TVRs2 or E30 2.5 convertible

[daytona365]

Which is the PH's choice for something characterful and classic, on a limited budget ? Either the raw and raucous TVR S 2.9 or the more refined, (But doubtless more reliable!) BMW E30 2.5 convertible ? I bow to your better judgment !!

[v8250]

Don't even hesitate, buy the TVR S2. Surely one of the most underrated sporting classics on Planet Earth. And don't believe the doom mongers. They're perfectly reliable if looked after, as with any car...just buy carefully.

[davepen]

daytona365 said:

Which is the PH's choice for something characterful and classic, on a limited budget ? Either the raw and raucous TVR S 2.9 or the more refined, (But doubtless more reliable!) BMW E30 2.5 convertible ? I bow to your better judgment !!

As PH was started by Ted because he had a TVR S 2.9, do you need to ask?
How many seats does an E30 have?

[4rephill]

davepen said:

daytona365 said:

Which is the PH's choice for something characterful and classic, on a limited budget ? Either the raw and raucous TVR S 2.9 or the more refined, (But doubtless more reliable!) BMW E30 2.5 convertible ? I bow to your better judgment !!

As PH was started by Ted because he had a TVR S 2.9, do you need to ask?
How many seats does an E30 have?

Technically an E30 has 4 seats but the rear passengers comfort will depend on the height of the front seat occupants, especially when it comes to sitting behind the driver, but it will take 4 people (Been there, done that!, and I'm 6'2" and had to have the drivers seat all the way back on the runners. My brother sat behind Me wasn't exactly comfortable but he said it was bearable for a short journey).

I'm a massive fan of BMW's and so the answer is both simple and obvious: Take the TVR every time!

If you owned an E30 convertible then you would have a very nice looking, stylish, classic 80's car that would make you smile every time you drove it. Every journey would be a pleasant journey.

With the TVR though, you would own something that is special because at no stage in it's life was it ever just a run of the mill car, and every time you drove the TVR, you'd be grinning from ear to ear! Added to which, every journey would be an adventure!

As for the extra niggles you get with the TVR: That gives you far more things to talk about when anyone asks you about the car!

[glenrobbo]

I may be slightly biased, but I would choose the TVR S every time. Not just for the biggest grin factor, but for the fantastic support, advice & cameaderie here on the PH S Series forum, as well as all the opportunities for meets, trips & tours. You just don't get that with an E30 Beemer.

I bought my TVR S1 in 2011, and my biggest regret is that I didn't discover the Joy of S years earlier.
I have been on the S Club Eurotour each year since I bought my S, and with numbers of up to 30 S's, we have always completed the return journey ( although one or two dramas had to be sorted using the communal expertise )

Unreliable? Not really.
Two faults on my 1987 S1 in 36 months and 23,000 miles.
Seized rad fan. Managed to free it off to get me home, replaced the fan afterwards.
Snapped throttle cable. Unable to fix at the roadside, but set idle speed quite high and again managed to drive 26 miles back home.

As said previously, these cars are currently vastly undervalued.
The three main things to check are chassis, chassis, and chassis. Best get one that has been sorted, but if you are up for it, even a rotten chassis is not that too difficult a DIY job if you have the facilities and determination.
A refurbished bare chassis can be purchased on an exchange basis for under £2k.

Go on, go for it!
Come and have a chat with us at Burghley TVR Horsepower Gathering on 12th April if you can manage it, or even better, blag yourself a ride with one of us on the Rutland Rumble the day before. details on the PH TVR General Stuff & Gossip page.

Hope this helps

[vixen1700]

I love my S, it's driven all the time, isn't garaged and never lets me down. It's a joy to drive, sounds like a dirty muscle car and gets attention wherever it goes.

Went down to Aix-en Provence in September in it, motorway all the way down there and the (very long) scenic route back and it didn't miss a beat.

Really great cars that won't be cheap forever.

Just don't believe what the fuel gauge says.

[swisstoni]

TVRs are very simple and the Ford 2.9 is a very solid unit. Well maintained, there's not much to go wrong, and what does will be straightforward.
The S was my introduction to TVRs and it was a lot of fun. The design has aged very well too IMHO.

[Mr_B]

This is about as odd a car comparison as I think I've ever seen. You might as well said an S2 against a astra mk2 convertible.

[Daggsy]

I'm surprised you had to ask.

TVR S2, TVR S2, TVR S2, everytime.

[HarryW]

Difficult choice, I do like the E30, the 2.5 if the rarer M Sport is very collectable, most are clones but a true one will have a slippy diff and close ratio gearbox, a thinking mans M3 if you prefer the smoothness of the 6 pot for not a lot of money.
The S2, or 3 is a very good car that, rusty chassis asides, can be cheap as chips to buy and run.
I'd enjoy either myself, so the best advice is try good examples of both and buy what you like best. Both should, bar running costs, hold their value. Being a wider market the E30 might actually make good money in the longer term.

[LewG]

TVR! This thread seems like a foregone conclusion. Just bought a Chim myself and I can safely say it's the most fun I've ever had in a car. I imagine the S would be much the same.

Edited by LewG on Monday 23 March 18:13

[fatjon]

TVR or a boring Euro box. Not a hard choice.

[Le TVR]

daytona365 said:

or the more refined, (But doubtless more reliable!) BMW E30 2.5 convertible ?

Well I bought my TVR S back in 1989 and it has been my daily for nearly 26 years. The odometer stopped working a couple of months ago so I can only estimate somewhere around 390,000 km. Maintenance costs over those 26 years have been minimal (extremely minimal compared to the BMW 318 and LR Disco also owned).

Oh, it did break down once when the electronic ignition unit failed but thats not even a TVR part.

Seeing as how it has been so utterly reliable I have just shipped it back to the UK for a total mechanical restoration as I intend to keep it.

[neutral 3]

Sorry...but it just has to be the 325i, but the rare / desirable manual gear box version. I'm a huge TVR fan, but the 325i is a " drivers " car. It's silky smooth, rev happy and potent straight six engine is a delight and add a lovely 5 speed gear box.....


Currently running ( a soon for sale ) early chrome bumper, manual 325i and very impressed with it.

[S47]

If you're a former rep or have ever been a car salesman, then you'll pick the BWM.
anyone else is gonna choose the TVR, there simply isn't any other option. a German tin box V a british sportster cum on you're having a laugh.
OOI I'm not a TVR lover and have never owned one - but hey its a no brainer

[daytona365]

Have you seen the prices good ones are fetching these days ? Bathing in the warm glow of the E30 M3 no doubt....Though yes, the TVR does seem a hoot, even though they have no real providence.

[4rephill]

To be totally fair, the E30 325i is not quite the boring car that people are making it out to be, it's just not as special as the TVR.

[Astacus]

daytona365 said:

Have you seen the prices good ones are fetching these days ? Bathing in the warm glow of the E30 M3 no doubt....Though yes, the TVR does seem a hoot, even though they have no real providence.

Only been a mainstay of the British club racing scene since about 1960, but hey...........