any E30 issues to be aware of?

nmulax · 11-21-2008, 03:11 PM

My gf is in need of a new vehicle.
She's leaning towards finding a used SUV because she's sick of driving a sedan (just finished a lease on a Mazda 6), they're dirt cheap right now, and she only drives 10-12k/year. But she also said she'd consider a car as long as it's "fun". She also commented on liking a beautiful E30 vert that was part of a drive the BMWCCA did a few weeks ago.

I found a '90 325i vert, 70k miles, auto (she wants), a lot of preventative repairs have been done, up to date service, and it's right in our price range.

Anything I should know going into this?

gshb · 11-21-2008, 03:16 PM

cayman. girls love caymans.

MTV · 11-21-2008, 03:18 PM

As long as there's no rust and the electricals are working properly then go for it

nmulax · 11-21-2008, 04:08 PM

Damn... just heard back from the owner and it sold. Back to looking I guess.

Spec 1 · 11-21-2008, 05:00 PM

Bummer! Check for rust and electrical issues. The gauges are wacky sometimes. Timing belt on the 325i needs to be changed every 70k, 120k suspension should be replaced. Also some verts leak water so check to see if the footwell of the front passenger seat is damp. If no, you're probably good. That's about it. Engines have been known to beat 300k. Remember these were built when BMW was at it's height on build quality. Great, fun cars.

Good luck in your search!

ENINTY · 11-22-2008, 07:52 AM

I have a 20 year old E30, owned it since day one. Look for the steering rack to start leaking fluid into the rubber tie-rod boots at about 120K miles. You'll need to replace the rack with a rebuilt ZF unit. The radio antenna mast will need to be replaced every few years; they stick, you can't clean them. It's a five minute job to replace. The HVAC fan motor will stop working and only blow at high speed (No. 4 position). It's the resistor pack. $15 part, can be replaced through the firewall cowling. Fuel pump will go near 200k miles, easy fix through the rear floor (no need to remove the tank). The gauges eventually stop working, it requires replacement of the circuit board. There's a shop in california that rebuilds them. GL. Get the car E30s are great!

Davin · 11-22-2008, 11:52 AM

It's a great car

11-21-2008, 03:11 PM	#1
nmulax Brigadier General 409 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	any E30 issues to be aware of? My gf is in need of a new vehicle. She's leaning towards finding a used SUV because she's sick of driving a sedan (just finished a lease on a Mazda 6), they're dirt cheap right now, and she only drives 10-12k/year. But she also said she'd consider a car as long as it's "fun". She also commented on liking a beautiful E30 vert that was part of a drive the BMWCCA did a few weeks ago. I found a '90 325i vert, 70k miles, auto (she wants), a lot of preventative repairs have been done, up to date service, and it's right in our price range. Anything I should know going into this? __________________
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11-21-2008, 03:16 PM	#2
gshb First Lieutenant 5 Rep 362 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: May 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	cayman. girls love caymans.
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11-21-2008, 03:18 PM	#3
MTV Banned 271 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: E60 M5, Volvo S60R Join Date: May 2007 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1)	As long as there's no rust and the electricals are working properly then go for it
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11-21-2008, 04:08 PM	#4
nmulax Brigadier General 409 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	Damn... just heard back from the owner and it sold. Back to looking I guess. __________________
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11-21-2008, 05:00 PM	#5
Spec 1 Faster in the Corners 58 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: '91 E30, '05 ZX6-R, '06 300C Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	Bummer! Check for rust and electrical issues. The gauges are wacky sometimes. Timing belt on the 325i needs to be changed every 70k, 120k suspension should be replaced. Also some verts leak water so check to see if the footwell of the front passenger seat is damp. If no, you're probably good. That's about it. Engines have been known to beat 300k. Remember these were built when BMW was at it's height on build quality. Great, fun cars. Good luck in your search! __________________ '91 M42 E30 - All sorts of goodies.
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11-22-2008, 07:52 AM	#6
ENINTY Banned 190 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I have a 20 year old E30, owned it since day one. Look for the steering rack to start leaking fluid into the rubber tie-rod boots at about 120K miles. You'll need to replace the rack with a rebuilt ZF unit. The radio antenna mast will need to be replaced every few years; they stick, you can't clean them. It's a five minute job to replace. The HVAC fan motor will stop working and only blow at high speed (No. 4 position). It's the resistor pack. $15 part, can be replaced through the firewall cowling. Fuel pump will go near 200k miles, easy fix through the rear floor (no need to remove the tank). The gauges eventually stop working, it requires replacement of the circuit board. There's a shop in california that rebuilds them. GL. Get the car E30s are great!
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11-22-2008, 11:52 AM	#7
Davin Lieutenant Colonel 61 Rep 1,721 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Trinidad & Tobago / NYC iTrader: (0)	It's a great car
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