Living with an E30

[FredK]

but be prepared for 1000+ repair bills if you bring it to a shop.

Hahaha! Some guy on Craigslist posted up an E30 with all the work done by a North Shore BMW specialist.

The receipts totalled $7000+ for little more than suspension work, timing belt and tuneup and valve adjust (this service was like $1200 or something). It was ridiculous. It was probably $1500-2000 of parts, max. And it wasn't bitch work like subframe bushings or TA bushings. No, it was regular stuff like control arms, tie rods, etc. I think a Bilstein and spring install, together with the CAs and tie rods was like $2200, NOT including the cost of the Bilsteins and springs.

[B0ND]

My experience with my 325i so far has been really good. I bought my car last September, the only things I've done that were necessary were replacing consumables (tires, brake pads, etc.) and oil changes. I will be flushing coolant and brake fluid soon (they should each be done once every 2 years - some say to do the brake fluid every year) and replacing my timing belt soon. If you go with an m20 powered car (325/i/is/e/es) be sure to check when the timing belt was replaced as it needs to be done every ~60k miles or 4 years, whichever comes first. If the timing belt breaks your engine is pretty much toast, don't skimp on this.
If you're looking for good gas mileage for for an eta powered car or a 4-cylinder, each of them should give you close to 30 mpg. So far with my 325i I have averaged just over 20 mpg (over ~9000 miles), although this is fairly low for these cars, most people with i's report ~23-25 mpg.
If you don't mind doing a little work yourself the E30 is an excellent choice.

In conclusion: just buy one, you won't regret it.

[mulishaflesh969]

Frank, yours is a eta? holy. i thought it was a I or something or another.

[nando]

in general, stock condition these things can be VERY reliable

m20s can easily do well over 200,000 miles, as can the M42. My parts car had 225k before I took it apart, and there was NO wear in the motor!

I'm also driving a 318is with 250k. this thing just won't quit!

now, most of the guys here modify their cars. when you add mods and the way they are driven, they start to look less reliable. but honestly, my car has never left me stuck somewhere, and most of the stuff I've "fixed" really wasn't broken in the first place.

and when they do break, parts are actually pretty cheap (seriously price out some stuff for newer imports these days) and they are very easy to work on as well.

[Kruzen]

in general, stock condition these things can be VERY reliable

m20s can easily do well over 200,000 miles, as can the M42. My parts car had 225k before I took it apart, and there was NO wear in the motor!

I'm also driving a 318is with 250k. this thing just won't quit!

now, most of the guys here modify their cars. when you add mods and the way they are driven, they start to look less reliable. but honestly, my car has never left me stuck somewhere, and most of the stuff I've "fixed" really wasn't broken in the first place.

and when they do break, parts are actually pretty cheap (seriously price out some stuff for newer imports these days) and they are very easy to work on as well.

This.

With the exception of my clutch acting up when i've been driving it around all day long in the heat. The only part in my car that has ever actually BROKEN was my slave clutch cylinder. Everything else has been replaced pre-emptively

[backtrail69]

I have been driving my 325e for the last year. The only thing mechanically that I have had to do to it was oil changes so far. Stay up to date on maintenance and it never becomes a big deal at all. When you go buck wild with the modification like I have with my turbo car....expect to break things occasionally and be tinkering with it all the time. If I were to do it all again I probably would have done cosmetics, suspension and some mild motor mods.

They aren't the fastest things out there, nor the best handling (stock) but they give me a smile every time I drive mine.

[AlexS]

Thanks everyone for the prompt and thorough response.

About maintaining my own, I am inexperienced with car maintenance, but willing to learn. I am somewhat handy with tools, but that's about it. I don't have any torque wrenches or anything like that. One of my concerns with my own maintenance is space. Where do you guys work on your cars? All I have is a driveway, that's to be shared between the 3 cars in my home. Generally I park in a neighbors driveway, but I'd rather not do any engine work there, due to fear of spilling things on the asphalt.

It's a bit of a drawn out story, but in short I should be able to work things out. I hope. I may have a connection with the auto teacher at my old high school. We'll see.

I've heard someone talk about gas mileage in the 318is/325e, but what about other running costs? Is the 4 or 6 cylinder generally more reliable?

About mods, there are certainly some things that appeal to me. I don't think I'd ever want to do any sort of turbo charging or anything, but an engine swap wouldn't be out of the question as far as I'm concerned. I like the concept of having a newer, higher displacement motor. I really like the 4 door M30(I think) car that was for sale in the classifieds. Other than that, I like the recaro looking seats, and the M tech steering wheels. Wheels might interest me as well, but nothing crazy. I like BBS wheels. Small ones with little dish would be just fine for me.

If anyone in Toronto would like to talk about the cars, perhaps show me their car, that would be really helpful I think. Do E30 drivers use msn? If so, a PM with an email addy would be great!

Thanks again.

[BigFurryWhale]

I was in almost the exact same boat as you last June when I was looking for a car. Little to no mechanical experience, but good with tools and willing to learn. I took the plunge and bought a 1990 325is. It's been quite a ride, (often plagued with problems) but I wouldn't trade the car for ANYTHING. If you plan to make the car your DD, try and make sure you have some sort of a backup to get you to and from where you need to be. For instance, I've been able to borrow my mom's car occasionally when the e30 is out of commission (most of this was due to battery issues).

Most of the guys on here are really good with cars and they might make e30 ownership out to be a little easier than it is. I asked a lot of the same questions you are and got many of the same answers. e30s for the most part are going to be more trouble to own than a fair number of cars in the same price range (hondas, etc.) and there's a good chance that they will give you trouble.

Expect to get around 25 mpg in a 325i.

All that said, I adore my e30, and have no regrets. Just make sure you get a good one.

[AlarmedBread]

If you can find one, 91 318is would be your best bet.

if you get a 325i, within the week that you buy it, I'd do the following.

-Get bently manual(no matter what e30 you buy)
-Timing belt + tensioner, water pump, tstat, alt/ps belts
-flush all fluids (oil, coolant, brake, trans(17mm hex), diff)

If it needs plugs, wires, cap and rotor, now is a good time to do that.

This will cost around $150 in parts, require only basic tools and get you pretty familiar with your engine. You should be able to knock out this project in a day.




I use a 325is as my daily driver, it's been great. I average around 20mpg, it's higher cruising on the highway, but my spirited bursts of driving bring it down a little. Everyone here will tell you these cars are a joy to drive. I actually look forward to going to work and seek out the curviest route.

[Simon S]

sounds like you want a drivers car..

.. an e30 is pure drivers car.

To perform DIY maintenance

and upgrades [greatly]

adds to

one's

satisfaction factor.

A satisfaction, that

no Ford product of any

sort can return by any measure.