Ether-T? Yes Please! (or how I went for a walk and drove back home)

"SwissTony" (SwissTony)
12/17/2014 at 23:07 • Filed to: E30, BMW, classic car, 325, RWD, DRIVE, BBS, Original, classic, classic BMW, old BMW, drive classy

You! Yes you! Stop whatever you are doing, and go buy yourself an E30! Or go for a walk! Or both.

Let me explain.

Few months ago, when asked about BMW E30s, I would reply: " While a capable car, I do fear they are overrated and their joy and value are overinflated in the eyes of the people who want them!"

Faith is a cruel mistress, and I quickly found out, just how wrong I was.

Not long after making that statement, I happened to walk down some street in some town, as one frequently does, looking for something interesting or just getting somewhere where something interesting may occur or be generated.

I bumped into the owner of this BMW E30 Convertible, and before I knew it, I was driving back home in a new car (new to me!).

For those of you who would like to park their interesting cars in the area I go for walks in, do let me know ;-)

Do not worry though, dear readers, for I have not lost all my wits. I did check & confirm that it is a 325, with a manual, and leather interior, and original BBS alloys, and in great overall health, and with full history, with the last owner cherishing it for the last 7 years.

But lets get back to the BMW E30 experience!

And what an experience it is! the 325 pulls effortlessly, with just about enough power for a convertible.

The chassis feels very solid (for a convertible again), and the manual gearbox is very precise and predictable. Everything works as it did in 1989, which is a testament to the quality of the car.

With no modifications on this example, the weight transfer in the corners, and the heavier steering are the only things reminding us that this is a 25 year old car. Otherwise, it feels very sharp, fresh and balanced, with just about the right amount of everything, whether you need torque, grip, or space, or highway speed & ability to commute in it.

Despite that however, the BMW E30 was never on my bucket list. It got added to it by the time I drove it home.

Best part is, by the time I added it to my bucket list of cars to drive, it was already mine. Lucky coincidence I guess.

So, tell me, what car should I be looking for when I am next walking around my neighborhood?

Meanwhile, go for a walk! and if you do come across a good E30, trust me, just get it!

DISCUSSION (18)

ly2v8-Brian > SwissTony
12/17/2014 at 23:11

I keep going back and forth on whether or not to pull the trigger on one of these. I've always wanted one, but I'm in college now so I kind of need to save every cent I can. Your article didn't help.

SwissTony > ly2v8-Brian
12/17/2014 at 23:18

I would love to tell you to just get one, but I am gonna tell you to definitely get one!

Glad I could help

P.S. On a more realistic note, these cars are easy to maintain & spares are easily available, but it still runs on money, so you need a little bit of that sometimes as well. That or unicorns, but I haven't seen those for like a month now.

ly2v8-Brian > SwissTony
12/17/2014 at 23:23

I think if I wasn't making monthly payments on my truck I would've by now. Also I got accepted into a class that is going to Germany for two weeks in May, not cheap but to save you on the long details I am extremely excited. I have wanted to go to Germany for as long as I can remember.

SwissTony > ly2v8-Brian
12/17/2014 at 23:32

Enjoy the trip, and hit up some of the car museums if you happen to be near to Wolfsburg, or Stuttgart, or Munich. :-)

ly2v8-Brian > SwissTony
12/17/2014 at 23:37

I get a few free days, so I was planning on that. I feel that would be a good idea for an Engineering student.

E. Julius > ly2v8-Brian
12/17/2014 at 23:42

+1 on the museums in Germany. Porsche is unbelievable, and if you're into factory tours I believe there's an available tour of an adjacent engine plant at the MB museum. Both are in Stuttgart and pretty close to each other, but it's kind of a lot for one day. The MB museum is huge and I was a little worn out by the end of it.

E. Julius > SwissTony
12/17/2014 at 23:44

This car is just about everything I could possibly want in a single vehicle. I am so jealous right now. Maybe someday…

ly2v8-Brian > E. Julius
12/17/2014 at 23:49

I could probably do both in one day but I haven't set my schedule yet. All I know right now is that I have three days to go wherever I want in Germany, I know of one place I have to go, other than that I don't know.

My citroen won't start > SwissTony
12/17/2014 at 23:51

Have I found the only other Swiss Oppo? (at least that I know of)

E. Julius > ly2v8-Brian
12/17/2014 at 23:58

That region (Baden–Wurttemberg) is pretty nice, and Stuttgart isn't too far from Heidelberg, which is another "classic" German tourist spot. Whatever you end up doing I'm sure you'll have a good time.

ly2v8-Brian > E. Julius
12/18/2014 at 00:09

I'd guess Heidelberg would be a classic tourist spot because so many Americans are already there. The US Army command in the region was there but is moving to Wiesbaden. My dad has been there a few times.

KimJongUnstoppable > SwissTony
12/18/2014 at 00:15

I wish I had a couple stacks of Ben Franks in my pocket when I go out for a walk. I mean, I wish I had pockets in the first place.

E. Julius > ly2v8-Brian
12/18/2014 at 00:16

Yeah that's true, we saw tons of Americans/American cars around there, although it has had a reputation for some time. Mark Twain did some excellent writing about the castle.

SwissTony > My citroen won't start
12/18/2014 at 00:21

Sorry to dissapoint you, but I am not swiss.

Swiss Tony refers to:

SwissTony > E. Julius
12/18/2014 at 00:34

It might be for sale at some point ;)

With my terrible buying habit, I do tend to go through a lot of cars in a year

E. Julius > SwissTony
12/18/2014 at 00:35

Probably too quick for me. Regrettably, I won't be in a position to buy a new car for at least two years : /

E. Julius > SwissTony
12/18/2014 at 00:35

Out of curiosity though, how much would something in similar condition cost?

SwissTony > E. Julius
12/18/2014 at 00:41

At the moment they seem to be all over the place, as they come in really different shapes and sizes. In the UK, I do see them starting at even 2k, but usually they will need work, sometimes a lot of it. On the other hand, you have dreamers who think that these classics are "ultra collectible" and will advertise them at 10k. The truth lies somewhere between those figures, but with 25 year old cars, every case is slightly different I guess.