Extremely underwhelmed - Are e30's not for me?

[BMWManiac]

As much as I love the e30, I am starting to get a little tired of it....will probably get more power out of it, but for me, its the lack of any kind of tech that I would like from a newer car. Maybe because both of my cars are "old" and I should probably have 1 x newer and keep 1 x old....so it would be the e36 M3 that would stay

[Stanley Rockafella]

Regardless, as others have said, maybe the 318 isn't for you. I had an 1986 es, that had 170 ft lb of torque, plus a chip, plus I swapped out the 2.93 rear differential for a 3.73 differential. It was suuuuuper fun to drive, but topped out at 75ish. That had tons of torque and was really quick! But nothing like an 318.

good thing I didn't do the 3.73 swap on my eta

[dbmw2006]

I have owned two m42 cars for a little over two years. The first a 1991 318i 4 door. The very next day I bought a 1991 318is coupe.

Both of these cars felt like COMPLETELY different experiences. The 4 door felt like a clapped out piece of junk. But had a 4.10 lsd in it. So it felt a little more torquey than the coupe. A little more fun to drive because it was junky and I didn't care much.

The coupe on the other hand felt smooth. Shifted nice. Has a 3.73 medium case lsd and didn't quite feel as fast. But definitely felt like a way more smooth car.

I sold the 4 door. Still have the coupe. Recently bought an 89 325is. And this car feels completely different than both of the 318's.

In my experience, every e30 feels a bit different. Based on condition of motor, clutch, suspension, wheel/tire combo, and differential.

[whitebulat22]

A chipped eta is a nice thing. I think the OP would do best looking for one of those. Unpopular opinion I know, but people are pricing 325i's like they're classics way more than other non-m e30s and eta's are barely priced above what the car should be worth imo.

With a Mark D chip mine starts a really satisfying surge just under 2000 rpm. It's a really weird idea to have a gas engine pretending to be a diesel and later Motronic is nicer with its diagnostics, so a super eta is probably the ideal find because you can just put an I head on without any more hassle and have the nice computer from the start.

If there are no confines of looking for a stock one, I would much rather M30 brawn or M50 brain for fun because the stock engines are not the memorable part of the car.

[Bearmw]

I daily drive a 535i E28 and I removed the comfort seats and replced them with cloth Recaro's. I also have an E30 vert with a B35 m30, no A/C, and cloth Recaro's as well. I also lowered the steering wheel on the E30 and upgraded to a faster steering rack. I'm a big fan of the m30. Regardless of whether I drive an E28 or an E30 I am picky if the suspension, steering, or brakes have any issues or are just plain worn out which is the case on many of these cars that are for sale.

Once these issues are sorted out and possibly upgraded to suit your driving preferences they are both great cars with different personalities. For daily driving and long trips the E28 is my likely choice while the E30 is more of the fun/sport car.

I am also a fan of the many options of being able to tailor these cars to your specific prefernces. Too bad the E28 wasn't made with rack and pinion but the system it has can work well if its in good shape and properly setup.

[BobombETA]

A chipped eta is a nice thing. I think the OP would do best looking for one of those. Unpopular opinion I know, but people are pricing 325i's like they're classics way more than other non-m e30s and eta's are barely priced above what the car should be worth imo.

With a Mark D chip mine starts a really satisfying surge just under 2000 rpm. It's a really weird idea to have a gas engine pretending to be a diesel and later Motronic is nicer with its diagnostics, so a super eta is probably the ideal find because you can just put an I head on without any more hassle and have the nice computer from the start.

If there are no confines of looking for a stock one, I would much rather M30 brawn or M50 brain for fun because the stock engines are not the memorable part of the car.

I feel that the eta is pretty underrated as well, but that's one of the great things about the e30, it's available in so many flavors. It's kind of the like the current VW golf in that regard.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I feel that the eta is pretty underrated as well, but that's one of the great things about the e30, it's available in so many flavors. It's kind of the like the current VW golf in that regard.

there's a golf equivalent to the eta that's not diesel?
link?

[BobombETA]

there's a golf equivalent to the eta that's not diesel?
link?

I was referring to the tdi and hybrid I guess.

It's a diverse offering, not unlike the e30. (318, 318is, 325e, 325es, 325is, 325ix, M3, coupe, sedan, touring) you get my drift...

[jhaurimn]

Go test drive another e30.

[brandonbio]

For just an update, I appreciate all the comments you've all posted. I recently purchased (on sunday) an alpine white 1990 325is and absolutely love it. It's clean, rust free, and drives as you all have described it. I guess the 318is wasn't for me and it wasn't in the best shape. I picked up the 325is on Sunday and I've already driven over 300 miles in the last two days. I've been finding excuses to drive it. It feels like a go-kart compared to the e28.

I'm glad I didn't give up on my search for an e30.

[BobombETA]

For just an update, I appreciate all the comments you've all posted. I recently purchased (on sunday) an alpine white 1990 325is and absolutely love it. It's clean, rust free, and drives as you all have described it. I guess the 318is wasn't for me and it wasn't in the best shape. I picked up the 325is on Sunday and I've already driven over 300 miles in the last two days. I've been finding excuses to drive it. It feels like a go-kart compared to the e28.

I'm glad I didn't give up on my search for an e30.

Good choice! What are your plans for it?

[econti]

For just an update, I appreciate all the comments you've all posted. I recently purchased (on sunday) an alpine white 1990 325is and absolutely love it. It's clean, rust free, and drives as you all have described it. I guess the 318is wasn't for me and it wasn't in the best shape. I picked up the 325is on Sunday and I've already driven over 300 miles in the last two days. I've been finding excuses to drive it. It feels like a go-kart compared to the e28.

I'm glad I didn't give up on my search for an e30.

I honestly think that if you drove a chipped 318is with other things done you'd really like it. Very different to E28s, different to all other E30s/E21s and even the 2002 I've driven. The thing I love about mine is the way the engine just begs to be ripped on and how light the front is compared to M20 examples.

But still. If you're happy then that's what matters.

[jhaurimn]

For just an update, I appreciate all the comments you've all posted. I recently purchased (on sunday) an alpine white 1990 325is and absolutely love it. It's clean, rust free, and drives as you all have described it. I guess the 318is wasn't for me and it wasn't in the best shape. I picked up the 325is on Sunday and I've already driven over 300 miles in the last two days. I've been finding excuses to drive it. It feels like a go-kart compared to the e28.

I'm glad I didn't give up on my search for an e30.

Congrats!

[Old city bimmer]

Congrats. Good choice too.

[brandonbio]

Good choice! What are your plans for it?

Nothing too extreme at the moment. It's already chipped and on h&r/beilstin setup. Just bought a 385mm Mtech 1 wheel to replace the personal 330mm race wheel that I bought the car with. Also just purchased a leather wrapped husco.

Only things that the car "needs" is a new u-joint, so pretty much the driveshaft will be replaced too.