New Member from Omaha

[OldSchoolEuro]

Hey guys! Not sure if this was the proper place to introduce myself but I am new here and OBSESSED with E30 BMW's. Although I am a turbo Volvo guy (Member of turbobricks.com) I said to myself, I HAVE to get an E30 right now. So I decided to join up here and learn a bit more about E30s and such so that I can be more familiar with them. I live in the middle of nowhere so its hard to find a nice, clean and low mileage E30. Hope I find one soon! Cheers! :p

[Mot]

welcome, good luck. Hope you have thick skin man, we throw mud around here if your dumb.

[OldSchoolEuro]

Haha we do the same at Turbobricks. Theoretically I should be okay here haha.

[hugh jass]

Look on the west coast for a clean e30 and then drive it back. it's probably the best way to find a clean example.

[OldSchoolEuro]

Yeah I have seen some REALLY nice ones out there but don't think I will have the time to go out and get it. There was a 84 318i that I was actually going to trade my 90 Volvo 240 Turbo for in Texas but the owner didn't want to meet halfway. :(

[daniel]

do a looooot of research before you buy. you may find you want an 89-91 318is or 325is, instead of an 84 318i. the budget you have for an e30 will also greatly influence what you can find and in what condition (obviously).

[OldSchoolEuro]

Yeah I'd spend about 3500 for one in pristine condition but thats about all I will be able to afford. This would be after I sell my Volvo of course since I have one to many cars. Coming from older Volvo's (ex. 240), would an E30 be a simple DIY car? Any problems I should look for in a 318 or 325? Also yeah I would probably want an 89-91 since I like the look of the shortened bumpers better.

[nickpdx]

Yep, e30s are simple and pretty easy to work on. Before picking up mine I had never done more than the basic oil change, but I've been learning on my own how to do progressively more difficult things without too much difficulty. If you're already pretty good at wrenching I'd say you'll have no problem...just be sure to pick up a Bentley manual when you get an e30. Good luck finding one! :D

[OldSchoolEuro]

Oh sweet. So just like a 240 almost. Oh and totally agree with the Bentley manual. I have one for the Volvo as well and that is almost better than the original manuals too. I have a +T under my belt so I guess working on a E30 isn't too bad.

[OldSchoolEuro]

Just to get this all straight, what would be the IDEAL E30 I should be looking for. 318i, 325i, 325is? I test drove a 325is a couple months ago and it was pretty smooth and looked pretty easy to work on. Basically, what would be the best one to get?

[daniel]

this is where you need to start doing research. do you want 2 doors or 4? all "is" cars are 2 doors, but the difference between an i and an is is a limited slip diff, some exterior trimmings and a slightly nicer interior, and there are 325i 2-doors.

The M20 motor (the 6-cyl found in the 325s) has a timing belt that must be changed periodically, and also has adjustable valves, so is a bit higher maintenance than the M42 motor (the 4-cyl found in the 318s) that has a timing chain and hydraulic valve lifters. In my opinion, changing the oil on the M20 is a huge bitch, and is extremely easy on the M42, but some people say they don't have too many problems with the M20.

If i were buying an E30 right now, i would look for a 318i or 318is from 1990-1991, just because I am not a big fan of the M20 and love the rev-happy-ness and significantly lighter weight of the M42, even though it has slightly less power.

[OldSchoolEuro]

Hmm yeah thats what I was thinking. I drove that 325is and wasn't too impressed with the power and it felt sort of nose heavy probably because of that I-6 engine. I would probably be looking for a 318is (2 door) since I have been driving 4 doors ever since I could drive. Now is the 318is a non-interference motor or is it interference.