want to get an e30

[StereoInstaller1]

Options:

1. $5K should find you a decent 24v E30 with the mods you want already done

2. A pretty damn clean shell and a decent 24V motor and all the parts needed to re-seal and install, plus some decent mods

or

3. Approximately 10 shitball 325s you can turn into 1, and sell all the spare parts!

haha...get home alive. Worry about that shit then.

Luke

[///digitalme]

defintiely a 318is!
good cars!!

[JasonC]

I don't have anything to add. But welcome to the board!

[blackbullz28]

you guys misunderstand my situation, i appreciate the concern but im in like the safest place in afghanistan, i'm a cook, and i live in a concrete building with 5 other guys in my room and we have internet in our room, i work like 15 hours a day cooking and then come to my room bored as shit and look at bmw's online....lol.

[decay]

1. $5K should find you a decent 24v E30 with the mods you want already done

this is wisdom. if i'd done that i'd be a few grand ahead.

OP, my $.02 is use those deployment paychecks to pay off what debt you have ASAP. that makes everything else you want to do easier. e30s will be here when you get home, and you'll be able to build or buy a better one if you aren't paying interest to the bank.

no shame being a POG... they offered me the chance to reclass from engineer to signal before i went over and i took it because if the pay is the same, running a sat-link and playing diablo2 with your buddies beats being an MRAP gunner and worrying about IEDs.

stay aware anyway... you never know.

[blackbullz28]

thats true man for the same pay ill cook steak and eggs, last time i was out here i got stuck in the mountains for like 4 months, i didn't even have food to cook for the guys i just sling load ops and patrol.....

[decay]

you have steak and eggs? you'd better be fucking kidding. KBR food is crap, it actually made me miss the shit they cooked up at leonard wood- they'd throw ground beef into spaghetti and had the nerve to call it "yakisoba".

but i pulled a crap roll winding up in ramadi... went on missions around the lake to TQ a few times and their DFAC was like the biggest mall food-court you've ever seen.

anyway it's good to hear that cooks are still running the show somewhere, you guys actually give a shit about feeding your fellow soldiers. take care, man.

[StereoInstaller1]

I like the whole "buy 10 shitboxes and pray" deal

[e30frosh]

leonard wood

My hat is off to someone who has suffered in Missouri.

[Tbolt]

m20 all day

[decay]

My hat is off to someone who has suffered in Missouri.

*nods* thank you brother.

[bimmer_E30]

m20 all day

+1

after having a B27, M42, M10...


i would say the M20B25 in the E30 is fantastic. sound amazing at higher rpms.

Perfect for City driving! and haz kind of ballz lol :nice:

[blackbullz28]

yeah man I'm holding it down for cooks still but we are the only military ran chow hall in afghanistan right now, im working on getting this assignment where i get to go to hawaii, and cook on airplanes *steward cough cough* for generals and dignitary's would be pretty bad ass

[idanity]

what i would do, if i had to do it again.
1987 325is
reasons...
cheaper than a m3, and yes can be faster
plastic bumper
- no airbags
- ellipsoids
- lsd
-5speed recomended
-rear apron is missing on older models, (you can see the exhaust and spare tire) (later models have a rear apron/ cover to streamline the body )
-has the 885 head
-
other models are fine too. but its all your choice, that was mine.


heres some other options to look for
torx head bolts (hex are bad)
ellipsoids were only offered on a few years (euro smileys are preffered= crystal)
lsd is an option on some (you want a lsd)
5speed (duh)
short shifters (z3 is my fav) should have dampner removed or selector rod bent. (check play in stick)
timing belt history (seriously! )
coolant should be blue (history)
5lug swaps (very sought after)
sport seats (heated are nice) the seat shocks are often worn out, $200 to replace that if you need it.
vin # on every panel.
electrical test (test everything, from antenna to wipers)
mtech (anything, but the steering wheels are sweetly smaller)
jim conforti chips (or similar)
mahle oil filters (run from anyone using a fram)
power steering leaks, (common, there is a swap to reduce ratio) *just a plus if you find one



the "i"s are more powerful, and can rev to 7k (w/chip)
the "e"s are more economy, and have a ton of torque, but won't rev past 4k
the 320, 318s are all 4cyl, and very underpowered, but fun. they also have special differentials, which make it hard to find a limited slip for sale anywhere.


many of these cars die from the timing belt, (and most fail at startup, so don't buy a car till after you start it, and drive it home/ park it and swap out that belt asap)

if you want a true fun machine, buy a pro3 car and race it. then, buy a old toyota truck as a daily driver or parts getter..

if you can (and have a garage) always get a m3 (e30), as the value of them are skyrocketing.
one sold for over $30,000 here in seattle last year. (almost list price).
someday, they may be more.
parts are more
infact, the m3s are totally different cars.
but one thing is certain

e30s are strong, and outlast other/ newer bmws.
very fun to drive when they are tuned
safe and classy too.

keep reading for a year, and you will have a much better understanding on what your looking for
drive at least 9 before you buy one.