Thinking about getting an e30

[onefastman]

Guys I need some imput. I am putting too many miles on my 1er (leased) and although I will buy it at the end still dont want 50K+ on it. Is it a good idea to get a late 80's 325i? It has 150K, bbs lm's, and a few other rare add on's. I took it for a drive and other than the play in the clutch and weak brakes it felt really good (new suspension too). Once I get it I will do a valve adjustment, new plugs, oil, and anything else you might think ought to be done. He said $3.5K origionally and that he was not even going to sell it untill next summer (a friend told me he might want to sell). He then said $3K. It has sport front seats, cracked dash, and appears to be a pretty well done project car.


What should I pay, is it reliable enough to daily drive, and what goes wrong with these cars?

[escobar929]

post some pics! i say do it

[onefastman]

Dont have any...

It is greyish, not quite gunmetal so not sure what it is called but sexy. On the spoiler it says Mtechnic and is authentic.

[KingOfJericho]

I've been thinking about the same thing but am now leaning toward a 2000-01 Cherokee. Cheap and easy to work on, can be driven in the snow, and costs the same as a 20+ yr old E30. I would still LOVE to get an E30 though.

[BrokenVert]

The cracked dash is a problem with E30s. Also ask if the odometer has been changed. A lot of them fail at just over 100k miles and the car might have a lot more miles on it than you think it does.

I was considering an E30 as an autox car but now I'm leaning toward a Porsche 944...so awesome

[onefastman]

Ya I looked into the dash removal and it is very extensive as everything has to come out and they are hard to find.

I will save it for when I do the entire enterior which is a way down the road

[mineo77]

i have been looking for an E30 325is vs M3 for a fix it upper car...love them!

[onefastman]

What are some red flags on these cars?

It has had within the last 5K
1. Timing belt
2. Water pump
3. Tokico and Eibach shocks/springs
4. Fuel pump
5. Fuel filter

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by onefastman

What are some red flags on these cars?

It has had within the last 5K
1. Timing belt
2. Water pump
3. Tokico and Eibach shocks/springs
4. Fuel pump
5. Fuel filter

The m20 engine 325i/is has the timing belt and valves need to be adjusted every 30k. I would suggest you look at a 318i/is as those are timing chain, require less maintenance, get 30+mpg and are track/auto-x friendly. They don't go as well as the 6cyl models but are a lot of fun to drive. Another option is the 325e/es (5k RPM redline, but shitloads of torque down low).

No matter how you swing it, all these car will require some maintenance unless you pay top dollar $5k and up. I purchased my 318is in '06 for $1950 and re-sold it last November for $4k cash. It still needed a little TLC but nothing major and I wouldn't hesitate driving it 500+ mi when I sold it. I also put upwards of 50k on it during that time

[onefastman]

I actually found a clean (looking) 325e with 2 owners for $2200 asking.

Might go that route

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by onefastman

I actually found a clean (looking) 325e with 2 owners for $2200 asking.

Might go that route

Honestly..for a dd, you can't go wrong with that and they're hella more fun than a 318.

[onefastman]

I really could care less if it is fun or not lol.

Just want a good looking car that runs and is fun to work on. I have the 400hp 1er for the car events.

I guess I will go with the 325e if it checks out, the other guy backed out.

[wnta135]

I had an '88 325 eta that I put 214K miles with only a clutch slave cylinder go bad.
I'd day go for it.

[onefastman]

What I like to hear lol

[JasonCSU]

I've thought about picking up an E30 for a fun little project car, but haven't seen any worthy candidates around here.

[onefastman]

Must be hard in Co with all the salt.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by onefastman

Must be hard in Co with all the salt.

Not much salt is used out here actually. Instead, CDOT uses sand and gravel to aid traction on snow covered roads.

[onefastman]

Interesting, what do you want, 318, i, is, 325i,e,is?

[JasonCSU]

I'd probably go with a 325i or is, though I have seen some ix models around, but I already have an AWD car. I haven't been seriously searching, but I do keep an eye out to see what's for sale locally.

[onefastman]

From what I hear the i and is are identical minus the sport seats and lsd (option on the i) so dont fret if you cant find a is becuase you can get a lsd for $250 and sport interior for $300

I wish I could find a xi, would be nice in winter.

[rsjean]

Found this on an EU enthisiasts site. Might offer some tips...

"On the whole there isn't much to worry about but there are some vital things to remember to protect yourself against expensive repairs. Misfires can cost upto £1000 to rectify and can also be an indication of cracked/cracking cylinder heads which is the really the only weak point about the E30 model BMW's. If there are any misfires, have them diagnosed or rectified prior to purchase. Look out for any loose interior fixings which will indicate neglect/abuse. Check for signs of crash damage as many people will at some point have an over-steer moment that they cannot control and end up crashing. Check the condition of the rear suspension springs as they are reported cases of them breaking to some extent. Listen for any excessive rattles from the rocker cover area as this rattle will cost about £500 to put right and could also indicate further cylinder head trouble. Worn valve guides and and signs of head gasket problems conclude the engine under bonnet mechanical inspection. Ensure that the clutch and rear subframe bushes are in good condition as these are the only 2 other main points that are a common problem on E30 models.

Unfortunately many have been bought by negligent owners which will have been poorly and minimally maintained resulting in a car that is probably in need of some major work to ensure that it is in perfect order and running smoothly. Also there are some 325i Sport models about that have been lowered, ensure that they have been lowered using 325i Sport M-Tech specific springs as very few companies manufacture suspension springs specific to the BMW Sport M-Tec models and most people will lower the car using springs for the standard model 325i.

I encountered the following problems with my 325i Sport

2 broken rocker arms (each time cost £950 to rectify at a BMW dealer)

broken fog light (£110 to fit a new fog light kit at BMW dealer)

burst radiator (no damage was caused to the engine, cost roughly £160 to supply & fit a new one at my local BMW dealer)

seizing drivers door lock

front wheel bearing (£95 for a hub kit at BMW dealer consisting of a hub for each side of the car)

blowing exhaust silencer (see modifications)

broken rear suspension spring (£265 for O/E specification M-Tech springs front & rear at BMW dealer)

clogged injectors (£110 to strip and clean at and independent tuning company)

What else I replaced to keep the car driving 100%

new control arms complete units (roughly £260 at BMW dealer)

new track rod end (£15 each after market)

new gear box and differential oil every 2000 miles

new cambelt"

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by onefastman

I wish I could find a xi, would be nice in winter.

Here are a couple of ix models for sale here in CO.

1988 325iX

1991 325iX