Thoughts on swapped E30s and traveling back in time (long)

[mr2peak]

I only read the first page of this thread but, you want e28 535is. Get to work

I'm considering an E28 as a next car... No need personally to push it as fast and I can own it as a classy DD well past my 30's..

Get a slower E30 to start with. They are remarkably tail happy under power and it takes experience to tame it. That's the point, and the privilege, of driving a modified e30.

[DuMa]

its pretty clear to me this guy wants a delorean and a scientist buddy that says 'great scott!'

[woodisgood]

I only read the first page of this thread but, you want e28 535is. Get to work

[Mercury[BKM]]

take a performance driving class or 2 and tack that on to you cost of a clean swap s52 swapped e30... a clean swapped once, if you can find one available, should cost you around 10,000+ or so IF THEY WERE DONE RIGHT.. suspension and all

thats cash money, no bank will finance that unless youre a 800 beacon and can signature loan it with some heavy side collat

[Marcumac]

Right. Have you been having OBD II related issues?

I have definitely heard some new points and opinions so far, and I appreciate the positive ones, I have a lot of respect for you guys that have done your own swaps, but I don't think that I should be deemed "not worthy" based on the fact that I want one that has already been done. I'm just looking for opinions on the car itself, not what you think of me and whether or not I match up to your definition of a deserving enthusiast.

Keep the on topic stuff coming guys, appreciate what I've heard so far about the pros and cons of ownership.

[cale]

I went from being babied in a new subaru to a s52 swapped touring and loving every minute of it. I owned several e30's years ago and when I started making more money figured I wanted to upgrade to something newer....and now I'm back where I started with more money to toy with the e30. These cars grow on you, they really do.

It's a pain in the ass sometimes and all my friends question why I'm looking to buy a daily driver that looks the EXACT same as my touring. As long as you realize it's never going to live up to the comfort and reliability of your e90 and that headaches are inevitable you'll be fine.

[Marcumac]

Frankly, the thing that tells me that you should not do the E30 is the part where you talk about your budget. Building an E30 swap car is expensive.

I would be buying a car that's already been swapped. I'm not afraid to get dirty, as people keep seeming to think, I'm just no expert, hence why I want a well sorted car. There's not much that go wrong that would make this car more expensive than my E90, I'm paying almost $450 a month for my current car, and I'm willing to bet that I won't be spending that much each month on a car that checks out fine upon purchase (I will be getting a PPI).

It will be a little bit of work, I know, and everyone has to start working on their own car at some point...no?

[nrubenstein]

Frankly, the thing that tells me that you should not do the E30 is the part where you talk about your budget. Building an E30 swap car is expensive. Doing it right is even more expensive. If I wanted an E90, I'd have one. Frankly, leasing a 328 would probably have been cheaper than building the S50 car (although I added a lot of options to that build).

The other red flag I see is that you're worried about repair bills. If you aren't prepared to do basically everything yourself, an E30 can be REALLY expensive to maintain. As in figure on saving a couple hundred bucks a month or more because you're going to be handing that over to a mechanic. Swap cars are even worse because you have to find a mechanic who is both willing and able to work on them. And you will probably pay through the nose for that, especially if there are issues with the swap (it took me a while to chase down all the little details with mine, for example).

In essence, it doesn't sound like it's the right car for you.

[jdvorwe]

Honestly, since you have no hands on experience with the e30, I think you should buy a reliable, daily commuter of some sort first. After that find a stock motor e30 and build it for a swap. You'll have more appreciation for the car and will think twice about entering a corner 20-30mph faster than what you should be. Buying a modded car and asking if it is reliable, safe, and luxurious is completely relevant to the previous buyer. Especially with these cars as they are so "in tune" with the road that it will speak to you when something is wrong(if you get one, you'll understand). An e30 can easily be a daily, but when you start driving the car hard it will certainly let you know where the maintenance is needed.
Build the car yourself. It might cost more but you'll know what's been done. You'll know how safe it is. You'll have more appreciation for it.

This. Definitely build the car yourself.

And

it is not for the non-enthusiast, there will basically almost ALWAYS be something for you to work on, but it will ALWAYS get you from point A to point B someway or somehow.

Definitely this. Everything that the PO hasn't listed as swapped when you buy yours, will probably need swapping in the near future. Always tons of work. And the more you fix, the more you notice needs to be fixed.

While e30s are "bulletproof" they are definitely hands on and a ongoing project - it never ends.


In all honesty, if you are relying on your friends to help you out with work and don't want to get your hands dirty on the regular and want something reliable, you would probably be better off in a E46 - 330 ZHP maybe? All cars require maintenance, and the older they get the more they require.

[Marcumac]

...meanwhile, in Canada.

[sweet6e30]

OP..............sorry but im gonna be on a facepalm rampage since as of lately ive been noticing alot more stupid threads of waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles farting!

[herbivor]

Get an E46. They don't cost more than a nice e30 s50 and from the sounds of it it may be suited better for your upcoming needs. E30 s50s are fun toys but if you wreck one you won't get insurance to cover the cost you have in it. Plus unless the PO set up the suspension and chasis to handle the extra power, an e30 s50s can be pretty dangerous.

[Sagaris]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Love your sig btw, Stanceworks...not sure if serious

definitely not serious :D

[yobless]

Get one...in terms of an S50'd E30. I bought my E30 turbo'd and although it was fun it was NOT reliable at all. I've been on the S50 swap for over 7 months and zero hiccups, except for the one that i've caused.

I've driven faster cars but the E30 still puts a smile to my face...Just be prepared to drop some cash on a clean swapped E30.

Anyways good luck :)

[Marcumac]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Love your sig btw, Stanceworks...not sure if serious