the search continues: pre 89 vs 89 and on

[bmwmike]

argh! Its hard to find a decent 89+ for a low price especially around here. Im almost giving in to buying the pre 89. I hate those bumpers, but after seeing a few people that pushed them in, I dont think they look that bad. Do you guys think I should hold out and find an 89+ or just buy an older car. Some advantages/disadvantages to my M30 turbo swap.

[PeaveyBassist]

1988. Plastic bumper swap is direct bolt on. It has late model valance and tails and rear arches.

Will

[bmwmike]

^true, but still
found one with pretty low miles, though i think their asking for a bit much:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=190407485&dealer_id=54777459&car_year=1987&model=&bkms=1136174845029&lang=en&isp=y&start_year=1982&certified=&search_type=both&distance=300&make=BMW&min_price=1&address=55437&advanced=&end_year=1994&max_price=4000&cardist=17

and another for cheap

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=193886101&dealer_id=57296658&car_year=1986&bkms=1136174845029&model=&lang=en&isp=y&start_year=1982&certified=&search_type=both&distance=300&first_record=26&make=BMW&min_price=1&address=55437&advanced=&end_year=1994&pager.offset=25&max_price=4000&cardist=21

[89isluv]

I personally think that it is better to spend the premium and get the car you want, than it is to never be really satisfied every time that you look at your ride. Just my 2 cents.....

[Old'n'Slow]

This is a small detail, but I like the cars built before 8/87 that didn't have lowered rear wheel arches. It's hard to get a car to look evenly lowered with low arches, like on my '88. I had to double stack spring pads in the rear, and run with none in front so that the rear would not look tucked, while there was still a little bit of gap in the front.

The older cars also do not have airbags. The 89 and up have Gen 1 airbags. I consider these very undesirable, and would never trust a 12-15 year old active safety device.

I think metal bumpers look appropriately "80s" for these cars, and you can actually bump something without having scratched paint and cracked plastic, FWIW.

[bmwmike]

true, and after looking more and more at the guys cars on this board, im liking the older bumpers more and more (if tucked). Currently in members rides, the topic "track rat" looks awesome!

[Axxe]

You can also swap to international early model bumpers, which look nice.

[h0lmes]

I prefer the early models myself, except the bumpers of course. If you have the patience you could modify the plastic bumpers to fit an early model. It looks better than the late model IMO.

[erik325i]

I personally think that it is better to spend the premium and get the car you want, than it is to never be really satisfied every time that you look at your ride. Just my 2 cents.....

I agree completely.

The older cars also do not have airbags. The 89 and up have Gen 1 airbags. I consider these very undesirable, and would never trust a 12-15 year old active safety device.

Not true. '89 still has no airbag.
In my opinion, '89 is the best year for e30s. They had plastic bumpers, ellipsoid headlights, no airbag...

Just hold out for the right one. Don't "settle" for any car.

I think that even when tucked, the early US bumpers look horrible. If I ever got another early model e30 i would have to have a set of Euro bumpers on asap.

-Erik

[StereoInstaller1]

IMO, it is easier to add plastic bumpers (dammit, SOMEONE make a kit that fits the fucking car, please!) than it is to raise the rear arches and add old taillights.

Painted and tucked, my DBs look OK to me.

ONLY with "is" lip though.

Luke

[Habla]

Early cars with euro bumpers look the best, hands down. I hate the fat look of the plastics.

P.S. gotta love that blue cloth interior of the first car

[excel]

I like my metal bumpers, pushed them in alot and the car looks clean. To me it's like the mk2 GTI's you got the small bumpers and big bumpers (newer), some people keep the small bumpers and make an awesome car and some go for the big bumpers and have a more modern look.

[Charlie]

'89 is the best year - hands down.

You get the plastic bumpers, elipsoid headlights, no airbag.

-Charlie

[Dave]

^true, but still
found one with pretty low miles, though i think their asking for a bit much:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...000&cardist=17

and another for cheap
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...000&cardist=21

Dont get an eta. Get a 325i or is. '89 is best, but anything in good mechanical shape and without rust will make you happy.

[bmwmike]

yeah both those cars are eta's and therefore its another reason for me not to want them. Theres two 89's in the chicago area. I might drive there, but it would suck if I ended up not wanting either. Anyone wanna take a road trip? lol