e30 noooob, need help plz.

[intense_jono]

hey, first post, not to sure where to go, so please bare with me.

I'm really keen to purchase a 325ciS, but currently I'm judging the cars on exteral design, and recon the 325ciS looks the best, hence I want to get one.

Are there any pointers about buying a 2nd hand e30?? i.e. what year model.. how many km's it has done.. how about the reliability of the car? my parents continue to pester me that it's like 17 years old, and the car will just break down all the time. Would you e30 enthusiasts agree with that??

Also, is it possible to put seats in the back which fold down?? or make the current seats fold down??

again I stress, i'm a complete nooob from Australia, so please bare with my noobish, broad questions.

cheers.

[mrLEE30]

I have owned two E30's here in the middle east with no problems, they can cope with the heat BUT once they get too hot its easy to kill em. first thing i always look for is open the radiator expansion bottle, if its full of coolant thats a good start, if its full of water only then best to walk away, if its full of brown water dont even stop to put the cap back on. leave.

When you say the 325CiS this is not a real model at least not in Europe. the 325i can come in two door, four door, estate and convertable and there is a sport version with a body kit and other mods (the engine is the same however)

there were two versions of the E30 what we call the pre-face lift (up to Sept 1987) and the facelift (late 87 to 91-93 depending on which model. easiest way to spot the two are the rear lights, the face lift ones are bigger.

look at the technical section and there is a Sport buying guide, read that first to get a rough idea.

These cars are reliable and 200000mile engines are not uncommon if they are looked after. Parts are aslo available and car technology has moved on to the level where now even most back-street garages will work on the E30.

and .. welcome to the zone

mrlee

[ian332isport]

estate

You old im.....I'll stick im wiv da Blaaade (in a decent cockney accent)

[Jhonno]

[mrLEE30]

whats wrong with calling it an estate, after all they are driven by grannies and elder gentlemen , and Saaaaf East Gangstas

sorry intense_jono (any relative of yours Jhonno?) the correct term for the boxy looking ones is the ''Touring'' dont you know old boy. (said in your bests Cotswolds accent)

and no you can't fold the seats down in the 2/4 door, dont know about the estates

mrlee

[intense_jono]

haha thanks for all the low down. I meant 325iS couple, my bad. Forgot the C means convertable (?) I don't think you care get the touring ones in Australia. I'll sus that sport buying guide thing cheers. And there is know possible way of modifying the seats so they fold down??

cheeeeeers.

[mrLEE30]

not without cutting the rear fire wall away, and its structural so to compensate you wouls need to weld a roll cage in there and that would be silly!! no way to fold down rear seats. whay do you need to anyway?? roof rack perhaps??

mrlee


welcome to the zone.

[Morat]

Tourings are boxy?? eh? Its the saloons that look boxy

[tomson]

and no you can't fold the seats down in the 2/4 door, dont know about the estates

yes, TOURING rear seats do fold down.

Cheers

Tom