Pro's/Con's.. Should I buy an e30/e36?

[87e30]

How many of you guys saying that you haven't replaced anything in years have already replaced all of the bushings (control arms, tie rods, CABs, f+r shock mounts, subframe, trailing arm)? Unless the previous owner did just about all e30s need that crap replaced. Now it's not THAT expensive but while you're at it then you're probably going to refresh shocks/struts and springs. I'm not saying this isn't "regular" for an e30, but I am saying this isn't regular on other cars.

If you do buy a good e30 then the PO likely did a lot of these things and kept track of the little things. - and they spent a lot of money on it.

My experience is from owning a 1993 honda accord for a couple years which literally didn't NEED anything done nor did I do anything to it reliability wise.

Nando - you have a very nice clean car, I'm thinking you put quite a bit of money into it initially to tidy every aspect of the car up, and now it's good.

[DrewSkii]

In all Honesty, I know I want one of these cars (e30/e36) and yes I realize going to an older car, It will be less reliable.. Unless it was kept in great shape from the start and maintained. I was just trying to see which was more reliable between them. Either way, I'm starting to not care, I'm kind of looking forward to putting some hard work into an e30 now ;D

[87e30]

In all Honesty, I know I want one of these cars (e30/e36) and yes I realize going to an older car, It will be less reliable.. Unless it was kept in great shape from the start and maintained. I was just trying to see which was more reliable between them. Either way, I'm starting to not care, I'm kind of looking forward to putting some hard work into an e30 now ;D

That's a good way to look at it.


When I bought my e30 I knew it had a reputation for breaking (old euro car) and that's what I wanted - because with the honda I never had the chance to learn more than installing coilovers and changing the brakes. With the e30 I've touched every bolt on the car, and it is a great way to learn. On the flip side - I am a little tired of it. haha.

[nando]

How many of you guys saying that you haven't replaced anything in years have already replaced all of the bushings (control arms, tie rods, CABs, f+r shock mounts, subframe, trailing arm)? Unless the previous owner did just about all e30s need that crap replaced. Now it's not THAT expensive but while you're at it then you're probably going to refresh shocks/struts and springs. I'm not saying this isn't "regular" for an e30, but I am saying this isn't regular on other cars.

If you do buy a good e30 then the PO likely did a lot of these things and kept track of the little things. - and they spent a lot of money on it.

My experience is from owning a 1993 honda accord for a couple years which literally didn't NEED anything done nor did I do anything to it reliability wise.

Nando - you have a very nice clean car, I'm thinking you put quite a bit of money into it initially to tidy every aspect of the car up, and now it's good.

do you really think other cars can go 20+ years without replacing things like shocks, ball joints, and bushings, or maybe people just don't because it's an appliance that could just as easily be replaced with another appliance?

a car like a honda or a toyota doesn't "need" anything because it's not meant to be repaired. it's meant to be sent to a scrap yard when it's used up, then you buy a new one. ever try to change a timing belt on a '90s civic? what a joke - you have to remove the engine mount to get the belt off, and to get some of the bolts off you have to take off the wheel and go through a hole in the fender. lol! :D

How many of them do you see these days that aren't total crap piles either? They really aren't that great of quality. Just look at any civic or echo or corolla from 10 years ago (if you can find one). the build quality is awful. sure, they're reliable if you don't mind the car falling apart around the drivetrain. I had a girlfriend with a brand new '00 civic, parts of it were falling off after just a year..

My car? I could have just as easily left everything stock, and it would have been even more reliable. Sure I replaced stuff, but more often the stock part was just fine, and I wanted an upgrade for whatever reason. Sometimes I actually wish it was still stock, in a higher state of tune it's definitely more work to keep up. I've actually been going the other way to take some of the edge off.

I have a bit of a theory that the car stays reliable because I drive it every day. It doesn't like sitting.. I know a lot of you guys only drive yours once in a while.

[87e30]

do you really think other cars can go 20+ years without replacing things like shocks, ball joints, and bushings, or maybe people just don't because it's an appliance that could just as easily be replaced with another appliance?

a car like a honda or a toyota doesn't "need" anything because it's not meant to be repaired. it's meant to be sent to a scrap yard when it's used up, then you buy a new one. ever try to change a timing belt on a '90s civic? what a joke - you have to remove the engine mount to get the belt off, and to get some of the bolts off you have to take off the wheel and go through a hole in the fender. lol! :D

How many of them do you see these days that aren't total crap piles either? They really aren't that great of quality. Just look at any civic or echo or corolla from 10 years ago (if you can find one). the build quality is awful. sure, they're reliable if you don't mind the car falling apart around the drivetrain. I had a girlfriend with a brand new '00 civic, parts of it were falling off after just a year..

My car? I could have just as easily left everything stock, and it would have been even more reliable. Sure I replaced stuff, but more often the stock part was just fine, and I wanted an upgrade for whatever reason. Sometimes I actually wish it was still stock, in a higher state of tune it's definitely more work to keep up. I've actually been going the other way to take some of the edge off.

The more I thought about the post the more I realized that it simply applied to older cars in general.

The problem is, you can buy something newer for a similar price to a clean e30. And then you will be putting money into this or that with an e30.

I'm sure an old corolla, 510, or anything else japanese will be the same deal of replacing wear parts.

This car was an incredible learning experience for me, and if you're a car enthusiast I'd recommend an e30. But expect to work on it.

[nando]

I think everyone expects a car to not need any repairs, when all cars will need maintenance and repairs. Cars these days are designed differently, they will go a long time without needing maintenance, but overall they won't last as long. things like 15,000 mile oil changes and super thin oils aren't because it makes the engines last longer. It's because it's cheaper, both to maintain and to build a new one rather than repair an old one.

[87e30]

I think everyone expects a car to not need any repairs, when all cars will need maintenance and repairs. Cars these days are designed differently, they will go a long time without needing maintenance, but overall they won't last as long. things like 15,000 mile oil changes and super thin oils aren't because it makes the engines last longer. It's because it's cheaper, both to maintain and to build a new one rather than repair an old one.

All buy this. But my friends with newer japanese cars definitely do not have the constant annoying problems that my e30 has. Maybe I have an evil e30.

[davem]

I think everyone expects a car to not need any repairs, when all cars will need maintenance and repairs. Cars these days are designed differently, they will go a long time without needing maintenance, but overall they won't last as long. things like 15,000 mile oil changes and super thin oils aren't because it makes the engines last longer. It's because it's cheaper, both to maintain and to build a new one rather than repair an old one.

holy shit I just noticed you're in b'ham, I'm like 30 mins away up north - lol at first I shared the same opinion with 87e^ but your argument is very valid... I still wish that oem parts were a bit cheaper, and e30s didn't go through fuel pumps like crazy, and that my h-core valve didn't go at 180k kms randomly.... these cars are gold though! everytime I replace a 20 year old part I fall in love with mine all over again

[///M42 sport]

How many of you guys saying that you haven't replaced anything in years have already replaced all of the bushings (control arms, tie rods, CABs, f+r shock mounts, subframe, trailing arm)? Unless the previous owner did just about all e30s need that crap replaced. Now it's not THAT expensive but while you're at it then you're probably going to refresh shocks/struts and springs. I'm not saying this isn't "regular" for an e30, but I am saying this isn't regular on other cars.

If you do buy a good e30 then the PO likely did a lot of these things and kept track of the little things. - and they spent a lot of money on it.

My experience is from owning a 1993 honda accord for a couple years which literally didn't NEED anything done nor did I do anything to it reliability wise.

Truth...most e30 owners on here with nice e30s are either kids with bunch of time on their hands or older guys...with a bunch of time on their hands.

Since I've started working at a real job, I've had to let some maintenance things go longer than usual. Also I dont have time to deal wtih unexpected breakdowns which is to be expected with e30s.

[JPlue]

Would you rather date a smokin' hot girl that's high maintenance, or a fugly girl that is frugal?

[DrewSkii]

Would you rather date a smokin' hot girl that's high maintenance, or a fugly girl that is frugal?

The hot one of course :p

[JPlue]

The hot one of course :p

I think you've reached your decision.

[Robert]

e30.

[DrewSkii]

e30.

:bow:

[///M42 sport]

lets face it. e30s are almost classics at this point. better to have a newer car + e30 as a non DD