Why do you love your E30?

[gr8skyr]

Because it's the first BMW I've ever owned and the last one I'll ever want or need. Especially the way it connects the road to every part of you, through the M-tech steering wheel, through the side-bolstered recarro seats, through the floorboard that sits inches above the asphalt. It is a sublime experience I've never had driving anything else.

[archie]

Memories for me, 1984 thru 1993.;)

[spike68]

Ive always enjoyed e30s more than anything else. I feel that may be influenced cause I was pretty much brought up in one. I love mine in particular because I remember being the car seat in my car. Its been in my family since 91, so its held very close to me despite its problems, which I am slowly fixing. Ive driven friends and family member's cars and just havent felt the same, sure some might be faster, but there is that "solid" feeling that I only feel in e30s. The wonderful body lines the car has are simplistic yet sporty, especially in a cabrio.

I can go on and on about this, but you get my point.

[SSE30]

List of reasons why I like the E30
1. The bodystyle. I love how it's all squared off. None of this bulbous look of all the new cars. I call it the no BS exterior.
2. Its very raw. I feel ground, I feel as though the car responds to all my input without delay.
3. It's the fastest car I've ever owned. Clearly faster than my WRXes and my S2000.
4. It's the easiest car I have ever worked on.
5. It's small, Maybe smaller than the mini cooper so it's easy to park but still roomy inside.
6. You don't see many driving around town and when you do appreciate it.
7. No car payment :)
8. Sleeper look!

Lambo: that's just depressing.

Because Racecar.

Hand-sculpted, so it is aesthetically pleasing in a way that most modern designs cannot attain. Form follows function. The body lines added rigidity to the early unibody frames, particularly in the rear quarter. Highest driver visibility of most any other car that is out there, coupled with small size that lends to a more connected nimble driving experience that is only paralleled by the unmistakable smell of an e30. ...I believe the smell is a combination of the vinyl dash & plastics off-gassing (even 30 years later) with the horse-hair seat cushion padding.

And why would you ever want to part with it when it's small size leaves so much spare room in your garage for other toys like a Quad or couple bikes?

Because it's the first BMW I've ever owned and the last one I'll ever want or need. Especially the way it connects the road to every part of you, through the M-tech steering wheel, through the side-bolstered recarro seats, through the floorboard that sits inches above the asphalt. It is a sublime experience I've never had driving anything else.

All excellent observations and insight. I, too, appreciate the raw driving experience and the connectivity of the driver to the road. The E30 is a medium by which we can experience unadulterated driving pleasure.

[dashboardmonkey]

What's not to love about them?

[J3M93]

because there's nothing that you don't need in it, and it can over steer in almost every possible instance :D

[Thizzelle]

German engineered. Quality. Plenty of mods/customization. First M3 which set off the ultimate driving machine. M3 body/way better then the newer ones. All modern amenities , electric everything, heated seats, mpg, range, projector headlight etc.all of this for a decent price. Can't beat it

[mrcheezle19]

There's just a feeling I get when I sit behind the wheel that no other car gives me. I feel connected to the car and the power is instant. I love the classic BMW look and the angles of the car, there's no random lines or curves it's all business. Nothing else drives like an e30. All my friends thought I was weird for wanting one until they ride in it and totally see where I'm coming from. And of course having cheap maintenance, good gas milage and the awesome sound it makes. I also love the level of customization. You can take it so many directions and look great.

[emerson.]

Because I can be in the worst mood until i hit boost and all my troubles melt away. Just me, the car, and endless pavement

[MR E30 325is]

There is nothing I can really add to this thread that hasnt already been said.

It just feels right. The driving position, the presentation of the dashboard, the feel of the car on the road, the smile it brings to my face no matter what I am dealing with.

Its just a connection I havent felt with any other vehicle. Not this disturbing 'have sex with my car' bull, but a legitimate friendship, irregardless of the fact that its a car.

[10Toes]

[lambo]

Shit, bitch...I need to see more of this car. It is seriously perfect...

[James Crivellone]

Shit, bitch...I need to see more of this car. It is seriously perfect...

It drives just as nicely as it looks, very fun.

So, what makes me love an E30? Because they are fun in so many different ways. For instance you can go batshit insane and have fun like this



You can have fun while looking good like this :

You can get all goofy and bring a junkyard car back from the dead like this:

But most importantly to me its the people you meet, the friends you made. Most of my great friends I've met through BMW E30's, its truly amazing.

So what do I love about E30's? These three pictures sum it up, carvans and the people you meet.

[Simon S]

Rewarding to work on.
Rewarding to drive..
Satisfaction levels aren’t something easy to put into words.

I used to read all the Peter Egan columns I could get my eyes on. I bring his name up because sometimes he’d write about sitting in the garage with some good beer and some tunes – and how he could just sit there, feasting his eyes on a Ducati or an old Triumph.. analyzing body lines and proportions..

Dude – I've drank cases of beer over the years doing just that with my e30..

[AntiScope]

Lambo: that's just depressing.

Because Racecar.

Hand-sculpted, so it is aesthetically pleasing in a way that most modern designs cannot attain. Form follows function. The body lines added rigidity to the early unibody frames, particularly in the rear quarter. Highest driver visibility of most any other car that is out there, coupled with small size that lends to a more connected nimble driving experience that is only paralleled by the unmistakable smell of an e30. ...I believe the smell is a combination of the vinyl dash & plastics off-gassing (even 30 years later) with the horse-hair seat cushion padding.

And why would you ever want to part with it when it's small size leaves so much spare room in your garage for other toys like a Quad or couple bikes?

This, I almost forgot to mention. The smell is amazing and I found it awesome that my new one smells exactly the same as the 91 318is I used to have over a year ago.