The E30 Honesty Thread

[deadlydave]

What kind of shape was your E30 when you first picked it up?

Well, since I've owned mine twice, I'll give my impressions from the most recent purchase, and my prior knowledge of the car.

Body: Visually, 90/100. In reality it was more like 70/100 (some hidden rust and rushed repairs by a previous owner). Trunk lid had major rust, front valence was in a pretty bad state, side skirts held on with wood screws. Some rust under floor on DS. Car was purchased(back) in spring 2011 but a previous owner had it repainted in factory brilliantrot in spring 2007. Other than the rust spots, everything was really well done. I know there was substantial body repair in a particular section of the car, but was shown the before, in progress, and after images, and the repair was well done.

Interior: 8/10. Still in really good shape, but shift boot is shot, steering wheel leather falling apart, and driver's seat is pretty worn. Clock/thermometer still works, as do all lights and electronics. The interim owner even fixed the speedo which hadn't worked during my first stint as owner.

Mechanical: 8/10 Probably could use a rear diff, had to replace the brakes on all 4 corners of the car.

How much did you spend on going faster (engine, suspension, weight reduction, etc.)?

It immediately needed tires(studded snows not allowed in my state after April 20) and a front ps brake caliper(seized). $320 for those. $500-$600 for total brake replacement and making the ebrake actually work. Then, weight reduction (and body cleanup). FRP CSl-style trunk shell and FRP hood, with all mounting hardware, was $500. I also picked up a fiberglass front bumper for $100 to replace my mangled valence and missing lip with. Only the trunk is painted and on for now. So we'll call it $1470-ish. Weight lost from the trunk alone was 37 pounds (FRP is 8 pounds!). The hood I have weighed at 14 pounds(compared to ~50 for the stock piece. That does not include the $4500 that a previous owner put into it for mechanical necessity.

What's it got? aka: what kind of power (seriously) did you put down on a dyno / how fast are you in the 1/4 mile / what are you passing in the corners on the track?

It's essentially a stock M42, still with very good compression. The car isn't a competitive autocrosser (allseasons and a compliant suspension), but it is competent and easy to handle. This is going to be my 'beginner track rat' and I was holding off from a hardcore build until I got more HPDE seat time.

Are you satisfied? aka: have you ever wished you should've got into a different car and spent the same kind of money for more?

Yes. It's fun, great looking, and unbelievably good on fuel. For me, it is greater than the sum of the parts. Before I decided to keep this, I was eyeballing a 2000-2001 911 Carerra 4 in the 2.5-3 year range. I was also considering a fiesta, mazda2, or CRZ before I bought the e30. It is truly frustrating to work on sometimes, but the moments of brilliance erase my doubts.

I know not everyone is into going fast, cornering hard blah blah, so this is mainly for the guys like me who think the E30 is probably the best-balanced car you can drive as far as performance, cost, and overall driving experience.

I'd say that's a fair assessment. ;) There is nothing as fun and unique (and efficient if that's your thing) anywhere near the cost-per-laugh ratio of an e30. I've still yet to own an fwd car.

I have my WRX for autocross and scaring the shit out of myself.

[dvnchrstphr]

This is a great thread!

I recently purchased an E30 (awaiting shipping) and hoping to have a great story to tell soon. So far it seems like I'll be in for a treat, or at least close to one with a little work.

[Wergen7]

Bought my car for 2 large. Came with zero interior but one sport seat (sorta broken) and a bolt in 10pt cage. ive got the door panels and a few other rando pieces. the only working guages are tach and speedo and maaaybe mpg. car is rattle can flat black but the body is really straight except for about 3 small dents. Car came with a beat as shit m20 in it but an m50 about 80-90% of the swap parts are there. Pretty much no rust on the body. Chassis rust doesn't exist as far as I've seen. Front brake issue where they dont release. m20 leaks a quart of oil a second. thats the condition when i picked it up and its still the same since i havent had money to do anything yet (student life)
Whats it got? It butt dyno'd at less than 168 horsies.
am i satisfied? hell yeah. 2 grand was very very fair

[F34R]

Paid 250 for the rolling shell.

Replaced almost everything with new OE/better go fast parts. I can never gain what I spent...I would NEVER ever sell. It was worth it to me.

I stopped totaling the overall spent at 12k(building of my BBS RS). I now have another set of wheels and a refreshed/boost prepped engine.

In short: not cheap and only worth it if you LOVE cars.

[2mAn]

Komzorz, I think I saw you on I5 a little while ago. Cant remember if I was in my zinno eta or my alpine 84. if its the one I think I saw, its amazing

[DavidV]

Paid $5,000 for the car back in 2003, put in another $15,000 myself, insurance put in just shy of another $10,000. So, the better part of $30,000 total.

-- DavidV :D

[MonkeyMan]

this is going well..
it always makes me feel better that I'm not the only one who spends lots of hard-earned cash knowing damn well that I'll never see that money again..

but like a lot of you guys have said,

the e30-induced laughs are worth every penny


keep 'em coming!

[The München Monster]

Bought my 1986 318i for $1600 NZD (like, $1300 usd?) in 7/10 condition. Quite a few past users who didnt know what they were doing, but it survived, and i got it for a great deal with 199k km. Like, 100 ish thousand miles? Its my first car. When i get a job i plan on putting money into the engine, but since its fine right now i upgraded the sound system (4 Rockford Fosgate speakers at $400 total, and an Alpine headunit at $200). Sub and amp eventually. Other than that only minor things.