Should I buy this e30 touring?
Discussion
A bit of background info.
I'm a uni student. I currently drive a 2003 Focus. It's great, very dependable. It spends a lot of its time sat outside the house before being called on to transport me a couple of hundred miles on a road trip or popping home to visit the parents.
It handles pretty well and it does the job. But it's so f
king boring. Seriously, there are about ten silver Focii on my street alone.
Now, my dad has always liked my Focus. It's a Ghia so comes with an armrest and bits that a man like my dad likes in a car. Therefore he has said he'll give me what I paid for it in cash tomorrow morning if I want.
So naturally I've found myself on eBay seeing what else I can get for the money. I plan to spend tomorrow visiting local used car dealerships and seeing if anything takes my fancy.
But I've found this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300677942579?ssPageName=...
I'm mechanically incompetent. So far in life I've bought the most modern car I can. If the car doesn't start in the morning I get annoyed. So buying a 1993 BMW would be silly, right?
The insurance company I'm with at the mo (Bell) has given me a quote that I can just about sort of afford if I do some man maths and keep my part-time job, but I'd like to think if I turned to specialist companies they might be able to beat it.
It's a 60 mile trip each way to view the e30, and I can't find another one locally. My head is saying I'd be stupid to go and view it... but it's just so cool.
Knock some sense into me Pistonheads?
I'm a uni student. I currently drive a 2003 Focus. It's great, very dependable. It spends a lot of its time sat outside the house before being called on to transport me a couple of hundred miles on a road trip or popping home to visit the parents.
It handles pretty well and it does the job. But it's so f
king boring. Seriously, there are about ten silver Focii on my street alone.Now, my dad has always liked my Focus. It's a Ghia so comes with an armrest and bits that a man like my dad likes in a car. Therefore he has said he'll give me what I paid for it in cash tomorrow morning if I want.
So naturally I've found myself on eBay seeing what else I can get for the money. I plan to spend tomorrow visiting local used car dealerships and seeing if anything takes my fancy.
But I've found this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300677942579?ssPageName=...
I'm mechanically incompetent. So far in life I've bought the most modern car I can. If the car doesn't start in the morning I get annoyed. So buying a 1993 BMW would be silly, right?
The insurance company I'm with at the mo (Bell) has given me a quote that I can just about sort of afford if I do some man maths and keep my part-time job, but I'd like to think if I turned to specialist companies they might be able to beat it.
It's a 60 mile trip each way to view the e30, and I can't find another one locally. My head is saying I'd be stupid to go and view it... but it's just so cool.
Knock some sense into me Pistonheads?
They're not especially 'interesting', I would say. Particularly the cooking 316 model. But then, compared to a Focus...
More certainly, if you can't afford garage bills, and you don't fancy learning simple spannering, don't buy an old car. Simple as that. Don't underestimate the degree of fettling and minor repairs even a good 20 year old car will need to keep it on the road. If you have to pay someone else every time, it's going to clean you out.
More certainly, if you can't afford garage bills, and you don't fancy learning simple spannering, don't buy an old car. Simple as that. Don't underestimate the degree of fettling and minor repairs even a good 20 year old car will need to keep it on the road. If you have to pay someone else every time, it's going to clean you out.
1) 316 isn't always the cheapest to insure, suprisingly. Try all the different models, you might be pleasantly suprised and find a 325 is cheaper.
2) Don't go for a 320, because it has the sameish horrific consumption as the 325 but much less power, with no tuneability
3) E30s are pretty damn reliable and built better than E36s, so don't worry too much about that; they are simple well built cars and if you buy a good one it probably won't let you down. However, it will probably need work here and there to keep it in tip-top condition; it won't leave you at the roadside, but it won't be maintainence free either. Rust in particular is something to look out for.
4) E30 tourings are awesome.
2) Don't go for a 320, because it has the sameish horrific consumption as the 325 but much less power, with no tuneability
3) E30s are pretty damn reliable and built better than E36s, so don't worry too much about that; they are simple well built cars and if you buy a good one it probably won't let you down. However, it will probably need work here and there to keep it in tip-top condition; it won't leave you at the roadside, but it won't be maintainence free either. Rust in particular is something to look out for.
4) E30 tourings are awesome.
Theres nothing wrong with a 316i. I used have one and its nippy. This one for sale I think is too expensive as I can already see some rust appearing.
I think an E36 will be a more appropriate choice as E30's are bit too old for you.
E30's are very cool but there very old now and most of them are rusty scrap now.
You can still get decent E36's and are very robust and and comfortable. A M43 engine 316i or 318i can also hit 40mpg on the run.
You can get a nice tidy E36 318i touring for £1K.
I think an E36 will be a more appropriate choice as E30's are bit too old for you.
E30's are very cool but there very old now and most of them are rusty scrap now.
You can still get decent E36's and are very robust and and comfortable. A M43 engine 316i or 318i can also hit 40mpg on the run.
You can get a nice tidy E36 318i touring for £1K.
Edited by BlitzE34 on Sunday 1st April 22:49
BlitzE34 said:
Theres nothing wrong with a 316i. I used have one and its nippy. This one for sale I think is too expensive as I can already see some rust appearing.
I think an E36 will be a more appropriate choice as E30's are bit too old for you.
You can get a nice tidy E36 318i touring for £1K.
E36 tourings seem to be stupid to insure though. I found one I liked but Bell quoted me around £3500.I think an E36 will be a more appropriate choice as E30's are bit too old for you.
You can get a nice tidy E36 318i touring for £1K.
I have been considering this though and insurance is pretty good - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-316-1-9i-2001MY-SE-C...
316i, is the M40 engined one, where as a 316 is the M10 engined one, which was a 1.8 on a crappy pierburg carb. Perhaps people are getting mixed up?
I have a 1986 316 2 door. It is boringly reliable for a 26 year old car. It uses lots of fuel because of the stty pierburg carb, and is generally nice and comfy to drive.
Either way, it'll be slow, won't go sideways as much as you'll want it to and just keep working. You'll have to battle against rust, and some cosmetic parts are getting a little hard to come by. But they do looks cool, and they're really nice to drive.
I have a 1986 316 2 door. It is boringly reliable for a 26 year old car. It uses lots of fuel because of the s
tty pierburg carb, and is generally nice and comfy to drive. Either way, it'll be slow, won't go sideways as much as you'll want it to and just keep working. You'll have to battle against rust, and some cosmetic parts are getting a little hard to come by. But they do looks cool, and they're really nice to drive.
I wouldn't buy that one mainly because it's expensive for what it is. If you're struggling to insure bigger-engined models then I certainly wouldn't be looking for E36/E46s as they're heavier than E30s and would be complete slugs with similar 4 pots.
Can you insure a 318? Still not quick but a bit better. Have you looked at saloons/coupes at all or is it just the touring that takes your fancy? For £1500 you could get a 318iS (two-door, 16v 1.8 with 140bhp) but insurance might be unpleasant.
Main thing to look out for is rot... mechanics are fairly simple and reliable. Check out e30zone.net for specific advice.
Also how old are you? Might be able to get insured on a classic policy with an E30 but classic brokers aren't too keen on young people or (relatively) young cars.
Depends what you're looking for but personally I wouldn't spend £1500 on a 4-pot E30 touring.
Can you insure a 318? Still not quick but a bit better. Have you looked at saloons/coupes at all or is it just the touring that takes your fancy? For £1500 you could get a 318iS (two-door, 16v 1.8 with 140bhp) but insurance might be unpleasant.
Main thing to look out for is rot... mechanics are fairly simple and reliable. Check out e30zone.net for specific advice.
Also how old are you? Might be able to get insured on a classic policy with an E30 but classic brokers aren't too keen on young people or (relatively) young cars.
Depends what you're looking for but personally I wouldn't spend £1500 on a 4-pot E30 touring.
As others have said this is plain, beginning to rust and appears to be not very good value for money.
What I would say (which is not what I would have said a few years ago), is keep the Focus and accept it as a sensible run around through your uni years.
You don't want to be messing about with MOT fails, welding etc. when you do have chance to drive the car.
What I would say (which is not what I would have said a few years ago), is keep the Focus and accept it as a sensible run around through your uni years.
You don't want to be messing about with MOT fails, welding etc. when you do have chance to drive the car.
I would agree that this example is a bit expensie, but wouldn't agree that you shouldn't get the 316.
Having had quite a few E30's, (316, 318, £ 318is) they have all been fun in heir own special way.
It's not about he speed at all that makes this sort of car fun to drive and be in.
If I were you I would definitey be continuing to look at e30's, but wouldn't nessecarily say not to certain e36's or e35's, however, I find them more boring then the e30
Having had quite a few E30's, (316, 318, £ 318is) they have all been fun in heir own special way.
It's not about he speed at all that makes this sort of car fun to drive and be in.
If I were you I would definitey be continuing to look at e30's, but wouldn't nessecarily say not to certain e36's or e35's, however, I find them more boring then the e30
redgriff500 said:
Google for the comparative bhp 0-60 times.
E30 325's are fun - 316's are not.
Whilst I hate the looks of the Focus they actually drive very well.
If you are looking for cheap reliable RWD fun I'd suggest a 318Ti BMW compact - unsure how the insurance compares though.
^E30 325's are fun - 316's are not.
Whilst I hate the looks of the Focus they actually drive very well.
If you are looking for cheap reliable RWD fun I'd suggest a 318Ti BMW compact - unsure how the insurance compares though.
This man, he speaks sense.....
316 is a bit rubbish IMHO. In its day it was OK, but the 320i was better and the 325i much better. Although the E30 is still a good car, its design is rather old and it will suffer from lots of things that modern / slightly newer cars wont. Its going to feel old in comparison to a Focus (even an early one!).
Tend to be reliable and solid though. Nice to drive overall and the 325i is a bit of a hoot. 316's are not that economical by the way, so be warned. And £1500 for a 316? Bit steep if you ask me. Thats good quality 325i money! Depends if its spotless though.
N Dentressangle said:
They're not especially 'interesting', I would say. Particularly the cooking 316 model. But then, compared to a Focus...
More certainly, if you can't afford garage bills, and you don't fancy learning simple spannering, don't buy an old car. Simple as that. Don't underestimate the degree of fettling and minor repairs even a good 20 year old car will need to keep it on the road. If you have to pay someone else every time, it's going to clean you out.
More certainly, if you can't afford garage bills, and you don't fancy learning simple spannering, don't buy an old car. Simple as that. Don't underestimate the degree of fettling and minor repairs even a good 20 year old car will need to keep it on the road. If you have to pay someone else every time, it's going to clean you out.
E30's are really cool, but, this message is the bitter truthGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff