e30 325i motorsport
Discussion
surgical said:
thanks guys! Yes i'm talking about the motorsport 325i convertible.. Uk had say few hundred made for a few years..details easy to search on the web, just wondering if anybody had 1/ user experience....
They're the same as any other E30 with the same issues, except with the added issue of circa 30years old electric rooves no longer working on most of them, the plastic rear windows going couldy/splitting and the fabric rooves requiring replacement.In terms of manual vs auto, I think it matters much less in the cab. The auto box definitely feels like it robs the car of some zest in these older BMWs, but that matters less for the cabriolet where effortless cruising is more likely to be the order of the day.
So I’d find the best (most rust-free) I could, regardless of box, and go from there.
ETA: if you do end up going with an auto, make sure the sport mode works on the box (there’s a three-way circular selector by the gear knob). In Sport it should change up later and kick down more eagerly.
And as noted already, if you’re buying one with an electric hood, make sure it works properly and be prepared for it not too one day.
The boot rubber and rear light surrounds perish and leak, so stick your head in the boot and sniff for damp, and then check under the seals for rust.
And I’m guessing you’ll be aware of cambelt intervals etc.
So I’d find the best (most rust-free) I could, regardless of box, and go from there.
ETA: if you do end up going with an auto, make sure the sport mode works on the box (there’s a three-way circular selector by the gear knob). In Sport it should change up later and kick down more eagerly.
And as noted already, if you’re buying one with an electric hood, make sure it works properly and be prepared for it not too one day.
The boot rubber and rear light surrounds perish and leak, so stick your head in the boot and sniff for damp, and then check under the seals for rust.
And I’m guessing you’ll be aware of cambelt intervals etc.
Edited by Gruber on Monday 18th June 08:05
Hi, I set out to get one of these back in 2005. Tried to buy a 1990 Macau Blue manual but the guy ended up being reluctant to sell.
Finding a decent one at a sensible price now will be tough. I was looking to spend c£6k at the time which was very decent money for an E30 (M3s were possible but I wanted a 6 cylinder). I ended up with an Alpina convertible instead.
Things to look out for:
Rust, roof mechanism, cooling/head gasket, bodykit/trim damage. I ended up changing on mine the head gasket, full cooling system, starter, alternator, cambelt, new suspension, new exhaust..... the list went on.
I much prefer the manual. So much more fun to drive. I sold mine a couple of years later for roughly what I bought it for. It would be worth 3 times that now.
The E30 is a cool car but for my situation my E46 is so much better.
Finding a decent one at a sensible price now will be tough. I was looking to spend c£6k at the time which was very decent money for an E30 (M3s were possible but I wanted a 6 cylinder). I ended up with an Alpina convertible instead.
Things to look out for:
Rust, roof mechanism, cooling/head gasket, bodykit/trim damage. I ended up changing on mine the head gasket, full cooling system, starter, alternator, cambelt, new suspension, new exhaust..... the list went on.
I much prefer the manual. So much more fun to drive. I sold mine a couple of years later for roughly what I bought it for. It would be worth 3 times that now.
The E30 is a cool car but for my situation my E46 is so much better.
thank you for the wealth of information
I have read up on what is available and colour combinations etc
i dont want the bubble rather but i do like the full leathers with the M stripes..they look cool!
I wouldn't mind an alpina.. just something special, and E30. To avoid hood problems I wouldn't be opposed to a 325i sport - but there were probably loads more made right? The limited run motorsport might keep it's value better...
I have read up on what is available and colour combinations etc
i dont want the bubble rather but i do like the full leathers with the M stripes..they look cool!
I wouldn't mind an alpina.. just something special, and E30. To avoid hood problems I wouldn't be opposed to a 325i sport - but there were probably loads more made right? The limited run motorsport might keep it's value better...
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff