How good is your e30 as a DD?

[quikveedb2]

...when did a 2.5 litre inline six with 170HP become 'little'? More to the point - when did it become a concern to go UP AND DOWN HILLS in it? BMW sold this car very successfully in europe with much smaller engines - and they regularly went up and down much steeper mountains. I am somewhat at a loss?
OP: apart from the above, get good season tyres, check that your LSD is actually working, watch out for rust (wash the underside frequently) and go to a few HPDEs.

Dude, the elevation gain between Denver and where I live is 5000 feet in about 90-100 linear miles. That's a lot of hill no matter what you're driving, and my current daily is a 2.7t S4, so I'm used to climbing with a bit more than 170hp. I just don't want to be crawling up Berthoud Pass at 20mph, in the snow or otherwise! You guys have had some great input, I appreciate all the thoughts!

[epyx]

my current daily is a 2.7t S4

Yay, another S4 owner!

As for using an e30 for dd duties mine has been absolutly flawless. I've put about 300 miles per week on mine for the past 2 years without a hitch. It puts a smile on my face everytime I hop in the car.

P.S. If your windshield is very pitted I would suggest replacing, it will make a world of difference in your daily commute.

[SamE30e]

I've had 2 E30's in 3 years. And in those 3 years, it only left me stranded once, and it was my fuel pump wire shorting out and I couldn't solve it because it was freezing out. Hell when I bent a valve in my 318 I was still able to drive it home.

[quikveedb2]

While it seems a lot of you have good things to say about DD-ing your e30 I'm still on the fence. It's serving as my townie car right now which is fine, but on longer trips I'm still driving the Audi. It's just more comfortable (and quicker) on long rides. Additionally, last night the BMW randomly cut off on the way to a friends house only a few miles away. I coasted to a stop, and it restarted immediately when i tried, so until i can track down that little gremlin I'm hesitant to commit to it being my only car. I think eventually the BMW will be my primary transportation, but for the moment it's good to have choices.

[e30maniac]

man i drive mine all the time, never had any issues getting it home. it also is beast especially in winter.. thats right i need some studs...

[RainierHooker]

I have used my current e30 as a DD exclusively. It has never given me so much as a hiccup, and I have a 45 mile round-trip commute.
My previous e30 was also my DD and the only problem it ever gave me was when I broke my alternator/H2O-pump belt. It went to 327k on the original engine and trany before I sold it.

[quikveedb2]

It went to 327k on the original engine and trany before I sold it.

holy shit! that is impressive.

[Calico540]

My DD is an e39 540i sport and my wifes DD is a 1991 325ix automatic. I would gladly trade with her any day, but she doesn't like the heavier car. Once I got a maintenance baseline on the 325iX, it has been good as gold. Never get rid of it. Maintenance is fairly easy (except when I had to replace the starter) and I actually want to get another one so I can park the e39 in the winters. Stick with the e30 !!