E30 Beginners Help and Buyers Guide

[StefanReindl]

I should probably start off by saying that I'm 16 and from Canada, and I'm using this site because it is the best E30 specific website I could find.

I have always loved older BMWs (I'm of Austrian/German heritage and I've always despised american cars). Only recently (in my province, I can drive when I'm 17) have I started seriously looking at buying one. The 3 Series was an obvious choice for someone on a budget.

I feel that before I rush out to buy the first E30 I see in the classifieds, I should be a a little more thoroughly educated.
Some things I'd like to know are:

The difference between the different E30 models

The changes made over the years

Things to be careful of when buying used

What I should be prepared to replace and how much repairs will cost

Thanks in advance

[Pal318is]

I should probably start off by saying that I'm 16 and from Canada, and I'm using this site because it is the best E30 specific website I could find.

I have always loved older BMWs (I'm of Austrian/German heritage and I've always despised american cars). Only recently (in my province, I can drive when I'm 17) have I started seriously looking at buying one. The 3 Series was an obvious choice for someone on a budget.

I feel that before I rush out to buy the first E30 I see in the classifieds, I should be a a little more thoroughly educated.
Some things I'd like to know are:

The difference between the different E30 models

The changes made over the years

Things to be careful of when buying used

What I should be prepared to replace and how much repairs will cost

Thanks in advance

Welcome to the Zone mate...You've made the right choice deciding to purchase a E30

1. The main difference between the different E30 models is that they are pretty much either 4cyl or 6cyl. The latter being the 320i and 325i more commonly. The earlier being the 316i and 318i or 318is and of course the M3 too.
2. The main changes over the years have been cosmetic as opposed to engine changes....ie, bumpers, kit and interior..
3. There are a number of things to look for when buying a E30, mainly rust, rattles and leaks around the engine and steering too.
4. In order to know what you need to replace on a car, you ideally need the car before hand. This is coz you may well buy an absolute minter of a car that only needs a wiper, that will only cost you peanuts!! But you may also buy a car that needs a new head as the old is cracked or something, without you knowing, that will cost you a fair bit to replace...So it can swing either way really. The best thing to do would be to get the car checked out properly before you make the decision to buy it...Keep us updated if you do buy a E30

HTH

[tomstickland]

2 door, 4 door and touring (estate) body styles.

316 - 1.6 8v
318 - 1.8 8v
318 iS - 1.8 16v
320 - 2.0 12v
323 - 2.3 12v
325 - 2.5 12v
M3 - 2.? 16v

[Gwynleym10]

Welcome to the zone!

A couple of things to remember but firstly E30's differed slightly in the US/Canada (this is mainly a U.K based site)

Firstly you didn't get later model m40 engined 318i/316i or early 316 carb models. The only 318i was the m10 and the later 318is (m42).

You also got 325e and 325"super eta" these are low revving engines designed for fuel economy, (they are actually 2.7 engines)

Your 325i have less power than ours from stock, but you have a 325is which is the same power as our standard 325i Do not confuse a 325is with a U.K 325isport they are different (the sport is much better!)

M3's are also detuned for US market....ha ha!

Early e30's have Dive board bumpers, while later ones look pretty much the same as Euro ones.

Early 1983-87
late 1988-94

[StefanReindl]

Thank you all for your help so far.

Yeah, I figured there'd have been some changes made when BMWs started importing to Canada. Thanks for the heads up!

Something else I'm interested in learning is the difference between the pre- and post-facelift models. If anyone has pictures that highlight these changed features it would be much appreciated.