Which E30?

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
k31ron
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:00 pm

Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:30 pm

I'm just looking for a E30 (always loved the look of them) but could do with some advice on which to buy, engine specifications etc i had a quick search but couldnt find anything....can anyone point me to a suitable thread or offer advice?

it needs to be fairly quick (so probably not a 4 cylinder) and i have upto £1.5K to pay for a nice standard-ish one, any advice appreciated
lance1a
South African/Scottish import
Posts: 1182
Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: oxfordshire

Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:33 pm

Welcome mate, did you look on the for sale threads here? £1.5k should get you a decent 318is or an ok 325i I think? :)
BMW E28 528i X2
Merc W126 300E twin turbo
Merc cosworth 190e 2.3-16
BMW E28 525E
BMW E28 M535i
Saab 900 Classic Turbo
BMW E24 Highline Cosmos
BMW E24 Highline silver
BMW E24 Macau Msport
BMW 1972 2002
BMW E36 Alpina B3 3.2 Switchtronic
Renault
HairyScreech
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 6265
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:00 pm

Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:38 pm

tech 1 325.
2.8 development thread http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=170822

m3.3.1 m20 thread - now running, chip needed - any volunteers?
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... =viewtopic&
Morat
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 8943
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: The Peoples Republic of Yorkshire

Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:56 pm

Touring!!

So much more useful and better looking too :)
/me starts running
E30 Touring 0.35 cD - more slippery than prison soap :)

Image
Praise the Lard... and pass the dripping!
dannyboy759
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1061
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Hampshire

Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:09 pm

anything M20B25 :D
JONUK
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 121
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 pm

Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:30 pm

One without rust
Image
dannyboy759
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1061
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Hampshire

Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:37 pm

come to think of it forget the engine, any nice clean rust free one will be the best option :D
Dave_M3
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3428
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Cork

Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:38 pm

The decent 4 pots aren't slow!!!

I'd nearly get a nice 318iS for that kinda money since you won't get any sort of 325i-sport for it and a 325i will probably not be great for that money.

Get a iS with a few mods like the Evolve chip and SE skirts and stuff.

A well spec'd 325i Touring would be a good choice too.
They handle pretty well and also are very practical
M42 rightness above 6500rpm, nobody can hear you scream
Cotty
Hartge Crew
Posts: 5926
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Orpington, Kent

Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:21 pm

Morat wrote:Touring!!
325i touring at that :D
Image
fuzzy
He who sleeps with "Gingers"
Posts: 14351
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: melbourne Australia

Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:28 pm

Dave_M3 wrote: A well spec'd 325i Touring would be a good choice too.
They handle pretty well and also are very practical
he's not wrong there and with a few basic run of the mill upgrades it will handle very well and also stop just as good.
dannyboy759
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1061
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Hampshire

Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:08 pm

Who says tourings handle well!!!! :)
e30bmlover
Ac Schnitzer prophet
Ac Schnitzer prophet
Posts: 5352
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Playing on the ring road!!!

Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:17 pm

get a 325 mate, you know it makes sense...
madaboutthe30
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1392
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Stanmore, Harrow

Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:36 pm

Welcome to the zone mate,

I would opt for the 318is, you'd be suprised with the performance that comes with it and it is within your budget.

The 320i offers a nice smooth ride and performance isnt bad, but it doesnt offer good enough performance to compensate for the running costs that come with the extra 2 cylinders.

Ideally a 325i would be great but youll be lucky to get a decent one for that price, and besides youll have to endure the the higher running costs that come with it.

Before you do go for one, post up the link if its viewable on the net and we'll tell you what we think winkeye
agreen
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2107
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:00 pm

Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:45 pm

as everyone knows 318is's were crafted by gods fair hands so get one of those dude

you cant beat m42 twincam rightness !!! :D
User avatar
boombang
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 53
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:00 pm

Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:21 am

I've never been a fan of lardy motors, recently bought a 318is and pretty happy with performance even though it's possibly the heaviest sporty car I've had for 5 years!

It'll never tear up tarmac, but driven right it goes well along with the entertainment of right wheel drive. IMVHO nothing out there could teach you respect and how to handle a RWD car better than an "is".

Just enough power to play with without being dangerous. Having said that I've driven RWD cars with less power that I am sure were out to kill me...
gra325i
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 1914
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Montrose-North scotland

Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:26 am

nothing out there could teach you respect and how to handle a RWD car better than an "is".
:lol: well said mate..thats exactly right imo
Image
Image
FOR SALE..14" BBS motorsport wheels x5
Jesus325iTouring
Frog freak !
Frog freak !
Posts: 11356
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Omnipresent!

Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:31 am

agreen wrote:as everyone knows 318is's were crafted by gods fair hands so get one of those dude

you cant beat m42 twincam rightness !!! :D
As a man in the know,I can assure you gods fair hands crafted the 325i Touring not the "is"! :wink:
Image

X5 V8 for thrills, CRV for chills, Range Rover P38 V8 for sooooo much aggravation...
trigger
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 123
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: harlow

Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:41 am

As a man in the know,I can assure you gods fair hands crafted the 325i Touring not the "is"! :wink:[/quote]



mine has the devils blood in them there veins! :evil: :twisted: :evil: :twisted: [/quote]
agreen
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2107
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:00 pm

Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:42 am

Touring
mate as soon as you said touring you destroyed your own theory

even noha himself was offered a touring by god to save him and his animals

and noha said fu{k off ill buil an ark lmao
User avatar
secondtimelucky
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1298
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: weston-super-mare

Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:56 am

Mr agreen winkeye there is nothing wrong with tourings, still one of the lightest estates to date, and being built in a different factory to the others, they have better rustproofing as well, mine is soon to be a 318IS touring, so il have the best of both worlds so :P
Wanted: Any old component speakers, complete or separate parts, let me know what you got :D
User avatar
secondtimelucky
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1298
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: weston-super-mare

Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:05 am

So there you have it, the best E30 you should go for... Good touring shell for less than £500, 318IS engine and accessories for less than £400-500 and a load of your hard-earned left over to play with winkeye
Wanted: Any old component speakers, complete or separate parts, let me know what you got :D
Jesus325iTouring
Frog freak !
Frog freak !
Posts: 11356
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Omnipresent!

Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:08 am

trigger wrote:


mine has the devils blood in them there veins! :evil: :twisted: :evil: :twisted:
[/quote]

You should add nitrous too,thats the devils p!ss.

Be one mean motor then :twisted:
agreen wrote:
Touring
mate as soon as you said touring you destroyed your own theory

even noha himself was offered a touring by god to save him and his animals

and noha said fu{k off ill buil an ark lmao
PMSL! :D
Image

X5 V8 for thrills, CRV for chills, Range Rover P38 V8 for sooooo much aggravation...
HairyScreech
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 6265
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:00 pm

Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:24 am

agreen wrote:
Touring
mate as soon as you said touring you destroyed your own theory

even noha himself was offered a touring by god to save him and his animals

and noha said fu{k off ill buil an ark lmao
smite him :liar:
2.8 development thread http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=170822

m3.3.1 m20 thread - now running, chip needed - any volunteers?
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... =viewtopic&
hammoj28
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3310
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Aberdeenshire.

Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:01 am

Id agree with getting a 318iS. It well worth it. Great value for money and they are amazing to drive.
Image
24v tech2
agreen
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2107
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:00 pm

Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:15 am

lol thought there might be a reaction to the above coment ?

just mho

he whispers to himself "tourings "is" hey, i like it " :o:
User avatar
k31ron
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:00 pm

Thu Dec 13, 2007 6:53 pm

thanks for the info, idoes anyone know is there a definitive guide to perfomance figures etc for these models or things to look out for when buying ....on this site or the net?

Not sure I fancy a touring, but everyone to there own :D a 318is or above might be ok, i've got a civic Type R as my main car and although i don't expect it to be as quick as that, I would like it to be fun and I miss not having a rear wheel drive weekend car
agreen
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2107
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2007 11:00 pm

Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:10 pm

buy pbmw magazine and look in the back mate performance figures for most bmws
User avatar
murran
E30 Zone Squatter
E30 Zone Squatter
Posts: 1683
Joined: Sat Jul 28, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: sheffield, good old sheffield!

Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:01 pm

325i touring gets my vote everyday. fantastic car.
Image
e21 killing tyres with e30 325 powerzzz
drifting on the cheap......... www.trampdrift.com
e21zone........ www.bmwe21.net
gra325i
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 1914
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Montrose-North scotland

Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:17 pm

E30--

318is...M42..136bhp..0-62, 9.9s..126mph
320i ...M20..129bhp.. " " , 10.4..123mph
325i ...M20..170bhp.. " " , 8.3...135mph
m3 ... S14...200bhp.. " " 6.7... 146mph
m3 evo.S14.220bhp.. " " 6.6... 146mph
m3 evo sport. 238bhp 6.2... 154mph

HTH :cool:
Image
Image
FOR SALE..14" BBS motorsport wheels x5
User avatar
tommye30
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 36
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: NORTH DEVON, ENGLAND

Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:42 pm

get a 325 with an lsd if you want some rear end action :D
jbh
Hartge Crew
Posts: 3963
Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: denny
Contact:

Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:07 am

gra325i wrote:
nothing out there could teach you respect and how to handle a RWD car better than an "is".
:lol: well said mate..thats exactly right imo
my old 318is is a playful little bugger aint it gra winkeye
gra325i
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
E30 Zone Meets/Events Team
Posts: 1914
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Montrose-North scotland

Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:40 pm

:lol:she should be even more "playful" once you help me fit those billys too winkeye
Image
Image
FOR SALE..14" BBS motorsport wheels x5
jbh
Hartge Crew
Posts: 3963
Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: denny
Contact:

Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:18 pm

yip lookin forward to it specially the roads up your way winkeye
e30bmlover
Ac Schnitzer prophet
Ac Schnitzer prophet
Posts: 5352
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Playing on the ring road!!!

Sat Dec 15, 2007 1:18 pm

m20b25 171bhp!!! pre facelift engines are the best so i have been told and some even produce a smidgen over factory figures when put on the rollers.
greentouring
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1345
Joined: Sat Mar 17, 2007 11:00 pm

Sat Dec 15, 2007 1:42 pm

Go for a touring mate! Great looks and practical too! :D
Post Reply