First-timer looking for an E30

[rrschultrich]

I'm considering the purchase of an E30. My "wish list" starts with E46, but my budget says "NO!"

I'm looking for a 325i or 325is 2 door. What should I look for and look out for? I realize that cars of this age are going to have between 120k and 150k miles. The car will be driven routinely, and I plan to autocross it. Please educate me.

[Wayne 962]

What is your budget? 2-door or four door?

-Wayne

[Jeff at WallWerks]

hello:

A really clean 86-89 e30 hardtop will run around 5k. (you can find them cheaper, but you willl spend it in the long run) Try and find a car that has only been through 2 owners if possible, your chances are better that it will have been cared for.

Here's some typical costs of stuff that will (probably) need to be fixed or upgraded:

clutch, press plate and release bearing : about 250, and another 2-350 if you have someone install it.

shocks, springs and new bushings: 600-1200, depending if you do oem, bilsteins or Konis. I have bilsteins on both of my cars and cant tell much difference between them and the twice as expensive konis.

front end parts: tie rod ends, control arms, bushings, etc. 2-600,
depending on what needs to be done.

cool wheels and tires: 700-3000 bucks again depending on what you want to spend. 215/40/16 's are about the biggest tire you can stuff under an e30 without problem. My coupe has the big wheels with a set of Toyo proxies that I really like, but my 4 door just has the stock wheels with a set of Yokohama avs intermediates (205/60/14's at about 65 bucks a pop) that are quite good for the money.

TIMING BELT: UNLESS YOU HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON THIS, JUST DO IT!! BIGGEST CAUSE OF DEATH IN E30S IS TIMING BELT. UNDER A HUNDRED IF YOU DO IT YOURSELF, 300 IF SOMEONE DOES IT. BEST INSURANCE POSSIBLE ON THIS CAR.

Everything else is pretty reasonable on these cars. Lots of them in the junkyard, so used parts are readily available.

Plan on a few hundred for a battery and complete tune up. (Dont forget a fresh O2 sensor)Again, if no documentation, just change all the fluids to be safe.

After that, sky's the limit as to how much you want to spend on cosmetics. Again, heres where a few extra bucks will save a pile in the long run.

Last but not least, engines are good for about 120-180k for top end and about 350 for bottom. If you are buying a car that is around 150k and it hasnt had the top end freshened up, it will soon. This will run anywhere from 1000-3000 depending on who does the work and how far you take the project.

Hope this helps. Again, there are a lot of these cars out there so hold out for a real sorted one. If not, you might just be better off
spending 8- 12 on an e36 with fewer miles. (more refined, but not quite as much fun to drive in my opinion)

You can probably get most of this stuff from Pelican, and they are about 20% less than other places I have shopped. Also, shell out the 80 bucks for the MOBILE TRADITION CD. Has all the part numbers for when you have to go to the dealer.

good luck

jeff