Trying to pick up an E30 for a DD

[Wanganstyle]

the first E30 I had for commuting use was a m42 318is. Handles the best out of all normal e30's

My current DD is a 325e. for Daily use, I'd rather have the ETA as the conditions I am in require easy lazy torque. Fuel economy is also great with the lower gearing

early ETA's have lazy 2.79 final drive ratio, later ones 2.93. I installed a 3.07 LSD into mine, pretty good combination daily / mountain cruising car.

the M42 is a bit high strung and rough on vibrations for daily use, if going with a 4 cylinder I prefer boxxer 4 cylinder engines to inline.

[txtorquemade]

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.

Done

[Nick_S]

Done

???

[Kershaw]

^ no idea. maybe he was agreeing with me.

My current DD is a 325e. for Daily use, I'd rather have the ETA as the conditions I am in require easy lazy torque. Fuel economy is also great with the lower gearing

the M42 is a bit high strung and rough on vibrations for daily use, if going with a 4 cylinder I prefer boxxer 4 cylinder engines to inline.

absolutely. i loved my eta because of the easy lazy torque as you put it. just made it so nice to drive around. and i really think it has perfect gearing. you never feel like you need another gear on the highway.

m42 is definitely high strung.

[Nick_S]

^ no idea. maybe he was agreeing with me.



absolutely. i loved my eta because of the easy lazy torque as you put it. just made it so nice to drive around. and i really think it has perfect gearing. you never feel like you need another gear on the highway.

m42 is definitely high strung.

Cool thanks for the input. Looks like if I can talk the guy with the eta down a bit I'll pick that. And looks like the 318i I was looking at is sold and I really don't feel like driving to detroit for the 318is.

[urbancynic]

I like my eta. If I could get it through emissions, and fix a couple minor bugs I'll be happy with it.

If I was doing a track car or something I'd go for an i. Since its just a daily I'll stick with the eta. Probably chip it. Best thing you can do for an eta, aside from basic maintenance anyway.

[Nick_S]

Hmmm so a nice 318is just popped up about 15 miles from me. Hopefully go look at that tonight! Got a few dings, odo doesn't work (go figure), short shifter, h&r springs and bilstein shocks. The guys says its originally from New Mexico and is rust free.

[Lance Racing]

Because the eta was low revving and designed around torque, it's a good cruise around town car. And low revving means the engines go forever. As stated, you could swap out the rear diff to get a little more pick up from a start.

A mild aftermarket spring/shock upgrade will transform the car hanlding wise. I don't like my street E30s to have rock hard suspensions. But a tired stock suspension will feel like a marshmallow.

[Wanganstyle]

Because the eta was low revving and designed around torque, it's a good cruise around town car. And low revving means the engines go forever. As stated, you could swap out the rear diff to get a little more pick up from a start.

A mild aftermarket spring/shock upgrade will transform the car hanlding wise. I don't like my street E30s to have rock hard suspensions. But a tired stock suspension will feel like a marshmallow.

I put cabrio suspension on my ETA to have more oil pan clearance, lots of speed bumps near me.

3.07 final gear bump from stock 2.93 was nice, I don't think fuel economy changed as I do mostly short drives, the freeway rpm difference is barely noticed but the acceleration seems same with less throttle needed - perhaps I save fuel.

[txtorquemade]

???

yes.....agreeing!!