E30 316/318 advice

[DrGonzoPOW]

After me destroying all my drivable motors in the past week im looking for a cheap run around. I was going to go for another van but to be honest i dont really need one anymore. Im fairly clued up on E21's now so thought an E30 would be an obvious choice as there a tad more practical and just as solid as the E21.

Currently looking at 316 and 318's, mainly for mpg as i know with having a 6 pot 325 in mine how much they chew through juice. The 4 cyl engines seem to be pretty bullet proof, so other than the usual bodywork parts what should i be looking for ?

And another question is how knickable are these cars ? It will have to be parked out on the road infront of my house.

Thankfull for any help you can sling my way. Ta

[nuke laars]

Engine wise it depends on whether you are looking at early or late cars. Early M10 cars will be bulletproof as you would experience with E21s, however the later M40 cars can suffer with wear to the cams, often leading to inablity to rev past 4k. Most people don't really bother doing head work on the 4 pots as it can outweigh the value of the cars, you have to live with a little valve noise in these older engines (mine is noisy on start up, can take miles to settle down). Despite that the M40 is a nice revvy engine that can be rewarding if you keep it on the boil.

Most poor running can be put down to servicing - Split vacum hoses, clogged ICV/TPS/AFM, blue temperature sensor.

Diffs can become noisy but can be driven forever like that.

Knocking at the rear on hard acceleration can be the rear beam bushes. Squeaking, possibly rear top mounts.

As you mention rust, the worst problem! Arches - outer and inner (take off the rear quarter interior cards if you can), front scuttle, sunroof, jacking points, floors, everywhere!

Knickable with a teaspoon, even with the deadlocks on!

All said and done, the E30 is a rewarding car to drive, light, nimble and communicative, although the steering rack is slow (many convert to an E46 rack). There is lots of tuning potential, with the exception of engines (cone filters and sports exhuasts are a waste of time/money).

Hope it helps, will add to it as and when I think of anything.
Worth checking out the wiki on E30zone.net

Good luck!

[DrGonzoPOW]

Nice info. Many thanks! The nickable bit is a problem. I live in a nice area but thats what brings the t**ts in looking for things to pinch. Just sold my motocross bike cause im sick of people breaking into the garage to try steal it.

Might make my own little security device like i did with the E21. Just put an inline fuse between the motronic loom and the fuel pump. I just unlpug that and the car wont go anywhere.

What years did the M40's start at ? Cheers

[e21-Mark]

My track car has a quick release steering wheel. The boss was £40 from Sparco. Even if they get it started corners might present a bit of a problem.

[DrGonzoPOW]

Now thats an idea!

Could i fit something like that to a standard car without removing any of the plastic surround on the steering column ?

[rob0r]

Does the boss have any play Mark? I hear the non expensive ones can have movement problems.

I've driven E30s continuously for the last 6 years including 318i, 318is, 325i and 335i. If you can afford one, get a 318is or a 316i or 318i with the 318is M42 swap. A 318is spec E30 is a very capable car. Mine did 30mpg no matter how hard I drove it, but I only got a max of 33mpg. I don't believe 316i or 318i are much if any better on fuel. My 325i was doing 25mpg if I was lucky, the 335i more like 20mpg.

318i are easily fast enough day to day and are likely to be much cheaper than a 318is. M40s are also belt driven opposed to chain on the M42 or M10.

The worst rust is mentioned above, another couple of sore spots are the boot bins behind the rear wheels and the rear valance itself.

I'm currently E30less and I'm looking to change this asap, the trouble might be that you don't want to go back to E21s...

[DrGonzoPOW]

Well i was going to just go for another van, and a bloke who works for my mate was going to sell me a Berlingo for cheap, but when i went to see it i was less than impressed. So i thought i may as well get another car as i just dont need the van anymore. I sold my mx bike which is the main reason i liked having one anyway.

Insurance is just crackers at the mo but if i get an e30 it'll be about 150 quid apposed to 700 for a modern car. Makes sense really as i wont be doing massive miles with my current work.

[e21-Mark]

Does the boss have any play Mark? I hear the non expensive ones can have movement problems.

None whatsoever. It's a cracking bit of kit and makes getting in and out way more easy for me.

I must admit, much as it pains me to admit it, I love driving an e30 on track. It runs, drives and handles brilliantly. In fact, it's out paced several more expensive cars around Brands despite having me behind the wheel. It surprised a few people at Crystal Palace a couple of weeks ago too. Added to that, bits are cheap & plentiful. My Mrs is looking at getting one for work duties rather than using her tii all the time. If I had the dough I would have Jasons M powered one in a hearbeat.

I wouldn't be without an e21 though.

[rob0r]

If you're looking for a van, get a touring!

[DrGonzoPOW]

Went to see one the other day but it was well dodgy. Footwells were soaked. The compartments in the boot were full of water and the engine bay was all stained yellow like it had blown its header tank. The bloke advertised it as mint!

[nuke laars]

What years did the M40's start at ? Cheers

1987-95

http://www.bmwheaven.com/database/engine.php

the engine bay was all stained yellow like it had blown its header tank

Engine bays were sprayed with a protective coating, over the years it tends to go yellow, more noticable on light coloured cars.

Yes, rear battery trays! Thanks wiz0r!

As mentioned, the danger of owning an E30 is that you may like it a little too much! I was trying to decide whether to sell my E21 or E30 not so long ago, going to keep both for for now because it should've been the E30 to make way for something small and economical. Just enjoy it too much to be parted with it!

E21-Mark
I own your old 316 - PSL ***Y, bought it last year from Paul. Been meaning to post some photos of it and introduce myself on here.

[DrGonzoPOW]

It was a white car and yellow stains were all over the engine bay. Didnt look like a protective coating to be honest. The oil was a bit gunky cuz i whipped the cap off before he could start it. It also looked to have a brand new radiator on but he told me it had just been steam cleaned! Something was deffo dodgy about it anyways!

Loads of E30's on the internet at the mo but everythings always down fuggin south!! There's never owt good up in dirty yorkshire

[drjim]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-318is ... 4ab88dfaea

Think you could locate this one

[rob0r]

Thats as cheap as they get... My 318is was £350 but that was a proper bargain, and very rough!

[drjim]

If it wasn't for the fact that I am skint and selling cars etc I would go and buy that for a laugh. Gonzo used to live in Stockport, so he'll be able to find his way there to look at it!