Best years for a E30?

[ThaiRacer]

Is it true that the 1991's are the best year for E30 because it was the only year with the 16v M42?

[namsayin]

excluding m3s

it would probably be the 89 325is

last of the non airbag cars
ellipsoids
pop out windows
13button OBC
plastic bumpers
maplight mirror

i just bought a shitty 91 325i because i wanted a model from the last year of production, and i hate any kind of spoiler. I also stripped my car of everything a 325is would have so they wouldnt be beneficial to me anyways.

as far as a 318is, not sure if which year maybe an 89 318is w/o sunroof = lightest factory e30

[rede30]

in order
89 325is
88 325is
90 325is
91 318is

[iX-treame]

325is-1990's born in 89, no air bags, plastic bumpers....
318is-1991 16v
325iX- 1988- no air bags, ellipsoids, only 310 made or 89 cuz plastic bumpers

[Gray S.]

91 318is. Airbag vs. non-air bag I dont see any difference if your changing the wheel anyway. Might as well get the newest model you can. Ellipsoids can easily be retrofitted.

Your more likely to find a 91 318is without a sunroof than any year 325 model. Plus they are lighter and a bit more nimble.

The only thing I wish my car had were hte pop out rear windows. I've never been in an e30 with them, but from riding in my car with the windows down I can imagine they would help the buffeting/airflow substantially.

[SpecM]

but from riding in my car with the windows down I can imagine they would help the buffeting/airflow substantially.

they are nice, just a pain to reach back there and open/close them

[transatlantic0207]

i didn't know that pop-outs were sooo rare...I've never seen an e30 without the pop-outs

[ThaiRacer]

thanks for the great info

[mcr_driver]

curious why the 88 and 89 year 325is are better/ different then the 87 325is?

[Alkasquawlik]

its considered that the 1989 325is is the most sought after E30, apart from M3s and all the random other exclusive variants.

curious why the 88 and 89 year 325is are better/ different then the 87 325is?

they have the late model valence.
on the '88s you can switch to plastic bumpers easily, and the 89s have them already. '87s had diving boards.

[Rodoni]

i heard 87 325is's had a smaller gas tank. 13 gallons iirc

[416stroker]

93 verts. imo because it was the last E30.

[RainierHooker]

Pre-89 cars are the best. You can't put euro-bumpers on PB cars ;)
...oh and early arches FTW

[416stroker]

Pre-89 cars are the best. You can't put euro-bumpers on PB cars ;)
...oh and early arches FTW

M-Tech I are the best looking most def.

[namsayin]

M-Tech I are the best looking most def.

Mtech ii ftw

... But I'm biased lol