Is an E30 for me?

[CHIF8008]

if you enjoy older cars and are attracted to the e30 style then YES. if you cannot enjoy the style then why drive the car? you wanna feel at home in a car, to be able to form a relationship

[Nairb]

Short answer is, what are your NEEDS? Do you want a reliable daily driver, do you want a weekend toy, do you want an autocross car? It is possible to mix all of these things (sort of) but it all comes down to your needs from a car.

What weather will you be driving in? Consider an IX for winter duty if that's what you're shooting for.

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.

Stock height is a bit too high for MOST of us on the forum, but it's a very good height for daily driving on shoddy roads (not sure what part of Jersey you are in) and OEM parts are pretty cheap and reliable (although aftermarket parts can be better AND cheaper.)

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.

Identify your needs and then go from there, BMW gave us quite a few options with these cars (m10, m20b25/b27, m42) and all serve a purpose.

The GREAT thing about these cars are their interchangeability for damn near everything, so once you get your car you'll be doing all kinds of small rewarding fixes that (over time) will grow into a... friendship?

Shit I don't know what I'm saying, e30 m3 or bust.

[N2MYE30]

Have you driven one op? There is a difference between a coupe and a cabrio on the way they handle. I have a 1991 in my sig and its an auto...no regrets. Although i do have a 5spd coupe to get my jollies off. If you get a cabrio that has heated seats, fall and even winter driving is just fine. These cars are easy to restore. Enjoy the hunt.

[beanerguitarist]

Yup, I figured that much.

However... how ave you been through 8 of them?? :eeek:
What'd you do with the previous ones?

hahahahahahaha well the first one i bought was a complete shit bucket. dash caught on fire, everything was help together by zipties... stupid $1500 decision.
and i have just traded up and buying and sellin :D

[dnguyen1963]

Even a chemist, like myself, can work on E30. Slanted driveway...move your car down to your street. I know it sucks, but it is a lot safer than jacking your car up on a slanted driveway.

[agent]

nonsense

more nonsense

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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.

[Ricapar]

your on an e30 forum asking a bunch of guys that will say their e30s are better than new bmws..... point being get an e30. i am on #8 in a year and a half. and i fucking love it. 2 convertibles so far.... one white one black. i honestly cant think of another car in its price range than can do half the things this car can

Yup, I figured that much.

However... how ave you been through 8 of them?? :eeek:
What'd you do with the previous ones?

[beanerguitarist]

your on an e30 forum asking a bunch of guys that will say their e30s are better than new bmws..... point being get an e30. i am on #8 in a year and a half. and i fucking love it. 2 convertibles so far.... one white one black. i honestly cant think of another car in its price range than can do half the things this car can

[FLG]

OP get in touch with Levent at Guten parts in NJ he has a beautiful completely restored vert for sale.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[seth m42]

wow theres a lot of shit on this thread... If you want it then i say go for it, man.:up: in my experience there will just be a lot of irritating things that you will have to fix. other than that, they're really solid cars:D

[10Toes]

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

[iamsam]

so what was your question, OP? You pretty much listed what you want in an E30, much like a WTB ad, then you as if we think an E30 is the right car for you?

An E30 satisfies what is listed in your WTB ad, sure, but as far as whether an E30 is for you, that's up to your personal taste, and whether you are prepared to fix stuff.

That said, working on an E30 compared to your e60 will be like building legos after you get done carving an anatomically correct mammoth out of marble.

[spike68]

I know I fucking don't. I'm in the garage at night fixing my Land Rover.

Fuck yo couch.

[slammin.e28]

A gentleman does not motor about at night.

-Joseph Lucas

I know I fucking don't. I'm in the garage at night fixing my Land Rover.

[EDirtyZ]

You want an e30 man, my car history is 2 e46's 1 e34 2 e36's (1 of the e36's are currently for sale and is convertible) and 1 e30, i can thoroughly tell you that i've never been more happier than to have an e30. I can not stress how much of a good choice it was to buy one. for multiple reasons. The fact that they can get fast with not to much money. 2. they are gorgeous 3. AN AMAZING/GREAT Learners car, very easy to work on. 4. it has so much potential.
-nuff' said