Good e30 Forum

e21Keith
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Good e30 Forum

Post by e21Keith »

I've just bought another e30, an H reg 325i cabriolet, manual in white. This is by no means my first e30, I've had somewhere between 30 and 40 of them over the years, every model from the 316 to the iconic but over rated M3, a properly sorted 325 manual is my favourite.

Does anyone know of a good e30 forum? I know of one UK based e30 forum but I grew up and left it about 10 years ago as I just wasn't interested in lowering the car to within an inch of it's life and turning it into a West London Special, OE spec is what I'm interested in as I think BMW got them just about perfect when they left the factory (as long as you buy the right spec). There's virtually nothing on Bimmerforums or the BMW club.


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Jeroen
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by Jeroen »

There's enough E30 knowledge gathered here I reckon :wink: just shoot your Q's haha

Personally I don't think the E30 M3 is over rated, but it certainly is becoming over valued!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
e21Keith
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by e21Keith »

I found the dogleg 'box awkward and the LHD was a real issue for me, not because I can't drive a left hooker, but because I travel so much with business to Europe and the US, I found myself driving on the wrong side of the road when I got into it. Performance wise the M3 wasn't that much quicker than a decent 325i and it was just a bit harsh to drive every day. I also had an e46 M3 and traded that for a 330Ci which I also reckon was the better car.

There's not much I don't know about the e30 myself, more interested in buying bits at sensible prices.
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uwbuurman
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by uwbuurman »

Congrats on the 325i cabriolet! Any pics?

This is mine

Image
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
e21Keith
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by e21Keith »

I only have the link to the eBay listing as I picked it up at 10.30 on Sunday evening, 20 mins after the listing ended.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325i-Cabr ... true&rt=nc

It's the usual thing, driver's seat shredded, NSF wing rusty, central locking doesn't work, neither do the electric mirrors, clutch just starting to slip, hood doesn't work. it has a new hood and front wishbones, engine runs great, drives OK, lots of service history. This is probably the 8or 10th e30 cabriolet I have owned, most were 325s, the best was a '93 325i Cabriolet manual in red with black leather, 28,000 miles from new, it still smelly like new inside and I so wish I had never sold it, one of the best in the UK.

This one I will do something with the hood, convert it to manual if I can't fix it, sort the interior, do the clutch, leave the bodywork until funds allow but I will be removing and filling the holes for the useless BMW imobiliser. The central locking and mirrors will be because the loom has rotted at the A post, I think I have a brand new clutch in my loft and a set of centre caps. A leather interior will be on the list of things to do as well. This one I'm going to sort and keep for a very long time. These cars are just so easy to work on!
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Jeroen
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by Jeroen »

Not too bad sir!
e21Keith wrote:The central locking and mirrors will be because the loom has rotted at the A post
Agree, these cars are a joy to work on and straight forward. Central locking and mirrors, yup usually corrosion in the A-pillar plug or wiring damaged when the Stevie Wonders in E30 land tried to fit a stereo.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
e21Keith
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by e21Keith »

http://s36.photobucket.com/user/e21Keit ... sort=3&o=0

Hope the link works, this was my first e30 a '93 318i Cabriolet lux. Note the bottom of the sump is missing where the engine was pushed back into the bulkhead, the prop was folded over, the rear suspension was toeing in because of the shunt through the drivetrain, the dash was broken and there were teeth marks in the steering wheel.

I repaired this car and drove it for quite a while.
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uwbuurman
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by uwbuurman »

I like the white one!
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
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Jeroen
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by Jeroen »

Better than the damaged one haha

Image
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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uwbuurman
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by uwbuurman »

Yep, the blue one is a little... Ehm.... Short....
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by TopCat »

I think the title is an oxymoron!
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e21Keith
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by e21Keith »

Indeed, it should have had a question mark at the end!

Perhaps you like the look of the blue one post repairs?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e1/e2 ... a0b242.jpg
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Jeroen
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by Jeroen »

never seen any damage sir!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by Microang »

Man you must know a great mechanic and love that car dearly
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Re: Good e30 Forum

Post by KeithM5 »

It was all my own work, I did everything excluding the paintwork.

The engine was pushed back into the bulkhead and had pushed the radio out of the dashboard, the gearbox was damaged but the engine was fine apart from the front cover and pulleys.
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