BMW E30 - interested in your thoughts
Discussion
I’m considering a change to an E30 and have found a couple of potential cars. Would appreciate your thoughts on which you think would be the better bet.
Both cars are a similar age, condition and history, but on is a 318i with 42k on it and the other is a 325i with 100k on it. Prices are very close.
I think the E30 prices are starting to rise and considering the future residuals of both - do you think the larger engine is more desirable or would you prefer a lower mileage car?
Both cars are a similar age, condition and history, but on is a 318i with 42k on it and the other is a 325i with 100k on it. Prices are very close.
I think the E30 prices are starting to rise and considering the future residuals of both - do you think the larger engine is more desirable or would you prefer a lower mileage car?
If I was in the position to buy a classic (I’m not, so this is my uniformed opinion), two cars would top the list a MKI MR2 or an E30.
Prices of the E30 have been on the rise for a couple of years now, but it’s an odd one, with the exception of the M3, there isn’t much logic in what fetches a premium.
One would think E30 convertibles would command a premium, however, that doesn’t seem to be the case; probably the most desirable is an E30 2 door saloon, irrespective of engine, next would be manual as an enthusiast.
Personally mileage wouldn’t make a big difference, its not like your going to racking up much yourself, all things equal it would come down to condition alone.
While these may seem quite modern, like any car from that era, they rot like hell, what may superficially look very good, could be hiding a lot.
Prices of the E30 have been on the rise for a couple of years now, but it’s an odd one, with the exception of the M3, there isn’t much logic in what fetches a premium.
One would think E30 convertibles would command a premium, however, that doesn’t seem to be the case; probably the most desirable is an E30 2 door saloon, irrespective of engine, next would be manual as an enthusiast.
Personally mileage wouldn’t make a big difference, its not like your going to racking up much yourself, all things equal it would come down to condition alone.
While these may seem quite modern, like any car from that era, they rot like hell, what may superficially look very good, could be hiding a lot.
Depending on the year an E30 318i will either be the fairly uninspiring M10 (which at least has 2002 roots to make it a bit interesting) or the IMHO garbage M40.
If you buy the E30 325i you get the silky and sublime M20 in-line 6 which combines decent performance with one of the nicest engine sounds ever.
In my mind it’s a complete no-brainer.
In fact any 1980’s BMW (bar the E30 M3 or 318is) it’s the six cylinder engine you want.
If you buy the E30 325i you get the silky and sublime M20 in-line 6 which combines decent performance with one of the nicest engine sounds ever.
In my mind it’s a complete no-brainer.
In fact any 1980’s BMW (bar the E30 M3 or 318is) it’s the six cylinder engine you want.
The 318 and 325 are totally different , as is the 320 to 325 , you cannot compare them . Definately go for a 325 and hopefully manual box , check for rot of course especially the A pillars if it has a sunroof as the drains get blocked . Had a couple of E30 Tourings in the late 80s which were much better as a daily than my E30 M3 . Still scan the classifieds to see if any Tourings are around , rare as hens teeth nowadays .
As previous posters have said, definitely go for a 6 cylinder and preferably with a manual box.
I owned a 320i SE back in the day that I took from 66k miles to over 130k. Whilst they are extremely smooth, there isn’t much activity below 4k revs.
The performance gain of the 325i is significant and worth seeking out.
I owned a 320i SE back in the day that I took from 66k miles to over 130k. Whilst they are extremely smooth, there isn’t much activity below 4k revs.
The performance gain of the 325i is significant and worth seeking out.
Echoing above - I have a mate who was looking at some sort of classic convertible at a decent price, fairly reliable, easy to get parts for. Managed to steer him away from 4 cylinder E30s into a 6 cylinder 325i with a manual. Even with a 100k on it, it won't take much to keep that going for your ownership and it's a much nicer drive.
I ran E30's through their 'banger' phase when it was possible to buy a runner for £100....I often bought a car because it had stuff like BBS wheels with decent tyres that I would swap to one of the dailies, then break the rest!
The one that I remember most fondly was a lachs silver Touring that I stuck an M50 into and lowered slightly, the way it would gain speed to pass lorries in third gear always brought a smile to my face.
Still have a cabbie tucked away in the garage that I ought to do something with.
The one that I remember most fondly was a lachs silver Touring that I stuck an M50 into and lowered slightly, the way it would gain speed to pass lorries in third gear always brought a smile to my face.
Still have a cabbie tucked away in the garage that I ought to do something with.
I had a 320i touring manual back when they were current, the first of six BMWs I have owned.
Sadly engine was silky smooth but lacked any sort of torque, meaning it had to be kept on the boil to make decent progress, which soon became frustrating.
The handling was nothing to write home about, fuel consumption also but the ride wasn't too bad.
All in all very overrated cars in my opinion, the best of the bunch I would suggest is a 2 door 325i with Sport suspension which had a decent amount of torque, making it much more satisfying to drive.
Sadly engine was silky smooth but lacked any sort of torque, meaning it had to be kept on the boil to make decent progress, which soon became frustrating.
The handling was nothing to write home about, fuel consumption also but the ride wasn't too bad.
All in all very overrated cars in my opinion, the best of the bunch I would suggest is a 2 door 325i with Sport suspension which had a decent amount of torque, making it much more satisfying to drive.
Six cylinder definitely, I wouldn’t worry about mileage, it’s the noise and smoothness of the M20 that makes the car for me. It’s like a turbine, lovely.
Not sure what your budget is, or if you want a car that needs work but I’m planning to advertise my ‘89 325i Sport (manual) soon which I’ve owned for 18 years and not used much for close to a decade.
If I was after one now myself however, I’d be looking for 325i touring as the poster above mentions for increased practicality.
Good luck with whatever you choose. If you’re not aware, the E30Zone website and forum has loads of useful information.
Not sure what your budget is, or if you want a car that needs work but I’m planning to advertise my ‘89 325i Sport (manual) soon which I’ve owned for 18 years and not used much for close to a decade.
If I was after one now myself however, I’d be looking for 325i touring as the poster above mentions for increased practicality.
Good luck with whatever you choose. If you’re not aware, the E30Zone website and forum has loads of useful information.
Edited by Stuart-77 on Sunday 18th May 18:13
mattman said:
Thanks for all the replies - will go and have a look at the 325 first and see what the condition is like - if it’s rotten as a pear I may have a look at the 318 as well - trouble I have is I’m not very patient when looking for new cars 
Then a 318i really wont be the car for you- they will feel very slow these days!!I had a 320 and loved it. I was looking for an E30 cab but went for a different car instead. The right car is still very desirable to me
There are only 2 E30s worth having. The 325i with the lovely M20 six. Or the 318is, with the 16v M42 four. Poor man's M3 as they used to call it.
Either would make a great modern classic, and both likely to be pretty rusty by now.
You will need patience to get a good one. It will be worth it.
Either would make a great modern classic, and both likely to be pretty rusty by now.
You will need patience to get a good one. It will be worth it.
williamp said:
Then a 318i really wont be the car for you- they will feel very slow these days!!
I had a 320 and loved it. I was looking for an E30 cab but went for a different car instead. The right car is still very desirable to me
its not the car's speed i'm not patient for, its the car buying process - i do enjoy "the hunt" for the right one, so when i do got to view its unusual if i don't come home with the car, much to my wife's annoyance I had a 320 and loved it. I was looking for an E30 cab but went for a different car instead. The right car is still very desirable to me
ferret50 said:
I ran E30's through their 'banger' phase when it was possible to buy a runner for £100....I often bought a car because it had stuff like BBS wheels with decent tyres that I would swap to one of the dailies, then break the rest!
The one that I remember most fondly was a lachs silver Touring that I stuck an M50 into and lowered slightly, the way it would gain speed to pass lorries in third gear always brought a smile to my face.
Still have a cabbie tucked away in the garage that I ought to do something with.
The one that I remember most fondly was a lachs silver Touring that I stuck an M50 into and lowered slightly, the way it would gain speed to pass lorries in third gear always brought a smile to my face.
Still have a cabbie tucked away in the garage that I ought to do something with.
Something else we have in common! I had several banger E30's and loved all of them. If I were buying now, it'd need to be a 325 sport with manual box (mtech 1 or 2) ,or 318is (I had 2 of these too). I had the 4 pots and they were not as special as a 6-er, I say that having a M10 in my 2002, but they didn't come with a 6 cyl option sadly, otherwise I'd have got that!
For me, you're looking for cars like this, it's the pique of that model you should be getting, which is not a 318!
illmonkey said:
ferret50 said:
I ran E30's through their 'banger' phase when it was possible to buy a runner for £100....I often bought a car because it had stuff like BBS wheels with decent tyres that I would swap to one of the dailies, then break the rest!
The one that I remember most fondly was a lachs silver Touring that I stuck an M50 into and lowered slightly, the way it would gain speed to pass lorries in third gear always brought a smile to my face.
Still have a cabbie tucked away in the garage that I ought to do something with.
The one that I remember most fondly was a lachs silver Touring that I stuck an M50 into and lowered slightly, the way it would gain speed to pass lorries in third gear always brought a smile to my face.
Still have a cabbie tucked away in the garage that I ought to do something with.
Something else we have in common! I had several banger E30's and loved all of them. If I were buying now, it'd need to be a 325 sport with manual box (mtech 1 or 2) ,or 318is (I had 2 of these too). I had the 4 pots and they were not as special as a 6-er, I say that having a M10 in my 2002, but they didn't come with a 6 cyl option sadly, otherwise I'd have got that!
For me, you're looking for cars like this, it's the pique of that model you should be getting, which is not a 318!
Ended up having the crank reground, block honed. 325 head and cam with a Miller MAF. Had the engine in several E30's and I guess it's nicely run in at around 70k miles now and sat in the cabbie in my garage.
Just cannot bring myself to sell it!
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