e30 m3 are they really that good?

[billywhizzzzzz]

double post

[Kawasicki]

r4_rick said:

this will cost nearly 40 times what i paid for the iS, hhhmmm that's one hell of a multiple, that's making me stop and think !

I wouldn't buy the M3, though I love them. I drive on country roads and overtake frequently, lhd is less than ideal for that. Also I have trouble keeping a 318is under 100mph, so an M3 would just be worse for me. They look ace though, like you said they are quicker (though not fast) and the steering is waaay better than a 318is.

[r4_rick]

I had az3 rack In my iS, a big improvement

[pikeyboy]

Driving an E30 M3 is an event from starting it up and it spluttering into life with that it sounds knackered tappeting rattling engine to finding the gears in the dog leg box. Driving down the road Sat on the wrong side of the car warming it gently wishing the oil temp would go up faster so you can spank it. Is's are good but they aren't an M3, whether you think you can get 50% of the driving experience for 10% of the cost only you can decide if you can live with that. Having had and loved a M3 along with lots of other cars one of only two I would have again and the only one I wished I'd not sold.

[r4_rick]

That's a great summary of my little drive yesterday ! Although we didn't get to spanking stage, I take your point about the iS comparison, I think to have another of those would be a mistake, I had a little trawl through the ads yesterday it seems 325i sports and iSs are increasing in value too !

[pikeyboy]

r4_rick said:

That's a great summary of my little drive yesterday ! Although we didn't get to spanking stage, I take your point about the iS comparison, I think to have another of those would be a mistake, I had a little trawl through the ads yesterday it seems 325i sports and iSs are increasing in value too !

First time I drove an m3 I didn't spank it either.,Once you have a few miles under your belt and are used to driving in the gutter and looking round the inside of cars to overtake you will. I knew I was used to my m3 when I tried to use my right hand to change gear in my daily stter.

As for 325 sports etc they do seem to be on the up for a nice one, they aren't an m3 though. I often find my self looking at those cosworth 190 mercs wondering what they are like as they are still affordable and were one of the m3 peers.

[528Sport]

BlitzE34 said:

528Sport said:

I owned one for 5 years. From mid 2000.
Paid £7.5K 1987 standard 2.3 Spent about £2K on it (timing chain, it badly needed doing) and a few bodywork things to keep it mint. There was a £10K rule. Buy a mint one for £10K or but a cheaper one and spend the difference putting it right.

By modern standards:
They aint that fast.
They aint that comfy.
They can be costly when things go wrong.
They rust as I found out.
They put a massive grin on your face at full revvs :-) The handling is amazing :-) I loved the dogleg gear box, it seemed very natural to use. The build quality was pretty good (apart from rust issues)

If you want something rare and different get one, I'd have another but not at todays prices, no way.

Max I'd pay £15K for a mint 2.3/2.5ltr £12K for a one that needs work.
Max £20K for an sport evo.


I currently have a 911 1998 (996 3.4) Paid £11500 and love it. Faster, great handling, modern comforts, less bodywork issues.

Think about it, nobody really remembers the E30M3 as a great touring car things have moved on so why the current values? £80K+ for an sport evo? get a real supercar.. Ferrari for example.

Just my opinion as a previous owner :-) Oh I sold mine for £5k when the market for them flopped. No real regrets apart from if I hung on I could have sold it now for £25k+

I drove 1 other M car, an E36 3.0 wasn't that good. In my opinion BMW have devalued the M brand too much.
I remember buying an M3 badge (mine was missing) I had to take the car AND the log book to prove to BMW I had an M car and owned it. Not now.
Off to find the keys for my ///M3,316ise :-)

All my opinion and I fully respect others have different views:-)

Edited by 528Sport on Friday 23 January 20:03

Edited by 528Sport on Friday 23 January 20:04

Was it the 100k miles timing chain myth?

No.
Car was imported (like many) with 76K on the clock (service history to back it up)
Chain rattled for 10 mins on startup
Tensioner replaced, still rattled, replaced again incase new one was faulty, still rattled
Had chain done as a preventative measure.

[Leins]

318iS is a ball of fun, even with the slow steering and uninspiring engine note, and still a bargain IMO. Golf 16vs will probably always keep a cap on their values, but there is some truth to the "mini-M3" tag

boy said:

First time I drove an m3 I didn't spank it either.,Once you have a few miles under your belt and are used to driving in the gutter and looking round the inside of cars to overtake you will. I knew I was used to my m3 when I tried to use my right hand to change gear in my daily stter.

As for 325 sports etc they do seem to be on the up for a nice one, they aren't an m3 though. I often find my self looking at those cosworth 190 mercs wondering what they are like as they are still affordable and were one of the m3 peers.

The "standard" 2.3 & 2.5 190s are, but have you seen the prices of Evos? The EvoII especially has never been cheap, but recently they seem to have even out-paced the values of E30 Sport Evos

Edited by Leins on Sunday 25th January 12:18

[528Sport]

mark.c said:

benny.c said:

528Sport said:

Think about it, nobody really remembers the E30M3 as a great touring car things have moved on so why the current values? £80K+ for an sport evo? get a real supercar.. Ferrari for example.

I think the people buying E30's do remember though. It's guys in their 40/50's with disposable income that grew up watching them racing on a Saturday afternoon.

Once cars reach classic status, the performance etc becomes less important and it's more about the experience and emotion IMHO. For example, why by a DB4 when it would have it's arse handed to it by a cheap DB7 (or a 118D for that matter)?

Spot on, to compare an E30 M3 to a more modern faster car ( supercar even) just because it could be bought for the same money is to completely misunderstand what the car is about, just as in the example above.

I completely understand the E30M3 and its history.... All I wrote was my opinion :-)
I just don't think they are worth the current prices, maybe cos Ive moved on in car ownership priorities . I'd have one again but not at the prices demanded today.

The list if where to look for rust is spot on:
Mine went at the jacking points
Bottoms of wings
Bottom of doors
Wheel arch near the back where the body kit is riveted on.

[mark.c]

528Sport said:

mark.c said:

benny.c said:

528Sport said:

Think about it, nobody really remembers the E30M3 as a great touring car things have moved on so why the current values? £80K+ for an sport evo? get a real supercar.. Ferrari for example.

I think the people buying E30's do remember though. It's guys in their 40/50's with disposable income that grew up watching them racing on a Saturday afternoon.

Once cars reach classic status, the performance etc becomes less important and it's more about the experience and emotion IMHO. For example, why by a DB4 when it would have it's arse handed to it by a cheap DB7 (or a 118D for that matter)?

Spot on, to compare an E30 M3 to a more modern faster car ( supercar even) just because it could be bought for the same money is to completely misunderstand what the car is about, just as in the example above.

I completely understand the E30M3 and its history.... All I wrote was my opinion :-)
I just don't think they are worth the current prices, maybe cos Ive moved on in car ownership priorities . I'd have one again but not at the prices demanded today.

The list if where to look for rust is spot on:
Mine went at the jacking points
Bottoms of wings
Bottom of doors
Wheel arch near the back where the body kit is riveted on.

We are all good My car priorities have changed as time has passed too but I bought the M3 7 or 8 years ago and it's stayed , I've asked myself whether I could could justify today's asking prices for one if I didn't already have one....? Tough one and I see where you're coming from, 30k for a standard car is a huge amount of money and it would have to be VERY VERY good ( I suspect a lot aren't) but it would be a tough decision indeed, but I adore them and life is short......if the money was there then I would.

[r4_rick]

the 190e cosworth is a good shout, they've also moved forward in value, but are about 50% of the price of an M3, they appear to carry an extra 170kg vs the M3, will be interesting to see how they carry it !

[pikeyboy]

r4_rick said:

the 190e cosworth is a good shout, they've also moved forward in value, but are about 50% of the price of an M3, they appear to carry an extra 170kg vs the M3, will be interesting to see how they carry it !

I've never driven one but they are supposed to be a great drive and possibly better built than the m 3. They have the self levelling rear suspension which I understand can be troublesome. A decent one is 10k touch.

190 evo's are mental money.

[528Sport]

mark.c said:

528Sport said:

mark.c said:

benny.c said:

528Sport said:

Think about it, nobody really remembers the E30M3 as a great touring car things have moved on so why the current values? £80K+ for an sport evo? get a real supercar.. Ferrari for example.

I think the people buying E30's do remember though. It's guys in their 40/50's with disposable income that grew up watching them racing on a Saturday afternoon.

Once cars reach classic status, the performance etc becomes less important and it's more about the experience and emotion IMHO. For example, why by a DB4 when it would have it's arse handed to it by a cheap DB7 (or a 118D for that matter)?

Spot on, to compare an E30 M3 to a more modern faster car ( supercar even) just because it could be bought for the same money is to completely misunderstand what the car is about, just as in the example above.

I completely understand the E30M3 and its history.... All I wrote was my opinion :-)
I just don't think they are worth the current prices, maybe cos Ive moved on in car ownership priorities . I'd have one again but not at the prices demanded today.

The list if where to look for rust is spot on:
Mine went at the jacking points
Bottoms of wings
Bottom of doors
Wheel arch near the back where the body kit is riveted on.

We are all good My car priorities have changed as time has passed too but I bought the M3 7 or 8 years ago and it's stayed , I've asked myself whether I could could justify today's asking prices for one if I didn't already have one....? Tough one and I see where you're coming from, 30k for a standard car is a huge amount of money and it would have to be VERY VERY good ( I suspect a lot aren't) but it would be a tough decision indeed, but I adore them and life is short......if the money was there then I would.

Indeed..

I agree a lot on sale won't be that good under the polish and "fresh undersell that hides a multitude of sins"

I remember using mine as a company car, I worked in a radio station at the time and every night when I went home the presenters said they could hear me leave the car park, through the "soundproofing". I always gave a quick blip of the throttle just to make sure they knew i'd left for the day.

Totally amazing cars, I miss mine but I doubt i'd ever get another.

Could you imagine buying one now at £27K+ to find its not that good.. I'd cry into my beer.

[528Sport]

mark.c said:

528Sport said:

mark.c said:

benny.c said:

528Sport said:

Think about it, nobody really remembers the E30M3 as a great touring car things have moved on so why the current values? £80K+ for an sport evo? get a real supercar.. Ferrari for example.

I think the people buying E30's do remember though. It's guys in their 40/50's with disposable income that grew up watching them racing on a Saturday afternoon.

Once cars reach classic status, the performance etc becomes less important and it's more about the experience and emotion IMHO. For example, why by a DB4 when it would have it's arse handed to it by a cheap DB7 (or a 118D for that matter)?

Spot on, to compare an E30 M3 to a more modern faster car ( supercar even) just because it could be bought for the same money is to completely misunderstand what the car is about, just as in the example above.

I completely understand the E30M3 and its history.... All I wrote was my opinion :-)
I just don't think they are worth the current prices, maybe cos Ive moved on in car ownership priorities . I'd have one again but not at the prices demanded today.

The list if where to look for rust is spot on:
Mine went at the jacking points
Bottoms of wings
Bottom of doors
Wheel arch near the back where the body kit is riveted on.

We are all good My car priorities have changed as time has passed too but I bought the M3 7 or 8 years ago and it's stayed , I've asked myself whether I could could justify today's asking prices for one if I didn't already have one....? Tough one and I see where you're coming from, 30k for a standard car is a huge amount of money and it would have to be VERY VERY good ( I suspect a lot aren't) but it would be a tough decision indeed, but I adore them and life is short......if the money was there then I would.

Indeed..

I agree a lot on sale won't be that good under the polish and "fresh undersell that hides a multitude of sins"

I remember using mine as a company car, I worked in a radio station at the time and every night when I went home the presenters said they could hear me leave the car park, through the "soundproofing". I always gave a quick blip of the throttle just to make sure they knew i'd left for the day.

Totally amazing cars, I miss mine but I doubt i'd ever get another.

Could you imagine buying one now at £27K+ to find its not that good.. I'd cry into my beer.

[r4_rick]

So I took a little drive in a 2.5 190E cosworth today and here are my initial impressions:
Nice, revy engine
dog leg gear box good
raspy exhaust note
pretty quick
good ride quality
lovely merc build/quality interior, massive steering wheel though !

So no, not as engaging as the M3, but a nice drive nonetheless, i reckon a nicely refreshed one, would be a hoot on track/fast country roads

[pikeyboy]

Ummmm off to the classifieds.

[e21Mark]

I made the mistake of selling this one.



Regretted within a few hours and spent the next 2 years scraping the cash together to replace it. I was fortunate enough to get one just before prices went ballistic. Mine has a few modifications, which makes it all the better as far as I'm concerned, but there are a lot of sticklers for originality out there. I've spent the past 6 months putting things right, such as rust in the end of the sills and floor pan corners. It still has a few blemishes on the paintwork but they will get sorted next winter I hope. I drive mine in all weathers and pretty much every day. I use it on the street and also do occasional track days. I'll be doing a few sprints this year also.

All the stuff written about them is true. Yes, a modern Audi dudi will be faster, but it won't have you grinning like an E30 M3 will. Every journey is an event, including the weekly shopping run to Sainsbury's.

http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-carpool/bmw...

[nevm3]

Had mine @14yrs[in process of tidy up at moment]When I bought it had a E30 325i,bought it from company I worked for drove it home in evening carefully, totally underwhelmed, thought my 325i better so decided to give it back in morning!! Drove it back in morning and because I was giving it back drove it like I stole it, by the time got there no way was I giving it back, only way to describe it is a road going go-kart.By today's standards not quick but on the twisty bits still hold it's own against the modern stuff.Are they worth money now being asked? Just as a car maybe not but got to be viewed as a classic so when compared to Lotus Cortinas,Mini Cooper S Etc unless looking at EVO'S,Cecotto's etc prices are reasonable?

[Fury RS]

e21Mark said:

I made the mistake of selling this one.



Regretted within a few hours and spent the next 2 years scraping the cash together to replace it. I was fortunate enough to get one just before prices went ballistic. Mine has a few modifications, which makes it all the better as far as I'm concerned, but there are a lot of sticklers for originality out there. I've spent the past 6 months putting things right, such as rust in the end of the sills and floor pan corners. It still has a few blemishes on the paintwork but they will get sorted next winter I hope. I drive mine in all weathers and pretty much every day. I use it on the street and also do occasional track days. I'll be doing a few sprints this year also.

All the stuff written about them is true. Yes, a modern Audi dudi will be faster, but it won't have you grinning like an E30 M3 will. Every journey is an event, including the weekly shopping run to Sainsbury's.

http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-carpool/bmw...

That looked lovely. Always liked them in that colour, really shows the lines of the car...

[POORCARDEALER]

They were fab, particually when I was buying them for 2500-4K....I had an Evo 11 which I sold for 20K as well....Amazing the value of them now