80's early 90's bmw's solid daily hack?
Discussion
Morning All
spending my sunday morning thinking of alternate cars that might not be quite so scary to fix if something goes wrong.
The main things i want to be able to do is fix it myself and have a decent parts supply that is still a useable parts not the collector parts thing where everything seems to double in price.
always wondered about 80's early 90's bmws, they look cool, abit different.
easy to fix? or simple to work on?
is it likely to go bang? any to be avoided?
cheers
John
spending my sunday morning thinking of alternate cars that might not be quite so scary to fix if something goes wrong.
The main things i want to be able to do is fix it myself and have a decent parts supply that is still a useable parts not the collector parts thing where everything seems to double in price.
always wondered about 80's early 90's bmws, they look cool, abit different.
easy to fix? or simple to work on?
is it likely to go bang? any to be avoided?
cheers
John
Are you talking e30, e34 or e32?
I know plenty of people that are running their e30s daily without worry. There's always things to go wrong but a lot less than with a more modern car.
You could get something like a 318iS or if running one isn't an issue then you could get a 325 which are still pretty quick, easy to upgrade and very reliable.
I'd get over to the E30zone and have a look through the gallery and classifieds. Some real anal owners over there so could bag an awesome car, especially at this time of year.
I know plenty of people that are running their e30s daily without worry. There's always things to go wrong but a lot less than with a more modern car.
You could get something like a 318iS or if running one isn't an issue then you could get a 325 which are still pretty quick, easy to upgrade and very reliable.
I'd get over to the E30zone and have a look through the gallery and classifieds. Some real anal owners over there so could bag an awesome car, especially at this time of year.
Back when you could get E21s very cheap out the local paper/free ads mag, about 10 years ago I got an E21 323i to use as a daily runner. Had Recaros, 5-speed and a sunroof and a years MOT. It was very reliable, just needing service parts, many of which I got from Eurocarparts. Anything they didn't stock I got from local BMW dealer and if they didn't have it in stock they could get it for next working day usually. Certainly don't remember parts sourcing being an issue. That car was about 20 years old at the time. It would be equivalent to running a 91/92 Model Year car nowadays. It did all the normal car stuff, going to work in all weathers, shopping, trips through Wales to the beach, holidays. If you choose a common model from the range then I wouldn't think you'll have any big problems, just common old car stuff.
I enjoyed having it and driving it. Sold it after a year or so as I fancied trying something else that I missed out on owning when new. Plus enjoyed driving my friend's Hartge E21 a few years before.. If you can do the little DIY jobs on it yourself it will save you some cash, although you might be looking at it from experiencing a car from a different era rather than just a cheap runner?
I enjoyed having it and driving it. Sold it after a year or so as I fancied trying something else that I missed out on owning when new. Plus enjoyed driving my friend's Hartge E21 a few years before.. If you can do the little DIY jobs on it yourself it will save you some cash, although you might be looking at it from experiencing a car from a different era rather than just a cheap runner?
s m said:
Back when you could get E21s very cheap out the local paper/free ads mag, about 10 years ago I got an E21 323i to use as a daily runner. Had Recaros, 5-speed and a sunroof and a years MOT. It was very reliable, just needing service parts, many of which I got from Eurocarparts. Anything they didn't stock I got from local BMW dealer and if they didn't have it in stock they could get it for next working day usually. Certainly don't remember parts sourcing being an issue. That car was about 20 years old at the time. It would be equivalent to running a 91/92 Model Year car nowadays. It did all the normal car stuff, going to work in all weathers, shopping, trips through Wales to the beach, holidays. If you choose a common model from the range then I wouldn't think you'll have any big problems, just common old car stuff.
I enjoyed having it and driving it. Sold it after a year or so as I fancied trying something else that I missed out on owning when new. Plus enjoyed driving my friend's Hartge E21 a few years before.. If you can do the little DIY jobs on it yourself it will save you some cash, although you might be looking at it from experiencing a car from a different era rather than just a cheap runner?
I still have an itch for an e21 in some really sick and twisted colour like inka or mintgrun. At the time they looked awful but now I really like them.I enjoyed having it and driving it. Sold it after a year or so as I fancied trying something else that I missed out on owning when new. Plus enjoyed driving my friend's Hartge E21 a few years before.. If you can do the little DIY jobs on it yourself it will save you some cash, although you might be looking at it from experiencing a car from a different era rather than just a cheap runner?
falkster said:
s m said:
Back when you could get E21s very cheap out the local paper/free ads mag, about 10 years ago I got an E21 323i to use as a daily runner. Had Recaros, 5-speed and a sunroof and a years MOT. It was very reliable, just needing service parts, many of which I got from Eurocarparts. Anything they didn't stock I got from local BMW dealer and if they didn't have it in stock they could get it for next working day usually. Certainly don't remember parts sourcing being an issue. That car was about 20 years old at the time. It would be equivalent to running a 91/92 Model Year car nowadays. It did all the normal car stuff, going to work in all weathers, shopping, trips through Wales to the beach, holidays. If you choose a common model from the range then I wouldn't think you'll have any big problems, just common old car stuff.
I enjoyed having it and driving it. Sold it after a year or so as I fancied trying something else that I missed out on owning when new. Plus enjoyed driving my friend's Hartge E21 a few years before.. If you can do the little DIY jobs on it yourself it will save you some cash, although you might be looking at it from experiencing a car from a different era rather than just a cheap runner?
I still have an itch for an e21 in some really sick and twisted colour like inka or mintgrun. At the time they looked awful but now I really like them.I enjoyed having it and driving it. Sold it after a year or so as I fancied trying something else that I missed out on owning when new. Plus enjoyed driving my friend's Hartge E21 a few years before.. If you can do the little DIY jobs on it yourself it will save you some cash, although you might be looking at it from experiencing a car from a different era rather than just a cheap runner?
I must admit I did enjoy it, more than an E30 Sport. It was such a lively, adjustable little car, only 309Gti straight line performance and compact to thread through islands, small lanes etc.
Would have liked one with the 170bhp Hartge engine ( as on my friend's old 4-speeder ) but you can't grumble for £500
s m said:
Mine was Henna Orange
I must admit I did enjoy it, more than an E30 Sport. It was such a lively, adjustable little car, only 309Gti straight line performance and compact to thread through islands, small lanes etc.
Would have liked one with the 170bhp Hartge engine ( as on my friend's old 4-speeder ) but you can't grumble for £500
Love henna too, I have a friend that has a 21 on 45s in henna and he's just in the middle of restoring his M3.I must admit I did enjoy it, more than an E30 Sport. It was such a lively, adjustable little car, only 309Gti straight line performance and compact to thread through islands, small lanes etc.
Would have liked one with the 170bhp Hartge engine ( as on my friend's old 4-speeder ) but you can't grumble for £500
Edited by falkster on Sunday 9th December 10:11
I ran an e30 touring when I passed my test 10 years ago without complaint. It was however a late model with the newer e36 injection and ignition system so would have been the most reliable choice. Getting into one now amazes me at how small they are inside with literally no legroom in the back.
I'm considering a 635csi at the moment. Bored with running modern cars and utterly bored with running a diesel especially with all the associated problems they give when they come of an age.
I'd definitely do it. You still see a lot of E34s knocking around, a handful of E28s, the E30s tend to attract polish people nowadays who seem to like modifying them (from what I've seen anyway) and look a bit cheap. Wasn't so long ago that there was a Merc 190E on every street, they seemed to have dwindled a little lately. Pick of that lot has to be the E28... make it a 528i if you can, exceptionally cool
I'm considering a 635csi at the moment. Bored with running modern cars and utterly bored with running a diesel especially with all the associated problems they give when they come of an age.
I'd definitely do it. You still see a lot of E34s knocking around, a handful of E28s, the E30s tend to attract polish people nowadays who seem to like modifying them (from what I've seen anyway) and look a bit cheap. Wasn't so long ago that there was a Merc 190E on every street, they seemed to have dwindled a little lately. Pick of that lot has to be the E28... make it a 528i if you can, exceptionally cool
I ran a few 635csi's- I don't think they are feasible for a daily runner unless you are a bit of a nutter. They are horrendous for rot and I had a quite a few nasty, awkward repairs. Some parts are now very hard to get hold of.
An E34 wouldn't worry me one bit though. Rust seems to be a very slow process so could be prevented easily enough if you bought a solid car. Unlike a late 90's car the reliability is largely in your hands.
An E34 wouldn't worry me one bit though. Rust seems to be a very slow process so could be prevented easily enough if you bought a solid car. Unlike a late 90's car the reliability is largely in your hands.
Bodie390 said:
My daily hack is a 1993 316 touring, it's a great car that never seems to fail and I enjoy running around in it.
It's perfect for me and I'd recommend one to anyone, it's not fast but it gets there.
Lovely. My first car was very similar to your's; a 1993/L plate (very late!) Lux touring in red. Split mint inside and out. The only single problem I had with it was dicky central locking. Still on the road now I believe, according to DVLA online. How many miles has your's done?It's perfect for me and I'd recommend one to anyone, it's not fast but it gets there.
Edited by Bodie390 on Sunday 9th December 10:27
Absolutely.
Been running an E30 325i cabrio as a daily runner for a last 3 years. Felt the awful weather was taking its toll on the body, as such bought an E36 328i as a winter car with a view to keeping the E30 garaged.
However in the time I've had it we've done plenty of fun trips:
Petit St Bernard
Reims
Scotland
Including the Highlands
Cornwall
Fun in the snow!
But also the daily slog. Currently on 181k miles. Good balance of old (classic styling, no t/c, easy to work on engine) and modern (good heater, reliable, fuel injection etc).
Issues?
- Aftermarket Clifford alarm was being a bit troublesome and causing recurrent flat batteries but since the chance to a nice Bosch silver I've had no problems.
- 1x split waterhose on the way back from Cambridge but leak was minor and made it home (despite standstill traffic on the M25) - heater on max!
- Otherwise routine bits and pieces identified on the MOT: Wishbone, engine/gearbox mounts, springs/shocks etc. I always have a spare £500 or so around MOT time for the bits that need doing.
- Engine oil/filters and plugs I do myself.
- Classic insurance so quite reasonable.
- E30zone.net is an invaluable source of info/second hand parts
- It's an old cabrio, so if it's really gushing it down the roof might leak (but only rarely). The exhaust is on the loud side (esp now it has a hole in it - will sort in the near future). Wind noise is noticeable and stepping into the E30 post E36 you wonder if a window is open.
- Motorway - depends on the speed but on a relaxed run up to Scotland (been there and back 5 times this year), you can do 32-33mpg. Autobox sits the car at 2.5k revs at around 68-70mph.
Overall, very impressed but with all old cars it has its foibles (mostly arising from being a cabrio if nothing else). It's now getting to the stage where I either spend some proper cash on the car and get the body sorted or just leave it and run it into the ground which given the amount of miles covered together (>35k)is a shame.
On the right road, roof down it's an absolute blast. Had some really good fun in this car.
Conclusion: Recommended.
Been running an E30 325i cabrio as a daily runner for a last 3 years. Felt the awful weather was taking its toll on the body, as such bought an E36 328i as a winter car with a view to keeping the E30 garaged.
However in the time I've had it we've done plenty of fun trips:
Petit St Bernard
Reims
Scotland
Including the Highlands
Cornwall
Fun in the snow!
But also the daily slog. Currently on 181k miles. Good balance of old (classic styling, no t/c, easy to work on engine) and modern (good heater, reliable, fuel injection etc).
Issues?
- Aftermarket Clifford alarm was being a bit troublesome and causing recurrent flat batteries but since the chance to a nice Bosch silver I've had no problems.
- 1x split waterhose on the way back from Cambridge but leak was minor and made it home (despite standstill traffic on the M25) - heater on max!
- Otherwise routine bits and pieces identified on the MOT: Wishbone, engine/gearbox mounts, springs/shocks etc. I always have a spare £500 or so around MOT time for the bits that need doing.
- Engine oil/filters and plugs I do myself.
- Classic insurance so quite reasonable.
- E30zone.net is an invaluable source of info/second hand parts
- It's an old cabrio, so if it's really gushing it down the roof might leak (but only rarely). The exhaust is on the loud side (esp now it has a hole in it - will sort in the near future). Wind noise is noticeable and stepping into the E30 post E36 you wonder if a window is open.
- Motorway - depends on the speed but on a relaxed run up to Scotland (been there and back 5 times this year), you can do 32-33mpg. Autobox sits the car at 2.5k revs at around 68-70mph.
Overall, very impressed but with all old cars it has its foibles (mostly arising from being a cabrio if nothing else). It's now getting to the stage where I either spend some proper cash on the car and get the body sorted or just leave it and run it into the ground which given the amount of miles covered together (>35k)is a shame.
On the right road, roof down it's an absolute blast. Had some really good fun in this car.
Conclusion: Recommended.
Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 9th December 11:01
I have used my E28 518i for every day/ 14 months, no big problems, very reliable and solid thing (7000 km. total). Had to replace some front suspension bits, BMW was expensive, located at BMW forum for 1/20th the price secondhand. Rust in front side panel, moisture in boot and an instrument panel that needs replacement (common E28 fault) because it won't indicate fuel or temperature... But that's all and a small price to pay for having something you don't see on the road any more. I have only gotten positive feedback. Girls love it, elderly folks smile, other BMW drivers with cars costing 50x more nod in an accepting way and car guys turn around. Not to mention the epic feeling I get of driving a cool car 
It's got chain so timing belt not a problem. Lots of room to work on, took out seats to replace front belt buckle and it was a joke - normally I can't even change a light bulb in a modern car, that's how easy they are to work on.
Mind you mine has only done about 85000 miles, and is a late model ('87), so if you got some patience maybe you also can find something similar.
Be careful with E30s. Good ones are way expensive, cheap ones have often been abused. All E30 Touring's got 325i suspension, just FYI, and would be a safer bet as they're not as much of youngsters' choice.
E34 are cool too, but way heavy IMO and with some hp also thirsty (had a 525IX). Also a lot more electronics to go wrong...
It's got chain so timing belt not a problem. Lots of room to work on, took out seats to replace front belt buckle and it was a joke - normally I can't even change a light bulb in a modern car, that's how easy they are to work on.
Mind you mine has only done about 85000 miles, and is a late model ('87), so if you got some patience maybe you also can find something similar.
Be careful with E30s. Good ones are way expensive, cheap ones have often been abused. All E30 Touring's got 325i suspension, just FYI, and would be a safer bet as they're not as much of youngsters' choice.
E34 are cool too, but way heavy IMO and with some hp also thirsty (had a 525IX). Also a lot more electronics to go wrong...
Edited by caraddict on Sunday 9th December 13:42
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