opinions welcom: best year of the e30?

[ELVA164]

Im sorry, but thats bs. The 153 is known for making a couple hp more stock, but nothing else you said is even remotely true.

IIRC the 173 is an upgrade to the 153 and is a simple plug and play

That's what I always thought, until I tried a 173, a 527, a chipped 525, a 380, two stock 153s, and a chipped 153. In addition, the chipped 153 runs on 87 octane and is my favorite of the bunch.

[whitebulat22]

Fwiw, my 153 on my 2.7i always got just below 23 with a normal mix of driving. Didn't notice a difference when the 173 took a couple of trips.

I took it a bit easier on my now chipped 173 ecu and it got 24.9 according to my last fill up.

88-89 325i's are definitely the sweet spot of everything, but that's probably why they always seem to cost an extra 3k (well 325i's in general). Maybe if diving board rears could be made to look good, or if the earliest models came with disk brakes, they would all be closer together.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Not really a year but any early model euro. Bumpers are chrome but dont stick out a million miles. No third brake light, and best of all small tails but any early model has those.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Not true. I mean, the first part may be true (my mistake) but the second part isn't. The later ECU uses more fuel and has less "pep" than the earlier one, even chipped. I've tried probably 8 ECUs in my car for at least 100 miles apiece and the 153s are always the best. From what I gather, it has something to do with the architecture(?) of the ECU. The earlier ones have a more abrupt on/off of the injectors on and off throttle, but have better part-throttle performance and use much less fuel. Stock vs. stock, the earlier ECU could get as much as 31mpg and the late one never got much above 23mpg. The chipped late ECUs were either the same or worse with regard to mileage, and never felt as responsive as a stock 153.

IIRC the 173 is an upgrade to the 153 and is a simple plug and play

[nando]

Not true. I mean, the first part may be true (my mistake) but the second part isn't. The later ECU uses more fuel and has less "pep" than the earlier one, even chipped. I've tried probably 8 ECUs in my car for at least 100 miles apiece and the 153s are always the best. From what I gather, it has something to do with the architecture(?) of the ECU. The earlier ones have a more abrupt on/off of the injectors on and off throttle, but have better part-throttle performance and use much less fuel. Stock vs. stock, the earlier ECU could get as much as 31mpg and the late one never got much above 23mpg. The chipped late ECUs were either the same or worse with regard to mileage, and never felt as responsive as a stock 153.

Im sorry, but thats bs. The 153 is known for making a couple hp more stock, but nothing else you said is even remotely true.

[Nesset]

1983-84.

Lightest car = good times.

[Staszek]

I say 89, all the good stuff without the airbags!

[ELVA164]

Yes you can. It plugs right in. The pinouts are identical.

Also, as soon as you chip it, any difference in stock tunes means nothing.

Not true. I mean, the first part may be true (my mistake) but the second part isn't. The later ECU uses more fuel and has less "pep" than the earlier one, even chipped. I've tried probably 8 ECUs in my car for at least 100 miles apiece and the 153s are always the best. From what I gather, it has something to do with the architecture(?) of the ECU. The earlier ones have a more abrupt on/off of the injectors on and off throttle, but have better part-throttle performance and use much less fuel. Stock vs. stock, the earlier ECU could get as much as 31mpg and the late one never got much above 23mpg. The chipped late ECUs were either the same or worse with regard to mileage, and never felt as responsive as a stock 153.

[E30 Wagen]

1989

No Air bag
Elipsiods
plastic bumpers
motronic 1.3

/thread

[nando]

Yes you can. It plugs right in. The pinouts are identicle.

Also, as soon as you chip it, any difference in stock tunes means nothing.

[ELVA164]

You can't retrofit a 153 into a later car.

[Stanley Rockafella]

1988

No Air bag
Elipsiods
big, sexy alum bumpers
motronic 1.3

[Click]

I believe 89s were also the last year of pop out windows and manual sunroofs (less weight than electric because race car). If you like plastic bumper cars 89 is the year to have imho.

That said I have an 89 and love it but also want an early to do a eurobumper swap

[ST1G]

Thats what keeps me cuming back to mine

That's why I like Alpine II e30s. Don't have to wash them as often, it all kinda blends in.

[2mAn]

84-85 door handles are ribbed underneath for extra pleasure.

Thats what keeps me cuming back to mine