Buying E30 320 2-door, what are the pit falls to look out for?

[whymengy]

Hi guys, I'm new here. I've been eyeing the E30 for quite some time. Since i just started working, now i can realize my dream of owning a classic car. Actually i'm more interested in the E30 316 or the 318 due to economy reasons... but...Found one today near my house, its a silver color E30 320 with 5 speed manual. I'm very keen to get it, but since its such an old car and it went through 3 owners and almost 100,000km, probably the service history wont be reliable. I'm meeting up with the owner and to arrange for a test drive.I have a few questions in mind, and I hope you guys out there can guide me, thanks!1. How much do I pay for a E30 320 in reasonable running condition?-The seller offers RM9000, claims the car is working and running daily, body no rust, air cond also cold, no leaking of water during raining, exhaust not belching smoke... is this a good deal?2. What are the common problems in E30 320 and how should i look out for it when i go view and test drive the car?I have no mechanical experience in cars...3. How much budget do I have to set aside for the first maintenance/repair when i get the car?I'm thinking of changing the timing belt, oils, spark plugs and any other consumable to make it reliable...4. How much does the annual maintanence cost for this baby?Sorry for the barrage of questions, thank you all in advance!

 

[kgb]

I highly doubt that its done 100K in all this years. More like 200 or 300. Mine done 460K which does not mean anything, other that it was well used and serviced regularly. Don't trust the odometer. Provided if odometer is correct, stay away from that car, its likely to be all rusted inside, as it was hardly used.

e30 320 in reasonable running condition (expect to spend another 3K minimum) will set you back around 15K and more. 9K is a bargain, or semi-literate seller, or problem car.

Body no rust is a lie. e30 MUST have rust. At 9K price tag, I'd expect a lot of rust.

First maintenance repair, as i mentioned earlier, allocate 3K minimum.

Annual maintenance is not much, provided it not done the annal way :stupid:

So far, on mine i only change oil, that is all. The rest is running well.

Won't say much on 2lt engine, coz using 1.8. Last time i've test driven 2lt engine, i found it underpowered compared to 1.8

Best, you find a friend on this forum, who can join you next time you are having a closer look at the car. If okey, take it to mechanic and put it on the hoist, you should know a lot about that car just by doing that.

If you can't get anyone to follow you, let me know if you need help, can pay me with roti chanai :top:

 

[whymengy]

Thanks for the detailed reply. I doubt u can be in Penang to help me check the car out you're from PJ rite? thanks for the offer though...but if u stop by butterworth or kulim anytime, roti canai on me no problem maybe show me your nice ride, lol...

I guess I'll take a closer look, and possibly send it to a mechanic.

Didn't expect the E30 to be going at RM15k... wow... add a bit more can go for E36 d... although i very much prefer the looks of E30 or E21.

After reading your reply, rm9k sounds really suspicious... i'll be more cautious, thanks!

 

[mizhan]

whymengy, only go down the E30 road if you are most passionate about it and know exactly what you're getting yourself into.. otherwise you will run out of patience (and moolah) especially if your expectations are high. in which case, an E36 is more suitable.

go to eBay, purchase yourself a copy of the E30 Restoration Guide. you'll have a better picture to make your decision after reading it.

 

[NewBeemw]

whymengy, only go down the E30 road if you are most passionate about it and know exactly what you're getting yourself into.. otherwise you will run out of patience (and moolah) especially if your expectations are high. in which case, an E36 is more suitable.

go to eBay, purchase yourself a copy of the E30 Restoration Guide. you'll have a better picture to make your decision after reading it.

Agreed and u need a lot and lot and lot of moolah. But I love it :love:

 

[Lionel_Koh]

I will advice u go for 89 onward 318 manual instead as the maintenance is relatively low and parts are very easy to obtain ........

Find those rust free chassis with healthy engine and u might just need to change the wear and tear later on ......

If possible get those with bodykit (original if possible ) , sport rim and lowered suspension if u can cos u going to spend more if u wanted to get it future ........

Expect to pay more for very good condition E30 and as Mizhan said .......Unless u really love the E30, if not go to E36 instead .......To restore an E30 will not be cheap and some of the members here spent lot of money to rebuilt the car and those money spent can buy an E36 or even E46 cash ....

So think carefully before u make any decision ..........

Good Luck ............

 

[kgb]

whymengy, only go down the E30 road if you are most passionate about it and know exactly what you're getting yourself into.. otherwise you will run out of patience (and moolah) especially if your expectations are high. in which case, an E36 is more suitable.

go to eBay, purchase yourself a copy of the E30 Restoration Guide. you'll have a better picture to make your decision after reading it.

I agree in principle. If you expect PERFECTION, you'll probably spend every penny you earn. But if you manage to get a nice unit with no crack in dash, minimal rust and reasonable running condition, spending few K here and there should do the trick.

Yes, i can easily justify spending another 20-30K on my car hehehehe but even as it is, it looks okey, drives and feels like UDM.

Myself just returned back from Penang. Check with seller if he agrees to give you the car to test drive to KL and back, tell him its standard practice for BMW Malaysia heheheheh :top:

 

[fabianyee]

There are cases where some nice pre-facelift E30 being sold for

 

[astroboy]

E30 really so great meh?! I hate the brakes.. kns! designed for left hand drive car with vacuum pump mounted on the passenger side of the fire wall, brake pedal has to connect with a long link across the fire wall to get to the pump, and the worst part is the brake tak makan wan.

The wiper also swing from right to left instead of the normal right hand drive swing pattern, and the steering column is not even pointing straight to the driver's seat, more like pointing to the b-pillar.. :stupid: If I not wrong, the engine mounting orientation was designed to avoid Left Hand Drive steering column but not right hand drive..

But I must admit its still a head turner when ever I see one..

I was told Puspakom can be a pain when doing inspection on such old car during transfer of ownership. When they notice welding marks bigger than an A4 size paper, they will start to scrap on whichever surface they wish to ensure the car is not kereta sambung.. damn turn off.. something you need to be prepared.

Like what mizhan said, best know what u are getting into. Best get a Left hand drive wide body variant..

Good luck! :top:

 

[whymengy]

I will advice u go for 89 onward 318 manual instead as the maintenance is relatively low and parts are very easy to obtain ........

Find those rust free chassis with healthy engine and u might just need to change the wear and tear later on ......

If possible get those with bodykit (original if possible ) , sport rim and lowered suspension if u can cos u going to spend more if u wanted to get it future ........

Expect to pay more for very good condition E30 and as Mizhan said .......Unless u really love the E30, if not go to E36 instead .......To restore an E30 will not be cheap and some of the members here spent lot of money to rebuilt the car and those money spent can buy an E36 or even E46 cash ....

So think carefully before u make any decision ..........

Good Luck ............

Thanks for the suggestion, i guess i'll stick to looking for a 318 manual but anyhow tomorrow i'll still go take a look at the 320, just to get to know more about the car.

I agree in principle. If you expect PERFECTION, you'll probably spend every penny you earn. But if you manage to get a nice unit with no crack in dash, minimal rust and reasonable running condition, spending few K here and there should do the trick.

Yes, i can easily justify spending another 20-30K on my car hehehehe but even as it is, it looks okey, drives and feels like UDM.

Myself just returned back from Penang. Check with seller if he agrees to give you the car to test drive to KL and back, tell him its standard practice for BMW Malaysia heheheheh :top:

Never knew it would set me back so far for this car no wonder rarely see mint ones on the road these days...

There are cases where some nice pre-facelift E30 being sold for

 

[whymengy]

E30 really so great meh?! I hate the brakes.. kns! designed for left hand drive car with vacuum pump mounted on the passenger side of the fire wall, brake pedal has to connect with a long link across the fire wall to get to the pump, and the worst part is the brake tak makan wan.

The wiper also swing from right to left instead of the normal right hand drive swing pattern, and the steering column is not even pointing straight to the driver's seat, more like pointing to the b-pillar.. :stupid: If I not wrong, the engine mounting orientation was designed to avoid Left Hand Drive steering column but not right hand drive..

But I must admit its still a head turner when ever I see one..

I was told Puspakom can be a pain when doing inspection on such old car during transfer of ownership. When they notice welding marks bigger than an A4 size paper, they will start to scrap on whichever surface they wish to ensure the car is not kereta sambung.. damn turn off.. something you need to be prepared.

Like what mizhan said, best know what u are getting into. Best get a Left hand drive wide body variant..

Good luck! :top:

E30 really is great! and in my view is one of the most everlasting looking beauties around... hmm, i didn;t know that the car has some funny quirks on our right hand drive variant...

I agree with Mizhan, i should really get to know it more before i take the plunge

 

[akuladee]

I am a proud owner of E30 320i living in Kulim. If you need my help, I can go with you to look at the car. I can even bring you to my E30 mechanics, close to Toyota show room in Kulim, to look at it - 012 4901752

 

[gizmoz82]

I am a proud owner of E30 320i living in Kulim. If you need my help, I can go with you to look at the car. I can even bring you to my E30 mechanics, close to Toyota show room in Kulim, to look at it - 012 4901752

this hari raya i'll be in kulim..we can have some teh tarik...:listen:

 

[Bruce_Z]

To be a "successful" E30 owner, It also helps if you are a DIY monkey! There are countless things to do fix...until your mechanic also sick of you, unless your expectations is low and maintain the car to just jalan only. Anyway, know yourself and listen to the advices here before your decide.

 

[Rastabimmer]

Damage a lot of money to maintain & solid my 1984 e30 320i..huhu! Semakin hari semakin sayang..semakin tua semakin berharga... go for it bro! E30 is the best! Come join our Northern Region TT... we can talk talk about e30..hehe..

 

[BobTheBuilder]

Bro whymengy: Any update on your E30 search?

I just got mine about 3 months ago. Condition about 5/10. But I'm happy with it coz I only paid RM5000 for it. It's been financially challenging for repairs so far. But i love my E30 baby no matter what.

Before i got the car, i was worried about maintenance cost too. But now i just don't care so much about cost anymore. As long as i can drive my UDM. So take the plunge and become an E30 owner. You won't regret it, i can assure you that.

 

[BobTheBuilder]

Bro Rasta: Sama la kita...

 

[Rastabimmer]

Bro Rasta: Sama la kita...

Terbaek bob! E30 is the best...puas layan E30,especially cornering..hehe..layanz..:top: