Which E30 to choose? Year and Model besides an M3

[WRX2M3]

Reality check lol
Here are my intentions. Engine swap = NO, I truly love the E30 but I don't have the time/energy/finances to throw into an engine swap as I am a college student. Am I willing to maintain this car and do cosmetic/some performance upgrades, YES! Suspension is a must with me, coming from owning a wrx and going to an E30 I need something that will grip the road. Manual/Automatic - This is obvious, driving without a sitck just isn't the same. So Manual all the way. Here are some mods I am consdering, how much am I lookin at
LSD on wahtever car, what do I want? How much $?
Headlights? Which ones? Whats the best projector? And which HID would work? Is that my best solution to lighting up the road?
Suspension? What do I want?
Wheels/Tires? I love a nice set of wheels, I am not into the old basketweave TO much so I was thinkin some newer BBS.
Yeah so lets hear it

[WRX2M3]

By the way, which color is the best in your opinions? Any colors fade more then others?

[Digitalwave]

I'd say red fades the most... silver the least.

[rwh11385]

Red and black are pretty much the hardest colors to keep looking good after 13+ years. Silver easiest. Bronzit ugliest...... White is a bitch to keep clean.

When I was looking, I always wanted a red or black or silver car. Red favorite, silver is always sexy and black is pimp. But I found a red one for a good deal, so I got it. Needs some paint work, but oh well.

What wheels size are you looking for? There are Euro 15" basketweaves, or nice 16" wheels, and just a few good looking 17" wheels.....primarily Alpina Kopis. Oh yeah, stay era specific......modern wheels look RICE.

Suspension - depends on how much you want to spend. I recommend Ground Control coilovers, it is what a lot of people eventually aim for. But there are a lot of options. Suspension is really what an E30 needs, that and a JC chip.

You will have a well sorted E30 autocrosser or street car with just suspension, wheels/tires, and a chip. They come nicely packaged in their stock form, but just need a lil help in a few areas. Like their 4x4 ride height for one.

[Stu]

Low Level--
Who cares? Ahem. $600. That's about 1/5 of what most of us spend on our entire E30's. It's nice to have that stuff stock. And it looks so...damn...good.

You are missing the point. :roll:

Nando--
Yes, stock, they are. :) That's another trick of the 318is. BMW rates them at 2602. My 318is (stock) weighed in the low 2500's. Jeff (old member of BimmerForums) weighed his stock 318is (no sunroof) at 2465 pounds. A 325 is in the high 2700's.

A 318is is more than a 4-cylinder E30 with 130 horsies. 8)

[Low Level E30]

Low Level--
Who cares? Ahem. $600. That's about 1/5 of what most of us spend on our entire E30's. It's nice to have that stuff stock. And it looks so...damn...good.

You are missing the point. :roll:

Once again, the shadowline is easy to replicate, or retrofit. You don't have to spend $600 to get hold of some - not even close. I'm sorry you spent so much on it.

Yeah - I'm missing your point.

The aim of the thread here is to help him choose a car that meets his needs --- namely, a car that is fun to track, but is "daily-driverable". He's coming from a heavier car, so any E30 is gonna be lighter right off the bat -- and as I mentioned, you were the one who brought up weight, not him. You also opted for more power, sacrificing your lighter 4-cylinder in the process (your S50/2 is heavier than an M20.......) --- he does not see an engine swap in his future, so he might as well start with the extra HP. Considering that you made the swap into a heavier motor for more power, I would consider your argument pretty much null 'n' void. "Thanks Dad"....

So my point is --- to keep cost down, get a 325is now, that'll come with the LSD and the extra HP --- the car will still be lighter than a WRX, and it'll handle like a go-kart, just like all E30s. I haven't driven an E30 that I haven't enjoyed.

[jht3]

still sort of on topic:

i'm starting to look for an e30 that will split between daily use and autox/track. won't be my only car. so basically what i'm looking for is 2dr, lightweight, good brakes. it will get upgraded suspension and probably an M50 or '95 S50.

'89 325is still something to look for? i understand the swap is a bit easier w/ 89+ b/c of the radiator, etc. also doesnt have an air bag. did all the years and makes come in 2dr models? where are the rust spots?

older 318's have rear drums correct? swapping the subframe is possible, but somewhat a pain

i don't plan on fully stripping the interior and welding in a 6pt cage (yet), i still want to enjoy it on the street

[Low Level E30]

still sort of on topic:

i'm starting to look for an e30 that will split between daily use and autox/track. won't be my only car. so basically what i'm looking for is 2dr, lightweight, good brakes. it will get upgraded suspension and probably an M50 or '95 S50.

'89 325is still something to look for? i understand the swap is a bit easier w/ 89+ b/c of the radiator, etc. also doesnt have an air bag. did all the years and makes come in 2dr models? where are the rust spots?

older 318's have rear drums correct? swapping the subframe is possible, but somewhat a pain

i don't plan on fully stripping the interior and welding in a 6pt cage (yet), i still want to enjoy it on the street

Lightweight relative to what other car? As mentioned above by the other guys, E30s come in roughly at or below 2700lbs, which is pretty light compared to many modern cars -- but not as light as say, a Miata or an early Civic, etc.

Also, the lighter E30s are lighter partially due to certain key mechanicals - the engine, of course, and the tranny, and differential are all lighter in a 4-banger than in a six-cylinder E30. If you're gonna put in an M/S50 variant and its accompanying tranny 'n' diff, you're going to lose that weight advantage. Welding in a 6pt cage will add about 100lbs. You'll be able to drop weight in all of the standard ways -- swapping in lighter seats, removing some/all of the interior (although you said you don't want to do that), losing the AC and spare, and going to a lighter aftermarket exhaust, just as a start.

Good brakes are easily achieved - more aggressive pads, brake fluid, and stainless lines. That'll be pretty simple.

[mgold]

The '91 318is is the most desireable non-M E30.

If you're looking for more straight line, the 325i has more balls. If you want a 325i, try to get an '89 or '90 iS model.

I agree with Stu 100% on this one.

[M42Technik]

Nando--
Yes, stock, they are. :) That's another trick of the 318is. BMW rates them at 2602. My 318is (stock) weighed in the low 2500's. Jeff (old member of BimmerForums) weighed his stock 318is (no sunroof) at 2465 pounds. A 325 is in the high 2700's.

A 318is is more than a 4-cylinder E30 with 130 horsies. 8)

WTF. No shit my car is lighter than I think? Thats fucking awesome.

M42 POWAH. (I have been saying it too much). ;)

[jht3]

Lightweight relative to what other car? As mentioned above by the other guys, E30s come in roughly at or below 2700lbs, which is pretty light compared to many modern cars -- but not as light as say, a Miata or an early Civic, etc.

Also, the lighter E30s are lighter partially due to certain key mechanicals - the engine, of course, and the tranny, and differential are all lighter in a 4-banger than in a six-cylinder E30. If you're gonna put in an M/S50 variant and its accompanying tranny 'n' diff, you're going to lose that weight advantage. Welding in a 6pt cage will add at least 100lbs, of course. You'll be able to drop weight in all of the standard ways -- swapping in lighter seats, removing some/all of the interior (although you said you don't want to do that), losing the AC and spare, and going to a lighter aftermarket exhaust, just as a start.

Good brakes are easily achieved - more aggressive pads, brake fluid, and stainless lines. That'll be pretty simple.

well yes, i understand a 4cyl will be the lightest, but generally there are weight differences between the years. i see no point in building a m42 or m20. i'd rather put that money towards a better engine, so i'm looking for the best chassis to start with. 4 wheel discs, no sunroof, no airbag, 2dr. is leather stock in iS's? cause that also weighs more. drivers seat will be swapped to a harness seat and a 4pt roll bar installed. and i said i wouldn't FULLY strip the interior yet, carpet and sound deadening tar can go, door panels and dash will stay.

and i may be in the wrong forum here, but an M/S50 e30 fits in what BMWCCA class? mod? that will also determine what stuff will be changed out.

i am in the research stage so far. looking at classifieds, searching forums like this for ideas on engine buildups, etc. i am in the rockcrawling truck world now where we all try to go the slowest, like 3mi in 6hrs. this is my first look into the go fast world

[Jand3rson]

IMO the 89 325iS is the best all around optioned out e30 to go with.

None of the gay shit that came later, all of the gay shit from earlier gone, and all the best shit at the time already installed.

[Stu]

Low Level--

Non-color matched paint or electrical tape isn't exactly a good way to 'replicate' the shadowline trim. ;) As you know, I have a 318is....it came with it.

"Fun at the track"...."Daily driveable"....

How does a 318is not meet this criteria?

If anybody's argument is null and void, it's yours. :D You keep bringing up my car....but as you keep preaching, we are talking about HIS car. Your argument doesn't matter, because I setup my car for different purposes that he wants/needs.

He wants a lightweight car that he doesn't want to gut/strip......a 318is is a few hundred pounds lighter than a 325is, and quite a bit more nimble (read other peoples testimonials).


I see you have a tough time appreciating the 318is. That's unfortunate.

[Rob]

Just for the record, I chose a 318is over a 325is, which was well within my budget. I daily drive it, and I have zero problems with the power or anything of that nature, and every turn puts a smile on my face.


he'll be happy either way.

[rwh11385]

I'm not sure which model will provide more happiness to those inquiring, but I do know I love my 325is. But I am sure that the 325is vs. 318is debate will not be resolved anytime soon! :P They are two great cars, but those loyal to each camp both see their cars as the better platform.

I think WRX2M3 would enjoy the 325is more. He does not want to swap engines, so the M42 would be weak in the long run. The chipped I makes nice power and is fun to drive, torque owns.

The second guy, jht3, should get a 318is. Nice plastic bumpered, nice and light already.....and he wants no sunroof. (They came standard on 325i's right?) And the engine swap could take care of any desire for more power. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...highlight=swap
Questions about E30 Project Car Starting Point? - long discussion on what E30 model to start with when swapping engine, etc.
Of course, the swap needs a few let more parts with the 89+ M20 instead of M42, but oh well. Small pros and cons......

WRX2M3, i'd personally go for the 325is. Inline-6 exhaust sound is sweet! :D
but the 318is would be a good daily driver/weekend warrior as well.