What year E30 is the best to buy?

[JiX]

Would like know which is the best year to purchase for an E30. I don't have too much experience with this model, but I know the members on this board do. Would really appreciate any and all advice given. Thanks in advance!

[aaron.j]

1989 325is according to some . but I would just try and find the nicest manual trans car I could

[bimmer8604]

if euro bumpers are what you want to end up doing: 87 iS.
if you want a nice plastic bumper car: 89 iS

[Ral]

1989 has plastic bumpers- earlier cars had big metal diving boards.
I could be wrong, but I think 1990 and 1991 cars had airbags

[der affe]

1989 has plastic bumpers- earlier cars had big metal diving boards.
I could be wrong, but I think 1990 and 1991 cars had airbags

meh, airbags can be removed

[e30love]

What do you want? 1991 318is are great cars

[Fidhle007]

1989 has plastic bumpers- earlier cars had big metal diving boards.
I could be wrong, but I think 1990 and 1991 cars had airbags

Bingo. Assuming plastic bumpers are more desirable (to most they are) 89's are very popular due to the lack of an airbag and the pop-out rear windows. The also had projector headlights as opposed to the new cars sealed beams. Of course you could go the route I did and buy a '90 325is and install a Momo Corse wheel and euro-market projector headlights, negating all but the pop-out window advantage of the '89. As a tech/enthusiast I would tell you to go with the cleanest/newest/lowest mileage car you can afford and start from there. There's a lot of shit out there, even if it has new paint...

[Turf1600]

84 318i 4 door

[rThor432]

84 318i 4 door

+ auto.

[Turf1600]

+ auto.

bronzit, too

[Fidhle007]

bronzit, too

Oh yeah, my bad. Sloany here knows where it's at...

[Turf1600]

All kidding aside - I have a 90 325is and I love it.

[JasonC]

It all depends on what you like. Me, i like early bodys (87 and back).

[lovemy318]

+sportmax's

but really, go with the newest cleanest you can find. it really doesnt matter what year.

THE NUMBER ONE "DON'T DO" is, DO NOT SETTLE! for example, theres one BMW for $2k and its in perfect condition. on the other street theres a BMW for $1,300 but its not as perfect and has a few leaks in the window and needs new plugs. assuming you only have $1,300 you figure you can make up fr the car later... WRONG. u might as well wait and save till u can afford the best E30 out there. excuse my running on about this but im just sharing my experience.

thats about it...

[JiX]

Thanks for the info. guys. I'm looking for a 325, but seeing that these cars are at least 20 years old and with a majority of them well over 150,000 miles, I can't expect it to last me forever. Therefore, I guess it doesn't matter whether it's a 325 or 318 as long as it's a manual and reliable enough to last me until I'm able to afford a rebuild/restoration. If you don't mind me asking, what's the average cost of a rebuild?