Oppo, talk me out of this

"RPM esq." (rpm3)
11/12/2018 at 19:45 • Filed to: found on craigslist, bmw, e30, good ideas, bad ideas

Ever since my first one died way back in 2002, I’ve wanted to own another E30. I’ve kicked around buying other old BMWs and some interesting Japanese imports, but I always come back to these...something unfinished, I guess. I missed a good one last year and have looked at a few recently (including that awesome purple wagon in the Netherlands!) but balked as my “fun budget” is tight due to some house needs. However, I’ve been telling myself that if exactly the right one popped up locally I’d stretch the budget and jump on it.

This one isn’t exactly perfect, but it’s damned close and it’s practically in my neighborhood. The asking price is high, although not insane for a clean swap , and he’s had it listed for a month so hopefully there’s some room to negotiate . So: E30 Knowers, talk me out of it. Why on earth are the oil and coolant sensors disconnected, for example?

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DISCUSSION (15)

Spaceball-Two > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:00

Do it.

You shouldn’t listen to me or Zoidberg.

But do it.

gmctavish needs more space > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:05

That looks reaally nice. Not what how I would’ve recovered the seats, and billy boat isn’y my favourite exhaust, but that’s about it.

I imagine those sensors just weren’t gotten around to when the swap was first done, probably some weirdness making newer sensors meant for an E36 or E34 work in an E30.

It’s more than I’d want to pay for an E30, but it looks really clean, and if it’s done right, you couldn’t build one for that much, let alone less. Personally, I’d probably stick with one that has an M20 and not worry about a swap that was done before I bought it, but I definitely see the appeal of the M50

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:08

Talk you out of it? That’s easy.

This one has been lowered/stanced. Stance is bad. It will give you herpes.

And why are the oil and coolant sensors disconnected? Maybe because the owner is an idiot who is trying to hide problems.

And in addition to the disconnected sensors, the engine has 150,000 miles on it, no functioning A/C, no windshield washer, sunroof problems and no mention of the mileage on the chassis. And with all those problems, they still want $10K?

Nah... this is a $5000 at best. I personally wouldn’t even pay more than CAD$25 00 for this heap .

And this one will die just like the last one... but only after it has raped your wallet repeatedly.

On top of that, I don’t care what anyone says... the E36 is better than the E30.

If you get this, this car will give you herpes and then die.

And then your wallet will become sentient and very angry and kill you in your sleep.

MrDakka > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:09

Do you want to end up like that E90M3 guy with too many E90s and unable to stop buying them? Because this is how it starts.

Just say no to drugs old BMWs . Old German luxury coupes are, m’kay?

RPM esq. > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
11/12/2018 at 20:11

I knew I could count on Oppo .

Also...any rust-free manual E30 that runs is $5k now, unfortunately.

slipperysallylikespenguins > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:11

Is this a common swap? Doesn’t seem like there is that much improvement over stock.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:12

Yet another reason not to buy an E30.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:12

Do it.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:24

Luckily I can get my E30 fix just going over to my brother-in-law’s house. His is an 86 325es that had a euro E36 M3 swap, including front suspension. An E30 M3 donated the rear suspension. It’s like a grandchild for me. I get to have the fun without the long term headache.

RPM esq. > slipperysallylikespenguins
11/12/2018 at 20:25

Fairly common, yeah. It’s only about 30 more horsepower but that’s fairly significant in a car this size. Also, reputedly much s moother power delivery.

RallyWrench > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:38

The sensors aren’t hooked up because somebody half-assed the swap. The visible sensor on the right side of the radiator is the fan switch. The ad says it has a Spal pusher fan with adjustable control, which because it no longer has an engine driven fan like all M20s and M50s left the factory with, will need to be in regular operation. The wiring is visibly screwy. Who knows which oil sensor is disconnected, pressure and temp or level? If oil pressure, WTF?!? The oil sensors are in totally different places between M20s and M50s.

Also it doesn’t have an AC condenser because it has been removed to make room for the aftermarket electric fan (it had an electric fan in front of the condenser stock, for AC operation and overheat conditions, but that’s gone), and because the car’s original lines to the evaporator, dryer and condenser won’t work with the M50's compressor, so it needs custom lines, new seals throughout, and an R134 conversion if you ever want AC.

The washer tank is supposed to be ahead of the right front wheelwell under the hood, no idea why that was removed except to make room for more janky wiring. Based on all that stuff that I can infer just from pictures and the description, I wouldn’t expect it to be really great elsewhere.

I know nice E30s are worth some bucks now, and it looks good in pictures, but I don’t see the value in a twice repainted hack-swapped car with knockoff wheels, Ebay parts, a 150k mile+ used engine, and a cheap coilover kit. Maybe I’m being unduly harsh, but I see a lot of this stuff. And I get the love for old BMWs, and E30s, I’ve had one! But you can buy a really nice E36 M3 for less. I’d either find a better done swap, or buy the nicest unswapped 325is you can find and have your way with it.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > RPM esq.
11/12/2018 at 20:57

Ehh; no A/C, no $10k.

RPM esq. > RallyWrench
11/12/2018 at 22:04

Super helpful insights, thanks! I’d spotted a couple of those flaws (eBay headers, sensors, pointless washer delete, knockoff wheels) but these are really great, detailed spots. If I recall correctly his forum ad says it’s oil pressure, which seems nuts to me.

Unfortunately, “get an E36” doesn’t help, because I’ve had one (albeit not an M3) and I don’t need another. I daily drive a C63, I’m not buying it to be fast. I’m buying it because I want an E30.

RallyWrench > RPM esq.
11/13/2018 at 01:55

I understand the E36 aversion, they’re fun but they’re crap, haha. I just got rid of my ‘94 325is for $500, total beater but it was a stick and LSD. Now a project car for a friend’s kid, which is perfect. E30s are the classier, higher quality car. I just don’t understand how the values of decent E30s vastly exceeds those of really good E36s, which are better at everything but interior quality and still pretty damn analog. The E30 has become the new S-chassis Nissan. Shitbox, beat up, zip tied missile 240s are at least $5k now, and that’s now what it takes to get an entry level E30.

pip bip - choose Corrour > RPM esq.
11/13/2018 at 05:16

buy it