New guy here

[TheRTD]

Hey guys this is my first post,I've been creeping on this forum for a while and I'm finally about to purchase my first e30. I am currently in the process of selling my e34 and looking for an e30 to buy. I was wondering if any of you have any wisdom you would like to bestow on me, specifically about what to look for when I'm buying it. Or maybe things to do after buying it to make sure it's running well etc. Thanks for the help!

[85e325]

Welcome!! The first thing I would do if the PO doesn't any record of would be a timing belt and water pump. The parts run about 150 bucks and if you have basic mechanical know how you can have it done in a few hours over a weekend. The last thing you want is for your new E30 to need a new motor because the maintance hasn't been done. Before doing that, buy a Bentley service manual for the E30's. This thing will make your life SO much easier!!

[LuckyHenriksen]

Do your timing belt and water pump right away if you don't know the history. Also, a good ignition tune up can really help if it hasn't been done for a while.

Oh, and welcome

[LuckyHenriksen]

Damn he beat me haha ^

[TheRTD]

Thanks I'll make sure to do those! Anything I should keep my eyes open for while test driving and stuff?

[Knoepfler]

Thanks I'll make sure to do those! Anything I should keep my eyes open for while test driving and stuff?

Deer

[Ryann]

Unless you decide on an 8 or 16 valve car, in which case there are other things to consider. ;)

[85e325]

Just typical issues for a 20+ year old car. Make sure the brakes aren't locking up, the suspension is in decent working order and if it's a stick, make sure there is no binding when changing gears and that the clutch pedal feels right. BMW's in general, not just E30's are notorious for going thru shock mounts and control arm bushings. Also make sure that the diff isn't making any unusal noise, and being from a collison background my self, If you can get your hands on a lift for a couple of hours, check and make sure that there is no structural damage to the radiator support and frame rails. being that the dimentions are symetrical, take a tape measure and cross measure to make sure the car is ture. If it was improperly repaired, it could make things like engine swaps and suspension upgrades very difficult...

[Gerta]

No

[Mr_Tripp]

Welcome!! The first thing I would do if the PO doesn't any record of would be a timing belt and water pump. The parts run about 150 bucks and if you have basic mechanical know how you can have it done in a few hours over a weekend. The last thing you want is for your new E30 to need a new motor because the maintance hasn't been done. Before doing that, buy a Bentley service manual for the E30's. This thing will make your life SO much easier!!

I've always wondered what this had to do with e30s? can someone explain this to me.

[Wschnitz]

I've always wondered what this had to do with e30s? can someone explain this to me.

It basically tells you how to do anything on your e30.

[HarukoE30]

Hey guys this is my first post,I've been creeping on this forum for a while and I'm finally about to purchase my first e30. I am currently in the process of selling my e34 and looking for an e30 to buy. I was wondering if any of you have any wisdom you would like to bestow on me, specifically about what to look for when I'm buying it. Or maybe things to do after buying it to make sure it's running well etc. Thanks for the help!

Take a look at this for starters:

http://www.e30tech.com/articles/general/e30buyersguide/

It's not a bible in which you need to follow everything, but it'll help give you a good idea of what to look for. You'll know if the CAB's are bad if you get a shimmy in the steering wheel around the 55-62mph range. Just make sure the damn dash harness is complete if possible, not a deal breaker, but man some owners hack the wiring under the dash so bad.

Good luck and welcome