My New Retro German
Discussion
Glad everyone likes it. Those that have had them before seem to remember them fondly and I'm not surprised really. It's a cracking drive in an uncomplicated, back to basics kind of way. Can't get enough of that engine noise either - very different to my Mustang's V8 but just as lovely to listen too. So much nicer sounding than my wife's E90 325i sport that has just been replaced. More fun to drive too actually 
falkster said:
Great looking car mate, have you joined e30zone yet?? Had a few E30s myself, had a zinobar 325iSE then a dolphin tech 2 also when I was 21. Cant beat the sound of the straight six.....well a screaming 4pot might beat it.
Yeah, just joined e30zone today. I need a few bits of interior trim and have already picked up a few useful contacts. Funny you should mention a 4 pot, I was only thinking today that I really need to have a go in an E30 M3 shalmaneser said:
that looks lovely.
if the OP is into any non visual mods, fitting a z3 1.9 steering rack really really tightens up the steering from the somewhat slow standard rack.
I read about that mod, seems to be a popular one. TBH though it doesn't feel that bad as it is. Maybe something to look at if the stock one needs replacement but not something I'd consider straight away. I'd probably need to drive one to feel the difference before seriously considering it.if the OP is into any non visual mods, fitting a z3 1.9 steering rack really really tightens up the steering from the somewhat slow standard rack.
Edited by benny.c on Friday 8th May 21:29
Loving that a lot 
If you're on E30Zone, look through the E30 Parts for Sale section and look for a guy named Speedtouch, He does a chip contains a improved fuel and ignition map for the M20 Bosch M-Tronic ECU. I've recently installed a 'Wild' M20B20 Chip on my 320i and it has genuinely improved it all around, pulling cleanly from idle with no hiccup at 4000rpm.
Also gives you a good improvement in MPG (Still getting 300 to the tank here despite the increase in power, need to get it on the rolling road to check what it's making now) and also upps the rev limit to 6900rpm from 6200rpm
The E36 / Z3 rack conversion is very worth while, though maybe for your car, maybe worth waiting till the current rack wears out. However i would suggest putting the 1.9 Z3 gear stick in, for £25 from BMW it's a very quick and easy swap to change out and it does give the shift a far nicer feel and more direct.
Just a few shots of my daily snotter and the thread here : http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...
If you're on E30Zone, look through the E30 Parts for Sale section and look for a guy named Speedtouch, He does a chip contains a improved fuel and ignition map for the M20 Bosch M-Tronic ECU. I've recently installed a 'Wild' M20B20 Chip on my 320i and it has genuinely improved it all around, pulling cleanly from idle with no hiccup at 4000rpm.
Also gives you a good improvement in MPG (Still getting 300 to the tank here despite the increase in power, need to get it on the rolling road to check what it's making now) and also upps the rev limit to 6900rpm from 6200rpm
The E36 / Z3 rack conversion is very worth while, though maybe for your car, maybe worth waiting till the current rack wears out. However i would suggest putting the 1.9 Z3 gear stick in, for £25 from BMW it's a very quick and easy swap to change out and it does give the shift a far nicer feel and more direct.
Just a few shots of my daily snotter and the thread here : http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...
I loved my old E30. It was a nail, with various patches badly resprayed in the wrong shade of red but it was still possibly my favourite car ever.
Yes, the middle of the bonnet really is a totally different colour to the rest of it, but I only paid £450 for it, and got it all back 6 months later when I sold it on
Yes, the middle of the bonnet really is a totally different colour to the rest of it, but I only paid £450 for it, and got it all back 6 months later when I sold it on
This is turning in to a great E30 love fest Keep the pics coming E30 owners and past owners.
Sf_Manta - cheers for the info.
Rich - don't tempt me, but thanks for the offer
My wife just doesn't get it. She says it looks like something a child would draw and has suggested that BMW copied the Trabant when designing the E30
Keep the pics coming E30 owners and past owners.Sf_Manta - cheers for the info.
Rich - don't tempt me, but thanks for the offer
My wife just doesn't get it. She says it looks like something a child would draw and has suggested that BMW copied the Trabant when designing the E30
benny.c said:
This is turning in to a great E30 love fest Keep the pics coming E30 owners and past owners.
Sf_Manta - cheers for the info.
Rich - don't tempt me, but thanks for the offer
My wife just doesn't get it. She says it looks like something a child would draw and has suggested that BMW copied the Trabant when designing the E30
My wife never 'got' it either, which meant I had to sell it, as she refused to drive it when the Toyota was broken Keep the pics coming E30 owners and past owners.Sf_Manta - cheers for the info.
Rich - don't tempt me, but thanks for the offer
My wife just doesn't get it. She says it looks like something a child would draw and has suggested that BMW copied the Trabant when designing the E30
With my other old hack
Was tempted to sell her instead, but thought I'd never see any return on my investment
Edited by ol' dirty on Saturday 9th May 16:07
http://www.autobahn-classics.co.uk/gallery_210869....
My E30.... along with some other retro and up and coming retro germans
My E30.... along with some other retro and up and coming retro germans
benny.c said:
This is turning in to a great E30 love fest Keep the pics coming E30 owners and past owners.
Oh go on then my 325i touring Keep the pics coming E30 owners and past owners.
Was featured in Total BMW magazine January 2009.
Drag racing pic in profile. It gets used and abused but still looks good after 8 years owning it.
Im another E30Zone member.
Edited by Cotty on Sunday 10th May 10:32
benny.c said:
Glad everyone likes it. Those that have had them before seem to remember them fondly and I'm not surprised really. It's a cracking drive in an uncomplicated, back to basics kind of way. Can't get enough of that engine noise either - very different to my Mustang's V8 but just as lovely to listen too. So much nicer sounding than my wife's E90 325i sport that has just been replaced. More fun to drive too actually
Just a quick note... with your standard BBS wheels its probably worth getting some auto glym 'alloy wheel seal' and spending an hour or so going over all the wheels (after you have cleaned them with a tooth brush!) basically means that most of the grime comes off with the hose rather than having to tooth brush them every time!!falkster said:
Great looking car mate, have you joined e30zone yet?? Had a few E30s myself, had a zinobar 325iSE then a dolphin tech 2 also when I was 21. Cant beat the sound of the straight six.....well a screaming 4pot might beat it.
Yeah, just joined e30zone today. I need a few bits of interior trim and have already picked up a few useful contacts. Funny you should mention a 4 pot, I was only thinking today that I really need to have a go in an E30 M3 shalmaneser said:
that looks lovely.
if the OP is into any non visual mods, fitting a z3 1.9 steering rack really really tightens up the steering from the somewhat slow standard rack.
I read about that mod, seems to be a popular one. TBH though it doesn't feel that bad as it is. Maybe something to look at if the stock one needs replacement but not something I'd consider straight away. I'd probably need to drive one to feel the difference before seriously considering it.if the OP is into any non visual mods, fitting a z3 1.9 steering rack really really tightens up the steering from the somewhat slow standard rack.
Edited by benny.c on Friday 8th May 21:29
Also if you interestedin a haynes manual... ive got 2 at home and no more E30's
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