Buying an E30

[Krista_The_WRX]

So today I went and looked at an local E30 for sale. It's body didn't look the greatest in the pictures provided but otherwise the person selling said it was good. When I showed up it was even more obvious that part of it had been spray painted black (and an awful job at that). I got in and it was full of cigarettes and torn messy interior. Then he let me drive it and it's gearbox felt awful. The only thing I can compare it too is my old 1970 240z. It felt soft and mushy and the different gears where not distinguished at all. It was extremely easy to push into gear and when in gear the knob would just move back torts the neutral position. You can move the knob up or down anywhere (left to right) and get into a gear. It's clutch also felt extremely light and I couldn't even tell where it disengaged. It didn't stall nor jump (even though I was guessing the revs on a car I have never driven nor ridden in, its tachometer was broken). So maybe it needed a clutch. So I was wondering if all or most E30 transmissions are like this and if there clutches are light? I'm hoping that this is just because it was a cheap E30 that hasn't been taken care of (shame, only has 110k if the odometer works). E30s are fun stock right? Thanks.

[clydesdale]

e30s are very fun stock, but they are not powerful. They handle well and give great road feedback. My car has 305k on it. The motor is tired, but the tranny feels fine.

[e30onBBSs]

My e30 has slop in the stick as well. I think putting in a short shifter gets rid of it. To me I just got used to it and it has quite the unique feel when the selector finds its path into first, it's like "ahh there it is!". My car is stock except for tuned gear ratio tranny, and lowered springs, and a dynomax race exhaust. It's truly the most fun car I've driven, the sound of the inline six is incredible and the way it flys through the corners is to be envied by most cars on the road! I guess it's all about the price point. Is it so bad that you will have money for the repairs that need to be done? If you get it GOOD LUCK with the cigarette smell, that's hard to get out!

If you are mechanically inclined which you probs are, then an e30 should be a great car if you have the time to put into it, but make sure the engine is good. From what I've read and heard the main things on e30's besides water pump, timing belt, and valve timings are just random little things, like central locking, broken seals, rust, yada yada. My locks are evil suckers, some shit is missing in my car, yolo. If you see the potential and can give it what it needs you will have a good time if you like working on it and driving it. They are super fun not only because they handle and sound amazing and look amazing, but since there are so few in comparison to today's cars that people are like word! it's an e30 yeet!

[DesertBMW]

Depends what E30. Mint condition 1984 318i does have sloppy shifter and gear box, clutch is light, engine lacks power.

[SLCE30318is]

I would say my 318is was one of the most fun test drives I had when looking at cars. The shifter had a bit of slop on mine, but it wasn't too bad. The previous owner was a mechanic and had taken pretty good care of it.

At least with the four cylinders, I think the saying "driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow" applies well. I had a blast driving it from Utah to Texas and revving the piss out of it on the open highways. So I would say that the 318is cars are extremely fun stock.