Best states to own an e30

[J.Rizo]

I think California is pretty nice. There's not an abundance of e30's or parts or people but they're all definitely present. And the weather....I haven't had a top on my car for months, and it's been amazing. Also almost no california cars have rust, and if you're lucky you can find one with a crack free dash, which is nearly impossible in the south. BUT the laws here absolutely suck in every way possible. Cops tend to be pretty lenient with traffic stops and highways flow at 80, but a turbo can get your car impounded, and you could face $1000+ in fines on top of having to make it 100% stock. The roads are definitely good enough to be pretty low on, as much as people complain. My oil pan's been fine 2" off the ground so far.

sums it up. perfect weather. decent roads. just shitty mod laws. the mandatory front plate irritates me.

edit: however i disagree with the second sentence. i live in socal and the abundance is awesome. vivek lives up north so its obviously different. and oh yeah, the 80 mph flow is always nice.

[jintermont]

I'll chip in my $0.02 for NM as well...I'm from Albuquerque before I joined the Navy. Easy emissions and generally no one cares about modified cars. Tons of good wrecking yards and the most beautiful roads to cruise I've been on. I miss it a lot! It really is one of the best kept secrets.

I have lived all over the south now and I keep my car registered in FL. FL is a decent place for car people in general, and I can only speak for the panhandle, but the roads are a little lacking. Nice roads in general, but lacking scenery. I was an active member of the BMWCCA and while not so many e30 dudes, lots of BMW guys. FWIW.

lol I didn't see gavins post till after I posted my bit on NM. plus his dad does alot of track stuff around here. COME BACK GAV!


lets get albuquerque30's input. paging Alexander Griego... and argylesocks could put his .02 in too but he is never online

[jintermont]

Albuquerque has a decent car scene...but I don't think I would want to live there...or anywhere in NM. Just my opinion, though.

Albuquerque isn't that bad of a place to live, I am a bit biased due to being born/raised here but the E30/Euro scene is getting better. plus there are alot of great places to near by to get on some twisty's and we have a local auto-x plus a decent road course near by

[QUKBMER]

I would throw in montana but......................no BMW dealers in the state period. I know i know order on line lol. Laws are very laid back up there. Hell the speed limit just got capped off at 90mph !! But i would have to say CALI all day long. We have the beach,the valley,the mountains and the desert all in 1 to 1 1/2 hours drive,i would say thats bitchin.

[325ix]

new mexico and arizona ( and california) are the only nice parts of the south. And that is saying almost nothing.

after new mexico, f that place. el paso texas.

HELL. NO. I hate El Paso, such an awful city.

[gkurey]

I'll chip in my $0.02 for NM as well...I'm from Albuquerque before I joined the Navy. Easy emissions and generally no one cares about modified cars. Tons of good wrecking yards and the most beautiful roads to cruise I've been on. I miss it a lot! It really is one of the best kept secrets.

I have lived all over the south now and I keep my car registered in FL. FL is a decent place for car people in general, and I can only speak for the panhandle, but the roads are a little lacking. Nice roads in general, but lacking scenery. I was an active member of the BMWCCA and while not so many e30 dudes, lots of BMW guys. FWIW.

[Sagaris]

Not here.

Not here, in any way......

Troof.

The weather (humidity, cold, snow) does us no good, which puts a huge damper on trying to maintain a nice car, but other than that its a decent place for cars with Road America and Blackhawk nearby

If Texas had mountains i'd say it would be the best state to be a car enthusiast in.

[TurboJake]

Not here.

Not here, in any way.

Wisconsin
Motorist laws Relaxed.. if it runs turns n stops.. its ok
Historic/vintage car laws 25 years old
Climate: shitty 5 months, nice the rest
Concentration of e30-people: More than I realized
Local motorsport events: Road America
Traffic and driving roads: some of the most fun filled besides mountains.
Places to buy E30 related things locally Lots of machine shops, not much aftermarket stuff
Local e30 availability: Not many, usually beat up, if nice waaaay over priced.

There was NOBODY in Wausau. I had to drive to Appleton to find the nearest guys.
Also, you completely forgot about Hobbyist plates. The best thing you could possibly buy for your E30.

[midwest]

Wisconsin
Motorist laws Relaxed.. if it runs turns n stops.. its ok
Historic/vintage car laws 25 years old
Climate: shitty 5 months, nice the rest
Concentration of e30-people: More than I realized
Local motorsport events: Road America
Traffic and driving roads: some of the most fun filled besides mountains.
Places to buy E30 related things locally Lots of machine shops, not much aftermarket stuff
Local e30 availability: Not many, usually beat up, if nice waaaay over priced.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

SoCal FRW

Best weather , No rusted cars , Some of the best roads. We have every climate. Like Omar said, tons and tons of shops everywhere.

Las arnt as bad as ppl put them tobe. Same goes with traffic.
Dont drive like a dumbass and you wont get stopped , most cops are chill.

X2 also I have never been pulled over , and smog is not that bad

[e30trooper]

SoCal FRW

Best weather , No rusted cars , Some of the best roads. We have every climate. Like Omar said, tons and tons of shops everywhere.

Las arnt as bad as ppl put them tobe. Same goes with traffic.
Dont drive like a dumbass and you wont get stopped , most cops are chill.

[Julien]

nc all day :)

[eight~deuce]

Indiana is pretty good

-no smog laws, no sound limit laws or anything against modifying cars (if they exist they aren't enforced)
-great scene here on the north side of Indianapolis, lots of shows and the Hoosier Chapter of the CCA has events almost every month
-great places to buy parts/service, especially Reggie's Motorworks which specializes in e30s. They can get almost any part for you in one day, assuming they don't already have it in the basement ;)
-hilly parts of southern Indiana have great roads with twisties and hills, makes for a great day trip down there from here in Indianapolis


the bad things:

-Snow and salt--some years its worse than others but usually they have to salt quite frequently
-road conditions-- they are in the middle of a bunch of public works projects around where I live so many roads are being re-paved, but every winter the older roads get absolutely trashed. Pot holes are everywhere. It doesn't help that it can (and usually does) go from below freezing to 60 degrees overnight during winter, i think that huge fluctuation in temp is what tears the roads up

[stamar]

new mexico and arizona ( and california) are the only nice parts of the south. And that is saying almost nothing.

after new mexico, f that place. el paso texas.

[future rs]

What do you AZ and NM people have to say about AZ vs NM? They seem like basically the same to me but with NM having more freedom but being more remote.

Depends on where in AZ.

Phoenix and surrounding area? F that. Way to damn hot. They have nice winters. I spend a bit of time out there. (just trailered my e30 back last weekend) I have a few friends and family that live there. I personally enjoy a little winter.

Albuquerque is much smaller but a lot cooler. And not that remote. International airport. larger University. State of the art hospitals. Major engineering firms. Intel has a huge facility here. Lots of government jobs in sciences and engineering. etc. People down play it a lot but there are a lot of positives, for Albuquerque at least.