Trying to pick up an E30 for a DD

[Nick_S]

So obviously I'm new here. Quick intro, name is Nick, from Ohio. Not new to cars by any means but am fairly new to E30's aside from looking at them. My current 'fun' car is an 02 SVT Focus, supercharged making around 230hp.

Basically I'm selling my Cherokee which has been my DD since last year. It's costing me way to much to drive weekly and I miss having a small car really.

Been reading a lot lately about different models and getting opinions from others, looking at replacement parts and of course performance parts...I can't leave a car alone if I tried, ha. I have around $2500 to spend, have found a couple decent ones close. The first is an 86 325 with the 2.7eta, has new clutch, good tires, interior looks in great shape. Exterior isn't bad but I detail cars so I'm not too worried. Has a new front air dam from what looks like a possible small collision (slight ding on fender). Overall not bad, is asking $2700 but from looking around that seems quite high for one of these. My main qualm is the low strung motor and somewhat lack of performance the car offers (compared to an I or IS ). Had seen people doing 325I heads on them and Turner Motorsports makes a chip with seemingly great gains on it and a decently higher rev limit.

Found another car in Detroit which is about a 4+ hour drive. It's a 91 318is which I immediately contacted the owner about. Has the nicer sports seats, looks in decent shape but says it needs brakes, an alignment and some other "issues" which is worrying in buying a car I'm not terribly familiar with. Likely this one is out of the picture since he has a pretty serious buyer for it apparently.

Other than those couple I've found quite a few other 325e's in the area for cheaper but look pretty beat or are automatics which I don't want and the other i and is's I've found are out of my price range. Have been searching for around two weeks in or around all of Ohio and surrounding states.

So I suppose my main question is, since it seems incredibly difficult to find a clean, decent shape I or IS in my price range. Am I going to be pretty let down with a 325e? Lightly modded and used for daily driving?

Thanks
Nick

[blackhawkimpact]

I had a 325e, it was pretty fun regardless of it's power. But I would go with the 318is. :)

[Nick_S]

I had a 325e, it was pretty fun regardless of it's power. But I would go with the 318is. :)

Good to know. Engine aside, are the driving dynamic of an I or IS that much different than E? Suspension is the same right? Steering? And I'd assume a LSD would be great but could be swapped pretty easily? Sorry, trying to learn even if I sound like a total noob :up:

[LuckyHenriksen]

I had an 86' 325e (the car in my sig) and I swapped a 3:25 diff into it and that made a huge improvement. It was my daily, did a 2 hour daily commute without fail and returned great gas milage :)

[Nick_S]

I had an 86' 325e (the car in my sig) and I swapped a 3:25 diff into it and that made a huge improvement. It was my daily, did a 2 hour daily commute without fail and returned great gas milage :)

To be honest, mpg is a big concern. My Jeep average 16mpg no matter how I drive so I have to improve off that. My Focus only average around 22mpg, mostly because I have a heavy foot in it, ha. I'm going to test drive the first one I mentioned this weekend and see how it feels then try to find an I or a 318 to drive for comparison.

[urbancynic]

If fuel economy is a major concern, then you should really consider the 325e. If possible you can find a 325es which offers some nice little add ons. A later 318 would be good too, but the eta will get you more power.

[1991318is1]

i have a 318is and love it , and it gets great gas mileage , not to mention it is way less common than a 325e

[nando]

I would go for a 318is over a 325e, but either are going to be way better than a jeep.

[Nick_S]

I would go for a 318is over a 325e, but either are going to be way better than a jeep.

What about a 318i? Found one with supersprint exhaust, headers, LSD, new shocks and lowering springs. It's a 4 door though, I was looking for a 2 but not opposed to a 4 door. It's close to the 325e so I'll probably go check out both.

[nando]

if it's an M42 - sure, basically the same car anyway, and 4 doors are useful especially for a DD.

if it's an M10 - no!

[Nick_S]

if it's an M42 - sure, basically the same car anyway, and 4 doors are useful especially for a DD.

if it's an M10 - no!

Ha thanks. It is listed as an I and so far as I can tell is an M10. It's a 91 if that makes any difference, still learning engine codes and years and such. Aside from having the power of a new born puppy, is there any other reasons to avoid this engine? Thanks for being helpful :up:

[urbancynic]

If its a 91 it shouldnt be an m10

[Kershaw]

if its a 91 it has an m42. swap an LSD for the open diff and rock it.

i loved my 325es. it was a great car. so much fun to putt around in because all the power is in your normal driving rpm range.

[Nick_S]

if its a 91 it has an m42. swap an LSD for the open diff and rock it.

i loved my 325es. it was a great car. so much fun to putt around in because all the power is in your normal driving rpm range.

Hmm good to know! So the M42 is the 140hp engine then. That's more than enough for DD use and if I'll get 30mpg out of it I can't argue with that. The paint on the 318 isn't real good but may be an excuse to brush up on my painting skils. Why swap the LSD for an open dif though?

[Nick_S]

So the 318is I found is still available. Downside is it's in detroit and has an exhaust leak for sure, may need new rotors but is supposedly rust free. It's a two door 5spd, sport interior that looks decent.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/2303119040.html

Also have the 318i, 4 door, has some mods, is closer and has some new basic tune up bits on it. Is closer.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/2255338785.html

Both are similar priced similar. Would rather have the two door but I'm skeptical of driving 4 hours for a car I may not want.


Ahhhh decisions!