91 318is Silver/Tan NON-SUNROOF
11-04-2009, 06:34 AM
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Re: 91 318is Silver/Tan NON-SUNROOF
I feel like you will not have many issues with the E30s. Not a lot of electronic gizmos, etc. Major issues with these models are suspension, cooling system, sunroof, door locking system. As you can see OP has tackled a lot of the major maintenance issues. Just as tweak here and there. Lend me the $$$, I let you know how it goes 
11-04-2009, 06:54 AM
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Re: 91 318is Silver/Tan NON-SUNROOF
I believe that they go for about the same. Different things break on those two cars. You definitely need to get your networking done with BMW, no matter which model. But it's not impossible to maintain an E30 and not break the bank. With BMW though, it's all about preventative maintenance, so at certain milage you do certain work. If you keep on top of your fluids, filters, tire wear pattern, etc, you should be able to prevent most major issues.
Not uncommon for a door lock to fail, for the sunroof to jump track or leak, for the shock mounts to break, cooling system failure, ocasional oil leak from the valve cover, power steering, but all of these things are relatively easy to diagnose/repair/replace.
Then you get into interior condition, paint fade, etc. just like any other car really.
Is it a "put on gas and go" type car? No. Can it be daily driven? Yes. Appeal and value? That is up to you, for me, it's a lot cooler to restore/preserve one of these than on of the millions of Japanese little cars out there. Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of Japanese cars and they hold a certain appeal to me, but all thing considered and being equal,I would go for this type of car. Ultimaltely, when you go see this car, you will know if it is for you or not. I hope this helps. GLWP
Not uncommon for a door lock to fail, for the sunroof to jump track or leak, for the shock mounts to break, cooling system failure, ocasional oil leak from the valve cover, power steering, but all of these things are relatively easy to diagnose/repair/replace.
Then you get into interior condition, paint fade, etc. just like any other car really.
Is it a "put on gas and go" type car? No. Can it be daily driven? Yes. Appeal and value? That is up to you, for me, it's a lot cooler to restore/preserve one of these than on of the millions of Japanese little cars out there. Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of Japanese cars and they hold a certain appeal to me, but all thing considered and being equal,I would go for this type of car. Ultimaltely, when you go see this car, you will know if it is for you or not. I hope this helps. GLWP
11-04-2009, 07:18 AM
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Re: 91 318is Silver/Tan NON-SUNROOF
I believe that they go for about the same. Different things break on those two cars. You definitely need to get your networking done with BMW, no matter which model. But it's not impossible to maintain an E30 and not break the bank. With BMW though, it's all about preventative maintenance, so at certain milage you do certain work. If you keep on top of your fluids, filters, tire wear pattern, etc, you should be able to prevent most major issues.
Not uncommon for a door lock to fail, for the sunroof to jump track or leak, for the shock mounts to break, cooling system failure, ocasional oil leak from the valve cover, power steering, but all of these things are relatively easy to diagnose/repair/replace.
Then you get into interior condition, paint fade, etc. just like any other car really.
Is it a "put on gas and go" type car? No. Can it be daily driven? Yes. Appeal and value? That is up to you, for me, it's a lot cooler to restore/preserve one of these than on of the millions of Japanese little cars out there. Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of Japanese cars and they hold a certain appeal to me, but all thing considered and being equal,I would go for this type of car. Ultimaltely, when you go see this car, you will know if it is for you or not. I hope this helps. GLWP
Not uncommon for a door lock to fail, for the sunroof to jump track or leak, for the shock mounts to break, cooling system failure, ocasional oil leak from the valve cover, power steering, but all of these things are relatively easy to diagnose/repair/replace.
Then you get into interior condition, paint fade, etc. just like any other car really.
Is it a "put on gas and go" type car? No. Can it be daily driven? Yes. Appeal and value? That is up to you, for me, it's a lot cooler to restore/preserve one of these than on of the millions of Japanese little cars out there. Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of Japanese cars and they hold a certain appeal to me, but all thing considered and being equal,I would go for this type of car. Ultimaltely, when you go see this car, you will know if it is for you or not. I hope this helps. GLWP
OP- 804-405-5902 shoot me text today and let me know if i can meet you tonight to see this car. i am also in mechanicsville so i can come whenever!
11-04-2009, 01:45 PM
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Re: 91 318is Silver/Tan NON-SUNROOF
Hey man, sorry for the late reply, yeah ironically, E30's are probably one of the cheapest BMW's to maintain (besides a 2002, and they're getting up there in this day), old technology makes for a simple, yet very effective system. Most of the common problems have been addressed on this car. These cars are famous for racks crapping and dumping fluid at the cv boots, rear shock mounts wearing out, suspension bushings wearing out. M42's are famous for heating/cooling problems, like the clutch fan's and radiator's going out. Everything has been addressed on this car, if ANYTHING, in the future I would look at changing trailing arm bushings and possibly the rear subframe bushings. Both can he had under 100 and a day of work and there done. Mine haven't been a problem, but they could stand to be changed.
I haven't got a call from you yet, let me know ASAP, I got a buddy up in NJ that's pretty serious about picking it up this weekend. Told him I have you coming to check it out possibly.
Let me know
I haven't got a call from you yet, let me know ASAP, I got a buddy up in NJ that's pretty serious about picking it up this weekend. Told him I have you coming to check it out possibly.
Let me know
11-06-2009, 11:21 AM
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