E30 as first car?

[evilnickwong]

Yes, but the galvanization isn't exactly what I would call 100% rust-proof. I should know, I drive a '91 M40 as well lol. Still can have corrosion issues, but definitely not as bad as the pre-facelift models.

 

[B33mEr]

Yes, but the galvanization isn't exactly what I would call 100% rust-proof. I should know, I drive a '91 M40 as well lol. Still can have corrosion issues, but definitely not as bad as the pre-facelift models.

On which part of the car did rust set in bro???

 

[chili e30]

what i know if the car been accident before but did not do proper under coat it would be rust.i mean galvanized body.

 

[evilnickwong]

On which part of the car did rust set in bro???

For me I have a bit of rust on the rear panel under the tail lights, right where the rear panel joins to the rear quarter panel.

Also the rocker panels a little, altho that's probably due to damage from improper jacking techniques earlier in its life haha.

 

[ejfong]

heyya fellow e30 lovers
had mine since 2008, yea i agree they dun make cars like they used to. e30 m40 b18. confident at corners and smooth on straights. i'd say its a bitter sweet experience, overall if u get a good sample its a reliable ol girl. mine's been kind to me so far

 

[chili e30]

i noticed there is some apek in my town still driving e30 cause they know e30 always is a e30 and even is a safer car compare to other car.wanna know how safe is it just buy a pack of friskies for the cat and ask him,i mean pussy.

cabuz....

 

[zlurp]

Wow this is an amazing forum! Thank you to everyone for all your QUICK and informative responses as so many members have given me advice i'll reply to everyone here.

I just got back from a few drinks with my friend who turns out to be Muffinz and he's a very very proud E36 owner. It'll be a lot of fun if were both driving 3 series'.

evilnickwong: 5k is a lot after loan and petrol. But i guess its what is needed for most second hand cars. Did yours come with an m40? And what did you look for in the condition when buying?

fabian: my second option is some Malaysian car, but omg i dont want to drive malaysian anymore.... If I have an E30 i'll definitely be stepping on it. Do you think an E30 is too old to be speeding around all day?

teknokrat: I've been reading up n talking to ppl and I've learned a few things like choosing '88 model and later for the galvanized body and the forum here has good info on maintenance costs. You mentioned that a lot of workshops can repair an E30 easily, but as I live in hartamas is there a good workshop around this area that allows me to bring in my own parts?

SimpleSoul: only one breakdown in 3 years is pretty damn good! I hope I can get something like that. Was it luck in choosing yours or what did you look for?

gizmo: I'm not planning to change engine at all till I get another car after the E30 so I should be ok with that. But I'll probably swap to a larger BMW engine..

kombat_kanan: you're absolutely right. reliability is my wallets concern, but in my heart I want the E30 because it is an amazing car to drive. It is the perfect continental car to drift. Prestige, looks and handling all in one package. Were your maintenance costs engine related? Would having an m40 1.8 be generally cheaper to maintain? I really can't afford 5 figures... bro that's like my yearly salary already! And do most E30's come with the m40? or is it an engine I have to put in myself?

sk30: I'm reading more about the engine types. m40 seems to be the superman of engines. I'll want to find an E30 that has one.

chili: thanks I will be PMing you after this. I'm not Stanleys friend sorry, but dont let him get a good E30!! its mine..

tombstone: this is exactly what im afraid of. rust after 2 years is ok (ive been driving a wira with rust issues for some time now, but its a wira so i dont really give a damn), but rust i can tahan. im more worried about mechanical failures. the problem is that if i get a proton now as my first car, by the time I can afford a second car I will be too old and will have to get something more family oriented.

Thanks so much again guys! I think I'm pretty much sold on the E30. One problem, does anyone know how I can take a loan for an E30? as its an old car, not sure if banks will authorize a loan for me.

I definitely want to come for the next TT session! Any idea on when that might be? Tomm maybe? The day after?

Jeffrey sorry about jumping straight into the questions, ill do the template thing soon. The link doesnt work tho, takes me back to the forum homepage. Will find it and complete. TQ TQ!

 

[Lionel_Koh]

I think ur case is quite simple.....

E30 is a icon for BMW and d looks is evergreen at least for me....Handling is good of cause wit the proper set up....

Let put it tis way.....The maintainance always depend d condition of d car u getting .....For easy maintainance, get newer 318 manual as the engine is very simple n easy to maintain...

But trust me the money u going to spend more not really to engine maintainance....Started to mod it will make u crazy.....Bodykit,rim,suspension,exhaust,interior etc....

As for me...spend more then 25k since I got mine last year but the money spend is to restore it back to tip top condition with complete Mtec 2 kit,ACS rim,suspension ,interior etc.....

So let face d reality tat good thing never cheap so tip top condition E30 will not be cheap but save lot of ur money in future......

My car is up for sale if u interested but its not cheap as I said but in very good condition from inside out.....

Good luck in ur hunt......

 

[evilnickwong]

The 5k a year I mentioned is just a rough safe limit in terms of what you need to do to the car, not neccesarily what you'll need every year. Don't doubt it, every year there will definitely be a couple things going wrong that you need to fix.

If it were me, the most important thing would be rust free chassis and overall mechanical condition. The paintwork and aesthetics can be changed to your own taste easily.

 

[fabianyee]

Galvanised body panels are rust resistant not rust proof...
trapped leaves underneath the panels can also cause rust.. Have to remove the fenders or exterior panels only can spot...

Having the E30 as daily car can be cheap or expensive affair depending very much on your starting point... U can get a cheap car to start with but ended up spending $$$ and time to bring it up to spec or get a more expensive but well taken off car and safe the trouble and headaches... Don't rush into buying... Test drive more samples before deciding...

fabian: my second option is some Malaysian car, but omg i dont want to drive malaysian anymore.... If I have an E30 i'll definitely be stepping on it. Do you think an E30 is too old to be speeding around all day?

Ur definition of stepping on it and mine is probably different.. hahaha.. Sometimes I felt so so confident with the car that it's scary, the handling limit is so high.. The scary part is that when shit happens, it happens at higher speed... So it's good to have a slow car to drive to 'tame' myself.. hahahaha... Oh btw, my 318i is not standard issue.. And if I give you a ride in my car, confirm you'll get one tomoro.. hahahaha... That's how Jonniez got poisoned...

 

[genozide]

Bro,
Remember this E30 is a cult car...still sought after by many enthusiast...Tell me someone who doesnt give a 2nd a look to a well maintained E30?

Rust is something associated to E30...including the galvanised...I am for one does not believe in galvanised body...Lets face the facts...They do provide some protection...but for certain periods only...The Zinc Oxides will be sacrificed first before the corrosion occurs on the steel body.

If you wanna keep E30 for sometime, rust treatment works are a must...

Mechanically they are pretty sound...Parts are available whether they are used/brand new (OEM or BMW) and are reliable...

The joy comes in when you drive in a mechanically sorted E30...It's like a go kart to me...and not forgetting the looks I get when I tekan the old bucket into 200 km/h...priceless...

Damn! I miss the bugger since it out being restored... Can't wait to be behind the wheel again...

Enuff said...get one now

 

[teejay]

Oh btw, my 318i is not standard issue.. And if I give you a ride in my car, confirm you'll get one tomoro.. hahahaha... That's how Jonniez got poisoned...

If i give you a ride in my E30, you will get one on the spot.....or get mine , if you can afford it......:rock:.....my posion much more effective than Fabian's.......:burnout:

 

[kombat_kanan]

i think this is the best racun :listen:

bro go get a well taken care of m20b25. trust me you wont be disappointed listening to the engine growl past 5,000 rpm. then you can do this. did this with a standard auto box. wonder how manual will drive you? :listen: and my car is 26 years old already (the car not the engine).

if you want 4-cyl better find the IS version. then you can cucuk e46 with fake ///M emblems around town. hahha..

 

[gizmoz82]

i think this is the best racun :listen:

bro go get a well taken care of m20b25. trust me you wont be disappointed listening to the engine growl past 5,000 rpm. then you can do this. did this with a standard auto box. wonder how manual will drive you? :listen: and my car is 26 years old already (the car not the engine).

if you want 4-cyl better find the IS version. then you can cucuk e46 with fake ///M emblems around town. hahha..

bro what your diff ratio?my manual m20b20 manual also can pass more 200kmh but rpm more than 6k...bcos i'm using 4.27

 

[fabianyee]

bro what your diff ratio?my manual m20b20 manual also can pass more 200kmh but rpm more than 6k...bcos i'm using 4.27

that looks like it's on 3.73 final drive...

 

[kombat_kanan]

thanks fabian for answering it.

yes gizmoz its most prbably 3.73. never really know though cause never really checked. i think the tag on diffs karat already. any other way to check aa?

 

[tombstone]

bro tombstone,1997 model & below only got rust issue.

no la bro...if a 92/93 e36 can rust, what more a post 1988 e30?? too many factors that can contribute to rust...each car could have a different possibility but end result is still the same...RUST RUST RUST to those recommending the m40, it has its own share of problems, most common = worn cam... its a noted failure, even bmw admits it.i 'll try to post my journey (the pics) when i restored my ex-e30....maybe can share share the experience, joy despair and also wallet bursting restoration.

 

[AAM]

nice car with 2 different sets of rims. you said ex......where is it now?

 

[Arya Rajapati]

I have been using my E30 320IA (6 cylinder Bosch L Jetronic 1985) for the past 16 years for daily usage...still going..maintenance is okay if you know the workshop and buy your own spare parts. i have been servicing my car at MS Auto chan sow lin and buying parts at First Division.

If breakdown, you should understand the symptom, then it is easy to troubleshoot and diagnose. Sometimes the symptom shows before breakdown. eg. winging sound from rear left, that show your fuel pump is going to kaput, lampu malap & dash meter malap means alternator not charging (check carbon brush)or battery going kaput, etc etc.

Parts can be purchase the parts in any state if you know your supplier or club member. (wang kredit dalam bank, barang hartar pakai bus, 10kg)

see how easy & efficient.... understand (SOP) standard of practice....no worries...

 

[RottieBoy]

great as a first car! esp the m40 engine (cheapest ot maintain)

just remember THREE things
1) get a RUST-FREE model
2) get a WELL maintained model
3) get a RUST-FREE MODEL

if u get the above - and dont worry pay a few K more for it.. you will love the car...

if not you will end up spending another 5-15K+ to put it right!! ...