Do I need a BMW E30 - what to do? (Small update)

I say GO FOR IT - black e30s are where its at!!

I reckon the cars worth somewhere around £3500. It will only appreciate as long as you keep it well. What's he asking? If you don't want it let me know - a couple of my mates want one after seeing mine.

I didnt get a 325i Sport because of the scary MPG, double the cost of a good 318is and the import tax to bring it back here was 5times as much :S

You can fairly easily retrofit Aircon - it came in a fair few e30s and it's been done. I wouldnt bother though.

Making a sport e30 touring/saloon is a bit more complicated then fitting the LSD and kit. Some non-sport 325i Sports came with LSDs, but the suspension is the major difference. Drive a sport, then drive a standard e30 and you'll see the difference!



On a side note... TRG - get a 318is, not a 318. another 25bhp, much more tuning potential, handle better and cost the same to insure...

If you cant sell the GTI, could you not give it to the missus to use or something?

A fair few people have done the 2.7l mod - seems like alot of hassle to me though for such a small increase in displacement. The gearbox, diff and clutch could easily take it.

The BMW wont be slower than your Golf, it just may be a different kind of quick

MPG wise you'll suffer though - from what I've read you're looking at around 25mpg normal use :S

Do your parents have a large driveway? Any mates with barns? I only have 2 of my cars on my land

don't let a good Black sport pass you by - they don't come along very often!

Difficult choice! I bought a 316i Touring a few weeks ago with a minor front end crumple, bought all the bits to fix it up and did most of the work before just leaving it to sit after the tax ran out! It's the only BMW I actually like, they are damn near bulletproof, easy enough to work on, and are supposed to be a hoot to drive (although I wouldn't know because I've got a massive current drain on mine somewhere - either that or a knackered battery! Whichever, I've still not driven it anywhere!)

I will admit though, I do like the idea of what Toby from PPC has done, fitting a 535 motor and a turbo - he reckons he's put it together for under a grand!

Whoa! Beemer six pot doesn't do anything a mkII Golf can't do?

Listen with your ears to that sweet Beemer music. Only problem is, maximum aural enjoyment has a financial cost (ie boot it and it'll drink da juice!).

MPG - I once got 26mpg out of a Rover P6B V8 auto so I believe that low 30s is possible with the Beemer depending on driving. Amazing how good your mpg can be if you manage to cruise at 60mph for most of the time!

A change is always good, shame all having 3 isnt an option! Keep the mk1 either way tho, that car is teh nutz. Eskimo nutz. change the mk2 for some rear drive fun!

Hmm... yes, my parents have a big driveway but unfortunately I inherited my love of old cars from my Dad so their drive is already full... 4x baywindow VW's, a splitty and a Beetle at last count!

Right, I actually found myself thinking about this thread last night on the way back from the pub..

Like you, I'm a VW man to the core, but have always had a soft spot for the E30. I bought one, a nice one, and yes, it's good, but you know there's just 'something' about it that doesn't do it for me.

It's partly the VW thing I think, I like being part of that group and I love the variety of all of em, variants, all vans, early passats, baja's, you get spoilt by all of it.

I've started to get into the BMW side of things there is far less variety. The only real flagship is the E30 M3 and everyone just messes themselves over MTech II kitted 325 sports. There's no love for a well done 316, no-one has anytime for obscure mods that don't fit in.

The car is one thing, but for me, I now realise it's more than that. Try the beemer, but I really really urge you to keep the golf before you decide to swop.

The rwd thing is good to try but after a while you realise that a lot is made of it and it's not the be all and end all.

oh, and as said before, it will be 25mpg. I assure you, I drive a 320 everyday and used to drive a 325, you will not get 30mpg. These engines were thirsty in 1989, nowadays they just look ridiculous.

But, as said, you're a car man, try it, you wont lose the cash and you might regret it if you don't.

James

Excellent points Picton - thanks for the reply. I do wonder what kind of following old Beemer's have and if it's anything like that of VW's as like you I like all old VW's including aircooled ones.

Interesting points about there being little appreciation for smaller engined or more 'basic' E30's, in the VW world a basic Golf in good nick, particularly with some choice mods, can get just as much attention as a top-spec model as you know.




It is a dilema, it's funny how us 'car types' put ourselves in this position and worry about what to do when really it doesn't matter and the best thing would probably be to just stick with what we know. I know every nut and bolt on the Golfs and they are as fun, reliable, quick, economical as you could want for that type of car... and yet, something else comes along and I suddenly fancy a change! Funny old business!

Anyone else got any comments to add?