Thinking about getting an e30

[Dackelone]

Given the choice of a "325e" vs "is" - I would sugest getting the IS!!! The e(eta) motor is a low reving engine. Much like a diesel. Redlines at 4.5rpms from my memory.

That 325is sounds like it has had almost every possible thing replaced on it! Aside from a radiator or maybe tie rods/wheel bearings. I would persue that one, IF possible.

The older e30 3-ers are very reliable transport. Much more robust then current BMWs are. The biggest issue with the old sixes are the timing belts and fuel pumps and DME relays. Get one that was loved and care for!

I would AVOID the 318i & is bc of the leaking head gasket problems with the front cam chain cover. IF you get one of those that leaks... you will spend an easy $1k or more fixing it. Get a straight six banger. I prefer the "i" motors over the eta ones. But drive both and see which you like best.

Maybe checkout some on craigslist too. You could broadern your search and maybe consider a e28 or e39 five-r ??? They are also good horses.

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I would AVOID the 318i & is bc of the leaking head gasket problems with the front cam chain cover. IF you get one of those that leaks... you will spend an easy $1k or more fixing it. Get a straight six banger. I prefer the "i" motors over the eta ones. But drive both and see which you like best.

Sorry but I must correct you. The profile gasket issue was a recalled item that BMW took care of in 1991/2. Chances are, if the car is still on the road today, 19 years later, then either it was serviced by BMW or the car was never affected. The 318is imho is by far the most reliable/dependable and most cost efficient BMW to work on yourself. Its just a little slow on the getgo.

[moveswiftly]

This price is too low.... i kinda wanna buy one lol
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1769906951.html

[onefastman]

Wow thats a great deal

The 325is guy is being kinda unreasonable. It needs brake work and he is asking $3500 now. Keeps changing the price

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by achtungE30

Sorry but I must correct you. The profile gasket issue was a recalled item that BMW took care of in 1991/2. Chances are, if the car is still on the road today, 19 years later, then either it was serviced by BMW or the car was never affected. The 318is imho is by far the most reliable/dependable and most cost efficient BMW to work on yourself. Its just a little slow on the getgo.

Thanks for pointing that out to me. that what we are all here for - to learn more about our beloved cars!

But... I thought even after that service campaign... the O-rings in that upper coolant tube(both ends) can and will degrade(over time) and leak coolant into the inside of the upper timing chain cover. Once that happens you will have to R&R the front part of that cover and do a headgasket again.

I am no expert with the 318is or 318Ti engine... but I thought that was their Achilles’ heel - so to speak. Just like the timing belts of the sixes.

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by chesterfan1230

This price is too low.... i kinda wanna buy one lol
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/1769906951.html

1992 and up coupe/sedan is e36
fun fact: the e30 convertible stopped at 93

[bmwsam]

I highly recommend getting an E30. I love mine and still get a kick out of driving it (318is). If you're considering an E30 be a little careful because a lot of them out there aren't in very good condition due to their age. Mine's been in my family since new and we've never had a major problem with it besides getting the profile gasket fixed, which was to be expected. I was recently offered twice what it's worth but I still turned it down, I'm never selling it. Good luck with your search!

[dude8383]

After the profile gasket was addressed with M42's it became a non-issue. There are no o-rings in the coolant passage from the t-stat area, just one gasket. Well...just one around the t-stat itself but that does not pose a problem.





The major thing to look out for with M42B18's is the timing chain sprockets. I recommend you drop the oil pan to check for missing bolts and re-torquing everything.

http://m42club.com/forums/showthread...=oil+pan+bolts

Give that a read

I loved my M42, very light and nimble cars!!

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Thanks for pointing that out to me. that what we are all here for - to learn more about our beloved cars!

But... I thought even after that service campaign... the O-rings in that upper coolant tube(both ends) can and will degrade(over time) and leak coolant into the inside of the upper timing chain cover. Once that happens you will have to R&R the front part of that cover and do a headgasket again.

I am no expert with the 318is or 318Ti engine... but I thought that was their Achilles’ heel - so to speak. Just like the timing belts of the sixes.

[larryn]

My 1st BMW was a 1986 325es that I bought new, and ran for over 200k miles, when I traded it in when the e36's came out in 1992.

I wish I still had that car, it was so fun. It was mint and still had the original clutch in it when I traded it in.

[Elsabor67]

Go with either IS (318 or 325). I have owned 4 in the past and they are extremely fun. Maintenance is a little time consuming, but well worth it. I am trying to get another E30 right now so I can give the 1er some rest. Best of luck.

[JHZR2]

+1 on the late model 318i or is.

The facelift models with integrated bumpers and foglights look good. Any M42 engine out there now definitely has had the profile gasket taken care of, and so they are good bets as far as cars go.

The diffs on them are a bit small, so can get whiney, and the SI boards are a pain. The dash does crack - mine has been developing a crack for a year now

The 318i will be slower than a 325i, and a 325e probably will get better mileage, but in terms of a robust late model car, the 318i is a winner. Id buy one again in an instant.

Take a look at Brian Purcell's 318is website (it is on a server something like eastclear.ie) which has a lot of good info.

Great car. Keep one going nicely and on the road!

[larryn]

http://www.roadfly.com/bmw/classifie...6&sortby=&dir=

Keep an eye on Roadfly. Most of the cars posted there would be exceptional and owned by enthusiasts

[DBFIU]

There is a pristine 318 in my neighborhood going for 3500. Its white in great shape, interior is perfect.

I might get it, how can i tell the differences between different 318s?

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by DBFIU

There is a pristine 318 in my neighborhood going for 3500. Its white in great shape, interior is perfect.

I might get it, how can i tell the differences between different 318s?

There was a break in production for the US-bound 318 cars. They are either at the very early end of the E30 series (83-87?) and the tail-end (90-91).

Id recommend the later ones. 1991 is probably ideal. You want the "newer looking" E30, which has integrated foglights and body-color bumpers.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

There was a break in production for the US-bound 318 cars. They are either at the very early end of the E30 series (83-87?) and the tail-end (90-91).

Id recommend the later ones. 1991 is probably ideal. You want the "newer looking" E30, which has integrated foglights and body-color bumpers.

Yep, and it's good to note that the cabrio continued as a 1992 model as well, when the rest of the e30 coupe/sedan ended for model year 1991 in North America, to make way for the 1992 e36 318/325 models.

The non-M mecca e30 car is a 1989-91 325is 5sp manual. They get top dollar for a decent looking example.

[Battleship Potemkin]

I wish to join the long list of posters singing the praises of the M42 engine. I've got one in my 318ti that I'm tooling around town in while I await my N55.

[onefastman]

Went and looked at two 325e's the other day

The first one was the two owner (2nd guy owned it for a year and 3K). Looked dam good but no service records but has been taken care of at a local dealer. Talked him down to $1450.
Problems:
Cracks in dash...
Needs brakes done soonish
Will change belts, water pump, adjust valves, tensioner, etc..

The second was a pos


Going to get the 1st one pending a friends approval
Going to get the first one

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by onefastman

Went and looked at two 325e's the other day

The first one was the two owner (2nd guy owned it for a year and 3K). Looked dam good but no service records but has been taken care of at a local dealer. Talked him down to $1450.
Problems:
Cracks in dash...
Needs brakes done soonish
Will change belts, water pump, adjust valves, tensioner, etc..

The second was a pos


Going to get the 1st one pending a friends approval
Going to get the first one

Did you drive the first one? I'm just wondering how you liked the short blast to redline...its torquey but short lived! I could learn to live with it but I know its not for everyone.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by achtungE30

Did you drive the first one? I'm just wondering how you liked the short blast to redline...its torquey but short lived! I could learn to live with it but I know its not for everyone.

A chip on the eta motor raises the redline to 5300 and makes the torquey car even more fun. Most eta chips add between 25-30 hp, and 25-30 lbft.. which is pretty significant in that car.. for around $200. Heck, a decent free-flowing air filter has decent benefits on that car too...

[m_thompson]

The '87 325iS that I had was my first really nice car. I bought it when it was two years old. It had 65,000 highway miles on it so it wasn't too expensive. The plastic bags were still on the rear seat belts.

[onefastman]

Nice, the eta motor is slow as balls.

I did drive it and was suprised. It felt more solid than my 1er...

I would chip it and add intake too but nothing more unless I swap motors

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by onefastman

Nice, the eta motor is slow as balls.

I did drive it and was suprised. It felt more solid than my 1er...

I would chip it and add intake too but nothing more unless I swap motors

LOL, i'm confused...a few posts up you didn't care if the car was fun as its a DD...now you're talking about swapping motors?