Are people moving on from E30s?

[Rosc0PColtrane]

I'd like to think I'll always own an e30, for as long as feasably possible. Realistically, I'll have a company car sooner or later, or some newer turd that will kart the family around.

I somewhat stumbled into E30's after admiring them from afar. When I was 18 months old, I pointed to a car and said "Look Mum, BMW", she replied "Yes dear", but after passing the car and seieng the roundel, I was right. It went wrong from there really.

The only time I'll look further afield is when I'm in a position financially to run something more exotic. Until then (or until oil runs out, which looks more likely ) I'll be happy with the value for money E30 ownership provides, oh and the smiles per miles factor!!

[eko]

I made the move to E36 in a mad sulk after finding the rust in my E30 roof,mental torture that day
No the only thing that steered me away from the E30 was lack of room in the back for the kids/car seat.
Me being a lanky streak of p1ss doesnt help as I have the seat right back and the back tilted too so rear leg room is seriously compromised!
E36 even in coupe form has just that bit more legroom.
As much as I hate to admit it too since owning this E36 ive had to do no repairs,certainly none worth mentioning.Ok its had a couple of oil changes and is about to get some new TCA bushes but as for things like central locking/leaking boot/electric windows/gauges etc not working its been perfect (touch wood)!

Oh and room on my drive for approx 8 cars
Currently residing there are 3 E30`s,Golf VR6 and my E36,my neighbours love me

[JohnnyBlazE]

I'm 6ft 2... Looking at the 318is I have noticed my passengers will have NO leg room - its okay I wont need to drive people around everywhere

[darkchild]

In all honesty I can understand why people would move on to newer and better cars. I run both an E30 and an E36 and the E30 requires far more fettling. Thats just part of the "joy" of running an older car and luckily I don't mind getting my hands dirty. In comparison, in 6 years of running an E36 its simply been a case of putting petrol in the tank and having a service every 8000 miles. Most E30's require work and I'd imagine a lot of people simply don't want the hassle.

The E30 will always stay with me though. When the E36 croaks, I'll simply buy another newer BMW as an everyday car.

[Aleksandar]

When we first bought the m20b20 E30 in 2000. it was perfect although a 15 year old 10 year driven car. It only had one real problem-fuel pump and a couple of minor problems, exhaust, dizzy cap... After the cambelt snapped in 2004. and all valves needed replacing etc, my dad lost interest in it so I took it in 2006. in a rather bad condition and am still trying to recover it(only minor stuff left). So it was reliable then, very reliable. Now a rather new 2006. Clio is starting to break down although it's maintained at the highest level from day 1. And my friend's E36 is also at the local mechanic often...too often.The guy owning it loves it, spends a lot of time and money on it so it's not poorly maintained. Another friend's E46 330xi also isn't exceptionally reliable and it's quite new(2003).

Yes, it's true that some bits and pieces will need more care after 15-20 years, but the biggest problem (and almost only) on an E30 compared to a modern car is fuel consumption, if you know its weak points(rear arches, bad response to faulty cooling systems=cyl. head, coolant cap...) and common problems( blue sensor and such) it'll be a very, very reliable car.

[fuzzy]

my touring is my toy for the time being. eventually i will crash it and move on to something else.

[StuBeeDoo]

People come, people go, some stick around and become part of the furniture. The way of the world, isn't it?

I have no intention of moving-on (or breaking) my Touring. Unless something unforseen and beyond my control happens as long as I'm capable of maintaining it, capable of driving and capable of filling the tank it will continue to be my daily driver. If the unforseen/beyond my control should happen, I'll just get another and transfer all my morsels onto that.
Modern (particularly FWD) cars just aren't my idea of driving pleasure.
Like the ad. campaign said..... "The Ultimate Driving Machine".

[gooner1]

Must admit i have been perusing ebay and looking at other models of bmw lateley.
Doe,nt mean im about t o part with my cab though. Actually this ( 2 years) is the longest i,ve ever kept a car and i,ve just realised that i have never owned what i,d call a modern car, tell a lie i did have a pajero for about 6 months but even that was a 91 model. Had Rover tc,s sc,s Sunbeam rapier,1966 mgb roadster xr3i cab, Mr2 mk1,
Capri 1.6 , Anglia with a 1,6 crossflow engine. Driven plenty of modern cars and vans through work but woul,dnt choose any of them over my cab.

[schuey]

Well.... I am on my 4th but its sold and is being taken next week.I am moving on to a porsche 944 however I will return to E30's as soon as I can afford an M3 E30's are great cars and if I didnt have a van and a family car I would deffo run one as a daily driver.

[bss325i]

My sport is used daily, to work and back etc, thats why the mileage has gone from 32000 to 47000 in 18 month. It has been one of the most reliable cars i've had and i've had a lot. I sold my E46 330ci convertible to put the money into the sport as i knew it would depriciate where as the sport will go in the opposite direction. Imminent bicycle purchase will mean the sport will not be used for the commute to work anymore.

[Frenchy]

I am 46 and keep the E30 at my Mams in winter, love the shape and always have, I have had 3 now,I am lucky enough to be an older member (auld twat) but the spin-off is I can afford to indulge in my car perviness.

I could sell the "fleet" and buy something very new and very boring............NAH!

Got 2 kids and 2 Dogs but er.indoors has the family motah.

Schuey what 944 you looking at? check my signature if you need advice p.m me as i know what to look for,Advice Free no charge

[M5pilot]

I moved onto E34 M5's about 3 years ago and also had an E30 M3 twice. Then added an E36 328i Sport to the line up.

Never regretted it as the M5's are just phenominal.

I still like E30's (especially Alpina's and M3's). There are usually 1 or 2 still parked outside of which one is my wife's car (325i SE Auto).......she caught the bug eventually too!

[BMJG]

i stay with bmw i drive a e34 as my daily driver and have the e30 cab as my toy. have left a few times in the past, but always come back real quick when found nothing is like the e30.

[tomtomtom]

i cant see me not having an E30 for a long time, financially for me as a student they dont make a lot of sense but i LOVE driving it and i'd hate to have a car that didnt make me think "f*ckin hell i love this thing" every now and again. and they just look so sweet, my shop is at the end of my road, if i go out to get milk i stare at my car the whole time!

there are much better value for money cars out there but it depends what you want, if i wanted a nice comfy quick car, my dad was showing me volvo s40 t4's the other day, for £1500+ quid you can get one x-reg ish, leather, heated seats, air con, 2litre turbo 200 bhp and volvo reliability but would that make me smile? nope.

[Brianmoooore]

It'll be when Brian replaces his tourings with 3 Hyundai Getz that we know the world's gone mad...

Edit: he actually has 6 doesn't he, not just those 3 in his sig.

It's actually eight now (plus an iS and a 318 2 door), although the red one in my sig is now dead!
I get plenty of other cars to drive, including a '06 535d sport, and a brand new 318d last week, and none of them come close to an E30 in 'driving experience'.
The E30s are also the most reliable by far (after they've been through my workshop) that I come across.

[Simon13]

A good E34 is like night and day also and imo the best built bmw ever much more than an E30. They are like a panzer tank and have a real clunk when shutting the doors. The E32 7's are very similar build quality wise

[Brianmoooore]

E34 (I have one of those as well), is let down by it's primitive steering system. Nice enough as a long distance cruiser and tow car.

[Dr Firefly]

E34 (I have one of those as well), is let down by it's primitive steering system. Nice enough as a long distance cruiser and tow car.

Must admit I've had my eye on both E28 and E34, but spent so much time and money on my E30 I think I'll keep it for a few years at least. What put me off was the higher fuel costs with them both. Is the steering system really that bad? Especially as it's later than an E30, I always assumed it would be similar handling even with the extra weight...

[Speedtouch]

It's a steering box so there's a little slop though they are adjustable. Mainly it's the bushes that wear out causing slack and shimmy. It's quite nice and twirly for a large car and less turns lock-to-lock than the E30's steering rack.

[fastdiablo]

Mum had a brand new 318 touring auto in red G386 ALY which I used to drive (when she let me, sometimes when she didn't ). Really enjoyed it though with a small lump and auto it was awkward to chuck about. She ended up having corner to corner head on and was an insurance write off, often wonder if it ever made it back on the road . . .

I allways wanted to have a go in a 325 manual. Now I have one and I love it ! Shes my daily driver and always gives me a smile through the roundabouts on the 3am drive home

Now only waiting for the engine to blow so I can give it the power she really deserves, an E34 M5 lump . . .

"IF" I get to do this I will keep her forever or till the inevitable tin worm wreakes its havoc, then probably move all the aquired goodies into the next victim, sorry, chassis ! ! ! . . .

[darkchild]

It'll be when Brian replaces his tourings with 3 Hyundai Getz that we know the world's gone mad...

Edit: he actually has 6 doesn't he, not just those 3 in his sig.

It's actually eight now (plus an iS and a 318 2 door), although the red one in my sig is now dead!
I get plenty of other cars to drive, including a '06 535d sport, and a brand new 318d last week, and none of them come close to an E30 in 'driving experience'.
The E30s are also the most reliable by far (after they've been through my workshop) that I come across.

I agree in that you do feel a level of involvement in driving an E30 that other 3 Series have failed to emulate, but the new E90 must be the most complete car I've ever driven. It's in a different ballpark to the E46, just so much better its unreal. BMW have really moved the game on. I've only driven the 320d but that had all the performance you realistically need.

[spikuzi]

this thread makes me wanna . i love my e30 for ever

[euan]

well i had a 325 sport for 9 years, sold it 5 times bought it back 4 times
, now have a e30 316 restoration job, a 325 se 4 door with all the toys.... mmmmm might put every thing into the 316 2 door, these cars have been running through my veins since doing my paper round at 15 yr old and hearing a guys brand new 1987 325 sport, took me another 10 yrs to get one the same luv em !!

[Beavy_OZ]

Corolla Daily, E30 for weekends, best of both worlds!

btw, how do you guys own all these cars?? In OZ it's about $500 (200 pounds) in rego per year, and at 22 I'm paying $1600+ for insurance on two cars alone! At least there's no 'MOT' on emissions until you get caught

[Gene_Genie]

My Daily Driver is an E46 318i SE and it's has nowhere near the 'Feel' of the E30 (Or the noise). The E46 is insanely good at what it does and has one of the best chassis' i have ever driven, but in being so good it loses character at the lower speeds. Take it up to 70 ish through corners and it comes alive, it's just great, but the E30 gives that feeling of involvement at any speed and makes even 30-40 mph roundabouts fun.

Favourite thing in the E30 - Not changing gear (from 1st), until 5,000 rpm through a set of roundabouts and corners near where i live. You can stay below 50 mph but do it with a great soundtrack and instant power when you want it. I have never made it past 3rd gear yet and it's not possible in the wet but if i did that in the E46, it would feel boring and somehow silly. In the E30 it's pure fun.

To previous comments about E34's - i would love an E34 535i as my daily driver. I have always seen them as 'E30's on steroids'. The steering box set up is good but relies on many more parts than a rack and pinion, so if just one of those bushes or bearings starts to fail, it shows up immediately through the whole steering system - My Mercedes 190E is exactly the same. Costs a fair bit to put right as a complete system but is smooth and precise when done.

If the Lottery Fairies are listening, i'd like a Lachs Silver one please !

[78dude]

The E30 is frankly started to be an old car, but jesus how good looking it is with it yougtimer classy 80s german design! I would like to have an E30 again but just as a second car because mother nature where I live is not so very kind with old cars so they rust! (and there get a lot of snow to)
But still I have my E32 who is a more rare car in Sweden then the E30 and that is a bit cool and jesus it is a good looking car!

So BMW 4ever!

[connoisseur]

Guess I count as a newbie!

I work in management consultancy and use my E30 daily. The clients love seeing the car and it also provides a nice talking point. Bought it to keep another car I have off the road so much.

I enjoy driving it as much as possible - imo so much more enjoyable than today's cars and it hasn't let me down (wood and touch!), though 120 mile return trips into London along the A41/M25/M4 don't see much change at 40p per mile

Regards

C

[Speedtouch]

What is your other car, connoisseur? I just bought a 1989 325i Sport and tucked it up warm in a garage today as it needs work (water pump, cambelt, etc.) to make it useable.

[BadDave]

my touring is my toy for the time being. eventually i will crash it and move on to something else.

This is what i've just had to do
As i live way out in the country where there happens to be an acute shortage of public transport, a car(or a motorbike) is an absolute must for me.
After having an "incident" in the tourer last week, i have to go find another car pretty darn quickly just to get about as the E30 was a daily driver.

As there seems to a distinct lack of E30 tourings up in this part of the country, i've have managed to find a 1/2 decent E39 528i SE Touring locally for a good price which is a bit of a boost for me as the bike is currently in need of an engine rebuild at the moment(and the weather has been pretty shit recently)

I'd like to say the E39 is just a short term solution,however, as most of you are aware, finding a decent E30 is becoming more of a challenge these days

[DaveD]

I use my Fiat coupe in the winter and garage the cab til April 1 (7 weeks to go) the BM's on classic insurance and and I only tax one at a time..Hopefully the missing of the winter weather will keep it rust free for longer

What is your other car, connoisseur? I just bought a 1989 325i Sport and tucked it up warm in a garage today as it needs work (water pump, cambelt, etc.) to make it useable.

.........Are you going to buy another Miller Maf for it ?

[Speedtouch]

No, I bought the car from Flappysocks, who fitted Megasquirt to it

[abelai]

I use my Sport everyday and work for Cardiff Council as a claims inspector so they pay for the running of my car. I spend £40 on fuel a week but get about £70 back covers all the running cost of the car and I'm not fighting depreciation. All the people I work with run round with a big smile on their face laughing at my 25mpg while they get 50mpg forgetting all about the thousands they lose every year.

[capri_rob]

Don't know about "moving on from E30's" - I've just moved back to one after a 4 Year break - and its great to be back !

I am fortunate enough to have a company car ( Astra Sporthatch Diesel ) for the everyday slog but at weekends I now have a 325i to play with !

[AlexBaur325]

My 325 Baur is my sole car, well as far as OTR is concerned and i love it every time i drive it makes me smile and is usually the cure to a bad day at the office...

[Fushion_Julz]

I use my 325i everyday...It gets me the 20miles to work and back in comfort and speed at an average consumption of around 23mpg and zero deprectiation and very low running costs.

I have my M3 (finally back on the road after an expensive engine build) for weekends and trackdays...

I've recently given my g/f a 320 touring I picked up really cheap and the Skoda for sale in my sig is her old car...So we both now drive E30s on an everyday basis..

Before the 325 I had an E34 530SE (M30) and, although that was a brilliant car, solid, reliable and a great cruiser, it wasn't anywhere near as much fun as the E30s!
Before that I had a S13 Nissan 200sx...That was fun, too..but was less powerful, more thirsty and with significantly less space and higher running costs than the E30....

The E30 is, for me, a perfectly useable everyday car AND a decent fun car/toy as well....

Of course, money no object, I'd probably change the 325 for something different..But my M3 isn't going anywhere...