1
2
The opportunity has come up to purchase a 91 E30 318i four door. I'd use this primarily as a DD.
Pros -- Cheap, great shape, tons of service records available, solid driver.
Cons -- it's 19 years old! Not a six cylinder. Maybe a bit small for the family.
Thoughts?
Yes.
We are flashin trannys... wait that came out wrong
Buy now. . .
-=PJ=- "If not under warranty, live with it, or bend over and grab ankles."
The four in an E30 isn't to bad. It doesn't have the punch the 6's do, but it'll still be an entertaining daily driver. Service records and a clean body are a big plus. I'd buy it.
Meh, I love my '91 318is, but I'm not a fan at all of the looks of the 4drs.
But service records make an M42 more attractive.
yes.
if you're gonna be a bear.... be a grizzly bear!
If it was an 84-85 318i, I'd say no - same drivetrain my E21 320i had, and it was a dog. But being the later 4-cyl, I'd say yes. Should be more fuel efficient than a 325[e], and handle as well or better.
- Justin
Yes, the M42 is good around 140hp.. not much, but really much under the 170 of the bigger and heavier 2.5.
And a alot more power than the eta engine
Non-Sequitor Alert!
I would gladly own a 91 318i.
just about as perfect a dd as ever made tbh.
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
I've had an $1100 318is as my DD for more than two years. It has been far more reliable than anything this old and this cheap has a right to be.
White_and_Nerdy wrote: If it was an 84-85 318i, I'd say no - same drivetrain my E21 320i had, and it was a dog. But being the later 4-cyl, I'd say yes.
I agree. I test drove an M10 powered 318 and found it to be pretty gutless. The later engined car is a much better drive.
"It's a rental car, of course it will keep up."
My friend has a 91 is with turbo+MS....
It is a complete blast to drive.
The M42 is a real gem on and engine.
I've got a Ti and I'm sure a E30 4door would be perfect as a daily!
I'd say.. do it!
As popular as E30's are these days I'm sure you could get your money back out of it pretty easy
I think I may pass -- there's an E36 328 that's caught my eye. A bit more room, a few more creature comforts, and I think, from a safety standpoint, a better option for a DD (the E30 does not have shoulder belts or head rests in the rear, and that may be an unecessary risk for my 7 year old and 13 year old).
Thanks for the input.
1990 Miata, 1992 Corvette, 2000 Protege
Rob:
There is a White E36 M3 4door floating around for 14 G's (I saw it on solo2ontario) I would skip anything too old as it is a daily driver
AutoXR wrote: Rob: There is a White E36 M3 4door floating around for 14 G's (I saw it on solo2ontario) I would skip anything too old as it is a daily driver
That isn't a very good price for them, unless it's a concours type, manual, '98, with no sunroof. IE, a unicorn.
SpeedTheory wrote:AutoXR wrote: Rob: There is a White E36 M3 4door floating around for 14 G's (I saw it on solo2ontario) I would skip anything too old as it is a daily driverThat isn't a very good price for them, unless it's a concours type, manual, '98, with no sunroof. IE, a unicorn.
It is for a Canadian car -- especially since the Canadian cars had the Eurospec engine, if I remember correctly (quite a bit more power).
I tried to find that ad for the car, but didn't have any luck.
1990 Miata, 1992 Corvette, 2000 Protege
Luke wrote:White_and_Nerdy wrote: If it was an 84-85 318i, I'd say no - same drivetrain my E21 320i had, and it was a dog. But being the later 4-cyl, I'd say yes.I agree. I test drove an M10 powered 318 and found it to be pretty gutless. The later engined car is a much better drive.
The gutless motor is super fun with large amounts of boost. It's so slow because the compression is like 3.2:1 or something. (I'm exaggerating, don't worry)
1992 Celica GT (FSP), 1993 Ford Escort GT (HS), 1990 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo (13.27@118mph)
Alright, who didn't close their italic tag?
Is that any better? Why yes it is!
Carry on...
--There is no turd more polished than the Ford Mustang--
Only the '94 had the Euro motor in Canada, unfortunately. There were only a handful brought over...and none will sell for even close to 14k (think much more). I think the Canadian cars all had the floating rotors...but I'm not sure on that. Cars (esp. BMWS) are simply more money here, and 14k is pretty decent for an M3 as clean as that one. If you're not in a hurry, I'll have a clean maintained (salvage title/no winter) E36 M3 for sale in the spring for much less.
Nathan
njansenv wrote: Only the '94 had the Euro motor in Canada, unfortunately. There were only a handful brought over...and none will sell for even close to 14k (think much more). I think the Canadian cars all had the floating rotors...but I'm not sure on that. Cars (esp. BMWS) are simply more money here, and 14k is pretty decent for an M3 as clean as that one. If you're not in a hurry, I'll have a clean maintained (salvage title/no winter) E36 M3 for sale in the spring for much less. Nathan
Sadly I am not able to wait too long. My DD is on its last legs. Are you willing to move more quickly?
1990 Miata, 1992 Corvette, 2000 Protege
ZOO wrote: I think I may pass -- there's an E36 328 that's caught my eye. A bit more room, a few more creature comforts, and I think, from a safety standpoint, a better option for a DD (the E30 does not have shoulder belts or head rests in the rear, and that may be an unecessary risk for my 7 year old and 13 year old). Thanks for the input.
The four door doesn't have shoulder belts like the front seats?
Heck, my TWO door does. That's weird.
z31maniac wrote:ZOO wrote: I think I may pass -- there's an E36 328 that's caught my eye. A bit more room, a few more creature comforts, and I think, from a safety standpoint, a better option for a DD (the E30 does not have shoulder belts or head rests in the rear, and that may be an unecessary risk for my 7 year old and 13 year old). Thanks for the input.The four door doesn't have shoulder belts like the front seats?
Heck, my TWO door does. That's weird.
To be honest, I may be recalling that part incorrectly. I am certain that it does not have headrestraints, however.
1990 Miata, 1992 Corvette, 2000 Protege
Yes.
On the cons, as long as its a five speed it doesn't feel slow at all. A lot of fun, great little engine.
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction." - Albert Einstein
it does too have the rear shoulder belts.
I'd buy a nice e30 over an e36 for even money, but that's me.
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
What’s your favorite British sports car?
Triumph
MG
Austin Healey
Aston Martin
Jensen / Jensen Healey
TVR
Morgan
Check back soon for the next poll. View all polls
Built for the true classic car enthusiast, each issue of
Classic Motorsports features profiles on popular as well as unknown classics, along with comparison tests, useful technical articles, buying guides, personality pieces and more. Learn more about us.
Try the next issue free or vist the site.
