I’m thinking of exiting E30 life

[500ke30]

It's been over a decade since the last time I looked at them, but I have no idea what mounts are in the car. I've been looking for a new shifter but don't plan to pull the trigger until I sign up for my next event.

I had a stock e46 ZHP 10+ years ago. I money shifted that car at the track and and set me back $5000 for a used engine and labor.

[Northern]

I mean you could just fire a DCT or 8HP in the E30 if you're that unhappy with the manual?

[ZEKTI]

Personally I would keep the ES. If you find cars sentimental at all you will regret that, maybe not immediately, but for the rest of your life. If you need funds then swap in an M20 to make it more of a "stock" car. I too am getting older and am putting comforts back into my first car, a 318ti. All the fun mods of the my 20s, AC delete, stiff suspension, motor swap etc, I would now switch for a mundane powertrain and a comfortable experience.

Even if you sold both, imo that isn't going to get you a reliable F87 M2 with track consumables. E9X M3 borderline. If you haven't driven a prepped E46 M3 I would say go for that. My bro went from E46 M3, albeit lots of mods, to an M2 Comp and we both agreed the M3 was a far better car for the enthusiast.

[500ke30]

I mean you could just fire a DCT or 8HP in the E30 if you're that unhappy with the manual?

I briefly looked into the DCT swap earlier this year. And a co-worker just mentioned the 8 speed swap to me on Tuesday. The biggest turn off is the time and money to do the swap and get things sorted.

[varg]

I'm good at giving opinions

My dad bought this car brand new in 1986 and gave it to me in high school in the late 90s.

I don't know about anyone else, but personally I'd keep a car like that. Not only is it a clean looking E30 (other than the wheels) but it has sentimental value. I don't do newer cars, but low 20s sounds like beater territory for M2s and high mileage territory for the M3, given the S65's reputation and the F-generation of BMWs complexities, that just sounds like trouble to me. While I definitely understand not tracking old cars that are harder than ever to fix or replace, that would steer me toward something of low value and ample supply like E90 328/330s, not M cars that are prone to expensive problems and a pain to work on. And that's not getting into the financial thing, I don't know anything about your finances other than what you said but you say you're paying down some debt and in the same thread considering blowing $20k on a track toy? With track cars you have to consider the fact that you are much more likely to wind up with a total loss, since it's impractical to insure it and easy to stuff it by running out of skill or even just due to dumb luck like someone dumping their oil pan or cooling system out in front of you. And they don't retain value, that $25k M2, track prepped, is most likely worth less than you paid for it even with the upgrades.

[Northern]

I briefly looked into the DCT swap earlier this year. And a co-worker just mentioned the 8 speed swap to me on Tuesday. The biggest turn off is the time and money to do the swap and get things sorted.

I would absolutely do an 8HP over a DCT but I get that people see DCT as a 'manual' and the 8HP is an automatic and therefore inferior by default.
I think in practice the ZF8HP is as good as a DCT with much less cost and effort.

I agree with Varg on the cost of the potential replacement... I think the cost and effort to get whatever you buy up to snuff will eclipse the cost of an 8HP swap, but yes it'll be much less straightforward to retrofit vs replacing broken shit on a newer car.

[500ke30]

I'm good at giving opinions



I don't know about anyone else, but personally I'd keep a car like that. Not only is it a clean looking E30 (other than the wheels) but it has sentimental value. I don't do newer cars, but low 20s sounds like beater territory for M2s and high mileage territory for the M3, given the S65's reputation and the F-generation of BMWs complexities, that just sounds like trouble to me. While I definitely understand not tracking old cars that are harder than ever to fix or replace, that would steer me toward something of low value and ample supply like E90 328/330s, not M cars that are prone to expensive problems and a pain to work on. And that's not getting into the financial thing, I don't know anything about your finances other than what you said but you say you're paying down some debt and in the same thread considering blowing $20k on a track toy? With track cars you have to consider the fact that you are much more likely to wind up with a total loss, since it's impractical to insure it and easy to stuff it by running out of skill or even just due to dumb luck like someone dumping their oil pan or cooling system out in front of you. And they don't retain value, that $25k M2, track prepped, is most likely worth less than you paid for it even with the upgrades.

1) WHAT...you don't like the wheels? They are not my favorite either, but I thought they were the best looking wheels at the time to fit over the the BBK.
2) I'm aware of the losses associated with track toys. I have no plans to insure the car and accept the risk of wadding it up. Based on how much I've spent of both of my cars, I have no intentions of recouping my { cough-cough} investment.
3) I do all of my own work. I'm not afraid of repairs and there's enough information on the world wide webs to get me by.

[almostacrayon]

Zf8 swaps aren't hard to install and you can have paddles and clutch too if you like:

[KI4UJO]

I will add this - if you ever opt to get back into the e30 game, you'll end up spending up way more time, effort, and money getting back in. I made the mistake of selling a sorted car once.... M42 round two cost 3x as much to get to the same level, and a ton more time... I would argue that was the real loss of the endeavor. I sometimes consider selling it, as I have a few other options in the stable (e36m, 318ti, f10 535 6MT). Every time that happens, though, I'm reminded of the last time around. I'd love to avoid that experience again.

[strickland]

Can’t tell you how many times I heard someone say about my E30, “I used to have one of these… MAN, I wish I never sold it.”

[Sunnyledge]

I would bet that you will eventually regret parting with the 325es. I sold a 1975 280Z to my cousin, which I had purchased in the military. I had the chance to buy the Z car back. At that time money was not an issue. I passed on the offer, which I regret. I could buy another one, but it wouldn’t be the “one”. I bought a 1957 Corvette 30 years ago and had it restored. I have no history with it, didn’t do any of the work. Nice car, draws lots of attention, but it’s just a possession. I own a 1984 318i which I bought new. Forty years of memories and I will never sell it. The cars that were part of your life mean more.

[Andy348]

Haven't posted here in a long time. I had an E30 years ago - I've had numerous cars since then and currently own an E92 M3 - 2008 6 speed, single hump.

I watched all the videos and read all the reviews and was confident that the E9x chassis was perfect for me, the closest thing to a 'modern' E30 that I would find. Naturally aspirated, high revving, hydraulic steering, all huge pluses. I searched high and low to get the spec I wanted, which was tough to find - single hump, manual, heated seats, and a sunroof. I live in the northeast and need a larger vehicle / DD for work so this is purely a weekend fun car for me.

Honestly it's been a let down. The car is so much more insulated than what I would have expected. Anyone who drives it comes out saying its the smoothest car they've ever driven. The intake noise is solid but the exhaust needs upgrading from OEM to be really enjoyable. The stock shifter leaves a lot to be desired. I was stupid going in thinking it would replicate my E30 experience... it drives like a large/heavy German sedan with an epic engine.

That said, I went in with the wrong idea. It isn't a sports car / weekend car, and while I could mod it like crazy to make it more fun, it's just not what its meant to be. While an E30 is also not a sports car chassis, it's so light and agile that it feels that way. In retrospect I should have either bought another E30 (which I am looking for now btw) or a Miata or some other more special weekend car. The only way the M3 would make sense for me is an E90 with DCT that I could drive more frequently.

[MrBurgundy]

Yeah e92s are epic cars, but an e30 offers a wildly different experience, in a better way, which of course is subjective.

If you want a better performing track car, obviously the chassis of the e92 M3 is much better suited for that. No question about that.

Seems that's what the OP wants. Tracking an E92 M3 of course is going to cost a significant amount more on tires, maintenance, shit breaking ect ect than an e30.

Pros and cons...

[MR E30 325is]

I sold my old, and last E30, almost ten years ago now, and while I 'needed' to do it at that point in my life, it wasn't an easy decision.

Fast forward to now, and the individual who currently owns it, who bought it from the person I sold it to, knows of my existence, and will one day be selling my E30 back to me, a day that I look forward to with excitement.

I tried to exit the E30 life, but despite the temporary absence, I will be brought back into the fold in due time.

I wish I had never sold it, but fate shines brightly on me, and one day what I lost will be mine once again.

[e30austin]

you have a very long history with your 325e - IMHO, that's a car that doesn't make sense to part with. that being said, i've owned multiples of the exact same car and it became very redundant. i would sell the late sedan if you truly wanted to do something different.

being sympathetic to your situation because i'm in a similar spot, i have often pondered selling my own s50 powered car, but i know i'd come to regret it in the long term. do what makes you happy, though, not because some weirdo on the internet says you should/shouldn't. :)