Anybody know anyone local selling an E30? Must be mechanically sound, aesthetics are not important
02-26-2009, 05:03 PM
#21
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dumb question..I thought that back then the 'X' designation meant convertible, not AWD.
I thought BMW's first venture into the AWD market was around 2002 with the 330 ix (note the lower case 'x'). Am I wrong?
02-26-2009, 05:45 PM
#22
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: KAWF MK
Posts: 4,775
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
please lets keep that private...
<center><img src="http://celebrity-pics.movieeye.com/celebrity_pictures/Guy_Fieri_129132.jpg"></center><p>no real reson to post that pic...but man he looks like a creep.
02-26-2009, 05:55 PM
#23
AudiWorld Super User
nope. 1st AWD was the 1988 325iX
the E30 325iX was built from '88-'91 and available in 4-dr sedan or 2-dr coupe (both stick and automatic). only officially built in silver, red, white, and grey IIRC.
convertible is "iC" for the E30 gen - 325iC
the designations changed for the E46 generation. AWD became 330Xi, coupes 330Ci, convert 330Cic. this is also when the 7er changed from 740iL to 745Li
convertible is "iC" for the E30 gen - 325iC
the designations changed for the E46 generation. AWD became 330Xi, coupes 330Ci, convert 330Cic. this is also when the 7er changed from 740iL to 745Li
03-03-2009, 12:51 PM
#27
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Salem MA
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
do you know what you're looking for exactly?
Any old E30?
Budget?
I've been REALLY into E30s for a long time. Had my old one in the reader's rides in Retro Cars Magazine
here's the trick:
1989+ E30 325iS are the best
actually, 1989s are THE year to get. Non-airbag, pop out rear windows, small bumpers
I had an 88 which is an odd-duck year. It's got metal bumpers but the later body work.
The M20 motors are pretty much bulletproof. change the timing belt... that's all it really needs.
In the years I owned mine, the ONLY thing to fail on it was the clutch master and slave cylinder.
Budget?
I've been REALLY into E30s for a long time. Had my old one in the reader's rides in Retro Cars Magazine
here's the trick:
1989+ E30 325iS are the best
actually, 1989s are THE year to get. Non-airbag, pop out rear windows, small bumpers
I had an 88 which is an odd-duck year. It's got metal bumpers but the later body work.
The M20 motors are pretty much bulletproof. change the timing belt... that's all it really needs.
In the years I owned mine, the ONLY thing to fail on it was the clutch master and slave cylinder.
03-03-2009, 02:14 PM
#28
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Testing the waters right now to decide which route I want to take and if I want to bother at all
Either spend around 4k to get a nicer one that I won't have to spend time and money on OR go the budget route and take a risk.
Ideally I would like a 325i coupe. The 318 sounds underpowered. I would rather not get an IX because I have never owned a RWD car and would like to (have limited experience with RWD cars as strange as that sounds). Would not be very adverse to a 'vert but I don't want to deal with leaky tops and the added complication. OH, and it MUST be a manual transmission.
In my E30 wet dream I want a clean, unmodified coupe thats a bit worn in but rust free, clean interior (no cracked dash, leather in passable shape), that I don't have to worry about breaking down on me. I don't care about basic DIY-type stuff that may arise--its an old car and stuff will break--but I dont want to be calling AAA every other week and give my AMEX a workout.
Budget route--1500-1800
Nice car route--3500
Judging by what I have seen thus far, these prices seem to be reasonable for whats out there. The cult following for these cars seems to create an artificial price inflation.
I hope this covers my thoughts on the matter thus far.
Dont you have a MK2 for sale BTW?
Ideally I would like a 325i coupe. The 318 sounds underpowered. I would rather not get an IX because I have never owned a RWD car and would like to (have limited experience with RWD cars as strange as that sounds). Would not be very adverse to a 'vert but I don't want to deal with leaky tops and the added complication. OH, and it MUST be a manual transmission.
In my E30 wet dream I want a clean, unmodified coupe thats a bit worn in but rust free, clean interior (no cracked dash, leather in passable shape), that I don't have to worry about breaking down on me. I don't care about basic DIY-type stuff that may arise--its an old car and stuff will break--but I dont want to be calling AAA every other week and give my AMEX a workout.
Budget route--1500-1800
Nice car route--3500
Judging by what I have seen thus far, these prices seem to be reasonable for whats out there. The cult following for these cars seems to create an artificial price inflation.
I hope this covers my thoughts on the matter thus far.
Dont you have a MK2 for sale BTW?
03-04-2009, 06:11 PM
#29
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Salem MA
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You aren't going to get a good E30 for under $2000
<center><img src="http://chapel976.googlepages.com/retrochap.jpg"></center><p>I sold my GTI
Expect to pay between $3000-4000 for a clean E30
I sold my E30 with 225k miles 3 years ago for $4500 and it wasn't even rust free. You can buy a clean E36 for cheaper then an E30 these days
Avoid 318s unless it's a late late model 318iS.<ul><li><a href="http://forum.retrocarsmag.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=42">My old 325iS</a></li></ul>
Expect to pay between $3000-4000 for a clean E30
I sold my E30 with 225k miles 3 years ago for $4500 and it wasn't even rust free. You can buy a clean E36 for cheaper then an E30 these days
Avoid 318s unless it's a late late model 318iS.<ul><li><a href="http://forum.retrocarsmag.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=42">My old 325iS</a></li></ul>
03-04-2009, 06:25 PM
#30
AudiWorld Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Love your old car!
I am definitely leaning towards getting a "good" E30 instead of a cheapo beater one.
After looking a bit (craigslist, e30tech, bimmerforums, etc) I am amazed at the sum a clean E30 can bring. I am also tempted to spend a few more grand and get an E36 M3 with similar mileage, although then the value isn't there--I would rather get a great E30 than some M3 with "issues" that was probably ragged on by a rev-happy teenager for the last 10 years.
One of the draws of the E30 for me is the value. Am I smoking crack if I think I drive it for maybe 5-6 months then sell it for approximately what I bought it for assuming nothing major goes wrong?
After looking a bit (craigslist, e30tech, bimmerforums, etc) I am amazed at the sum a clean E30 can bring. I am also tempted to spend a few more grand and get an E36 M3 with similar mileage, although then the value isn't there--I would rather get a great E30 than some M3 with "issues" that was probably ragged on by a rev-happy teenager for the last 10 years.
One of the draws of the E30 for me is the value. Am I smoking crack if I think I drive it for maybe 5-6 months then sell it for approximately what I bought it for assuming nothing major goes wrong?