E30 Convertible. Previous Owner, Grandma!

[BigGingerBob]

This is my first venture into the realms of Germanic motoring. I have previously only had British cars, Rover 200, Allegro Vanden Plas and a TVR Tuscan so it is bow tine for something a little different (if that's possible after that list of cars!).
Anyway, my Grandmother has owned this car since 1994/5 and I have always liked the car, being the family petrol head and all, so as she can't get in and out if it anymore she gave it to me. She bought it with her dad's inheritance so it means an awful lot to her.
The car is a k reg 318 so it will never set the world on fire, in actual fact, I think my Rover was faster.
Roof down cruising is the way to go with this car, over 4000rpm is harsh so it's a cruiser not a bruiser.
Have some photos!

Hope you like it!

[Pete102]

I have huge soft spot for these E30's. Properly cool. I likey.

[Freegs]

Hi from another K-reg e30 318 cabriolet owner!

They are fantastic cruisers, have loved owning mine although sadly my time with it is coming to an end now.

Have you any plans for it? Is it electric or manual roof?

Tom

[BigGingerBob]

No plans yet but you never know! I would like some more power but I don't know how well these respond to tuning.
It's a manual roof.

[anonymous-user]

BigGingerBob said:

No plans yet but you never know! I would like some more power but I don't know how well these respond to tuning.
It's a manual roof.

It'd be old school tuning techniques - smoothing the inlet ports etc. You'll see tiny gains for tens of hours of work!

Is it fuel injected?

[Sf_Manta]

It'd be the M40B18 engine, which honestly isn't worth spending any time in tuning, they're well known for killing cams rather quickly

If you're looking for a good improvement of power, and willing to find a good engine and a few willing friends to change it, the M42B18 or the 318iS engine (1.8 16v - 135bhp? IIRC) would be an ideal swap, and would be a tad unique.

Very early E30's had carbs, but from about 85 onwards, they're all fuel injected except maybe the 1.6.

[Quhet]

Lovely colour

[billzeebub]

Superb characterful car with a lovely back story. Wish my Nan had such good taste!

[BigGingerBob]

Thanks for the nice comments chaps. I thought there were more pictures in my original post rather than just the one.

[0a]

I would just tidy it up and keep it standard. I bet that interior would respond really well to a steam clean.

[Lugy]

Cracking looking cars these, plus it looks like the E30 is becoming a nice investment as long as they're solid (I know all about rust in an E30!).
Keeping it tidy and largely standard would be my choice I reckon, though I'd be tempted to look at the 24v conversion!

[Fattyfat]

0a said:

I would just tidy it up and keep it standard. I bet that interior would respond really well to a steam clean.

Have to agree with this.

[The Nur]

Clean it from top to bottom, sort out missing trim and keep it as is