Bought 320SE after crashing 325SE coupe - some questions

Post Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:13 am

I've been after a replacement E30 since I totalled my f-reg, 2dr dolphin grey 325SE in November. I was gutted, having bought it off my mums mate (only previous owner) just 5 weeks earlier

The other day I saw a red G-reg, 4dr 320SE on ebay with no bids.

Anyway, I viewed it, had a test run and bid the minimum bid price of Ãƒ”šÃ‚£300. I won the auction at Ãƒ”šÃ‚£300 yesterday and my dad collected the car for me today (i hope to get insured on it asap). Being a 4dr 320, I see it as a slight downgrade from my last one, but I thought Ãƒ”šÃ‚£300 was a bargain.

However, I am a bit concerned that its performance will be disapointing after the 325 - some people say the 320 drinks like a 325 and performs like a 318. Does anyone have any performance figures for the E30 range? Will I notice much difference in real world driving conditions?

What are the 1st insurance friendly mods that could make a difference?

Finally, there is a bit of a knocking noise coming from the back of the car when you lift off the gas at very low road speeds and low rpm. it doesnt seem to do it at higher speeds. What is this likely to be? (i overlooked this during the test drive as the low price of the car was below my budget and leaves me some cash for repairs etc). Could it simply be the exhaust knocking or is it likely to be something more serious? Try not to scare me too much with your suggestions lol.

Thanks, Neil

Post Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:20 am

if you can find any potholes, hit em gently and see if its vibration related
it could well be the exhaust is straped up too high and tapping on the cross beam. it may not be a lost spline on the drive shaft into the diff, causing it to rattle off tourqe.. i hope not anyway

but for 300 notes, dude ..u can afford to drop another grand on her and make it a minter!
you got it for 300 for a reason..dont know what that is but anyway, u got a disount baby!! so live it up, and fix what u gotta

Post Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:24 am

btw, ive got a 2l touring, and i have it alwrite when i want to. she does drink a bit but so does anything compared to a 1.3 (no model names , too shameful

)

i watch the eco meter constantly and keep it between 18 and 10 so i only drink when im being stupid, which is sadly pretty often . cant help it though, i love that 6 pot baby!!

Post Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:44 am

diff bolts were loose on mine - same symptons, this cured it.

Post Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:48 am

Im insured on it from - well, 15mins time.

It was well below my budget and i realise its banger money but it does look generally very tidy . I have some emergency reserves. The seller was selling it on behalf of his son who's moved to Australia (thats a novel selling technique!) as it was taking up his garage space.

Thanks for the tips on how to sort the knocking noise - it also came with a pioneer 6speaker stereo and 6 disc changer so if it gets any worse, I'll just crank the volume up!

Still saving for another mint 325, maybe a sport this time

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 1:32 pm

The knocking could be the rear axle mount bushes and or the trailing arm bushes. These allow the rear subframe to pivot as power is applied/released.

The axle bushes are approx Ãƒ”šÃ‚£125 fitted by BMW so they're not that bad, not sure about the trailing arm ones.

hth

Post Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:45 pm

Thanks for the suggestions.

To be honest, Ive not even looked underneath the car properly since collecting it. Ive spent most of my week off work "croozin" and savouring the extremely wobbly sidewalls of my low-profile - sorry, high-profile tyres! Its good to be back in an E30 though! It feels quicker than it actually is (I measured 0-60 in 9.4 seconds using OBC), about 3 seconds slower than my 325.

Might take it to a garage to diagnose the clonking and see if I can DIY it or get it done for a reasonable price.