Anyone Else Drive An E30 Bmw?

[Jer309GTi 3]

I've decided to make a change from Pugs after several 205's/309's/405's and go RWD. Got myself a 320i E30 for a bit of a project. Obviously worlds apart from a Pug but I'm definately enjoying driving it. They seem to have just as much a loyal following as our little Pugs do

 

Anyone else made the change from 205 to E30, and how do you like the BMW after driving a 205?

[welshpug 1,657]

I remember Alex - Boombang/Boobies had an E30 318iS about 2 years ago, a few friends have had 325i Touring's.

 

One had a 325iS when they were just about cheap and paid about £1200 for it, had it about 9 months then sold it for £2k!

[blessed6383 0]

must admit im a fan of the E30 325i very nice cars to drive but did prefer my E36 320 with the 2.5 lump fitted had the full M3 spec interior in cream with M spec kit was a handfull in the wet tho

 

[alync406 4]

I have an E30 BMW 318is myself as well as my 205's.I use the E30 as my daily driver.The E30 is great fun to drive,handles well and the power is'nt bad either.Don't really like the E36's though but some of there engines go well in an E30,mostly 325,328 or M3.Hoping to put a 328 or M3 engine in mine sometime.

[maturin23 10]

I ran a very late E30 325i Touring back in the late 90s - lovely cruiser (was driving from Amsterdam to London twice a month), rock solid at 120 mph on the Autoroute.

 

I had the Sport suspension and LSD on mine so the car was fairly reasonable round the bends but the one thing that REALLY spoiled the car from a driver's point of view was the steering. Lifeless and sooooo slow.

 

I'd run one as fun car, but it would need to have a quick rack fitted and ideally the suspension geometry a little closer to the M3.

 

In my honest opinion as standard they are a little over-rated as a driver's car. Retro-tinted spectacles couple with the RWD-effect I think - have you seen the prices of bog standard Chevettes in the last twelve months?

[boombang 2]

E30 318is was what I had as Mei said.

 

Was like a RWD 309, nicely balanced and loved going sideways - just not quick enough and felt like it was on stilts.

 

Worst thing is the steering rack as mentioned above, dangerously slow.

[Jer309GTi 3]

Yes I agree about the steering, my first mod is to put an E36 rack in there as they are a quicker rack than standard

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

The E30s are pretty rotten now in the battery tray and at the bottom of the A pillars so you need to check they are structurally sound. I've not driven a normal one but a couple of M3s for prolonged periods of time and I find the whole balance sublime. Lots of people say you need more power, but they are missing the point. There was an feature in the latest Evo on which is the best M3 out of them all.

 

As has been said, racks and diffs will change a standard car and make it more agile like a 205

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

The quickest bolt-on rack is a Z3 rack as even the E36 racks are quite slow by modern standards.

[mr_exe 1]

No, but I have to admit a manual 325i would be of interest, though a decent ones are starting to fetch serious money.

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

I've been playing with the idea for a couple of years now. They just look so cool. Rust seems to be an issue, and any track specific parts (suspension etc) costs. Usual parts are still freely available, along with the interchangability of engines from E36/E46/E34. M52B28 engine appears popular at the moment.

 

Some time ago, I did blag a wet 'Ring lap in an E30 335 (3.5 from an 5 series) and that was interesting Handful to say the least!

 

The quickest bolt-on rack is a Z3 rack as even the E36 racks are quite slow by modern standards.

 

Rack from an E46 330 Sport is another, but getting it is difficult from the dealer.

[Jer309GTi 3]

The 3.5 conversion is an idea I'm toying with, some people say the engine makes it too nose-heavy, others love the conversion. Guess it's just a matter of personal preference!

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Cheap enough to buy, and increase in CR/decent cam improves them a fair bit. I think you need a particular dump to fit over the rack. As I said above, the E36 328 conversion is popular and 325 inlet mod still applies. A few guys on E30zone are already stroking this lump with the internals from a 330.

 

Incidentally, Gareth from this forum years ago has an LPG'd 335 on E30zone.

[Baz 421]

I love them, wanted one as a first car when i discovered a Mk1 or 2 Escort was going to be very, if not impossible to insure, then i discovered much the same for an E30! I've always seen them as like more modern & refined Escort (Mk1/2) and have therefore gone through the roof price-wise, unsurprisingly! Otherwise i think i'd have one by now! I'd absolutely love a 320is!

 

I've passengered in this one round the 'Ring too, a great experience and not far off another friend in a GT3RS!

 

http://www.performancetuner.co.uk/site/433...s_BMW_335i.aspx

 

http://www.clubmsv.com/teams/north-loop-motorsport.aspx

[CTI STU 0]

Ive got a 320i E30 as well as my 205 Gti, also got a E36 323i

[jonathan205 0]

I had a turbo e30 325, best car ive ever owned by miles!! I miss that thing

[Jer309GTi 3]

Ive got a 320i E30 as well as my 205 Gti, also got a E36 323i

 

How do you find the 2 litre engine? A lot of people on E30zone don't like them, but if you keep your foot down they don't go too badly, obviously no 325 though! Is yours standard?

[CTI STU 0]

How do you find the 2 litre engine? A lot of people on E30zone don't like them, but if you keep your foot down they don't go too badly, obviously no 325 though! Is yours standard?

 

If you keep it reving its quite a fun car to drive, more fun than my 325i touring I had a few months ago,

 

Mine is standard but seems very quick??? not a lot slower than my touring but ALOT more fun

[GeorgeXS 32]

There was an feature in the latest Evo on which is the best M3 out of them all.

 

In that magazine, the E30 DTM car is one we look after at work, its awesome!

Little does the unsuspecting reader know, when those pictures were taken, the engine had blown up not an hour before!

If the engine shot had been from a different angle, you would see valve buckets sticking out of the side of the cam carrier

[Jer309GTi 3]

If you keep it reving its quite a fun car to drive, more fun than my 325i touring I had a few months ago,

 

Mine is standard but seems very quick??? not a lot slower than my touring but ALOT more fun

 

They are only supposed to have 129bhp and about 130 ft lb of torque, but you are right they do feel pretty quick. You on E30 zone?

[CTI STU 0]

They are only supposed to have 129bhp and about 130 ft lb of torque, but you are right they do feel pretty quick. You on E30 zone?

 

Yea been on there for a few years now

[lewthepimp 0]

this is my old 325i

most fun you can have for £700

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

this is my old 325i

most fun you can have for £700

 

Good work!

 

I seem to recall doing something similar with my old 530 down the middle of Anthonys old workshop. Cheap Bimmers are fooking great

[Alastairh 47]

Cheap Bimmers are fooking great

 

Hell yeah!

 

Ben Allens old poxy 518i

 

Al

[Mart Pug 0]

Always fancied one of these, but I'm still scratching the front wheel drive itch!