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!