Help me pick out an E30!

[sixfiveoh]

Well, I'm a complete noob to bimmers, but I've been thinking lately about picking up an E30 as my daily driver/track car. I've read up a little bit and have found that I will most likely be wanting a 90-91 because of the upgraded bumpers and another option I'd like, but not equally as important since they'll probably be replaced, are the sport seats. My question (though I'm sure it has been beaten to death) is what motor would you suggest I get for my needs?

I would be selling my 01 A4 and the E30 would be my only car, so I'd like a reliable car that I can modify a good amount (suspension, tires, seats and harnesses) and also be a reliable daily driver. The motor would stay untouched for a good while, as I'd like to learn control the car at it's limits before seeking more power.

I've heard the 325is has a powerful motor with some pep, but the 318i feels more nimble. But nimble enough to sacrifice the extra power? Also, from which chasis do the motors come from and stand for, M10, M42, etc?

LSD - which models are equipped with one? And anything else you guys can think of that might be helpful. How reliable are the E30s? I do all my maintenance on my A4 myself, and while it isn't as easy to maintain as my previous Hondas, it's manageable. I can't imagine an E30 being any worse than an 01 Audi?

Thanks guys.

[MA-BMW]

Well let's see. 325i and 325iS and 325iC all have the same M20B25 engine.
325e has an M20B27 engine with lower horsepower but more torque. The late 318i and 318iS both have the same M42B18 (I4 with DOHC). The early 318i had the little M10 engine. The only real way to find out if it has an LSD is to have someone reverse look up the VIN, do a burn out (not always reliable, I've had open diffs grab posi before) or look on the tag on the differential if it is still there.

[smonkbmw]

all late model is's have a lsd 88+. it all depends on what you can get for your audi. if youre looking at 10k+ you should be able to find a e30m3 for that, there is no better e30(almost bmw) than that car.

[Mulholland]

all late model is's have a lsd 88+. it all depends on what you can get for your audi. if youre looking at 10k+ you should be able to find a e30m3 for that, there is no better e30(almost bmw) than that car.

All 325is's have a LSD. Also all 325es's, but not all 318is's do, they are hit or miss on those. The easiest way to check is to A) get under the car, from the rear, and look at the diff cover (has little fins on the bottom, it's in the middle of the axle... hard to miss) and look on the top passenger side of the differential from the rear, there should be a small plate with a serial number engraved. If is says S3.73, S3.93, S4.10, S2.93 etc. it has a LSD. S stands for limited slip. If it just has the final drive number, with no S, it is an open differential.

B) Have someone run the vin for you to find out, easy, and no getting on the ground under lots of random cars (although you should anyways if you are looking to buy any used car...) and assuming the car has the stock differential, then you will know if it is open or limited slip. :up:

[LovableSheep]

all late model is's have a lsd 88+.

I've heard otherwise. I actually don't know about the 325is, but my 318is has an open diff and I read that it was an option.

Edit: ^ Beat me to it. Std only on the 325is/325es, not 318is.