Considering an E30 325i

[Duncanreally]

I just sold my Elise because I need to get something more girlfriend-friendly. I had 2 NA MX5s before the Elise, so I like sportscars. We live in central London so the car is really just for fun: weekend trips out of town and the odd track day. So I've been considering the obvious stuff: a new NC MX5, a 986 2.7 Boxster, a 330ci. Whilst the gf would probably like all of these, I feel that perhaps they are too refined for my taste and I don't want to completely give up the rawness of a proper sports car. I don't really want to go fast, I want to FEEL like I'm going fast. That's what I loved about the Mx5 and the Lotus. Also, with a newer car comes the headache of depreciation and the fear of bending it on the track.

So, this E30 325i caught my eye:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/259711.htm

low miles, looks decent. But I've never driven an E30. What are they like compared to, say, an NA MX5? Are they quiet and comfy enough for her but fun enough for me? Are they moneypits? Would it be more sensible just to get a newish E46?

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated...

cheers
Duncan

PS I read the buyer's guide. very helpful, thanks!

[Duncanreally]

PPS - the convertible also appeals, but I guess it is probably rather floppy, isn't it? I'd be concerned about rolling it if I went into the grass on a track day. Are there decent (i.e. functional) aftermarket roll bars?

[daimlerman]

Sell the girlfriend and buy another MX5!!

[SPADGE]

If that tech 2 is as good as he says it is and the mileage is correct i will be astonished if its still there!

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Sport looks almost too good to be true. That's low mileage. Go look at it see for yourself. Who knows what is lurking under the kit....

Cabbies are ok. Not 'floppy'. They do roll to a degree, they do have some scuttle shake but generally are pretty good. Very stable. A bit of attention can see a cab well sorted.

Great fun cars to drive, good sense of feeling quick and in touch with the road.

Thing is, on here, you're going to get plenty of pro e30 comments. We love them. Best thing to do is to drive one.

I don't know of any roll bars (I take it you don't mean ARB's) for when the car's upside down, though you have to be giving it serious abuse to be putting yourself it that situation.

Have to say I've never been worried about rolling my cab..

[ChrisBarns]

A standard E30 will never come close to the delicacy, poise and balance of an MX5, let alone an Elise.

[Duncanreally]

Sell the girlfriend and buy another MX5!!

I'm considering it. I just asked Her whether she liked the looks of the E30. This is what she said:

"Well, not really. It reminds me of an old Ford Escort. I guess it just
looks like a cheap used car, but like you bought a used car and tried to
be yuppie by buying a BMW but you were too poor to buy a new one so you
got an old one. "

Ouch. But I can talk her round. Thanks for the great comments.

Yes, I meant a rollover bar rather than a sway bar (anti-roll bar). Any car can roll if you put it in rough grass at speed.

[orangecurry]

1) welcome to the zone

2) the E30 convertible was designed and built by BMW when they were at the height of their powers - it is not 'floppy'. It will 'roll' depending on how knackered it's 20-year-old suspension will allow it to roll.
I have one, and stepping out of my other cars and into the BMW I am always suprised at how well it handles.

3) the car on the pistonheads link is IMHO a bit 'non-standard'. It has some kind of cone air-filter, a black rocker cover and inlet manifold (they should be silver), smoked lights and black kidney grill, therefore it has been owned by someone who likes to drive it quickly, spends money on looks, and dare I say it, it may not have been serviced erm enough. For instance if the coolant is not changed every few years (on service schedule) you will get head problems on a 325.
Also make sure it has an LSD and is a 'Sport' - ask any BMW dealer to confirm how it left the factory.

I could be completely wrong of course, and you should go along and test-drive it.

Good luck.

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Fair comments!!!!

Show her pics of some of the better cars on here. The sport in that add looked awful, tatty, dirty and poorly shot.

Browse the photo section, pick out some cleaner models and decent pics and see what she says. Tatty E30's look fooking tatty, clean ones look great!

[orangecurry]

A standard E30 will never come close to the delicacy, poise and balance of an MX5, let alone an Elise.

unfortunately Chris is correct - the E30 was designed to appeal to fat german businessmen.

But unlike many a modern car (BMWs included) if you want to push it along it is very rewarding in that the car will communicate what it is about to do, and then when it does let go you can gather it all up with a big smile on your face.

If you do go for one buy the best you can find - it will be cheaper (and hold it's value) in the long run.

[Duncanreally]

OK, it's still for sale. Going to have a look at it this evening. The guy has a story, says he bought it from an enthusiast 2 months ago intending to take it back to South Africa. But customs say he has to own it for a year before exporting it, and he's leaving for home now.

Will bring some cash for a deposit...

I realise that a sedan designed in the 1980s isn't going to match a MX5 or and Elise for handling. But it just has to be fun.

D

[orangecurry]

OK, it's still for sale. Going to have a look at it this evening. The guy has a story, says he bought it from an enthusiast 2 months ago intending to take it back to South Africa. But customs say he has to own it for a year before exporting it, and he's leaving for home now.

Will bring some cash for a deposit...

I realise that a sedan designed in the 1980s isn't going to match a MX5 or and Elise for handling. But it just has to be fun.

D

IMO ring BMW and find out its history before you go.

[bazza93]

Sell the girlfriend and buy another MX5!!

I'm considering it. I just asked Her whether she liked the looks of the E30. This is what she said:

"Well, not really. It reminds me of an old Ford Escort. I guess it just
looks like a cheap used car, but like you bought a used car and tried to
be yuppie by buying a BMW but you were too poor to buy a new one so you
got an old one. "

Ouch. But I can talk her round. Thanks for the great comments.

Yes, I meant a rollover bar rather than a sway bar (anti-roll bar). Any car can roll if you put it in rough grass at speed.

how can she compare the beloved e30 to an old ford escort
who's going to drive it ? you or her ?

get rid the girlfriend, buy an e30................then see who you love best

[Duncanreally]

D[/quote]

IMO ring BMW and find out its history before you go.[/quote]

OK. Do they just need the reg number or the VIN? Do you happen to know the phone number to call. I imagine if I just call BMW UK I could be in for a long series of transfers from desk to desk...

cheers
D

Oh yeah, the guy has no service history because the former owner (a BMW technician, aren't they all) did all the maintenance. How can I verify mileage? Do any of the HPI things produce MOT records?

[orangecurry]

ring any BMW dealer; turn on the charm - AFAIK reg number should be OK but chassis number would be useful anyway.

[SPADGE]

I may be being a bit of a cynic here but i suspect the seller is full of shite

[Rosc0PColtrane]

D

IMO ring BMW and find out its history before you go.[/quote]

OK. Do they just need the reg number or the VIN? Do you happen to know the phone number to call. I imagine if I just call BMW UK I could be in for a long series of transfers from desk to desk...

cheers
D

Oh yeah, the guy has no service history because the former owner (a BMW technician, aren't they all) did all the maintenance. How can I verify mileage? Do any of the HPI things produce MOT records?[/quote]

This is starting to sound like a clocked turd. Does he have MOT certs?

[Duncanreally]

ring any BMW dealer; turn on the charm - AFAIK reg number should be OK but chassis number would be useful anyway.

You're a genius. I called BMW UK 01344 426 565 and they told me it was a 325i Sport, Black leather, sliding roof (option). The sport includes LSD.


D

[Duncanreally]

I may be being a bit of a cynic here but i suspect the seller is full of shite

Maybe I'm being a cynic, but I suspect you just want to get it first

just joshing

[SPADGE]

OK, it's still for sale. Going to have a look at it this evening. The guy has a story, says he bought it from an enthusiast 2 months ago intending to take it back to South Africa. But customs say he has to own it for a year before exporting it, and he's leaving for home now.

Will bring some cash for a deposit...

I realise that a sedan designed in the 1980s isn't going to match a MX5 or and Elise for handling. But it just has to be fun.

D

Tell me that you as an e30 novice are not going to see this in the dark with a view to placing a deposit on it

[SPADGE]

I may be being a bit of a cynic here but i suspect the seller is full of shite

Maybe I'm being a cynic, but I suspect you just want to get it first

just joshing

If i thought it was as good as described i would have gone and bought it several days ago mate trust me

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Spadge, sell him your white one!!!

[SPADGE]

Spadge, sell him your white one!!!

Why didn't i think of that

Duncan go check the cars for sale section and wear a bib

[Duncanreally]

Mmm. Did an HPI check mileage discrepancy:

National Mileage Register

Data currently held on the National Mileage Register (NMR) indicates that there may be a mileage discrepancy on this vehicle.
Mileages as recorded by the National Mileage Register

Date recordedRecorded byMileage readingTotal
21-Mar-1994 NMR 80,000 80,000
10-May-1995 NMR 78,000 78,000
19-Aug-1996 NMR 77,000 77,000
19-Aug-1996 NMR 79,000 79,000
19-Aug-1996 NMR 82,000 82,000
02-Sep-1996 NMR 77,000 77,000
01-Feb-1997 NMR 84,000 84,000
08-Feb-1997 NMR 79,000 79,000
07-Aug-1997 NMR 75,000 75,000
24-Mar-1998 NMR 88,000 88,000
25-Mar-1998 NMR 88,000 88,000
04-Nov-2007 NMR 69,000 69,000

[Jhonno]

oops...

thats done 150k easy in that case..

[SPADGE]

80k in 94 so its probably done at least a 100k more than he says by now!
Seems i was right and he is full of shite

[Duncanreally]

So, it looks like it had 80 k on it ten years ago! I called him to cancel. With the returning-to-South-Africa story and the dodgy looking mileage, it's too fishy for me.

Spadge, I'll give you a call re your car.

D

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Mmm. Did an HPI check mileage discrepancy:

National Mileage Register

Data currently held on the National Mileage Register (NMR) indicates that there may be a mileage discrepancy on this vehicle.
Mileages as recorded by the National Mileage Register

Date recordedRecorded byMileage readingTotal
21-Mar-1994 NMR 80,000 80,000
10-May-1995 NMR 78,000 78,000
19-Aug-1996 NMR 77,000 77,000
19-Aug-1996 NMR 79,000 79,000
19-Aug-1996 NMR 82,000 82,000
02-Sep-1996 NMR 77,000 77,000
01-Feb-1997 NMR 84,000 84,000
08-Feb-1997 NMR 79,000 79,000
07-Aug-1997 NMR 75,000 75,000
24-Mar-1998 NMR 88,000 88,000
25-Mar-1998 NMR 88,000 88,000
04-Nov-2007 NMR 69,000 69,000

Phone the guy and offer him £500

Then buy Spadges white car, sell the sport bits, frag the shell, fit lsd to white car, drool into bib, as directed by Spadge

[Car-Nut]

I'd still go and see it and take the HPI check and show it to him just to embarass the f3ck3r.....

Let him wriggle out of that one......

[FlappySocks]

I'd still go and see it and take the HPI check and show it to him just to embarass the f3ck3r.....

Let him wriggle out of that one......

He will just stick to his story, that he bought it a few months ago. It may be true.

[Richyb]

These threads go hand in hand http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 218#914218