E30 318i

Hi All,

I've just agreed to buy a 1990 E30 318i which had the engine rebuilt by BMW 2 years ago. The car looks stunning with no wheel arch rust or water in the wells. The engine sounds sweet as a nut, and it all seems to be in very good condition.  My question is, is there anything else I should be concerned about or any obvious pitfalls I should check for before handing over my cash?

Thanks for the swift reply. I wasn't expecting to hear back for a day or two. 

The engine was rebuilt because of a timing chain incident in France which blew the engine. He opted to get BMW to do the work because he wanted the job done properly. That alone gave me a bit of peace of mind.

I haven't driven the car yet myself.  I got a friend living near it to check it out for me.  He's not a mechanic, but is an enthusiast.

I'm planning to collect it next Tuesday evening, so I'll check those points you raised.

Fingers crossed it's as good as it sounds.

I intend joining the club as soon as I buy the car. It looks like a good way to find someone to look after her for me, and to talk E30s with fellow enthusiasts.  I've wanted one since I first saw them in 1983.

Thanks again,

Hi Dergside,

Thanks for that. I see from your current and previous drives that you (& Mrs Dergside) are well acquainted with the E30 range.

My friend is going back tonight to check with the current keeper about what history is with the car and also how many owners it's had.

I know that the clock is reading 130,000 (about 20k of which has been done since the rebuild). I take it if those consumables haven't been done by now they'll need to be looked at soon.  Are they expensive to buy and fit?

Chances are that they will have been done a couple of times by 130k!  They're not that expensive to sort, its just something to use in haggling if they are a bit past their best.

Here is ROI front bushes last maybe 20-25k miles, ball joints and track rod ends will probably need looking at every 30-35k or so.  They should last a bit longer in the UK as your roads tend to be a bit more car friendly.

You're right, we've tried out a few e30's over the past few years.  Bought the current one as an antidote to the 523i, great car but a bit too capable, doesn't always leave a lot for the driver to get involved in! 

Find a nice e30 and it will pay you back well for the care and attention.  The important thing is to buy well.  There's plenty of rubbish out there that has been mod'd and dropped and so on and personally I'd run a mile from them, but if you've found a nice one, go for it.

Hi All,

Many thanks for all your replies. What I'm getting from what you're all saying is that I should be able to tell a lot from just driving the car. Any knocking, rattling, hissing or clanking will be encouragement enough for me to walk away.  After your posts I now know where to look for the problematic patches of rust too.

325iRon, I'm sure your spot on about wanting more once I get my 318i.  I would have gone for a 320i because I love the straight six engine, but here in Ireland the tax man and insurance companies just rub their hands in glee when they see you coming in anything bigger than a 1.4.  The 1.8 is as much as my pocket will bear. It'll be a second car too so I'm looking at another tax disc and another insurance policy too.  When I told my wife I was buying the car, all she said was " You brat!". Phew!

Dergside,  I'm based in Dublin, in Phibsborough to be exact. I'll be using the car mainly for weekends in the South East where the roads are good and relatively empty, if you know where to go.  That'll be where the fun will be had. One of the things I love about the more involved experience offered by the E30s I've driven is how you can have lots of real driver fun, and stay more or less within the law.

Mark R, I'd say Dorset offers similar open empty roads to enjoy your 318is.  I'm now just bursting to get the car, get her sorted and get driving.

Thanks for all your advice. Any other comments, tips or hints would be most welcome.

Look after yourselves, and keep those wheels between the ditches.

All the best,

Thanks Dergside,

I'm growing more confident about my purchase as the hours go by.  I have the reg number so I'll give Maxwell's a call this afternoon to get the low down.

I must say I'm very excited at the prospect of next week being the proud father, sorry owner, of an E30 318i.

Mark

Have you tried hiding the keys?