Is an E30 for me?

[idanity]

i did all the work on my e30 cabrio in a parking lot.

engine, transmission, clutch, differential replacements were the most demanding, but i did it all outside and unsheltered....albeit on a level blacktop...but before you say its better, know that it rains all the time here, and i am constantly working in pools of water...where a slope would be just wet ground...as long as you can safely raise your car on jack stands, you should be ok.

maybe make 4 flat points in your parking spot for jackstands..to keep it level ? (just thinking as i type)

get what you want though, i can say an e30 is much more fun then a boxer.

[Vivek]

Do you have a spare car? As long as you have SOMETHING to take you places for maybe up to a week at worst (most likely will never, ever be necessary), you'll love an e30. Mine has never really had a problem that took more than an evening to fix, but I've done other things to it that took a while. But I'm only learning as I go along...if you really know anything about working on cars you can get most problems solved in a day or two.

[cormier]

You have a budget set? Just get a clean, low rust e30 and you won't look back.

Hell even if you get a shitbox like most of us have had you won't look back

[DaveNorCal]

Sorry about the car! My 1990 vert is pretty much a daily driver. I don't drive it every day because I live up a three mile private road that isn't smooth. So some days I drive my Ranger. It's been totally reliable and not too expensive to maintain and improve. Look for one that has been well maintained and has less than 160,000 miles. Unless you have PROOF that the timing belt has been changed recently, do that RIGHT AWAY. You won't go wrong.

[absolutdog]

No it ain't pretty!!!
I'll tell you this, e30 doesn't have any airbags (Mine went off when I totaled my 318 but I think I am the exception NOT the rule)


Glad you're unscathed....... buy the 1 series not the e30.....just my .02

[Ricapar]

So due to an unexpected turn of events, the E60 is most likely beyond totalled. If you're really curious, look at my thread on e60.net. It's not pretty though.
So now I'm no longer looking for a 2nd/project car, but a daily driver.

Will that put me off from an E30...? I don't know. Coming from a 2007 vehicle to something 20 years earlier is huge.

[nokincy]

Meh, if you want a convertible get a Miata. Everything fun about an e30 is ^2 with a Miata, assuming you don't care about practicality. I own and like both.

[shaferbm]

The E30 is the best care ever made, and should be the only car everybody drives.

Yes but if everyone has one, then they're going to be pretty dern scarce for the enthusiasts to find.

[slammin.e28]

Now, I've seen everything.

Good! Can we leave?

[InuFaye]

OP, ignore the mind-numbing ramblings from the Statler and Waldorf of R3V. If you're even reasonably mechanically inclined then you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of an E30. Good luck in your quest to find it, and welcome.

Now, I've seen everything.

[slammin.e28]

OP, ignore the mind-numbing ramblings from the Statler and Waldorf of R3V. If you're even reasonably mechanically inclined then you'll get a lot of enjoyment out of an E30. Good luck in your quest to find it, and welcome.

[McGyver]

E36s lead to worse things. Gateway BMW. Next thing you know you'll be driving an E60.

new sig...

[mitchlevy7]

If you want "the classic" then there are a few very nice 325is in all colors, or even a 325i 4-door. Early models (up to 89) had metal bumpers, 89+ had the plastic bumpers. It's all your preference.


If you want a vert, consider the wind noise, added weight, and cost of ownership for the tops. There is a hardtop made for the vert, although it is pricey and rare, could negate that added cost.

.

in verts only 91 and up were plastic bumper, and they made an e30 vert in 93.

if you keep the top clean and respect it, it will last.

your making a good choice in an e30.

[CarsSuck]

A gentleman does not motor about at night.

-Joseph Lucas

This is the funniest post I've seen on r3v since the poop thread.

OP: Go drive some e30s, set your budget and then buy the newest, best maintained convertible you can find. There's a really nice shop in Jersey called Young's Autobody or some shit that builds some sweet convertibles.

[absolutdog]

Don't buy an e30.... if you have to ask the internet... then you don't want one bad enough.... leave them to the classic lovers :)

or am I an addict trying to get you away from my stash???