effort to keep them on the road if they are used frequently
- This thread does bring up some good points - a lot of car content is on YouTube and able to be monetized - more web 2.0 in that it's not simply people on message boards doing it for a hobby. It does raise the question - is that denigrating more "traditional" forums? Probably, but I always liked to think it was more co-existence than replacement, but I think that's my wishful/outdated thinking

I definitely got back into playing around with the E30 over lockdown for a variety of reasons - managed to get 5,000 miles in last year and am having a big batch of work done - shortly back into storage and likely to go quiet for a while, but I'll be back - I find the Facebook format is more of a current conversation that moves onto the next big thing quickly. Forums like these serve as a reference point and serious educational resource - and I thoroughly like the fact we're not putting $ into Mr Zuckerberg's pocket.

Mods - I seem to recall this topic coming up, but if there's hosting fees that run the risk of deciding the future of the site, I am confident there's a number of people willing to contribute.

I'm not a big guy for meets and it's a shame I've not met more, but hopefully we bump onto each other at a track or on the road and I'm always open for an E30 chinwag

EDIT: One thing I have thought about - is it possible to make viewing the Zone possible without having to log in? If I ever want to share stuff with my non-E30 mates, I need to basically have a mirror thread (which I do on R3V and RetroRides, I think) which I can share. Not a huge issue...but would be nice.

Long live the Zone!

Cheers,
Gus

[flybynite]

s it possible to make viewing the Zone possible without having to log in

I'm sure you can, happened with the Zone update. You can view most things just not post obviously

[steve_k]

s it possible to make viewing the Zone possible without having to log in

I'm sure you can, happened with the Zone update. You can view most things just not post obviously

yes you can, i've done it a few times, but as said you can't post.

[Vez010]

For what it’s worth I’ve not been a member for long but have picked quite a bit thanks to the knowledge everyone shares on here.

Thank you and keep the good work up.

[magpie]

i still check in now and then to see if i still hold the highest post count

[Brianmoooore]

Second highest post count, possibly.

[martauto]

Second highest post count, possibly.

Possibly ?????????????????????

Mart.

[magpie]

Second highest post count, possibly.

you only got slightly moooore than me

[magpie]

Second highest post count, possibly.

Possibly ?????????????????????

Mart.

robots don't count

[HartgeH27]

I'm here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[boxclever1753]

I'm really pleased seeing all of this engagement with this post, and I'll always use this site as a great resource so it's all good.

And I'll definitely have some questions for y'all as my new E30 is cutting out, and I haven't even collected it yet after doing the deal! More to come, soon!!

[steve_k]

I'm really pleased seeing all of this engagement with this post, and I'll always use this site as a great resource so it's all good.

And I'll definitely have some questions for y'all as my new E30 is cutting out, and I haven't even collected it yet after doing the deal! More to come, soon!!

ask away, i'm sure that if mr machine (brian mooooooore) sees it he'll be able to help though there are a lot of others on here who can help as well.

[rix313]

What did you buy?

[boxclever1753]

What did you buy?

Am early 1988 320 convertible with manual box. Looks very original with loads of history, but it's stood for about 6 months and now won't run properly. I'll dive into on Friday when I collect it...

[martauto]

What did you buy?

Am early 1988 320 convertible with manual box. Looks very original with loads of history, but it's stood for about 6 months and now won't run properly. I'll dive into on Friday when I collect it...

Dont forget loads of pic`s too mate

Mart.

[boxclever1753]

Am early 1988 320 convertible with manual box. Looks very original with loads of history, but it's stood for about 6 months and now won't run properly. I'll dive into on Friday when I collect it...

Dont forget loads of pic`s too mate

Mart.

No worries. I'm a budding YouTuber so I'll try not to swamp you with pictures and videos!

[Brianmoooore]

Beginning of June '88 (IIR) marked some major changes in the M20B20s engine management system - sort of Windows 95 to Windows 10 kind of change.

[boxclever1753]

Beginning of June '88 (IIR) marked some major changes in the M20B20s engine management system - sort of Windows 95 to Windows 10 kind of change.

Thanks Brian, it's a March 88 car. I'll spend the weekend troubleshooting the starting/idling/cutting out issues and report back. I have a list of checks to run through so won't ask questions until I've exhausted the obvious.

[Brianmoooore]

If it's idle problems causing the cutting out, google "water slide valve."

[boxclever1753]

If it's idle problems causing the cutting out, google "water slide valve."

Awesome, am reading up now. Thanks.

[alexbaker1989]

This has turned into a nice thread!

I might have got my dates slightly wrong, but when I was a 15 year old (circa 2005 or slightly before), I remember seeing my Dad's E30 in our old home video tape for the first time and remember thinking "I have to have one". That's where the obsession began. Going onto the internet and discovering E30Zone was like a breath of fresh air, to know that there are other people out there with the same obsession and I wasn't just a weirdo crazy about E30s.

Flip forward to now and I finally have my first E30 which I've only had for around 1.5 years. The wiki is a great source of knowledge, but I was really excited to get stuck into the forum threads. For some reason I've been too shy to post as the knowledge is so advanced in many cases, plus - as on many other niche forums I participate in - you really need to trawl the archives before you ask a question otherwise you might get shot down for it.

It's mostly on me to just get stuck in I guess, but it's refreshing to know that people are still active here and have a passion for these cars. It was only a few months ago that I bumped into a couple of really young lads in their E30. Showed me that younger people still love these cars. I'm almost jealous of people who are getting into it for the first time.

On a side note, the one thing I'd like to get into is a UK meet once lockdown is over. I'm down south but would be willing to travel if there's something going on later this year....

[boxclever1753]

This has turned into a nice thread!

.......

Yes it has. I started it in frustration of not getting the engagement that used to happen (circa 2006 ish) and was hoping to kickstart a discussion.

I'm really glad the thread has ignited some debate and it's definitely encouraged me to stick around. I pick up my new project this afternoon and know I've got a bit of a journey to get it running well and I'll be here asking for guidance once my own knowledge and talent runs dry!

And it will be great once the country opens up a bit and we can arrange some meets

[flybynite]

Well I have had mine well over 3 decades and in not many years the car will turn 40 but it was parked up and put off the road long before the Zone (and most of the internet) existed. Now I have a mild inclination to put it back on the road one day it was nice to see there was a place like the Zone still around.

I started it in frustration of not getting the engagement that used to happen (circa 2006 ish) and was hoping to kickstart a discussion.

If you had not deleted the posts, it would have done by now.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=281581&p=2979863#p2979863

You did get some discussion but it was the inevitable piss taking about Baurs that you should remember from when you were here last and can still expect now. (some things do not change) That is despite the fact that they may end up as being sought after as the unloved niche ones often do.

[boxclever1753]

Well I have had mine well over 3 decades and in not many years the car will turn 40 but it was parked up and put off the road long before the Zone (and most of the internet) existed. Now I have a mild inclination to put it back on the road one day it was nice to see there was a place like the Zone still around.

I started it in frustration of not getting the engagement that used to happen (circa 2006 ish) and was hoping to kickstart a discussion.

If you had not deleted the posts, it would have done by now.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=281581&p=2979863#p2979863

You did get some discussion but it was the inevitable piss taking about Baurs that you should remember from when you were here last and can still expect now. (some things do not change) That is despite the fact that they may end up as being sought after as the unloved niche ones often do.

Here we go..

I deleted my post as I was about to leave the site and wanted take down a picture of a car I was about to buy. But well done for steering a post that was about to get interesting back to being a childish finger pointing exercise.

[martauto]

as on many other niche forums I participate in - you really need to trawl the archives before you ask a question otherwise you might get shot down for it.

You will NOT be shot down on here for asking anything no matter how many times you ask sooooo please , please ask anything, anytime about owt !!
Lovely comments too

Mart.

[BenHar]

Flip forward to now and I finally have my first E30 which I've only had for around 1.5 years. The wiki is a great source of knowledge, but I was really excited to get stuck into the forum threads. For some reason I've been too shy to post as the knowledge is so advanced in many cases, plus - as on many other niche forums I participate in - you really need to trawl the archives before you ask a question otherwise you might get shot down for it.

What a delight to someone as young as you who thinks and researches before scatter gunning the forum with questions.

Ben

[MrBenn2]

I'm back on the forum after a 9 year break (can't get into my old username), but its good to see many of the names I recognise still around, and lots of new people still here keeping the zone active.
I get nervous about asking questions because of being shot down for not using the search function also, but after reading this thread I shall starting asking more questions again, as my memory is hazy about a lot of this stuff now.
Thanks you e30 zone. I wouldn't have been able to build my car without you!

[boxclever1753]

I'm back on the forum after a 9 year break (can't get into my old username), but its good to see many of the names I recognise still around, and lots of new people still here keeping the zone active.
I get nervous about asking questions because of being shot down for not using the search function also, but after reading this thread I shall starting asking more questions again, as my memory is hazy about a lot of this stuff now.
Thanks you e30 zone. I wouldn't have been able to build my car without you!

Good stuff, and welcome back from another returner!!

I picked up my new project today, and i'm looking froward to getting it running again - think it's a fuel problem but have a list of stuff to go through. And then I'll be on here asking lots of questions too!

[Brianmoooore]

I'm back on the forum after a 9 year break (can't get into my old username), but its good to see many of the names I recognise still around, and lots of new people still here keeping the zone active.

If you want your old details back, PM Ian (HartgeH27 ), about 18 posts up the thread.

[MrBenn2]

Thank you Brianmoooore, you have all the answers!

[Brianmoooore]

In theory, I should be able to do it, but in practice, I'll leave it to Ian.

[boiliebasher]

Just thought I'd put my tuppence on here too.

Personally I'm a member of a few other forums (don't do faceache) and IMHO, the E30 zone forum is definitely one of the best out there.

They're some seriously knowledgeable people on here and they dedicate A LOT of their spare time and expertise on here for free simply for the benefit of other E30 owners and zone users.
That in itself it a remarkable and honestly I don't think they receive enough praise for the work they do and contribute on here.

You've got to remember this site is FREE to use for the entire world and if ever came to it, I'd happily chip in some wedge to make sure the zone kept going. The advice I've seen and been given on here is simply priceless!
Real E30 owners, with REAL experience not just the "Oh look at how much money I can throw at this car to make it mine" which seems to be common place these days on other car forums.

I think as well times have indeed changed and in turn so have the owners of E30's. They're not as common place as they once where 10 or 15 years ago , so as such they are a lot more niche and the few that do still own E30's tend now to be dedicated enthusiasts.

10-15 years ago an E30 could be bought for peanuts and maintained on a shoe string budget and I think that's probably why the zone was so much more popular in years gone by. There was so many more E30's around back then and owners were keen on getting free advice on places like here for keeping their budget beemers on the road that bit longer.

As has been mentioned in above posts there's not many nobends on here seeking that "instant fame" that seems to be all too common place these days and I for one feel that it makes the E30 zone that bit more special.

[martauto]

Thank you for the very kind words
It`s gratifying to know people "Actually" enjoy and get "real" use from what I consider to be one of , it not the best car forums on line today.
Many thanks Guy`s

Mart.