My New Retro German

[benny.c]

Since new year I've been running around in a E46 Imola Red 330i sport touring as my daily driver. A great car and nice and practical for a new dad Then my wife went and got a CRV so it seemed a bit daft having two large (ish) family cars. Since I only do about 50 miles per week I decided I'd chop the E46 for something a bit more fun, and cheaper. So today I picked up this E30 325i sport (tech 2) in rare "Granite Silver".

It cruises well on the motorway and is surprisingly quick accelerating in 4th and 5th at motorway speeds. Coming back home I travelled on the A41 from Cosford to Chester and it was great fun in the twisties. The straight six sounds fantastic at 4K+ revs

There's a few bits of interior trim to sort out and some tiny bits of bodywork need attention but overall it feels like a good, straight original car. No-one go suggesting Alpina reps or a suspension drop

Anyhoo, here's a few rough and ready pics after the journey home.












And if anyone wants a good looking, fast and practical car, have a look in the classified for this

Edited by benny.c on Thursday 7th May 21:30

[benny.c]

Petrolhead747 said:

That would look great sitting on a set of 17" Alpinas and a 40mm drop.

Oi

John Laverick said:

Looks lovely ... I've been thinking about one of these for a while {Ive got a 325i Touring atm].

How much did you pay if you don't mind saying?

Enough change from £4K for a few pints. There are cheaper ones out there I know but I wanted a standard car and didn't want too much work to do. Time will tell but I looks OK for now

[benny.c]

R5GTTGAZ said:

If you want to keep it I would recommend the removal of all the body kit / bumpers / wheel arch liners and interior carpet.

All the clips and bits for re-installation are still available from BMW.

Yeah, I've read about the nastiness that can lurk under the body kit on E30 Zone. Hopefully I wont find anything horrible.

[benny.c]

sleep envy said:

awesome cars, I love E30s - so much fun to hung the arse out and drift them

keep it standard, they're getting harder and harder to find these days

Definitely keeping it all standard. I don't think there was one standard one in the PH classifieds over the last few weeks. Mine has an aftermarket stainless steel back box but it's not noisy or too big so I'll leave it on.

Nolar Dog said:

I love these and might even have a look for one myself.

Yours looks fabulous in that colour.

Enjoy!

Cheers. Granite Silver is quite rare from what I've read. It was a new colour for '91 on the incoming four door E36. It was a special order on the E30 so not that many about I think. It's like Dolphin Grey, which is also a lovely colour but a little darker.

Just read your profile BTW - you don't look like you need any more cars

Edited by benny.c on Thursday 7th May 23:25

[benny.c]

mattsayle said:

Mmmmmmmmmm nice.

Like that a lot. great choice sir!!

Maybe see it at Oulton soon!!!

Maybe at a race meeting - definitely not on a trackday

jimmyb said:

Ive been looking for one for a while now where did you find it?

May end up importing one if possible in shadowline form.

I got it from http://www.oldcolonelcars.co.uk/

Maybe not the cheapest but he does seem to get nice examples of old Bimmers. I guess by hunting around you could find something similar for cheaper but it seems pretty hard to find original cars in Autotrader, PH classifieds etc.

[benny.c]

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.

Edited by benny.c on Friday 8th May 21:29

[benny.c]

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

[benny.c]

^^^^^^^ Lovely that mate.




Nice Merc. My mate has the horn for one now he's seen my E30.

[benny.c]

sniff diesel said:

Go on then, here was my 318is from a few months back:

Yours doesn't count - how long did you have it, three minutes

ol' dirty said:

Tell him to do it! That picture does'nt really do it any justice though

Anything to look out for on these in particular apart from the usual old car type stuff?

S3_Graham said:

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!!

Also if you interestedin a haynes manual... ive got 2 at home and no more E30's

Nothing I like more than spending all Sunday cleaning wheels with a toothbrush

PM sent about the manual

Edited by benny.c on Monday 11th May 10:04

[benny.c]

Don't know why but loads of E30's seem to end up in Ireland? There's always a fair few in the classifieds from over the water.

Mini_Lund said:

Ben she sounds gorgeous!

Keep your eyes out for it

[benny.c]

Mini_Lund said:

I spotted you in it today Lower Heswall, I was delivering the 'Waterfront' magazines helping my mate as he's abit behind. I was in a Blue Oversized Hoody. Heard you first, then watched you go past

That was quick! I'd been up to Chester to price up a new gear knob Was that you about to go into a house on Dawstone Road?

Norbury90 said:

Oh yes. Yes.

Taking it to Dyno Demon? Will keep an eye out for it anyway.

It'd be interesting to see what the old thing is putting out. Still feels pretty quick to me but this is the only one I've driven.

Edited by benny.c on Thursday 14th May 14:46

[benny.c]

Mini_Lund said:

I helped deliver to Pipers lane today, the 'beast' is under covers... makes me wonder whats in the garage

A nice E39 M5

If you want to take a look at the track car next time you are passing give me a shout.

[benny.c]

Yeah, wouldn't mind a look at the mini. Not sat in one for 16 years but I don't know if I'd fit now

Edited by benny.c on Thursday 14th May 20:28

[benny.c]

No not seen that. There's a red V6 down in West Kirby too - getting common

It's Roush BTW

[benny.c]

Norbury90 said:

I saw 2 new-shape Stangs in Cheshire Oaks last weekend. One was black with black wheels, the other blue with white stripes.

How come I never see any.

ROOODBOY said:

If you want it to look original, how about a few subtle under-bonnet mods;

Bet it's not subtle when you put your foot down