Help an amateur but passionate BMW E30 enthusiast choose the right car please!

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  • m50kocka
    Noobie
    • Jul 2025
    • 11

    #1

    Help an amateur but passionate BMW E30 enthusiast choose the right car please!

    Hello, this is my first time posting here. Sorry if im doing anything wrong.
    Im really a fan of the e30 especially the coupe but i have no technical knowledge. Also i can't import any cars that are older than 10 years in my country, so im stuck to choose one already registered here ( i know..).
    This is an e30 coupe m50 swap that looks like it needs a little love.
    Can you please tell me what do you think and what should i be aware of? Thanks, i'll attach the pictures down here.
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  • JasonWilson48
    Member
    • Jan 2025
    • 87

    #2
    Buying an E30 Buying a used car is always a chore, especially when you’re looking at something that is now
    1990 332I Thread
    2009 Honda Element (Daily/Beater)

    Comment

    • 2mAn
      Señior Mod
      • Aug 2010
      • 20117

      #3
      Originally posted by m50kocka
      This is an e30 coupe m50 swap that looks like it needs a little love.
      Can you please tell me what do you think and what should i be aware of? Thanks
      Not a bad looking E30, but definitely a modified one

      Your success on reviving this car depends on how hot your GF is, so attach a pic of her and we can give you a better percentage of success

      After that, I personally would start with refreshing the rubber fuel lines, starting all the way back at the tank and going all the way forward to the motor. Probably a new set of Spark Plugs, fresh fuel, likely needs new tires... after that you should be able to drive the car and you'll know how much more it needs.

      Thanks, and I will await the pics ;)
      Simon
      Current Cars:
      -1966 Lotus Elan
      -1986 German Car
      -2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

      Make R3V Great Again -2020

      Comment

      • TobyB
        R3V Elite
        • Oct 2011
        • 5168

        #4
        i have no technical knowledge.
        Then to be brutally honest, a swapped car isn't the best place to start.
        Your dog will bite your hot girlfriend, she'll leave you and take all your money,
        you'll get depressed and lose your job- this is going to be a sad Country song from ages past.
        And we'll never get to see those pictures.

        Now, if you have technical ability and the desire to learn, maybe something could be salvaged
        from this mess. But you'll have to dig into a car that's probably already mostly working,
        and that can be a real challenge, mentally.


        I'd say keep looking for a stock M20 powered car.

        t
        Prove me Wrong.
        now, sometimes I just mess with people. It's more entertaining that way. george graves

        Comment

        • 82eye
          E30 Mastermind
          • Jan 2009
          • 1890

          #5
          i have to agree with starting on an m20 to learn the car first before taking on a swapped car. buying a swap is almost always simply paying to figure out the problems the previous guy was stumped on.

          Comment

          • It's Soda Not Pop
            E30 Modder
            • Jan 2022
            • 857

            #6
            Throw caution to the wind and buy it. Let the adventure begin. (LOL kidding, but also serious. Sometimes you'll never know unless you try) Having said all this. A unmolested car would probably be better for a noob, or it could also be a nightmare. Kind of a gamble either way on old cars.

            88' Seta 2.7i Zinno

            https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/for...430-my-88-seta

            Comment

            • Leland E30
              Noobie
              • Apr 2017
              • 2

              #7
              I have a 91 318i M54B30 Swap on Hagerty Classifieds

              Comment

              • 2mAn
                Señior Mod
                • Aug 2010
                • 20117

                #8
                Originally posted by Leland E30
                I have a 91 318i M54B30 Swap on Hagerty Classifieds
                This dude is europe or somewhere overseas. Please take a minute to read before you post
                Simon
                Current Cars:
                -1966 Lotus Elan
                -1986 German Car
                -2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

                Make R3V Great Again -2020

                Comment

                • FredK
                  R3V OG
                  • Oct 2003
                  • 14747

                  #9
                  Originally posted by 2mAn

                  Please take a minute to read before you post
                  make me

                  you won't

                  coward


                  Comment

                  • 2mAn
                    Señior Mod
                    • Aug 2010
                    • 20117

                    #10
                    Originally posted by FredK
                    make me

                    you won't

                    coward

                    you have more rope Mr Fred...

                    Simon
                    Current Cars:
                    -1966 Lotus Elan
                    -1986 German Car
                    -2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

                    Make R3V Great Again -2020

                    Comment

                    • McGyver
                      R3V Elite
                      • Jun 2009
                      • 4453

                      #11
                      OP, does that car run and drive? Do you know what issues it has?

                      From the pics, it just looks dirty and like it burns some oil, but runs. Maybe it's not the best starting point, but if e30s are rare for you, it would be a starting point. Drive it as-is, fix the problems it has, or do your own engine swap so you know all the little issues.

                      Just buy it.
                      sigpic
                      1987 - 325i Convertible Delphin Auto [SOLD], 325i Convertible Delphin Manual [SOLD]
                      1989 - 325i Convertible Bronzit m30b35 swapped [SCRAPPED], 325i Sedan Alpine Auto[DD]
                      1991 - 325i Coupe Laguna Manual [Project], 535i Sedan Alpine [SCRAPPED]

                      Comment

                      • Northern
                        R3V Elite
                        • Nov 2010
                        • 5045

                        #12
                        Originally posted by It's Soda Not Pop
                        Throw caution to the wind and buy it. Let the adventure begin.
                        Honestly I swear by this method. If the vibes are good, I buy it. Shit'll be broken and I'll have to fix it either way.
                        Originally posted by priapism
                        My girl don't know shit, but she bakes a mean cupcake.
                        Originally posted by shameson
                        Usually it's best not to know how much money you have into your e30

                        Comment

                        • Jkitchin
                          Noobie
                          • Aug 2025
                          • 10

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Leland E30
                          I have a 91 318i M54B30 Swap on Hagerty Classifieds
                          link to build thread? Tried searching

                          Comment

                          • 2mAn
                            Señior Mod
                            • Aug 2010
                            • 20117

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Jkitchin

                            link to build thread? Tried searching
                            He came, he spammed, he never returned...

                            I couldnt find it either and asked him to ad links. Nothing.
                            Simon
                            Current Cars:
                            -1966 Lotus Elan
                            -1986 German Car
                            -2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

                            Make R3V Great Again -2020

                            Comment

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