OK guys, make me want an E30

[McPikie]

Everytime I see a decent E30 I get a little tingle in my belly, moreso a 325i Sport on Alpina rims

However, I am not sure of the following:

1. I can afford to buy and run one (as they are getitng on now)

2. Whether I would enjoy driving on

3. The difference between Techs

4. The difference in driving charecteristics between a 318 and 325


I currently own a 1.6 Pug 205 GTi and, although on an F plate, its been well looked after and drives like a true hot hatch. However, I am getting bored with all the knocks, bangs and rattles a french car likes to produce at this age. FWD is a laugh sometimes, but it's just not possible to push it hard without understeering off into a roundabout, then lift-off oversteering whenever it wants

So, I am on the lookout for something else.


I have had a few sierras in my time (stop sniggering at the back) and even a 4WD cossie, but the lowly spec ones never had the power to make RWD feel fun.

So, basically, I need you guys to convince me an E30 is the way forward............... but which one??

[Jindmahi]

get a 318is and get it twin turboed! drop it 60 mll all road on 16ins with 9inch dish on the rear!

[hartgefan]

if it was me id buy a cheap 325 and spend the rest on your 205 as its the better (fun) car,

[Ian_M]

On the eighth day, god created E30. That should be enough for you.

I own a 318i, I've had a few problems, Fuel pump, idle problems but that's just usual for an old car. Lowered 40mm, eats up corners and I feel mine has enough go in it to make it fun but I'm sure some of the people with 325s will tell you otherwise (and they're probably right!).

If you've been driving a 205 GTi the 318i might be boring but I really enjoy driving it. Fuel isn't so bad, 30 odd miles to £10 if you mess about with it or 50-60 miles if you drive sensibly.

I believe the Techs just define Pre-facelift and Facelift. Tech 1 being Pre and Tech 2 being Post.

Hope this helps, some others can give you a lot more information though.

Cheers.

[Jindmahi]

325i's are fun, if you know how to drive them!!!!!! manual is the way to go!

[Jindmahi]

Funny thing is McPikie that your on this website, so i think you have already made you mind up about wanting one already! or if E30's are not your thing try a Datsun Cheery!

[Dr Firefly]

However, I am not sure of the following:

1. I can afford to buy and run one (as they are getitng on now)

How much money do you have? If you just get a standard 325i - £1000-1500 will buy you one in decent nick. Worth getting a better one as it'll save you money in maintenance in the long run

Insurance is pricey depending on your age - but at the moment mine's on classic car insurance for £300 per year (limited mileage of 5k tho)

Petrol is quite a high cost - mine does about 260miles to £45 when driving harshly. That's a 320i. The 6 pots (325 and 320) use more fuel, are faster and sound nicer, the 4pots (318is, 318, and 316) better on fuel but not got the nice sound, but better handling cos less weight in the front.

2. Whether I would enjoy driving on

Yes you would. Mainly for the handling rather than the out and out power, unless you either do an engine conversion from the E36 325i, the E28 535i, spend a lot on the original engine (either increasing it's capacity or turboing it, or both.

3. The difference between Techs

Tech normally refers to the Sport models. The pre-facelift (pre-1988) sports are tech 1s (I think they look nicer, most don't - they also rust much worse), the facelift sports (post-1988) are tech 2s.

4. The difference in driving charecteristics between a 318 and 325

Mainly difference in power. Better braking on a 325 - disc brakes all round, whereas 318 has drums at back.

If you want a 4pot look for a 318is - later engine and much more power - almost as powerful as a 320i and less weight, so better handling and similar performance. 325i's the best though.

Hope that helps a bit.

[Kedge]

All depends on what you prefer from a car and what you can afford to run. The 318iS is possibly the most economical E30 as well as giving fairly good performance, it also has the added bonus of coming with sport suspension, rear discs and sports seats as standard. To get the best out of the car you neeed to rev it hard whereas as a 325i is more of a relaxed drive due to the extra power, both equally as fun in my eyes but i found that i have more confidence in the handling of my 318iS than the 325i Touring i had when things got a bit twisty and the roads not so flat. Neither in my opion or experiennce is more reliable than the other, its all down to how well they have been looked after.

If you want a 4pot look for a 318is - later engine and much more power - almost as powerful as a 320i and less weight, so better handling and similar performance. 325i's the best though.

The 318iS is actually more powerful than the 320i and comes with a much better spec as standard.

[darkchild]

If you want a 4pot look for a 318is - later engine and much more power - almost as powerful as a 320i and less weight, so better handling and similar performance.

318is - 136bhp @ 6000rpm
320i - 129bhp @ 6000rpm

[Cloggy Saint]

If you don't want knocks, bangs and rattles then maybe the E30 isn't for you. Even the newest touring is 14 years old now.

The 318iS is actually more powerful than the 320i and comes with a much better spec as standard.

What better spec' is that then?

[Kedge]

318iS standard with no extras
- Front vented disc brakes; rear solid disc brakes
- De-chrome
- M Technic steering wheel
- Leather gear knob and gaiter
- M Technic sports suspension inc rear anti-roll bar
- Spoiler equipment front & rear
- Colour-coded door mirrors
- Steel wheels & 318iS style flush covers (5.5J x 14)
- BMW sports seats

320i standard with no extras
- Front disc brakes; rear drum brakes
- Steel wheels & flush covers (5.5J x 14)
- Twin sleeve gas-pressure shock absorbers
- Rear centre arm-rest
- Opening side rear windows (2 door only)
- Velour carpeting
- Check/control system
- Halogen front fog lights

[tailoutcharlie]

im not going to start the whole 318is/325 argument agian but you should be happy with either. i havent had any real trouble with my 325 in over a year of ownership, bar replacing worn items its never let me down and has never ever refused to start.

any little niggles i have evaporate as soon as i drive the car and its character shines thru.

buying an e30 is almost a social boost if you get along to some meets etc. ive met plenty of people on this site who i would class as genuine freinds.



basicallly, try it you might like it

[McPikie]

I hate you all.

I am talking myself more and more into it, lol

[JohnnyBlazE]

Do it! I know I had to talk myself into it - never had one before, had issues with costs, age etc, but they're just so desirable.

I'm going for a 318is... soon

[McPikie]

See, I have to scream the tits off my pug to get the power out, but not sure I'd want to do that with a BMW. But then its all torque and lazy boy style, so not sure I could cope with that either.

If, lets say, I managed to get my hands on a decent sport lookalike, is a conversion form a newer car a big issue? Or is it straight swap

[d6dph]

You want us to convince you to buy an E30. Spend a couple of hours going through the photo gallery and I swear you will be besotted.

A couple that really do make me go weak at the knees (Sad for a bloke of my age to get that keen on a car ) are beardymats resto project and Oakeys new tech1 sport.

Both are stunners imo.

[JohnnyBlazE]

See, I have to scream the tits off my pug to get the power out, but not sure I'd want to do that with a BMW. But then its all torque and lazy boy style, so not sure I could cope with that either.

If, lets say, I managed to get my hands on a decent sport lookalike, is a conversion form a newer car a big issue? Or is it straight swap

Hah, yeah my Primera had a redline at 7500rpm so I'd have to scream the tits off it too.

My old boss had a pug 205 gti with a turbo technics conversion! when it wasn't on a trailer it was great he said

the 318is is a nice revvy motor though, but not 325 style lazy and torquey...

Tough choice

[tailoutcharlie]

325s are hardley lazy and in my opinion far better for everyday driving as the power is available whenever you need it and whatever gear your in. you'll soon regret going for a 318 when you meet either your first tunnel (oh the noise), or your first hill


go for the six....then turbo it!!!

you see what thoughts enter yur head after being on here too long, get out while you can!!!

[blitz877]

go for a 6pot mate, the noise is just amzing at full chat

[George_Of_The_Jungle]

Money issues???? i'm a student with a 325i Sport...... 6pot all the way. one thing is for certain i'm never selling my sport. new cars will join and leave it on my drive, but its a keeper for sure!

Bite the bullet, and hurry up about it!

[JohnnyBlazE]

I hear so many mixed things about the 6 pots vs the 4 pots, but for now i'm settled on the smaller lump... I've never had a 6 growl to my name so I'm willing to wait... Only ever had the revvy hungry sound of a 4 pot...!

I do think that 6 cyl cars have a lovely growl, but ideally I like the unbalanced rumble of a v8... nothing beats the sound of a Weineck Cobra revving up for me...

[Aleksandar]

See, I have to scream the tits off my pug to get the power out, but not sure I'd want to do that with a BMW. But then its all torque and lazy boy style, so not sure I could cope with that either.

6 pots are not 'lazy boy style', they combine good torque with max power still at high revs(at least a high as bmw 4 pots) and brilliant sound in any rpm range.

[Cotty]

if it was me id buy a cheap 325 and spend the rest on your 205 as its the better (fun) car,

[dannyboy759]

if it was me id buy a cheap 325 and spend the rest on your 205 as its the better (fun) car,

What, what!!! never Its french, you on a downer from the start

[Cotty]

So, basically, I need you guys to convince me an E30 is the way forward............... but which one??

325i touring, but then I am bias

[tomze30]

See, I have to scream the tits off my pug to get the power out, but not sure I'd want to do that with a BMW. But then its all torque and lazy boy style, so not sure I could cope with that either.

I think you've just decided that a 318iS will do the job for you - not a particularly torquey car, but certainly not 'lazy boy style'

[Jindmahi]

I have a 325icab, and have driven m3's 320s and 318s. All are great cars with wicked engines. I don't mind any model because power comes at different times from these engines and gives different characteristics to the car, such as fuel, weight and so on. What I have learnt is not to rush into anything unless you are a mechanic/diy'er or have good contacts just wait and give it a few months and most of all think about how much MONEY u got!!!!!! coz, with out money you can't do anything! £2300 would give you a fun motor! but so would £10000 m3? or £15old skool e9

[tomze30]

or £15old skool e9

mmmmmmmmmmmm

[JohnnyBlazE]

THAT is when Chrome Kidney grilles looked at their best IMHO^

[Jindmahi]

sorry £15000 old skool e9 lol...

[SteSE]

I'm new to bmw ownership and have started with an E30 325i se. Lovely car, i did look at a few sports but for the money i had, £2k, they were all pretty rough and didn't seem to pull as nice as the SE. First impressions though were that it was a little slow, i myself have come from various FWD hot hatches S2 RST, redtop nova's, Starlet GT etc and was a little disappointed with the outright speed. Though having said that, and for having driven the car solidly for a couple of weeks, the ability at pulling from 30mph in 5th all the way to XXXmph without changing gear and fairly rapidly too out shines the hot hatchs. Not having to down change to over take is good plus they do feel like quick cars. 70mph in an e30 feels like 120 in an e36 m3, the e30's feel quick. Theres a certain way to drive them that if you've not driven one before is quite hard to explaine but if you do go for one stick with it

Working on the cars is lovely too, all the bolts undo and everything comes apart as if it were built yestarday, compare that on a 20 year old nova, pug

IMHO the E30 is a well built, well balanced easy going car. The less intense you get with it the quicker it goes, mine will happily set at any speed all day, it is a real drivers car that you feel involved with.;

RWD is another key issue although i'm still very green in this area, the rear is very easy to catch as the car seems to correct itself as though this was built into the design of the car I've found it's more a case of controlling the throttle and not steering to much into the slide as this tends to over correct and fish tale i think is the correct term, plus i've not got a slip diff so that can't help.

Above all they look the bomb, parts are readily available and if it's been looked after it will see you through thick and thin. Ooo how i giggled the other day when brand new mercs where at the side of the roads when it was flooded, me and the B M just rubbled on past them no sweat

[les3002]

hi pikie nice to see you over here, i was in the same boat as you so bought a cheap 318 with a knackered engine and am fitting a 2.5 24v from an e34 5 series in it, similar in complexity to the mi16 conversion on the pugs (pretty easy basically)

[toby]

Come to a meet and drive or take a ride in a few E30s. From what you say I'd reckon you'd prefer the 318is. By the way all E30s aren't that good on fuel anyway...

Give in to nothing, except temptation...

[scotty86d]

205s are nice, but the e30 is soo much more refined. 2.5s are no where near as quick as a hot hatch like an mi16 20 or nova read top, but the noise is intoxicating and they are rwd!!!! plus turbo, 3.5, m3, m5, 540 lumps. there are a whole host of upgrades. id got 325, and have a 4 cylinder fwd car like the 205.

[JohnnyBlazE]

Another point... My friend has an E30 318is and a Type-R was following him (another friend) down some twisty B roads... the 318is had a 325 LSD, but the Type-R had no back seats (for track days - and a video mount at the back too), LSD and progressive spoons... 197bhp and a sub 7 sec 0-60 means he had a great time on the straights, but couldn't touch the wonderful E30's RWD on the twisties... he was being followed by a 300bhp Focus ST and a Lotus Elise with a supercharged Type-R engine, which also lagged where it mattered - the corners!
Even though the Elise is RWD and had 400+bhp per tonne, it had too much power to use effectively without becoming good friends with a tree!

The E30 that night mesmerised me, then we went for a longer drive another night and I was mindblown by how composed its handling was. Excellent cars which have now seduced me into wanting one myself.

Always thought they were the epitome of cool when I was younger as the look of the car is fairly unbeatable, especially in the price range. My aunt had one and still does... She bought an E46 when her niece needed a car, giving her niece the E30... But she missed it dearly and got it back after her niece was done with it!