E30 Touring Buying Advice
Discussion
Hi there,
I am thinking of buying an E30 Touring as a daily driver and was wondering if there is any buying / running guide type documents I could look at.
I am wondering about real fuel economy, weaknesses and things to be aware of when buying - a good old fashioned buyers guide basically.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeff
I am thinking of buying an E30 Touring as a daily driver and was wondering if there is any buying / running guide type documents I could look at.
I am wondering about real fuel economy, weaknesses and things to be aware of when buying - a good old fashioned buyers guide basically.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeff
Gruber said:
Ooooh! I like the look of that!! How's it doing for rust?
Not bad. Sailed through it's MOT mid last year. Although it does have the odd bit showing on the front valence and tailgate. Does need a new rear exhaust section too, although I just need to go and collect it from a guy in Portsmouth. Solid car that I've tried to look after. Got a set of fully refurbed 15" BBS on it now with winter tyres too.
Send me a message through my profile if you're interested. I don't want to upset any mods.
I've got two at the moment; one for spares, the other for my epic commute (pembrokeshire to London weekly).
A 325i is what you need. The later reg year (K, L) were 316's and 318's. pony 4 pots. Unless you find a 318is touring; good engine even if it is a 4 pot.
A 320i has 129bhp and doesn't really give you either enough power or fuel economy to make up for the wonderful sound and smoothness ofit's 6 cyl engine.
You need a 325i in your life. or bigger. M30 conversions are popular (3.5 ltre) too.
Rust? Not as bad as the saloons but check the bootlid (inside bottom lip and where the glass meets the metal) - it will be rusty - just how bad is the question.
check the rear wheel arches - they should be ok but a bit of a worry if not.
open the bonnet, check the area (triangular sort of shape) below the water bottle for rust; in fact check behind the water bottle too as water traps between the bottle and the metal of the suspension turret.
The headlight wash wipe system will not work. if it does - it's a real bonus.
Check both fog lights work. Pre 87 fog lights are cheap as chips, post-87 are less so.
check the rear interior roof lining over the boot. is it sagging? badly? can you see out of the rear view mirror ok? yes? Fine. No? not good - it's a fiddly, s
tty, stty job. bargaining point.
SE side skirts are cheap - if it's a boggo 316i or 318i but has MtecII bodykit. Sell the bodykit for £300+ and purchase SE side skirts and front and rearbumpers.
Interior. check for dampness. damp carpets meean that thedrain holes on the roof, usually, need attention. Comfort seats are ok but sport or sport leather are far more desirable. if the rear seats don't have headrests you can buy a kit from BMW to retro fit them (buy second hand headrests though). £20 if memory serves.
Tourings don't tend to rust as much as saloons do. Buy on condition of the bodywork as mechanically there are plenty of spares around or you can simply buy new from BMW.
Service history is important but so is the current owner. If the car has 4 no name tyres on it and there are lights on the dash and it generally looks unloved then I'd suggest finding another.
These cars like to be used. If it's done 150,000 miles plus don't be put off - mine's done 223,000 original block but new 2nd hand head 25,000 miles ago (September 2010!). I service her every 7 to 8 weeks though.....
And e30zone is great for advice and cars for sale. Check PH and classic cars for sale too.
A 325i is what you need. The later reg year (K, L) were 316's and 318's. pony 4 pots. Unless you find a 318is touring; good engine even if it is a 4 pot.
A 320i has 129bhp and doesn't really give you either enough power or fuel economy to make up for the wonderful sound and smoothness ofit's 6 cyl engine.
You need a 325i in your life. or bigger. M30 conversions are popular (3.5 ltre) too.
Rust? Not as bad as the saloons but check the bootlid (inside bottom lip and where the glass meets the metal) - it will be rusty - just how bad is the question.
check the rear wheel arches - they should be ok but a bit of a worry if not.
open the bonnet, check the area (triangular sort of shape) below the water bottle for rust; in fact check behind the water bottle too as water traps between the bottle and the metal of the suspension turret.
The headlight wash wipe system will not work. if it does - it's a real bonus.
Check both fog lights work. Pre 87 fog lights are cheap as chips, post-87 are less so.
check the rear interior roof lining over the boot. is it sagging? badly? can you see out of the rear view mirror ok? yes? Fine. No? not good - it's a fiddly, s
tty, stty job. bargaining point. SE side skirts are cheap - if it's a boggo 316i or 318i but has MtecII bodykit. Sell the bodykit for £300+ and purchase SE side skirts and front and rearbumpers.
Interior. check for dampness. damp carpets meean that thedrain holes on the roof, usually, need attention. Comfort seats are ok but sport or sport leather are far more desirable. if the rear seats don't have headrests you can buy a kit from BMW to retro fit them (buy second hand headrests though). £20 if memory serves.
Tourings don't tend to rust as much as saloons do. Buy on condition of the bodywork as mechanically there are plenty of spares around or you can simply buy new from BMW.
Service history is important but so is the current owner. If the car has 4 no name tyres on it and there are lights on the dash and it generally looks unloved then I'd suggest finding another.
These cars like to be used. If it's done 150,000 miles plus don't be put off - mine's done 223,000 original block but new 2nd hand head 25,000 miles ago (September 2010!). I service her every 7 to 8 weeks though.....
And e30zone is great for advice and cars for sale. Check PH and classic cars for sale too.
Many thanks for the advice. I will keep researching and be patient and hope for the right one to come along. I agree re 6 cylinders but need the economy of the 4 - so the 318is sounds interesting. Unfortunately this website - www.e30zone.co.uk seems to be down at the moment so I was wondering if there is any other source out there I could access?
Cheers,
Jeff
Cheers,
Jeff
dobbiej said:
Many thanks for the advice. I will keep researching and be patient and hope for the right one to come along. I agree re 6 cylinders but need the economy of the 4 - so the 318is sounds interesting. Unfortunately this website - www.e30zone.co.uk seems to be down at the moment so I was wondering if there is any other source out there I could access?
Cheers,
Jeff
www.e30zone.net (rather than .co.uk). Does seem to be down though - prob server maintenance etc.Cheers,
Jeff
Edited by g3org3y on Thursday 3rd March 01:49
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