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Old BMW fanciers thread


DavidB

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I'm starting to like the E30 about five years too late as prices are now stupid for a clean 'coupe' two door.
I like the E36, but just prefer the E30 a lot more - an old couple down the road from me had a black 318 parked up for about ten years. It went to the scrappers a couple of months ago - darn it!!

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I'm looking for a cheapish E30 now, and came across this:

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It's a 318i two door - has been in Gibraltar for most of it's life, and last had an MOT here in 2002. The least I can do is have a look at it as it's local, but the seller is looking for £2500. Is it worth a haggle? The seller seems honest.

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1 hour ago, Crackers said:

Looks tidy enough, but an automatic 318i isn't my idea of Sheer Driving Pleasure™

Definayly not value for money anymore. The bavarian mk2 escort is the e30. When you consider how much e46 you can still get for your money with a proper gearbox and compliment of cylinders then I probably wouldn't sorry

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In principle I like the idea of an E30* but when I tried them they seemed a just bit ordinary compared to E28 5 series.  If only there had been an E28 two-door.

**Do they just get their reputation by reflection from the (real) M3?  An almost completely different car to every other E30.

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Looks just like my old 316i.

Sadly the price ship has sailed on these long ago. 10 years ago I would have said you could convert it to another engine for under £1000 but I bet you could put a zero on that now.

Buy an E36 compact which do come up for 3 figure prices occasionally and bore everyone about how it has the e30 rear axle but with 5 stud hubs so is effectively just like an e30 M3 (with a 1.6 and an "ultimate sewing machine" toberlone cam)

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56 minutes ago, Asimo said:

In principle I like the idea of an E30* but when I tried them they seemed a just bit ordinary compared to E28 5 series.  If only there had been an E28 two-door.

**Do they just get their reputation by reflection from the (real) M3?  An almost completely different car to every other E30.

They were rated pretty highly when new, at least in straight 6 flavour, well before the M3 was invented, so I don’t think its reflected glory. I’ve not driven an E28 but given the agility and sheer wieldiness of its baby brother I’m surprised its less ordinary as a driving experience — and I admire E28s. Was it an underpowered 316?

I think even Clarkson fans in pubs recognise that the original M3 is a different car from a regular E30, in the same way that a Lotus Carlton hasn’t done anything for a 2.0GL.

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I'm rather partial to older BMWs, usual time/space/money excuses as to why I don't currently own one. E30s - agreed that the price boat has well and truly sailed on them now, and taken E28s along for the ride. In fact, prices are on the rise for anything pre-2002 or so. £2500 for an E30 318i auto thats been off the road for 20 years seems a bit salty, but if the body is anywhere near intact it could well be worth a punt. If the underside is non-existent then walk away and try to find a decent E36. They're still out there, but getting thin on the ground.

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This is solid underneath fortunately - it has rust on the front valance or metal bumper, and rear valance, and the bit around the sunroof, which was allegedly bodged by the previous owner. I've seen much worse, sold for more money with more doors. Auto isn't a problem, it doesn't bother me but it's a day's work to swap for a manual. :)

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I don't know what this is exactly (filler?), and I know they go around this area, but I know it'll need to be cut out. It doesn't leak though ...

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Everything else looks nice, I bet the driver's seat doesn't look like a Shredded Wheat.

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7 minutes ago, DavidB said:

They are also nearly five figure sums.

A 325i might be but a 320i isn’t. I paid £4k not long ago — running, long MOT, very solid, low mileage, manual, good interior and a non-fucked sunroof.

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21 minutes ago, DavidB said:

They are also nearly five figure sums.

E46s aren't. If so you can have mine tomorow for ten grand 😁. Anyhow David, check this out

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-328i-m-sport-e36-coupe-1997-/224477539110?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

I'll grant you there's a day and a bit to go, but assuming it goes for under 6 and a half, that's a stunning looking, fun, interesting car that if looked after you will at least see your money back when done. Your right, e30 boat has sailed and they were never as good as these anyhow. GIB

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19 minutes ago, Skizzer said:

 

A 325i might be but a 320i isn’t. I paid £4k not long ago — running, long MOT, very solid, low mileage, manual, good interior and a non-fucked sunroof.

You still got it skizzer? 

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11 minutes ago, Matty said:

You still got it skizzer? 

Oh yes. I lost the key just before lockdown and have only recently got around to changing the ignition lock on the steering column.

It’s now mobile again but has a fuel/air problem of some sort. I posted a video about it — there’s a link in the news 24 thread, I better not repost it again here because apparently it annoys some people.

Here’s a pic though:

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12 minutes ago, Matty said:

E46s aren't. If so you can have mine tomorow for ten grand 😁. Anyhow David, check this out

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-328i-m-sport-e36-coupe-1997-/224477539110?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

I'll grant you there's a day and a bit to go, but assuming it goes for under 6 and a half, that's a stunning looking, fun, interesting car that if looked after you will at least see your money back when done. Your right, e30 boat has sailed and they were never as good as these anyhow. GIB

LOL, I know, but I'm talking about e30s! I could get an E46 M3, but it's not what I want. :)

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1 minute ago, Skizzer said:

Oh yes. I lost the key just before lockdown and have only recently got around to changing the ignition lock on the steering column.

It’s now mobile again but has a fuel/air problem of some sort. I posted a video about it — there’s a link in the news 24 thread, I better not repost it again here because apparently it annoys some people.

Here’s a pic though:

 

You should post it again ;)

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4 hours ago, Skizzer said:

@320touring will be along shortly to tell you that the 320i gives you 318i performance with 325i fuel consumption, and as always he’s right.

Automatic would put me right off, as would lack of MOT.

Hah! @Skizzer speaks the truth.

 

Currently, e30s are at the point where you buy on condition of the shell, and that alone.

The more solid the shell, the better. If you are after a 2dr (pet hate is anyone calling them a Coupe!) then buy the best shell you can.

Common rot points are 

Scuttle panel

Inner/outer front wings

Inner/outer rear wings

Inner sills

"Jacking points" (actually the pad points the shells were moved on at the factory - don't jack on them!)

Roofs can go to - as per your pic. That's a huge job.

 

Mechanically, key things to remember are:

Saloons (2/4 Dr) all came with the 45mm diameter front dampers and rear drum brakes UNLESS they were a 325i.

Most folk will swap the front dampers for the larger 51mm 325i setup.

Tourings all had 51mm front struts and rear discs regardless of engine size.

 

There are two types of brake caliper used - pay attention so you don't order the wrong ones (ask me how I know)

 

Regarding engines:

4cyls are good - the M10 (pre facelift (82-87) is a great little engine carried over from the e21. Mechanically robust, chain driven and easy to work on. My 316 auto did 37mpg, and would get ragged like fuck

The M40 in the facelift (88-93ish) came as 1.6/1.8. decent power 115bhp for the 1.8, again mechanically decent. Timing belt has 3 tensioners though and is a fiddle. Only usual issue is tappy top ends as the oil spray bar gets blocked - they soldier on forever.

The 318iS came with an M42 1.8 16v - about 150bhp and good fuel consumption. Just a pity the E30 was 200kg heavier than the MK2 Golf GTI 16v, so it was no competition at all. They are a nice engine to drive - revvy!

 

6cyl are better!

Early models (up to 85ish) were either 2.0 or 2.3 6 cyl M20 engines. Cambelt driven, simple to work on, decent poke (129bhp 2.0, 170bhp 2.3).

Post 85, it was 2.0/2.5 with the same power levels. Key thing with 2.5s is the heads like to crack if they get toasty.

Gearboxes:

Manuals are robust, occasional shaft chatter can be found on getrag 240/260s but they will rattle for years.

Auto boxes are generally very reliable, can be easily serviced and make for a relaxing cruiser. 

They beauty of the E30 is that you can fit any engine to any car easily - the 4s and 6s swap over no problem. Even converting auto to manual is easy. Pedal box, clutch master and slave cyl, connecting pipes, fluid reservoir and that's it.

And that's before you get onto the world of 24v engine swaps like @jaypee 3161828i

 

TLDR: By an E30 on body condition, everything mechanical can be resolved.

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Pater_E23 had a 5 door E30 318i for a couple of years, purchased as a replacement for his E12 518A.    The driving seat was so uncomfortable that I could only sit in it for about an hour, by which time it felt like my lumbar region was on fire.  That aside, it was pretty wank and I would not give you the steam off my piss to own one now.

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Just now, Dead_E23 said:

Pater_E23 had a 5 door E30 318i for a couple of years, purchased as a replacement for his E12 518A.    The driving seat was so uncomfortable that I could only sit in it for about an hour, by which time it felt like my lumbar region was on fire.  That aside, it was pretty wank and I would not give you the steam off my piss to own one now.

There's a reason the standard "comfort" spec interior is referred to as "discomfort"..

Sports seats are the way forward, but are stupid money now..

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1 hour ago, Skizzer said:

Oh yes. I lost the key just before lockdown and have only recently got around to changing the ignition lock on the steering column.

It’s now mobile again but has a fuel/air problem of some sort. I posted a video about it — there’s a link in the news 24 thread, I better not repost it again here because apparently it annoys some people.

Here’s a pic though:

39F10988-C7EA-4E21-905A-9A0ACEFB09B5.thumb.jpeg.6d2f508ee7e0f46a7f0d24b65b290f3a.jpeg

Ooooh. And not pissed about with as well. Very nice indeed.

As an aside, because I seem to have missed it, how exactly did a video of an old car with a fault annoy people on an old car forum?? Begars belief....

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1 hour ago, DavidB said:

LOL, I know, but I'm talking about e30s! I could get an E46 M3, but it's not what I want. :)

An e46 m3 is one of my dreams. Its a very long list though to be fair. You could have a very nice 325i sport for that money. Definatly buy what you want pal, it's always been the way forward in my book 👍

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I think E28s are cool as shit. 
I had a chance at buying a 528i SE a couple of years ago, but the seller wouldn't hold it, and I couldn't get to London fast enough to secure a deal. Shame, as it suited me perfectly.
I ended up with an S3 XJ, which I somewhat regret.

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7 hours ago, Matty said:

As an aside, because I seem to have missed it, how exactly did a video of an old car with a fault annoy people on an old car forum?? Begars belief....

It wasn’t that specific video, some people are unhappy at folk just coming on here to promote their wannabe YT channels. I have some sympathy, this community doesn’t work well if people are only on here to flog stuff.

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2 minutes ago, Skizzer said:

It wasn’t that specific video, some people are unhappy at folk just coming on here to promote their wannabe YT channels. I have some sympathy, this community doesn’t work well if people are only on here to flog stuff.

Not like you're flogging a product, just showing and sharing content... keep it up 😎

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