Help on purchasing my first E30

[irvinsidhu]

Im looking to purchase my first car and wanted it too be a E30. Ive done a bit of research on E30's but still have some questions. I want to buy a E30 but dont wanna spend a lot of money into it afterwards. My parents concern is that it will be a money pit. Do you guys recommend buying a e30 for my first car as im 18? what maintenance costs could i expect ? Also how long do these engines run smoothly ?

I live in Canada so their isnt the greatest selection. Let me know if you guys recommend one over the other.

Actually for $5000

http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Series/MISSISSAUGA/Ontario/19_7128481_/?showcpo=ShowCPO

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1987-Bmw-325IS-E30-Coupe-W0QQAdIdZ478365079

Thanks in advance.

[5Toes]

Just find a $2000 car on craigslist through a private party. You will have to fix alot of stuff eventually on any e30

[deutschman]

Any e30 is going to need some sort of maintenance. They are all 22 years old and older.
I expect you guys salt your roads in Canada so watch out for rust.
Most of the time, if you spend more money up front you will spend less money down the road fixing things. Just make sure you test drive the car, and use EVERY button you can see to make sure all the electronics work correctly (windows, heater, air con and such).
If you are mechanically inclined and like figuring out how things work and fixing things your self you will spend a lot less money on your e30. If you dont want to spend a lot of money and dont like working on cars buy a Honda or something cheap and easy.

[Threehz]

I would say the E30 is a great choice as long as you are interested in learning how to do your own work on it. That requires a minimal investment in tools, the ability to read, and some space to work on it.

Watch for rust, test drive it, look it over, don't be too swooned by the sexyness of the E30, and don't hesitate to say no to a car and move on.

Good luck, ask us questions, prepare to be chewed out.

[SubDad]

Welcome to the obsession! All the advice above is true, so a blanket +1 to all of them.

I expect you guys salt your roads in Canada so watch out for rust.

Hoo, boy, do we ever. Looks like the OP might be from Toronto, and heck yeah, they do salt the roads down there. All the cars are white most of the year.

So, OP, which of those cars do I prefer? Neither one. They're way too expensive, and they're both 'boy racer' cars and you're being asked to pay for somebody else's choice of fancy shift knobs, sound systems or paint. (Why was the car painted? Rust, betcha.) Cars like those have probably had the poop driven out of them by, sorry, youngsters. Find an E30 driven by somebody who doesn't have friends who wear hoodies.

Rust: E30s even more than other cars rust from the bottom up: Look for other threads about rust-finding in an E30, but the short story is front floors inside jack points, rear strut mounts and fender arches.
Get the car on a hoist, and have it inspected for rust.
If it's not terminal, then you can learn a lot by working on an E30 but you *have* to do the work yourself.

I could go on, but us boring old farts always can.

[kobe]

Mines for sale!.. Lol http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...AdIdZ470434524

[irvinsidhu]

Okay Wicked, thank you for your responses. They were very helpful.

My last question is, what km's should i look for? I've read that is doesn't matter much. Is buying a e30 with 200,000 good or a bad choice?

Thanks

[NeedaE30]

2 of my e30's were purchased at or around 200k miles and 1 was purchased around 150k miles.. they all ran as good as the next infact my most recent purchase which has right around 200k miles has a better running and sounding engine than my previous e30's KMs/miles honestly do not matter as long as its been maintained and not beat to shit... i've seen e30's with 135k miles that are absolutely horrible bad terrible cars and again i've seen e30's with well over 200k miles that are beautiful and drive perfect..

[agent]

Find an E30 driven by somebody who doesn't have friends who wear hoodies.

This made me chuckle.

[phenobarb1]

So, OP, which of those cars do I prefer? Neither one. They're way too expensive, and they're both 'boy racer' cars and you're being asked to pay for somebody else's choice of fancy shift knobs, sound systems or paint. (Why was the car painted? Rust, betcha.) Cars like those have probably had the poop driven out of them by, sorry, youngsters. Find an E30 driven by somebody who doesn't have friends who wear hoodies.

This man is wise. No offense to any r3v members, but I wouldn't buy a car that was owned or modded up by a kid. This is especially true when they mention what speed the car can get to in 1st or 2nd gear. Look for something as close to bone stock as possible. I also suspect that the owner of the first car is lying about the mileage on his car, since 80,000 miles would be very low. Maybe I'm just paranoid. The second car does look nice though, even if it has eyebrows.

[e30blitz]

Okay Wicked, thank you for your responses. They were very helpful.

My last question is, what km's should i look for? I've read that is doesn't matter much. Is buying a e30 with 200,000 good or a bad choice?

Thanks

All depends of the previous owner


I would shy away from any riced cars

But that just me

If you honestly want a reliable car

Then jump the fence over to a Honda or Toyota

If not then do your research on the e30

There are issue and as with any old car


You pays your money you gets your car




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[e30blitz]

Mundia


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[agent]

stamar?