E30 M3

[Candellara]

Thinking of buying one of these.

What are the most common problems to look out for and what specs are the most desirable?

[E30M3SE]

Evo III and Evo II are the most desirable, the you have the Cecotto's/Ravaglia's, Evo I and Europameister.

Rust is the biggest thing to watch out for, scuttle panel, front jacking points, bottom of the frontwings, floor, rear wheel arches, the rear panel, battery tray, sunroof panel rot from the inside out.

[Mermaid]

The cars are 20 years old, so rust - scuttle panel, underneath battery in boot, jacking points, bottom of front wings. Rust generally, but all easily fixable.

Mechanicals pretty robust.

IMO the best E30 M3 is the Evo 2 - 220ps with the integral lip on the rear spoiler and the extended front spoiler - available on silver, macau blue, red limited to 500 cars.

The not as rare (600) Sport Evolution has a bit more power but costs at least £10k more but I suppose is seen as more collectible.

I personally would buy a bog standard E30 M3 with 200ps for circa £10k & enjoy it.

[Candellara]

Mermaid said:

I personally would buy a bog standard E30 M3 with 200ps for circa £10k & enjoy it.

This is my thoughts at the moment. There's only two "classics" that i really hanker after and that's the M3 or Audi Quattro, so it's a straight choice between the two. My initial thoughts are that the E30 M3 will become more collectable over time than the comparative Audi?

[chippy17]

Candellara said:

Mermaid said:

I personally would buy a bog standard E30 M3 with 200ps for circa £10k & enjoy it.

This is my thoughts at the moment. There's only two "classics" that i really hanker after and that's the M3 or Audi Quattro, so it's a straight choice between the two. My initial thoughts are that the E30 M3 will become more collectable over time than the comparative Audi?

if you buy a 1989/90 onwards model they came with a 215bhp engine (as seen in the Revaglia and Cecotto ltd eds) and most of them came with the 16inch wheels which improves the handling IMO

[chippy17]

Mermaid said:

The cars are 20 years old, so rust - scuttle panel, underneath battery in boot, jacking points, bottom of front wings. Rust generally, but all easily fixable.

Mechanicals pretty robust.

IMO the best E30 M3 is the Evo 2 - 220ps with the integral lip on the rear spoiler and the extended front spoiler - available on silver, macau blue, red limited to 500 cars.

The not as rare (600) Sport Evolution has a bit more power but costs at least £10k more but I suppose is seen as more collectible.

I personally would buy a bog standard E30 M3 with 200ps for circa £10k & enjoy it.

I agree Evo 2 deffo the best road version of this car due to the engine, sweeter revving than the Sport Evo and with more torque, handling of the Sport Evo arguably better but it would take a better driver than me to notice, and aesthetically I love the spoilers on this model which are also seen on the Cecotto/Revaglia

[andye30m3]

Other important place to look for rust is under the fuse box, it's often not as bad as elsewhere but is a bit of a nightmare to fix as the fusebox is hard wired.

Gearbox is the weakest link in drive chain, engines seam very strong and reliable.

Things likes brakes and shocks are worth checking but I don't think there overly expensive to replace.

Parts availability is good which I see as a major plus compared to things like an integrale.

Obviously crash damage is worth looking out for the first one I looked at was spotless but had a bent chassis leg and kink in the roof, wasn't even a cheap car.

[Crook]

Also rust on the chassis next to the exhaust manifold. Goes like tissue paper.

[Spoof]

Aren't the Cecotto/Ravags the same as the Evo II basically? Same engine, body styling etc.

Edited by Spoof on Tuesday 7th December 15:12

[Mermaid]

Spoof said:

Aren't the Cecotto/Ravags the same as the Evo II basically? Same engine, body styling etc.

AFAIK EvoII is 220ps, and others are 215ps. Different engine covers, wheels painted differently as cosmetic difference and maybe a few other bits.

[Spoof]

Mermaid said:

Spoof said:

Aren't the Cecotto/Ravags the same as the Evo II basically? Same engine, body styling etc.

AFAIK EvoII is 220ps, and others are 215ps. Different engine covers, wheels painted differently as cosmetic difference and maybe a few other bits.

Arr ok, thanks.

I have a Cecotto and always assumed it was basically an Evo II, I stand corrected.

[Mermaid]

Spoof said:

Mermaid said:

Spoof said:

Aren't the Cecotto/Ravags the same as the Evo II basically? Same engine, body styling etc.

AFAIK EvoII is 220ps, and others are 215ps. Different engine covers, wheels painted differently as cosmetic difference and maybe a few other bits.

Arr ok, thanks.

I have a Cecotto and always assumed it was basically an Evo II, I stand corrected.

All E30 M3's are great.

[chippy17]

Mermaid said:

Spoof said:

Mermaid said:

Spoof said:

Aren't the Cecotto/Ravags the same as the Evo II basically? Same engine, body styling etc.

AFAIK EvoII is 220ps, and others are 215ps. Different engine covers, wheels painted differently as cosmetic difference and maybe a few other bits.

Arr ok, thanks.

I have a Cecotto and always assumed it was basically an Evo II, I stand corrected.

All E30 M3's are great.

they are basically the same, only difference mechanically was that the engine ran a different compression ratio, cosmetics were body coloured cam cover/airbox, interior trim to ones own spec, normally found with half leather and m'sport cloth in either black or grey, wheels are the same size just different colour and spoilers are the same except Evo11s have no fog lights they have air intakes for the brakes instead...I could go on...

[garymorgan]

I'm in the forunate position to have owned a 2.3ltr 200BHP and have a Sport Evo.

There is no real difference in the way they handle like for like and not that much of a difference in how they drive. Well not that I have noticed anyway.

Buy one on condition not price or Evolution.

[Mermaid]

garymorgan said:

I'm in the forunate position to have owned a 2.3ltr 200BHP and have a Sport Evo.

There is no real difference in the way they handle like for like and not that much of a difference in how they drive. Well not that I have noticed anyway.

In fact you can argue that the standard 2.3 200ps is a better proposition for you can drive it at 10/10ths and not be bothered too much about the value of the car for it will be worth less than a third of what a Sport Evo is worth.

[muppetboy]

I've you buy one never sell it...

You'll end up a wasted wreck like me, crying himself to sleep 4 years later. WHY DID I DO IT :-(

[GarryA]

Are you buying one to drive or as a garage queen?

[warsteiner///M3]

i know for a cecotto that will be coming up for sale in the next couple of weeks,
email me if you want the guys number

cheers

[chippy17]

Mermaid said:

garymorgan said:

I'm in the forunate position to have owned a 2.3ltr 200BHP and have a Sport Evo.

There is no real difference in the way they handle like for like and not that much of a difference in how they drive. Well not that I have noticed anyway.

In fact you can argue that the standard 2.3 200ps is a better proposition for you can drive it at 10/10ths and not be bothered too much about the value of the car for it will be worth less than a third of what a Sport Evo is worth.

or you could buy a 215ps model that was standard post 1990?

[RLK500]

Don't what ever you do, buy a garage queen. These cars are made to be driven, and driven hard, not minced around with.

Buy one and enjoy it. I have considered selling mine on ocassion, but one drive convines me I would be insane to do so.

Ignore any waffle you see about timing chains failing, it's twaddle. The inlet manifold gaskets do perish after a while leading to inlet leaks and poor running, they often weep a little oil from the front of the timing case (not a big deal). If an aftermarket exhaust has been fitted, it should have an X pipe at the end of the manifold primaries. No X pipe will strangle the engine. Make sure the heater works and doesn't weep water onto the carpet by the centre console. Also to check for leaks around the scuttle, look in the glovebox, they normally fill up with water if the scuttle has rotted through.

Good luck and enjoy when you find one.