Wanted to say hi + What do you love about your E30?

[Tom-Tom]

I've had a look around, and I can't find a dedicated section for introductions, so I just thought I'd dump this here.

I'm looking to buy an E30 early next year, possibly as a replacement car, or as a garage bound project. I'm pretty sure I'd like a 325i Sport, but who wouldn't?

Like it says in the title though, what do you all love about your E30, and why did you choose this model, rather than a different one; an E36 for instance?

[grantfk10]

Hi Tom, and welcome to the Zone.
I love the way my car makes me smile when I open the garage door! It's my second E30, and can't think of anything I'd replace her with

[Nelly]

Hi fella and welcome to the Zone, i'm sure you'll love it on here in time.

I've had a total of 9 E30's now and i'm currently drawing to a close on building my 10th.

Admittidly, most of them have ended up as breakers and finally sent to BM heaven but, still got a Motorsport cab + a 325i Tourer.

The Tourer is solely to rag the pants out of - made it as light as possible and a single seater

The cab (belonging to my wife) is totally standard apart from the powerflow exhaust on it.

Don't know why i've stuck with these old BM's - most probably the influence of this forum tbh.

See you around, Neil.

[Jesus325iTouring]

I love mine because above all else,the E30 remains undated despite being over a 20 year old design.

It looks so damn cool

[liquid079]

I love the way I love mine even though I've spent many thousands on her and still can't use her .

Welcome.

[Pal318is]

Welcome to the Zone Tom-Tom

I love mine, because, it is a classic now and when growing up, it 'was' the car to have...alas, after 12 years of owning the same car, I still love it when people comment on how nice it is....says it all really.

Enjoy your stay

Pal

[Tom-Tom]

Cheers all!

I'm sure I'll have more to say when I've got my hands my own vehicle, but I didn't want to spend the next few months lurking with intent!

I can understand the visual appeal of the Touring version, there's something about it that I can't quite put into words. Although, the whole E30 range styling was pretty much spot-on.

Considering the age of the cars now, would you say it was better to buy private, rather than the Trade?

[bazcoupe]

i have recently converted to the e30 after driving an e36 coupe for a while.
and i can honestly say that my e30 touring is a far better car to drive

[e30_singh]

classic shape, loads of torque, good drivers car can feel the car as you drive no nonsense!

[fuzzy]

welcome to the zone. i chose my e30 for my project base purely because i prefered the overall look and style more than a newer model . i went with the touring as a mix of practicality for transporting my work tools and to be a little different as im sure a cossie convertion hadnt been done on a touring before. i dont know why exactly but i prefer the look of the touring to a saloon and i think it looks a bit chunkier with a more aggresive stance.

[zaust]

Welcome to the zone fella..

Like they say above. It's the driveability. Does not look out of place with newer car's and every time you look at it you smile.

How many of you look back before it is out of sight.??.

[d6dph]

Welcome to the zone Tom-Tom.

I love the E30 as it is simple enough for a cack handed mechanic like myself to get jobs done on. Plus it has timeless looks imo.

How many of you look back before it is out of sight.??.

Guilty as charged!

[jbh]

hi and welcome i chosse the e30 couse i love the look of it love it to drive fells stable on the road gets comments from ppl saying how theyed always wanted a bmw this style i had the e36 and just didint like it as muchh to drive as the e30. the e30 has character and even though mines is going through major surgery at the moment when i open the garage and see her looking out the love afair starts all over again

[Bob_S]

I dearly love E30s. I'm simply grateful that they exist!

[dannyboy759]

Ive had nearly every type of E30 , love em
What else can you get that is as rewarding to drive, compact and rear wheel drive in todays market?

[dazleeds]

just been carless in spain for last 2 weeks
got home yesterday and just been out for a spank in the sport
now grinning like the cat that got the cream

what could you ask from any car

grin factor wins everytime, i love my e30

although i am having some dirty 2 wheeled thoughts recently

[Philwild]

This is my second E30 325i and I love it.

My old man always had Beemers when I was growing up in the eighties and it has left me with a passion for old skool BM's! I would reeeeealy love a nice 635csi coz my dad had a proper smart highline one years ago and I fell in love with it!

The newer BM's have lost a bit of character I think.

I had an E36 and never had anyone comment on it but I have had the E30 cab for 3 weeks and had 3 strangers comment on it.

You do not see E30's much anymore and people appreciate that and notice them now.

[grantfk10]

Yip, I know what you mean. I overtook an M3 "whatever"(something newer, but looked like every other BMW) this afternoon. If it had been an E30, I reckon I'd have slowed down (in my Astra!), payed more attention, and given the guy a wave - but it just looked sooo like a normal car, I just couldn't be bothered acknowledging the fact that it was probably this guys pride and joy.

[gra325i]

welcome to the zone Tom-Tom..for me the best things about the e30 are the near perfect driver feedback, the lines of the car in general, but especially the nose,and the adjustability of the seats is a bonus too
but best of all..you get to be a part of this little community here

[tomtomtom]

yo yo, i've only hadmine a month or so after 5 merc 190's, i've got a 318is, they rip off the line, go round corners like they're on rails and the brakes are good too, until they fade! the seats are comfy as, i like the way everything points to the driver, they do 140, the gear ratios are bang on and the best thing about mine is its done 185,000 miles and still looks pretty mint! down sides, bit skittish if your cornering hard and you hit a grid or anything, erm............. no thats all i can think of!

[georgen]

Welcome to the zone fella. I just love everything about my E30. The looks, handling, reliablity, that fact that it's easy to work on and that straight 6 growl makes me smile everytime. This is my 8th E30. Tried a Saab turbo for a while but it didn't have what the E30 has !!

[Tom-Tom]

I dearly love E30s. I'm simply grateful that they exist!

Now that one's going in my signature!

[Colonel Sanders]

welcome tom
i love the huuuuuge great turbo lurking under the bonnet of my car....
makes me sex pi55........

[e30bmlover]

welcome mate, good question... what do i love about my e30??? well i dont love the boat anchor thats in it at the moment, i have spent allot of money on my e30, wheels, bushes, steering rack(new) anti roll bars, trackrod ends, a 87 m20b25 fully rebuilt top end using genuine bmw parts and a genuine new bmw 3 part exhaust, and the spending wont stop there, by the time im done she will be one of the best and will command strong money, full respray, new wings and bonnet(with lining) a lsd, sports interior... a work of art none the less.

[BigPete]

Chucking my two penneth into this one. I've only had my E30 325 Touring for a couple of months now but really enjoying hoying around in it! I had a 20VT Fiat Coupe which was silly fast for peanuts but cost a bomb to fix (£400 for a cambelt is a little harsh).

Going old skool with an E30 is ace. It's doesn't cost much to fix and if you're not scared of a few oily bits there's plenty of help/advice knocking around here which is damned handy. I miss the speed of the Fiat but it's nicely replaced by a feeling of being a part of the driving exprience rather than sitting on a very fast bar stool.

[daimlerman]

Wow!! Another zoner from Lincoln,welcome indeed!! Look out for my fleet and give us a wave!! I bought the touring about 2 years back for 'er indoors and enjoyed driving it so much I bought the 4 door for myself... I discovered the hard,expensive way that 'er indoors has problems with a modern,wide bodied car and our narrow driveway...rediscovering the narrow body of the E30 has only cost two front bumper corner rubbers,so far... the touring is almost standard,the laches 4 door has a home built 2.7 that gives 189bhp...please PM me if you need any E30 related help.Ever seen my green Daimler prowling the streets?

[wrobstar21]

I always loved the look of them when i was growing up in the early 90's. looks better than many modern motors without doubt. So well built its ridiculous.

I love my retro cars and the 325i sport is a different gravy! Even though ive had a few 'drug dealer car' comments. I want leather to get the true wide-boy dealer look.

The only other thing to tempt me would be a 190 e cosworth merc or a lancia delta turbo! But i love what i got.

[saqi]

simply putting it, "its the ultimate driving machine".

[kingcruizer]

the smile it puts on my face every time i get in it.

p.s. welcome to the zone

[Tom-Tom]

Wow!! Another zoner from Lincoln,welcome indeed!! Look out for my fleet and give us a wave!! I bought the touring about 2 years back for 'er indoors and enjoyed driving it so much I bought the 4 door for myself... I discovered the hard,expensive way that 'er indoors has problems with a modern,wide bodied car and our narrow driveway...rediscovering the narrow body of the E30 has only cost two front bumper corner rubbers,so far... the touring is almost standard,the laches 4 door has a home built 2.7 that gives 189bhp...please PM me if you need any E30 related help.Ever seen my green Daimler prowling the streets?

Fleet? Battleships on the Brayford Wharf? Surely not!

I may have seen your green Daimler, but not in recent memory. Is it one of the Jag XJ-based cars? I think the Series 1 XJ6 is lovely, it just a shame there aren't more available, at least in the places I was looking.

I'm somewhere off Yarborough Road, if you ever want an extra pair of hands for a job, or even a boj!, feel free to get in touch. I'm still deciding what would be the best option to enter E30 ownership, so if you've got any local contacts, or just an opinion, I'd be grateful either way.

[daimlerman]

Thanks Tom-tom,we live football end!! Daimler is a 1963,so pre XJ,but has the Daimler designed V8. 'er indoors works at Stagecoach(used to be Roadcar) so potters across the city most days in one or other of the E30's.Not many left now in the city,I see a sterling LHD touring some days on the High St and a red 4 door 320 on the odd ocassion.There is a dark 2 door off Bant Road somewhere with Lexarse rear lights,definately not a zoner!! TThanks for the offer of help,I work nights so will keep you in mind.Would you like a lift up to the meet at the Milk Bar near to Selby 2 Nov 07? Check out the thread in the meets section and let me know.

[greentouring]

I'd always wanted one in this colour and now have one! It looks good, never lets me down (almost never) and parts are readily available. Owned mine since 2004!

[Tom-Tom]

Thanks Tom-tom,we live football end!! Daimler is a 1963,so pre XJ,but has the Daimler designed V8. 'er indoors works at Stagecoach(used to be Roadcar) so potters across the city most days in one or other of the E30's.Not many left now in the city,I see a sterling LHD touring some days on the High St and a red 4 door 320 on the odd ocassion.There is a dark 2 door off Bant Road somewhere with Lexarse rear lights,definately not a zoner!! TThanks for the offer of help,I work nights so will keep you in mind.Would you like a lift up to the meet at the Milk Bar near to Selby 2 Nov 07? Check out the thread in the meets section and let me know.

I think E30's in general are getting rarer! I wonder how long it will be before they start appreciating like early Escort's? That Daimler V8 sounds familiar, I'm sure I've read a little bit about them awhile ago. Thanks for the offer regarding the Milk Bar, I've posted in the thread. I'd really like to go, as long as I can sort it out with work.

The last E30 I saw in the metal, was a donated to the Motor Vehicle Dept at Lincoln College, when I moved to the area as a student.