Anyone use an M3 E30 as every day car ?
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Forum Name: BMW ///M Power
Forum Discription: Ask your BMW M Power Technical Questions here (M1, M2 hybrids, M3, M5 & M6)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=4375
Printed Date: 24-April-2024 at 02:53
Topic: Anyone use an M3 E30 as every day car ?
Posted By: smckeown
Subject: Anyone use an M3 E30 as every day car ?
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 11:43
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Am tempted by one of these, especially a BIRDS RHD conversion. Have owned the E36 M3 EVO and othe performance cars in the past, and have always thought this car is just sex on wheels... Would like to know how people get on as their every day drive Sean |
Replies:
Posted By: Houlbt
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 12:09
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Don't touch a RHD with a barge pole... if you don't want to drive a LHD on a daily basis then this isn't the car for you.
Driving LHD cars in the UK is no big deal though, I thought it would bother me but it doesn't at all ------------- www.houlbrook.com |
Posted By: Andy OH
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 12:18
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RHD ooo er!! Don't go there my friend however good the Bird's conversion is. You just don't buy a RHD E30 M3.
If it is the LHD thing, don't worry you adjust very quickly. After having had 4 LHD cars 2 Integrales and 2 E30 M3's I actually prefer LHD, it is easy to adjust form RHD to LHD and vice versa . I have no problem jumping from my car to my wifes car (330 Sport Conv). A RHD E30 M3 is definately not the way to go. The steering rack is slower as I think an E30 325i rack is used and the exhaust manifold has to be re fabricated to house the steering rack which apparently looses a fair amount of power. At the end of the day it is your choice, but go and drive a couple of proper E30 M3's i.e. LHD and make your decision after drivng them. Andy. |
Posted By: e30m3
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 12:37
| I've used mine every day for the last year and it's great easy to drive. Worst thing is following the 30mph club in rush hour tends to really P**s me off as i dive some great A roads home and late a night can end up far to close to triple figures through the corners were as at 5 O'clock find myself following some people stamping on the brakes every time they see a corner. |
Posted By: robmug
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 12:58
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Yep - first year I had mine it was my daily driver. No problems at all. Faultlessly reliable, easy to get used to LHD. I think they're better for regular, even daily, use. Go for it! ------------- www.advancedcarproducts.com - UK Zaino distributors 5% discount for BMW Forum members 1996 E36 318is (one owner!) // 1993 911 Carrera 2 Coupe 1987 E30 M3 (sold) // 1997 E36 M3 Evo (sold) |
Posted By: dom_k
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 12:59
| i use mine everyday to drive to and from work. this is about 20 miles each way and its fine. very reliable and starts every morning! i was sceptical of lhd at first but ive wanted 1 since i 1st saw one driving on the road. ive only bin driving 3yrs n a few months and had the m3 for 10 months now. i got used to it very quickly and as people say lhd isnt a problem - infact id say the gearbox pattern takes more getting used to! you may test drive a lhd and not get on with it but dont let that put you off! buy one and drive it for a few days and it will become natural! |
Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 12:59
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I adjusted very quickly to LHD after buying mine back at the end of October. It took a bit longer to get used to the dogleg box. Now I am fine jumping between the M5 and M3.
I agree with E30M3 that rush hours are so very frustrating as the car is so, so capable on the twisty stuff. ------------- Kevin '04 E46 330Ci Convertible '08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge) ’95 E34 M5 ’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto) |
Posted By: SteveJ
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 13:07
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The main two things to be aware of when first driving a LHD are, visibility is poor when looking right while pulling out of a junction, and going round roundabouts you tend to get a bit close to the center curb sometimes.
OH and don't forget getting the ticket at a carpark barrier is a bit of a pain. ------------- Steve 87 E30 M3 94 E34 530 Touring |
Posted By: lancelotII
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 13:07
| Yup concur with all the above. I can swap between my m3 and tourer no problem, in fact I prefer lhd it just feels more "right". Certainly wouldn't think twice about buying any lhd cars in the future. |
Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 13:21
Just remember to walk up to the correct drivers door......it sounds so obvious but I did this a few times and felt like a right pr*t. Luckly no one was around  ------------- Kevin '04 E46 330Ci Convertible '08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge) ’95 E34 M5 ’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto) |
Posted By: M3Nally
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 13:27
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I use my 88 Evo2 on an almost daily basis. I echo most of the sentiment on here.
You will adjust to LHD You will get used to and love using the gearbox, especially if you get rid of the standard knob. Turning right out of a junction you do have to be more careful. If my wife is in the car she has a look or gets out of the way! I think LHD makes you safer because you dont have such good/easy overtaking visability you don't take any risks. Buy one and use it, you won't regret it,, unless you get an old nail that costs you loads of course |
Posted By: Eamo
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 13:50
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Again I concur with everyone here. Although I bought it just to drive at weekends, I just cant seem to get out of the car.
I drive 30 miles round trip everyday and love it! ------------- |
Posted By: m3Cecotto
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 14:17
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Everybody else has said it, I'll just confirm it. LHD is no big deal, it took longer to get used to the dogleg box, but now 4 months on, it's second nature. I bought it intending to use it at weekends and summer only, but while I don't use it every day, I'm always looking for an excuse to take it out for a blast.
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Posted By: smckeown
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 14:24
| thanks guys, the more i think of it, the more i want one. So what does a nice Evo2 go for then, im thinking if i get one, might as well go for something different. |
Posted By: M3Nally
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 14:52
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Oh God Mr McKeown, "what does a nice evo2 go for", you will open a can of worms with that one.
Classic cars had a buyers guide for the sport evo july 2003 edition which included price guides for all E30 M3s £5000 to £8500 well used evo2, cecotto/revaglia £8500 to £12000 most convertibles and very good M3/Evo1, average to good evo11/cecotto/revaglia £12000 to £15000 most sport evos, outstanding evo2. cecotto/revaglia £15000 plus very good sport evo es for I have a Nogaro Evo2 and I agree with the above. Some people think they are not worth much more than a standard M3, so £6500 plus. Personally I think they are better and worth up to £12,500 for a great low miler minter one. You should be prepared to travel to find one. Some people take literally years to find one, I say they can't have been looking hard or seriously. Cecottos are nice if you like a bit of leather, as are Euromeister (less power). Get a colour you like cos evo2 only came in misano red, nogaro silver and macao blue (looks great in the sun). If you want black or white tough luck. Happy hunting. There are quite a few people looking now for these so if you see a good one and have the money, buy it. You won't regret it. |
Posted By: David 87M3
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 15:00
I used mive everyday for about 6 months. I gave up, the boot was to small and the car was to noisy. I love my M3 as a fun car |
SteveJ wrote:Posted By: smckeown
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 17:29
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so how noisy and hard are they ? I uprated the suspension on my scooby last year, just with eibachs and was great for the track, but too hard for the road, really pissed me orf! You have convinced me to stay LHD, and am seriously looking at an EVO2, might buy the weekend! Sean |
Posted By: David 87M3
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 17:32
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Mine is not a good example as it has a scorpion zorst pipe. There are better zorsts now but havn't got one yet.
I guess you should take one for a drive and see how you get on |
Posted By: Andy OH
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 17:58
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Sean,
The level of noise from the car depends upon many factors, exhaust, induction noise, sound deadening, carpets. Many after market exhausts can be very loud, it depends on what is on the car or what you put on the car, Scorpion exhausts are fairly loud but my Miltek is a lot quieter and gives good gains. The boot aperture may be a bit small due to the rake of the rear screen which is like that to aid aerodynamics, but the size of the boot is as big as most other cars, unless like me you have a rear strut brace in the boot which reduces the overall space. The hardness of suspension again depends on what is on the car, the standard BMW suspension is good on road and very complient. A set of Bilsein dampers and H&R springs is a little harder but transforms the car for road use and mild track use. I use two way adjustable coil over Leda suspension all round with 600lb front springs and 450lb rear springs but with the damping turned down for road use, this set up is fairly hard but surprisingly complient.(I use my car mainly for track use, thats why it has Leda on it). When buying an E30 M3 look long and hard as there are a lot of dogs out there. It took me 6 months to find my Sport and believe me I saw a lot of bad cars while looking. If you have found an EVO 2 use a fine tooth combe to go over it as you do not want to buy a polished up dog. Good luck, Andy. |
Posted By: Nick
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 18:13
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The LHD thing..
Crap on country lanes at harvest time.. but thats about it. Good visibility when merging with motorway traffic. Good when you want to post letters or get out onto the pavement. Good when you want to reverse round macdonalds to get your drivethrough.. and see the next guy panic because he thinks he has entered the exit. Good when you want to talk to the guy in the next car in the traffic queue. Good when you see other drivers think your kid is driving. Infact.. Good, full stop. Nick. Ps.. you WILL get in at the wrong side after you have filled up the first few times.. just pretend you want something out of the glovebox!! |
Posted By: falkster
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 18:16
Where abouts in the country are you? I bet we have most of the country covered for maybe taking you out in one of ours. ------------- Z3M Roadster (gone....just...but not forgotten...yet) E30 M3 (Toy) Alfa 147 (just gone) BMW 330d (new work horse) Daimler Double 6 (no idea yet) |
Posted By: JC , e30 m3
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:15
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I use mine every day and it's great! Main problem I have is waiting for the engine to warm up and oil presssure to reach high enough to quieten down the bucket of spanners that lives under the bonnet.. I think there's a mod you can do whereby you replace the timing chain tensioner with that of a later model (E36 or E46? help me here guys!) this replacement doesn't need time to build pressure up.
I make sure the girlfriend is with me if I need to go through a ticket barrier and she has now got the hang of leaning out the door and getting the tickets (passenger elec window not working at the mo...) Lhd is also a great advantage if you plan to drive in Europe ie. to Le Mans or the Nurgurgring.. Sean, if you are in the Guildford or Southampton area, I'd be happy to give you a run in mine... As long as you don't want to open the window!! ------------- jamie jamie@carlin.co.uk www.carlin.co.uk 89 Europameister 78 911 SC 93 MK1 MX-5 98 Ford Focus |
Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:28
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I had the E36 mod and it really works at startup but don't expect to be totally quiet until the oil pressure pushes it really hard. Mine had a Scorpion exhaust but it was too loud for me so I now have a Milltek which is fine for my old ears. ------------- Kevin '04 E46 330Ci Convertible '08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge) ’95 E34 M5 ’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto) |
Posted By: JC , e30 m3
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:31
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Kevin, any idea what sort of money that mod would be? I suppose it makes sense to have it done if you are having any engine work carried out... ------------- jamie jamie@carlin.co.uk www.carlin.co.uk 89 Europameister 78 911 SC 93 MK1 MX-5 98 Ford Focus |
Posted By: bmwear
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:34
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I use mine regularly no problem.... and if you get a good one it's an appreciating asset
plus Classic Car Insurance and the best drivers car by BMW by NONE If you want a good one speak to Waddo on 01553 810467 If there is something he doesn't know about E30 M3's it ain't worth knowing |
Posted By: bmwear
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:39
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P.S
Don't bother with the expense of all these fancy exhausts, the performance gain is minimal The one thing Schnitzer and the touring car temas in the UK never bothered changing was the exhaust..... ask yourself why before you spend hundreds on a noisy SS jobby! Mines a standard "215BHP" unleaded version and with a good tune on a Rolling road it's getting 225 BHP and 195 BHP at the wheels plus its super smooth through the gears now.... |
Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:39
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The part no (from the dealer invoice) is 11.31.1.405.081 - list is £59.15 + VAT less any discount you can get (varies by dealer) Then there is the fitting. There is a washer as well, IIRC, but that is minor cost. I have lost the links to sites but a good search engine should help. ------------- Kevin '04 E46 330Ci Convertible '08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge) ’95 E34 M5 ’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto) |
Posted By: smckeown
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:42
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thanks guys, ive driven many a sporty car and hun aroud many a forum and this one seems to be rather friendly I'm looking at a car in essex next week sometime, and i work at heathrow during the mid week and at home nr brighton the rest of the time. Would appreciate buying advise, and i'll have a browse through the forum for such tips i'll have the car looked at by AA or RAC, or does anyone know more and like to earn some cash ? cheers sean |
Posted By: falkster
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:53
Grant W has one for sale. If you PM him he will give you details and Im sure he would take you for a spin and scare you sh**less. He did me ------------- Z3M Roadster (gone....just...but not forgotten...yet) E30 M3 (Toy) Alfa 147 (just gone) BMW 330d (new work horse) Daimler Double 6 (no idea yet) |
Posted By: Andy OH
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 19:59
Are you 100% certain with this statement?? I don't think I can believe this. Most Group N & Group A cars may have ran a BMW exhaust but I can't beleive they were the same exhausts as on standard out of the factory road cars.. I think the main reasin why people change to after market exhausts is due a number of reasons:- 1.A lot of cars have had the exhausts changed by previous owners (most E30 M3's are 10 years old or older) 2.A replacement BMW exhaust is just too expensive. 3.If you buy the right after market exhaust they are not loud. Andy. |
Posted By: falkster
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 20:11
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I have just bought and fitted my new miltek system. I bought it as most people on the forum, who have one, said it was the best for the car and gets the best improvements in bhp so Im not sure if the statement can be 100% true ------------- Z3M Roadster (gone....just...but not forgotten...yet) E30 M3 (Toy) Alfa 147 (just gone) BMW 330d (new work horse) Daimler Double 6 (no idea yet) |
Posted By: Ratbark
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 20:20
I can assure you that the Prodrive/BMW Finance team of the late 80's/early 90's DID change the exhaust, as I had the fortunate experience of spending some time with them. That, and a whole host of other goodies, made my eyes pop out way back then! God how I would love to get my hands on that stuff now!! Mark. ------------- '89 E30 M3, '89 325i Touring(red), '89 325i Touring(silver), '99 Suzuki TL1000R, '65 VW Splitty SO42 |
Posted By: PJSM3
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 21:02
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I reckon a good number of people on this forum would love to replace their exhaust with a standard original BMW replacement but frankly the price is just too high - probably around twice the price of a Milltek stainless steel system.
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Posted By: falkster
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 21:19
Why would they want to swap for a standard system. Miltek gives more power and doesnt sound any louder IMO ------------- Z3M Roadster (gone....just...but not forgotten...yet) E30 M3 (Toy) Alfa 147 (just gone) BMW 330d (new work horse) Daimler Double 6 (no idea yet) |
Posted By: PJSM3
Date Posted: 03-December-2003 at 21:59
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Posted By: smckeown
Date Posted: 04-December-2003 at 22:05
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Anyone near brighton kind enough to let me drive their M3 then ? Sean |
Posted By: pottsy
Date Posted: 05-December-2003 at 03:51
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IMHO - Millteck is the piece of kit to have today. Its cheap, quiet (particularly compared to awful scorpion noise I have on mine) and well matched power wise. Only outstanding question is longevity and noise as it gets older - seems a tiny risk to me given the price and other benefits.
Sean, Im often in Hove so may post before my next trip. Alternatively zip up the A23 and M25 to Bexleyheath and hang out at Bexleys - there will always be someone to show you one (I think the Nige and Jags have permanent tenants there - boys you know I mean you...) Finally mine is for sale although rather track orientated - if you wanted to use it everyday you would need to swap exhaust for a milltek (or I could throw in a very quiet exhaust but it strangles the power somewhat). PM me if you are interested (or check out the 'for sale' button above) |
Posted By: cjhe30m3
Date Posted: 07-December-2003 at 14:33
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drive mine evry day i also have a 323 ci the only thing i do when driving the m3 is to forget to put the hand brake on !!! apart from that its mint ------------- cjhe30 |