Which E30 should I avoid buying?

[Davie Boy]

Hello.

I'm looking to purchase an E30 in the near future but I'm new to BMWs. Is there a particular E30 I should avoid buying? I'm open to either 318s or 325s... but I'll only be buying a 2-door coupe with a manual transmission.

Thanks.

[Yurick]

I would go for a 325i or 325iS, unless you want 325iC. I don't know much about the 4-cylinder models, 318, but I would definitely stay away from the 325e.

[Davie Boy]

Originally Posted by Yurick

...but I would definitely stay away from the 325e.

Thanks for the info... but what's wrong with 325e?

[chris911sc]

There is nothing "wrong" with a 325e. They are lacking in performance though.

[Chilly]

I sold my friend my excellent condition 325e and he does very well at autocross with it. The 325e has longer stroke so it has more low end torque but doesn't make the hp of the 325i because it doesn't rev as high. Driving down the road I think the 325e pulls hills better but it doesn't impress if you operate near the rev limit. The 325e has lower rev limit, by the way (the chip raised it a bit). Stroker motors generally have lower rev limit because piston speed is faster for the same RPM. The 325e also has very high differential gearing but that's easy to fix.

My advice is avoid buying the E30 with underbody rust, clapped out subframe bushings, leaking struts, rotted windshield trim, rusty trunk pan, non-functional power windows, and torn up door skins. Buy the rust-free E30 that some concientious "car guy" brought back to original glory with a bunch of new bushings, shocks, brakes, timing belt, and guibo. That's the car to buy whether it's a 325i, 325e, or even the 318 (supercharge it!).