Buying advice

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:38 pm

Hi peeps,

I am new to this site and am just looking for some advice on buying an E30. I have checked the FAQ's and had a browse through the tech section.

What are the main points to look out for, i understand rust around the strut tops is an expensive fix, i have seen how some are driven so am aware that they can be thrashed (as can any other car) and under maintained so to keep an eye out for panel gaps (repairs), paintwork and leaky fluids.

The car will be primarily tracked as i have a company diseisel to take care of the mudane sh1t in life and have heard that the 318/320's are a little tame/gutless - is this true, does anyone know what a stripped E30 weighs? I have been trying to look through the motorsport section in between working so i dare say these queries will be answered there in due course.

Am i right in thinking a 325 is about 170brake?

I have to drive an auto so what are the boxes like? How well does a slush box take to mild tuning (exhaust, induction)?

How easy does the back end break away? Is it easily controllable? I am not a drifter and will never be a drifter but i do like a little tail out action as much as the next person.

My previous car (which i still have sitting on my drive) is a 1997 Nissan 200SX S14a which i fully stripped and prepped for track use so am used to a lightweigh and relatively powerful rwd motor.

Long first post i know but hopefully i will be around the club longer than it takes you to read it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cali

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:55 pm

Check out the check list on here http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/ specific for the 318iS but there is some good points on general checks for buying any e30.

Go to left hand menu and look for Buying Advice

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:03 pm

probably best starting with a 325 on account of there being more power than the other models and it has the better brakes etc. I would forget autos for track use, the box will probably burn itself out and there's no way you can balance an auto car on the throttle as well as a manual.

In my opinion, if you start with a 318 or similar, you will just be pissed off in no time with the lack of power

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:05 pm

athough if you get a really nice shell you could drop something bigger then a 2.5 in it ;)

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:06 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:probably best starting with a 325 on account of there being more power than the other models and it has the better brakes etc. I would forget autos for track use, the box will probably burn itself out and there's no way you can balance an auto car on the throttle as well as a manual.

In my opinion, if you start with a 318 or similar, you will just be pissed off in no time with the lack of power

have to agree with lee on this

although a nice 318Is can apparently be quite a good track weapon

but id still go for the 325 everytime

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:37 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:probably best starting with a 325 on account of there being more power than the other models and it has the better brakes etc. I would forget autos for track use, the box will probably burn itself out and there's no way you can balance an auto car on the throttle as well as a manual.

In my opinion, if you start with a 318 or similar, you will just be pissed off in no time with the lack of power

no choice on the auto front im afraid, biking accident including a tree has seen to that

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:40 pm

califunky wrote:
E30BeemerLad wrote:probably best starting with a 325 on account of there being more power than the other models and it has the better brakes etc. I would forget autos for track use, the box will probably burn itself out and there's no way you can balance an auto car on the throttle as well as a manual.

In my opinion, if you start with a 318 or similar, you will just be pissed off in no time with the lack of power
no choice on the auto front im afraid, biking accident including a tree has seen to that

sport auto box it is then fella

i just got a 325 with 1 fitted and im quite surprised how good it is to
use, dosent hang about like most auto,s
cant say what this would be like on the track tho
but im sure someone here will have taken one on the track at some point

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:46 pm

iDreamBeemer wrote:Check out the check list on here http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/ specific for the 318iS but there is some good points on general checks for buying any e30.

Go to left hand menu and look for Buying Advice

That is a very good read. These things seem simpler to tune than the 200 was. The buyers guide list will be extremely useful.

Post Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:49 pm

dazleeds wrote:
sport auto box it is then fella

i just got a 325 with 1 fitted and im quite surprised how good it is to
use, dosent hang about like most auto,s
cant say what this would be like on the track tho
but im sure someone here will have taken one on the track at some point

Your going to have to bare with me hear, is there a difference between a sport auto and a normal auto?