I have owned 2 different e30s in the past. The first was a 1987 325is purchased with all I could scrape together. It had 140k miles and was being sold by a woman who's young children just wouldn't fit in it anymore.
I loved that car, I still remember going on a test drive, but before I could I had to drive it back up her driveway and out to the street. I failed to find 1st and instead climbed the hill in 3rd
. Sadly she (the car) met her demise in a shop fire while waiting to simply have a coolant leak looked at.
The next e30 was purchased to get the magic back and was a 1989 325i. Both cars were 5 speeds but this one had a fuel issue that I just couldn't solve and had to go almost before I really had it. I ended up with a Honda to take me to work and back but now drive an E46 M3 but still yearn for the experience that 1987 325is gave me as a youngster.
What should I look for when shopping for an e30? I want a 2dr 5spd "i" car with a Limited Slip Diff. I prefer the plastic bumper look of the late models but the "is" is difficult to find in those. Is there an easy way to identify the differential visually or do I need to take it to a parking garage and run a test like in the image below?
I am looking at 2 different cars in my area now. One is an '89 325i and needs some work to the transmission. The other is a 1987 325is over 4 hrs away and an automatic. The '87 appears to be in better condition but would (obviously) require a 5spd swap and is over 4hrs away. The '87 is also cheaper.
Any insight provided would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Here are the 2 cars craigslist ads:
1989 325i
1987 325is
I loved that car, I still remember going on a test drive, but before I could I had to drive it back up her driveway and out to the street. I failed to find 1st and instead climbed the hill in 3rd
. Sadly she (the car) met her demise in a shop fire while waiting to simply have a coolant leak looked at.The next e30 was purchased to get the magic back and was a 1989 325i. Both cars were 5 speeds but this one had a fuel issue that I just couldn't solve and had to go almost before I really had it. I ended up with a Honda to take me to work and back but now drive an E46 M3 but still yearn for the experience that 1987 325is gave me as a youngster.
What should I look for when shopping for an e30? I want a 2dr 5spd "i" car with a Limited Slip Diff. I prefer the plastic bumper look of the late models but the "is" is difficult to find in those. Is there an easy way to identify the differential visually or do I need to take it to a parking garage and run a test like in the image below?
I am looking at 2 different cars in my area now. One is an '89 325i and needs some work to the transmission. The other is a 1987 325is over 4 hrs away and an automatic. The '87 appears to be in better condition but would (obviously) require a 5spd swap and is over 4hrs away. The '87 is also cheaper.
Any insight provided would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Here are the 2 cars craigslist ads:
1989 325i
1987 325is
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