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    #1

    College/anti-thft E30

    Hey fellow BMW enthusiast! I will be going off to college in a couple years and have a few questions. I have seen other threads about people going to college and wondering if an E30 would be a good choice. I too will be attending college soon and am wondering if I can handle an E30. I will be attending Georgia Tech in Atlanta either freshman year or sophomore year. I would like to bring a fun car with me for not only transportation but to also just be able to go out on relaxing drives to take my mind off studying. I will be dedicating a lot of my time to studying so I would like to not have to work on the car much. However, if it does need work and I don't have time for it for I can use public transpiration. I am planning to spend 3k on it. If you don't think I can have an E30 while in college I would love to hear suggestions on cars I can look at (Already considering Miatas and CRXs but they are not as appealing nor fun as E30s). I would also like to know of anyway I can cheaply prevent the car from being stolen. I plant to set up multiple kill switches that I can still override if the switch fails. Also, if anyone on here lives/lived in Atlanta I would love to know of some fun roads to drive (I'm spoiled right now having the canyon roads of the Rocky Mountains so close). Thanks!

    -MechanicalEngineer
    My future E30 is out there somewhere.
    Tags: None
    #2
    A $3k E30 will probably need a bit of work to make it a comfortable DD car. That said, you probably won't loose money on it while you're in college so that makes it a nice choice. Most girls prefer BMW's over Hondas. Room for 4 people is nice in college, you can take a new girl and her/your friends on a trip somewhere, always a winner.

    Since you're going to a Tech school, I'm sure you'll find other E30 owners there who can give you a hand with maintenance.
    Drive it hard. Maintain it well.


    Convertible Technical & Discussion
    A Topless Memorandum

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      #3
      Buy an iS

      Use the code function; if someone REALLY wants your car, the most they'll be able to do is smash your window and steal your wheels (unless, of course, they are well connected and crafty thieves)

      Seriously; the code function is so awesome. Even if someone gets in and tries to hotwire the car; the car won't go start because the code function cuts the car off at the fuel pump. Saved me a lot of worry when I went away on trips for a few weeks to months at a time and my car was sitting in the same position day in and day out

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        #4
        Oh yeah, the handy OBC. Here's the manual

        Page not found - E30 Zone
        http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/OBC_Instruction_Book
        Drive it hard. Maintain it well.


        Convertible Technical & Discussion
        A Topless Memorandum

        Comment

          #5
          So you want to be a bumble bee instead of a Bulldog, eh? If you are going to GT for an engineering degree then I suggest that you do not get an E30. You will not have any free time and there is not really a place to drive for pleasure around Atlanta. It is a parking lot 24/7. Let's face it, GT is not in a very desirable/safe place so having an E30 there will invite trouble. If someone wants to steal the E30, there is not much you can do unless you have a garage or a gated parking lot. You are better off with a Miata for the next four years.

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            #6
            You have fuel shut off from OBC, you can pull a fuse, alarm system, pedal lock, wheel/rim club, NRG wheel removal, kill switch and gps locator the cheap way http://www.clubintegra.com/board/showthread.php?t=86125.

            Comment

              #7
              Don't forget about the door double lock feature, and I havent tried it yet but I'm thinking about putting some e36 door lock caps in place of the e30 ones to see if it would be impossible to pull up to unlock the doors. Alarms are good, preferably with a very visible blinking light inside... and theres always LoJack ;). Also if you have an aftermarket radio with a removible face plate, pull it off and throw it in the glovebox, set the code function on the OBC, and always lock your wheels at an extreme turn... I've been trying to locate a good locking lug nut set as well (maybe someone could chime in with a kit). If you're parking in a lot, back into a space that has a curb behind it and leave the car in gear, with the brake set.

              as far as I'm concerned every little bit helps... if they want the car badly enough to go through all the hassle you leave for them, AKA someone who wants to sell parts, not just a joyrider, they're going to get it. no matter what, these people may have access to tow trucks. then you're fucked. do what you can. the only reasonable train of thought is to protect against someone who wants to drive your car away. not much you can do otherwise. And don't be too paranoid. yes it happens, but you can't obsess over it. Enjoy your car.


              --Mike
              (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

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                #8
                Can someone explain to me what the "code" thing is? I have been unsuccessful finding how it works on google.

                Edit: Just noticed that a previous comment linked the instructions for the OBC...
                Last edited by ThatOneMechanicalEngineer; 02-02-2015, 08:32 PM.
                My future E30 is out there somewhere.

                Comment

                  #9
                  Originally posted by ThatOneMechanicalEngineer View Post
                  Can someone explain to me what the "code" thing is? I have been unsuccessful finding how it works on google.
                  Which code are you talking about? There is an OBC security code that will prevent the car from starting and there are DME error codes. The security code is just a set of 4 numbers you can for chose yourself.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Originally posted by ThatOneMechanicalEngineer View Post
                    Can someone explain to me what the "code" thing is? I have been unsuccessful finding how it works on google.
                    it's only on cars with the FULL OBC, not the 6 button ones.

                    You make up a four digit code every time you shut off the car. Then when you go to re-start it, you have to put that same code in or else the car simply wont start (the engine will turn over, but it won't actually start).

                    After two three unsuccessful attempts, the horn OBC alarm horn will start honking for a while...10 or maybe 30 seconds, I can't remember. Then you can try entering the code process again.
                    If it's got tits or tires, it's gonna cost ya!

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Stanley Rockafella View Post
                      it's only on cars with the FULL OBC, not the 6 button ones.

                      You make up a four digit code every time you shut off the car. Then when you go to re-start it, you have to put that same code in or else the car simply wont start (the engine will turn over, but it won't actually start).

                      After two three unsuccessful attempts, the horn OBC alarm horn will start honking for a while...10 or maybe 30 seconds, I can't remember. Then you can try entering the code process again.
                      So only the 325is comes with full OBC?
                      My future E30 is out there somewhere.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Why are usernames that long even allowed.

                        I have seen them on non iS cars and on 318s.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Buy an E30 if you want one. They're great cars and while a $3k example may need some work but most of it is little stuff you can upgrade replace as you go.
                          91 318is M50 swapped
                          05 Honda Pilot

                          24V swap thread
                          http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=302524

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Originally posted by ST1G View Post
                            I have seen them on non iS cars and on 318s.
                            maybe if retrofitted. The 318is was a bare-bones car with far fewer "luxuries" than the 325's (crank sunroof, 6 button OBC etc)

                            Both my 325es and 325is had them from factory. It was one of the selling features that persuaded me to a 325is over the 318is
                            If it's got tits or tires, it's gonna cost ya!

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Originally posted by ThatOneMechanicalEngineer View Post
                              So only the 325is comes with full OBC?
                              You want to check the car's build sheet if you can, because if the 13 button OBC has been fitted to a car that didn't originally come with it, the CODE function won't work.

                              Use this link (it's the best!!)

                              https://shop.bmw-classic.de/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/Classic-ClassicDE-Site/en_EU/-/EUR/ViewStandardCatalog-Browse?CatalogID=Shop&CategoryName=SA_GRAPHICAL


                              it's a Kenny Powers quote on wheels

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