Is my E30 worth spending money on ???

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fingerman
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:07 pm

Chaps - I've recently purchased my latest E30 - A Red 1990 320i Auto, decromed, velor seats (not ripped), spoiler and 4 headrests and the cassette holder! Not much rust and very nice to look at - no srvice history tho!

It has 107k on the clock, the engine sounds mint - very smooth, idles well and seems a lot faster than my previous (a 1990 manual 320 with 135k on the clock)

The issue's are:-

It suffers from the common fault - petrol tank leaks when over half full !

It looks like front discs and pads need replacing - slight judder under braking and doesn't stop as quickly as it should!

Handles like a bitch! - Going over pot holes or slight bumps in the road and the car jumps to the right! - If you let go of the steering wheel the car pulls to the left - or from a stand still it pulls to the left! Big thud when goin over bumps (like one of my old E34's)

It handles very similar to a 1990 red 520 I used to have (E34), I ended up selling it as the local Indy said it would cost £150 a corner to fix!

Central locking doesn't work - will have look at the relay below the o/s front speak (as per instructions on here)

I do like the look of the car, the body and the engine - I'm no mechanic but I can do the basics i.e. oil service + filters, sparks, changing brake discs/pads, fluid changes, radiator etc

Is she worth the work or sell her on ???

Thanks a lot guys 8)
Previously owned loads of old E30s, E34s, a few E36s, E32s, E39s and an E38.

Currently in a diesel Audi - miss me old E30's....
fingerman
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:09 pm

Will get some pictures on tomorrow
Previously owned loads of old E30s, E34s, a few E36s, E32s, E39s and an E38.

Currently in a diesel Audi - miss me old E30's....
dannyboy759
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:12 pm

Its really up to you and how much youd like to keep the car.
Its not the bset combo, a 320 auto but if you like it then thats all that matters but it really depends on what exactly needs doing.
E30 parts are not that expensive but it will soon mount up if you need twop new front shocks, discs, pads, drop links, suspension arms ect and thats just the front without looking into the subframe bushes and brake lines and so on and so on.
But for me any E30 is worth the effort.
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xedman
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:14 pm

as above, also whatever E30 you buy will probably need work doing anywayz
josh-hocking
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:15 pm

keep it just learn a bit more d.i.y and the jobs are easy :)
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fingerman
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:35 pm

Thanks for the advice guys - mucho appreciated

I do like the E30, E32 & E34 but more the E30 at the mo (look at my sig!!!)

I think I'll do the work as one of me best mates is a mechanic and will help (always handy!)

I think it's the fact that I do a lot of company miles and get a car allowance each month - the missus expects me to go out and but a new car but all the new ones are sh!te, boring or too expensive! I don't want to get a car loan where I can use the money to do up the old BM's!

I think the first job on the list is the suspension as I can live with the tank

Cheers fella's - will still post pictures tho :cool:
Previously owned loads of old E30s, E34s, a few E36s, E32s, E39s and an E38.

Currently in a diesel Audi - miss me old E30's....
e30bmlover
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:55 pm

fix her up!! there is no point in being the richest man in the cemetery . then drop a 325 in it :twisted:
old_skool
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:35 pm

The only 'finisher' for an E30 is hard accident damage or terminal rust. Other than that, it's up to you to decide!
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grantfk10
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Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:42 pm

old_skool_2002 wrote:The only 'finisher' for an E30 is hard accident damage or terminal rust. Other than that, it's up to you to decide!

+1 gotta agree with that. :wink:
jbh
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Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:26 am

all thats fixable mate get it fixed ask around on here youll get the parts cheap
Morat
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Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:12 am

I wouldn't want to pour new parts into a rusty shell, otherwise go for it :)
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fingerman
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Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:34 pm

Once again, thanks guys - will have a good look at her this weekend and decide :)
Previously owned loads of old E30s, E34s, a few E36s, E32s, E39s and an E38.

Currently in a diesel Audi - miss me old E30's....
daimlerman
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Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:09 pm

Petrol tank is the difficult one,lie under the rear axle and look up to the driver's side.You will see the filler pipe,there is a rubber joining piece,give the tank end of that a wiggle.When I did this test on the touring the stub pipe into the tank came off in me paw...I had found my leak!!They also leak from the filler pipe,no point in swapping the tank if it is not leaking....there is a zoner repairing filler pipes on an exchange basis,check the parts for sale pages.
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Templ8e30
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Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:11 pm

As long as the shell is good with little rot the she's ripe for freshening up.

Too many half decent E30's are getting fragged these days.

I'm only up the road in Ashton and am very competent with the spanners if you need any help or advice :D

Cheers,

Iain T
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Chris-W
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Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:17 pm

As said above, the prime consideration is the condition of the shell - if solid it's worth investing.
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