Stu
Posted a lot
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Hello, I'm currently pondering over whether I need to buy my mates car which he'll be selling shortly. It's a black, pretty standard '89 BMW 325i Sport, see pics below, in very good condition.   The problem is that it doesn't really do anything that my Golf Mk2 can't, similar power (170 odd bhp ish?), probably more torque granted, about the same size, it's lacking the practicality of the hatchback and extra doors the Golf has. Of course, that's all said with my sensible head on... in reality I like the look of it, the noise it makes and the fact I've never had a RWD car makes me want it.... this one has a LSD too...  So, firstly - what kind of price would this car be worth? Loads of service history, all in good working order, think it's done about 140k miles but well looked after, original BBS wheels re-furbed, good interior aside from worn drivers seat. How are these cars for depreciation? I know my Golf's would both fetch about the same, or probably more, than I paid for them hence a reasonable investment. Are E30's the same if bought at the right price? Secondly - what's the tuning potential for it, on a reasonable buget? It's a 2.5L 6 cyl so presumably there's a lot more power to be had from it than standard. Not really interested (or got the money for) engine swaps and it goes pretty well as it is, just wondering for future reference? Ideally I'd have to sell one of my other cars to make space and cash, but it'd be very difficult to part with either. The early Mk1 is a rare car these days, and not 'rare' in the ebay sense either, and the Mk2 I've spent a lot of time and money upgrading and it's never let me down. Mk2...  Mk1...  On the other hand... should I stray from VW's at all... outside my 'comfort zone'...!  ;D Any thoughts (and pics for inspiration)? I suppose I could buy the BMW as well as the others but space, tax, insurance, fuel, servicing bits etc would all be a bit costly... maybe I just don't need another car?  Sorry to ramble on... the thoughts of caning this Beemer around the Nurburgring with the windows down... sideways... is keeping me awake at night...! Cheers Stu |
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Last Edit: Mar 5, 2007 21:16:08 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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How about going siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiideways? ;D
I think you should do it.
The 325iSport is always in high demand, so prices are not going to fall any I think. A solid-gold future investment, and a great car to boot. Do it.
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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I think you should do it. The 325iSport is always in high demand, so prices are not going to fall any I think. A solid-gold future investment, and a great car to boot. Do it. Cheers Pog - what kind of money do these usually go for in good condition?  |
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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How about going siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiideways? ;D I think you should do it. The 325iSport is always in high demand, so prices are not going to fall any I think. A solid-gold future investment, and a great car to boot. Do it. ^^ What he said. |
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Go for the BMW. ;D Keep the MkI though, obviously.
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Skyline: 1963 - 1973 - 1983
Sunny: 1982
450SLC: 1973
Navara: 1992
Gloria: 1992
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Feb 21, 2007 11:26:52 GMT
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Lots of votes for the Beemer, you Golf haters you!  Would I be able to insure this car on a classic policy? I have one on my Mk1 but that's much older, never tried on my Mk2 as that's on a modified policy - the BMW is 18 years old I suppose - anyone got one covered on a classic policy? Dare I ask what kind of mpg I might get out of this thing in normal use...? |
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Feb 21, 2007 11:49:41 GMT
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Stu,
When I had my 325i SE, I was getting low 30's MPG when driving sensibly....
Lovely car, and pretty quick - on a par with my 16v Mk2 (I had both at the same time so was easy to compare)
They are lovely looking cars too....
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Feb 21, 2007 12:06:03 GMT
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Lots of votes for the Beemer, you Golf haters you! Would I be able to insure this car on a classic policy? I have one on my Mk1 but that's much older, never tried on my Mk2 as that's on a modified policy - the BMW is 18 years old I suppose - anyone got one covered on a classic policy? Dare I ask what kind of mpg I might get out of this thing in normal use...? I love your Golfs! I've wanted one for a while now, just not as long as I've wanted an E30 two door. I used to have a dinky of one when I was growing up... Brilliant shape. Prefer the M3's but, I'd never get one of those and so the 325i is the next best thing! Surely it can only be a good thing to have one from each stable? a gokart FWD hatch and a gokart RWD sedan. Besides, straight 6's sound the best!  |
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Skyline: 1963 - 1973 - 1983
Sunny: 1982
450SLC: 1973
Navara: 1992
Gloria: 1992
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Feb 21, 2007 12:19:28 GMT
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not sure how much they are worth i was looking at 318's before xmas and they don't go for much over 600 AFAIK. id snap that up if the price is right
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Feb 21, 2007 12:31:28 GMT
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Get the beemer I have a disgustingly ropey 325i with 230,000 miles on the clock, I would love an E30 M3 but realistically I can only aspire to a nice 325i sport and lots of other people are coming to the same conclusion making the I sport rather desirable and relatively expensive when compared to other E30's but they are definitely worth it especially with the LSD (mine can be a bit of a handful sometimes without. I'm not totally sure on prices, I'd guess around 3 grand, just watch a few on GayBay and see what they finish for to get an idea I would consider the fuel consumption though particularly if you plan to modify it and use it every day as I have had mine into single figures before now, luckily its not my daily. A friend of mine with a Mk2 16v Golf GTi recently went in my 325i and was very impressed, I'm pretty sure its a little faster than his golf and it goes sideways. Here is a pic for inspiration, (except maybe a little lower) the m-tech2 kit that comes as standard on i-sports is IMO the best look for non M3 E30's |
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Feb 21, 2007 12:32:44 GMT
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They are nice, but not sure if they're nicer than the golf.
Oh, and despite what peope say, it will NOT crack 30mpg. my 320 does 28mpg if I drive very very sensibly, despite what you think, this will annoy you.......
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Feb 21, 2007 12:46:14 GMT
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Get the E30, plus its not too far out of your comfort zone its bloody german still! As for......... Secondly - what's the tuning potential for it, on a reasonable buget? It's a 2.5L 6 cyl so presumably there's a lot more power to be had from it than standard. Not really interested (or got the money for) engine swaps and it goes pretty well as it is, just wondering for future reference? ......the M20 engine is fairly tunable using the n/a route, but the compression ratio on them is quite low so they respond really well to being turbo charged. The 3.5 M30 enigne from a 5/6/7 series fits with minimal mods and can make 270 bhp with no internal mods and mental power if turbocharged (the gezza from PPC has a turbocharged E30 with a 3.5 M30 enigne producing 330 bhp at the rear wheels!) see www.e30zone.co.uk for more info ;D |
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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Feb 21, 2007 14:19:16 GMT
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Thanks all - some useful info, much appreciated. I thought as much regarding this model being 'one step down' from an E30 M3, which though I'd love, is rather out of my price range. Does the 'Sport' have any other extra bits that lower models don't aside from the body kit and LSD? I remembered on this particular one the ABS doesn't work, hopefully an easy fix - do other models have ABS that I could nick bits off? As for it being comparable, or quicker than a standard Mk2 16v Golf GTI - yes, it certainly feels quicker in terms of acceleration due to the torque, quite whether it's a match for my modified 2.0 16v Mk2 I'm not sure but it sounds like there are plenty of mods that can be done, plus is makes a much better noise! Economy is a bit of a concern in terms of a daily driver especially if modified I suppose, that said, my Mk2 probably rarely betters 30mpg unless driven like a saint. Hmmm... still thinking about it, any more opinons? Was there a 325i Sport estate/touring version made? That would be nice and solve the practicality issues. That said, I need another car at the moment like I need a hole in the head... this one's only tempting me 'cos I know it's been well looked after so shouldn't even think about any other models! Oh also, I know most people don't like it 'cos it adds weight and takes power, but I love air-con, my Mk2 has it and I would be loathed to have a daily car without - can it be retro-fitted to the BMW with parts from another suitably equipped E30? |
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Last Edit: Feb 21, 2007 14:20:56 GMT by Stu
'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Si
Part of things
(OO [][] OO)
Posts: 203
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Feb 21, 2007 14:42:39 GMT
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Woo! I had one of these, exactly like that - albeit mine was lower! My input? Do it, do it now, and do it hard You won't regret it...! No Sport Tourings made, although in theory, just get a 325i Touring, and fit the LSD & kit.. Air con? anything's possible - although for the hassle I'd live without it or find one already with it.. The fun of driving it makes up for the lack of cold air in the summer! I once had a wee race with an E30 ///M3 when I had my 325iS - admittedly the M3 had 3 people in it, but his mistake was letting me infront of him - as soon as I'd got past, he couldn't keep up by quite a long shot.. It wasn't that I had more power than him (mine was standard), and I don't think 2 passengers in his car would make such a huge difference... The E30 really is, in BMW's own words, The Ultimate Driving Experience... Man and machine in perfect harmony & all that sort of guff |
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Unseen Jersey---------------- Delica Super Exceed 2.8 Delica Super Exceed 3.0v6 "Project Bully" e36 M3 e36 318iT e36 328iT Always looking for the next project, and somewhere to put it!
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Feb 21, 2007 14:53:14 GMT
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get it for under £1k, possible over there, and once done, i'll (or any other irish sided retro'er) will lead you in the direction of a quizillion punters with about a milliontysquillion dollars each wanting to buy it |
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Feb 21, 2007 16:40:43 GMT
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you can't buy a 'real' 325i sport for a grand. |
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Feb 21, 2007 16:41:57 GMT
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You can. But it will be a total and utter shed with no hope of evAr seeing the road again and all the valuable bits knackered or missing.
£3k+++ if you want one of these, really.
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Feb 21, 2007 16:46:19 GMT
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Isn't that just the longhand version of what i said? |
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Feb 21, 2007 16:47:36 GMT
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Not quite.
It's the pedantic version of what you just said. I thought I had posted a diatribe about these already... seems I didn't... must have got distracted by something trivial.. like work.
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Feb 21, 2007 16:56:22 GMT
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How i laughed when my mate Paul (Hillbilly) paid £3.5k for a dolphin grey one with 150odd K miles about 18 months ago. Dammit if he didn't sell it on for about the same a little while later.
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;D
