Wtb: e30 BMW

[rmonheim]

I know it's not Miata related but I figure someone here might be able to help. Trying to help someone find a stock or mildly prepped e30 for autox use. If you know someone or some place that has one for sale, I'd love to know.

Thanks

[johnwag]

email: [email protected]

Those guys can likely point you in the right direction.

[ken o]

Good luck I have been looking for one for several months.

[danzo]

They are out there in stock form, you just have to be patient. I got mine while in Los Angeles and it took about 3 months to come across one that wasn't riced out. Didn't get my first choice of year/color but it was bone stock (even original damn radio) with working a/c and zero rust. Use the Force.

Are you planning to run it in STX?

[rmonheim]

They are out there in stock form, you just have to be patient. I got mine while in Los Angeles and it took about 3 months to come across one that wasn't riced out. Didn't get my first choice of year/color but it was bone stock (even original damn radio) with working a/c and zero rust. Use the Force.

Are you planning to run it in STX?

I don't think it will be run with scca, so not really worried about class. I've actually found a few stock ones on CL, but they don't seem to be cared for like they need to be. The last thing we need is a money pit.

[danzo]

ER mirrors the SCCA classing, which you prolly already knew. Will it be run only with BMW/NTAXS/PCA? E30s are competitive in STX if modded properly. Will it be a DD and autocross car? What year/color(s) are you looking for? I know a few e30 peeps so I can keep the feelers out. Keep in mind you most likely won't find a perfect one (parts are cheap), these suckers are 22+ years old. If you do find a perfect example the seller will want $6k for it.

[rmonheim]

ER mirrors the SCCA classing, which you prolly already knew. Will you run it only with BMW/NTAXS/PCA? E30s are competitive in STX if modded properly. Will it be a DD and autocross car? What year/color(s) are you looking for? I know a few e30 peeps so I can keep the feelers out. Keep in mind you most likely won't find a perfect one, these suckers are 22+ years old. If you do find a perfect example the seller will want $6k for it.

Well it's for my brother, who I brought out last weekend to the ntaxs event. He's hooked now and wants something better suited to autox than his TL. It doesn't need to be scca competitive, but just be more fun and also a DD. I was thinking a later 318is would be the best bet. Any color will do. We're not completely ready to buy one yet, I just want to see what's out there.

[sammm]

EricJ here on the forum had a 318 for sale at one time...don't know if he still does or not.

[rmonheim]

EricJ here on the forum had a 318 for sale at one time...don't know if he still does or not.

Yeah I talked to him about that, but it had too many miles (183k) and a few issues.

[danzo]

Your brother might consider a few things:

- Any 20+ year old car will have lots of miles. In addition, e30 odometers always fail around 150-200k, so the mileage really can't be trusted.
- Maybe focus on what has been replaced/damaged over the years.
- A late 318is will go for significantly more money than a 325i in similar condition.
- It's easy to swap a 5 speed into an auto car.


There were a few design changes over the years. BMW went with plastic bumpers/different taillights in '89+, driver airbag was added in '90 I think. The gas tank grew larger in '86 and used a simpler single fuel pump setup (earlier cars can be updated) that is less prone to fuel starvation when cornering. All 325is cars came with a 3.73LSD with an option for a 4.10LSD (too high for my taste), though it's very easy to swap diffs and there are a ton of ratios out there. That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck and let us know if you find a potential purchase.

[modernbeat]

Well it's for my brother, who I brought out last weekend to the ntaxs event. He's hooked now and wants something better suited to autox than his TL. It doesn't need to be scca competitive, but just be more fun and also a DD. I was thinking a later 318is would be the best bet. Any color will do. We're not completely ready to buy one yet, I just want to see what's out there.

If he really wants it for track and autocross use I HIGHLY recommend he look for an E36 instead. The balance is better, the brakes are better, the suspension is miles better, they can accept bigger tires, have more aftermarket support and can still be found cheap and in good condition because you don't have to pay the "it's cool" collector tax on them.

For competition use the E30 is hobbled by so many issues that they are difficult to develop well, and expensive once done right. The E36 fixes most of the inherent faults and has room for more performance.

[jrj512]

the suspension is miles better

Widow-maker rear suspension.

[EricJ]

I still have the 318ti. It's an E36/5. E36 front suspension and E30'ish rear. This one is a '95 Club Sport (only 354 made), so it has upgraded springs and sway bars, (PO put Bilstein HDs on), LSD, M body kit, and M interior. It would be a better track car than autocrosser, although there is a guy in Ohio that campaigns one. With only 140 hp at 3,100 lbs, it doesn't perform like a Miata. One of the standard upgrades is to put on a faster steering rack from a Z3. The others are to put in a supercharger or a same era 6 cylinder. I saw one on one of Robert C's MSR-H videos. I autocrossed it once, but with cheap tires it pushed a lot. They set them up just oposite of a Miata with 450\700 springs and are always trying to soften the front. Vorshlag had a special on ASTs for them. Because of the unusual suspension, upgrades are hard to find.
I'd rather work on my Miata.

Pics: http://www.318ti.org/gallery/showpho...ar-sm&cat=1054

[rmonheim]

Well, he ended up going with an e36, an M3 to be exact. We found a white '95 with only 100k on it. Expect to see it dodging some cones this season.

[MoonieGT]

The one in Addison I assume? I was going to look at that car if anyone bought my green car. I saw a post on another forum about that car. They said they felt like there was an issue with brakes on that car. Be sure to give everything a thorough inspection.

[rmonheim]

The one in Addison I assume? I was going to look at that car if anyone bought my green car. I saw a post on another forum about that car. They said they felt like there was an issue with brakes on that car. Be sure to give everything a thorough inspection.

It was the one in Addison. We had a very thorough inspection done, and there were actually no major issues, however the front rotors were very worn and I assume warped as well. We plan on replacing them. Other than that, it just has some small electrical issues, but nothing major.

[MoonieGT]

Good deal. Enjoy the car.

[modernbeat]

He'll be happier with the E36 over the E30. Particularly an M3 E36.

[EricJ]

Compared to a Miata, the E36 brakes are a PIA and expensive. The rears have a drum and shoes inside the disk for the parking brake with all these little springs and clips. You adjust them by flipping a little cog with a screw driver through a hole left by removing a lug bolt. To bleed the clutch you have to remove the slave and turn it upside down, bleed it, and put it back in.
I really prefer working on my Miata,

[rmonheim]

I really prefer working on my Miata,

I hear ya, I'll probably be thinking the same thing after I help him change the brakes.