Popular Post JJ0063 Posted November 5, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 5, 2020 Some of you may have already seen but I was looking for a something old and French - 106 GTI/306 GTI6 etc as a bit of a weekend toy come investment to make some money on. I therefore bought a 1988 E30 318i, obviously. Always loved BMW’s, my daily is a 5 series touring and this e30 came up relatively local so I thought it was worth a gander. Rocked up to a mid-terrace house in Lowestoft to be met by an 82 year old gent and his son who was helping out with the sale. John, the 82 year old owner had bought the car back in 1994 and garaged it every night, still his daily driver he had decided to replace it with a Fiat 500 - wanted power steering and something a bit easier to drive (went for a Red one of course) Opening his garage and seeing the car so clean and unmolested, I knew I was having it without even hearing it run.. he started it and pulled it out of the garage for inspection and it was as good as the pictures made it look, if not better. It started instantly, ran up to temp and purred along lovely. That lovely smell of an old petrol car along with the classic car interior smell (you know the smell I mean) I was sold without even test driving. Transferred the money and shook hands. As I pulled away from their house I looked in my wing mirror to see John waving, whilst crying. Clearly 26 years of ownership was a pleasant memory for him and I intend to carry this on now. Overall the car is bloody brilliant. It drives so well for a 32 year old car.. no bangs, no rattles, it’s quiet, the heating is great, seats are comfy - I feel like I could easily daily it. There are of course a few bits that need attention, John was obviously a gentle driver - the clutch slips quite easily with moderate throttle so I’m on the hunt for someone local to Norfolk to change that, also the timing belt is well due on age (it’s only done 18k on it but hasn’t been done since 2008!) so it’ll be going for the belt and clutch ASAP. My plans are really just to enjoy it and maintain it, I’ve bought a well reviewed breathable car cover until I can afford a wooden garage/car sized shed so that should help for now. Planning to leave the car standard as being a 2dr non sunroof model, albeit a 318i, I can see the value increasing if left alone. anyway, here’s some pics. Will add more once I’ve given the engine bay a quick spruce up. worldofceri, puddlethumper, Mr Laurence and 59 others 62 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ0063 Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 Oh yeah, I’d really like a set of period/dealer plates if anyone can recommend a site, the front has been replaced and the rear is a little worse for wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Norman Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 They really are cracking things to drive, even the 318i. The E36 really needs a bigger engine to shine but the older one is just fine on the 4 pot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundwave Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Absolutely gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMC Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Lovely, looks very original. Zinnobar red? Liking those disc type wheel trims; easy to forget these days that plenty came out of the factory like that. That Long term former keeper has helped save it from probably people like my younger self in say, 1999. Dave_Q 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antony denman Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 just maintiane and enjoy,looks a stunner who wants to prop banks up,when theres gems like that , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter C Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 I am surprised that a 318i of that vintage doesn't have PAS. Cracking looking motor though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunglebus Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 I used to pilot a 318i tourer, I really rate the E30 as a car to drive. I wouldn't say they're underpowered but I had a friend who had various 320/325s which are obviously a lot faster. Mine did end up lightly modified with lowering springs so handled extremely well on its BBS alloys. Just keep it polished/garaged to stop that red fading! Cambelt is an easy DIY job as long as you remember the bottom pulley is retained by a circle of bolts around its circumference and don't give yourself a hernia trying to undo the large hex in the centre - that's the nose of the crank... CGSB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 1 hour ago, HMC said: Lovely, looks very original. Zinnobar red? Liking those disc type wheel trims; easy to forget these days that plenty came out of the factory like that. That Long term former keeper has helped save it from probably people like my younger self in say, 1999. It looks more like hellrot. Zinnobar was darker Iirc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy_bunter Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Lovely...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ0063 Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 Thanks all Yeah it’s Hellrot red, standard spec on this model is odd - central locking and electric mirrors as standard, not a lot else! I quite like how basic it us though. I won’t tackle the belt myself as I want it doing properly - hoping to hear back with a quote today from a local garage I know tends to a few older cars so hopefully they don’t pull my trousers down. I have toyed with some period OEM BBS wheels that the higher spec ones came with and I still might be tempted as I’m not blown away by the trims, but I do really like how unmolested it is too. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Foxhake Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 I knew those wheels would be in the garage soon! JJ0063 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ0063 Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 Ha, you’ve known me a long time Danny! £382 quote for the clutch, don’t know why but I thought it might be a touch cheaper, oh well, needs doing! will wait for one more to come back as a comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Laurence Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 8 hours ago, JJ0063 said: Oh yeah, I’d really like a set of period/dealer plates if anyone can recommend a site, the front has been replaced and the rear is a little worse for wear. prestigeplate_sales on Facebook did me a set a few month ago and I was really happy with the result. I think a few others here have bought from the same place too https://m.facebook.com/prestigeplatesales/?__tn__=%2Cg Love the E30 by the way! It’s been some time since I’ve seen one so unmolested and well loved JJ0063 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w00dy Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 That is minty fresh. The E30 really is one of those cars that just looks right and in red on trims it is spectacular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ0063 Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 Gates belt kit and Sachs clutch kit ordered whilst there’s a 15% discount code for eBay... local family mechanic is going to do it between jobs at a fair price. Peter C and Vince70 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_Q Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 15 hours ago, HMC said: Lovely, looks very original. Zinnobar red? Liking those disc type wheel trims; easy to forget these days that plenty came out of the factory like that. That Long term former keeper has helped save it from probably people like my younger self in say, 1999. Agreed, 100% I would have bought this from ebay for £300 then molested it with lowering springs and AC Schnitzer replica alloys. HMC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Don't change a thing on that. Kept absolutely factory, that can only increase in value. It needs to be kept dry too. Vince70 and Amishtat 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ0063 Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 20 minutes ago, Talbot said: Don't change a thing on that. Kept absolutely factory, that can only increase in value. It needs to be kept dry too. That’s pretty much the plan! Some vital maintenance then to hopefully pick up some sort of wooden/tin garage from Facebook or gumtree to put it in. Live in a rented house so need something I can take down easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
They_all_do_that_sir Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 That’s pretty much the plan! Some vital maintenance then to hopefully pick up some sort of wooden/tin garage from Facebook or gumtree to put it in. Live in a rented house so need something I can take down easily. Don't go tin, most of them are a nightmare for condensation.A mate has something like this, assuming it's well tethered it should do ok and won't rub the paint the way a cover will"3.3x4.8m Carport Tent / Portable Garage, PE 260 g/m², dark green - House of Tents" https://www.houseoftents.co.uk/Portable-Garage/7808.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhZT9BRDmARIsAN2E-J3RD2kOpdAt0O14pbHKK_2BxTix9-4cLvd570lZyIbfRQKWyHNiELYaAs3ZEALw_wcBSent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk JJ0063 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broadsword Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 That is an inspired purchase. Looks so nice! JJ0063 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omegod Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 Oh that's lovely, I recall that BMW in the 80's were a bit weird with spec, nothing came with a radio as standard and had to be ordered. I think the BBS spoked wheels would be the only acceptable mod ! There's a mint 320i 5 door in hellrot near me but I've resisted the urge to knock on his door for this long ........... JJ0063 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B4lljoints Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 That's a lovely looking thing. Well bought. I think keeping it close to standard is the wise thing to do. 😊👍👍 JJ0063 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ0063 Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 Thanks again guys, took it out for a nice drive today. God I love it. Mr Laurence, holbeck, Vince70 and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutty2006 Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 Love a red two door, especially one that’s not been owned by a 21 year old boyo with a jaunty baseball cap and a weird enthusiasm to lower it to the floor and put big alloys on it. my brother had one identical (318i) same colour and trim. It got sold a fair few years ago for £500. He should have kept it. Would have been worth a bit more now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amishtat Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 I had a red 2-door 318i twelve years ago and I absolutely loved it. I'd have another but they're out of my reach now. Well bought, I'm not remotely* jealous.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seacow Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 Love this - as posted in your wanted thread here is mine - just a couple of years younger but very similar history - elderly owner etc - but I have had mine 10 years. So rare to have lower spec that haven’t been molested. Mine has power steering but otherwise similar spec to yours. Great to drive and always gets attention. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to give me a shout - I used mine daily for the first year but now it’s occasional Sunday toy! Mine is Brilliant Red. Great purchase - I think you got a really good deal there! Cheezey, sutty2006, Vince70 and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ0063 Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 50 minutes ago, seacow said: Love this - as posted in your wanted thread here is mine - just a couple of years younger but very similar history - elderly owner etc - but I have had mine 10 years. So rare to have lower spec that haven’t been molested. Mine has power steering but otherwise similar spec to yours. Great to drive and always gets attention. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to give me a shout - I used mine daily for the first year but now it’s occasional Sunday toy! Mine is Brilliant Red. Great purchase - I think you got a really good deal there! Love yours mate, lovely cars! I can’t stop driving the thing, it’s awesome. Looking forward to getting the clutch done as it’s slightly annoying having to be quite so gentle with it. checking under the rear seats for rust today - glad to report it’s spotless but did find this electronic device, anyone got any ideas what it is? I should have pulled the tape off to see what the complete name was. EDIT: Gemini 1031.. seems to be an alarm but I can’t find a speaker or anything so possibly just remnants of an old one? Think I’ll just leave it alone as I don’t have any fobs etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheezey Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 29 minutes ago, seacow said: Love this - as posted in your wanted thread here is mine - just a couple of years younger but very similar history - elderly owner etc - but I have had mine 10 years. So rare to have lower spec that haven’t been molested. Mine has power steering but otherwise similar spec to yours. Great to drive and always gets attention. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to give me a shout - I used mine daily for the first year but now it’s occasional Sunday toy! Mine is Brilliant Red. Great purchase - I think you got a really good deal there! Classic photo location for car pics. I think a dealer even uses it for all of their adverts. Both of these E30s are lovely. A set of BBS wheels and some slightly lower springs aren’t anything that can’t be easily reversed. An old friend had a few E30s. Always nice to drive. He had a roughish 325i touring with a sport body kit he bought cheap from a shady trader. Never seen another like it since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ0063 Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 Yeah I may treat it to a set of period BBS, I really like them. Quick shot of the untouched bay - I want to give it a good clean up but it’s nice and original. dome, Vince70, Coprolalia and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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