I'll add that the Z3 shifter fixes a lot of the E30's ills. I put one on my race car. It took awhile to get used to the ultra short throws, but now I love it.
I'll add that the Z3 shifter fixes a lot of the E30's ills. I put one on my race car. It took awhile to get used to the ultra short throws, but now I love it.
Ian F wrote:DaveEstey wrote: I've been thinking of selling my Miata in search of a slightly more comfortable DD that doesn't lose all the fun.I have some experience in a Miata and now a fair bit with the E30. I bought the E30 with similar thoughts, but without the need for it to see regular DD duty (plus a g/f that hates Japanese cars...). The E30 isn't even in the same zip code as a Miata when it comes to "fun to drive". Maybe you'll feel different, but try to get some lengthy time in a sorted E30 before selling the Miata.
kind of comparing things that aren't really the same there though. The Miata is a lightweight 2-seat roadster with almost no trunk room, no backseat, etc
e30 is a fairly light coupe or sedan, hardtop, with backseat, and a monster-sized trunk and can be had with more power in stock form. Also e30s can typically be found for less money in comparable condition.
Granted both are considered to be "fun to drive" cars, but aside from relative parity on the track (more or less), they are otherwise pretty different cars.
If anything, I'd say an e30 is kind of like a Miata with a ton of added utility to it...perhaps.
Run away, right? http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/3208725395.html
ddavidv wrote: I'll add that the Z3 shifter fixes a lot of the E30's ills. I put one on my race car. It took awhile to get used to the ultra short throws, but now I love it.
Does not. Not even effing close. While cheap, the Z3 shifter was the biggest waste of time I've spent on the car. Now I have to rip the damn thing out again.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: Run away, right? http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/3208725395.html
For that price, it'd be great as a E30 5-lug conversion donor.
irish44j wrote: kind of comparing things that aren't really the same there though. The Miata is a lightweight 2-seat roadster with almost no trunk room, no backseat, etc
I don't disagree, which is why I suggested he be sure to drive an E30 first before selling the Miata. If the idea of buying an E30 is to replace a Miata as an occassional use fun car, I fear he'd be disappointed. If he really needs the additional utility, he may be more willign to accept teh E30 short-comings compared to a Miata.
Do it. My last E30 had 260k miles on it and ran like a top when I sold it.
Most of the costliness comes from people that insist on replacing everything to bring it back to its original performance. I've done that too, but an E30 with older bushings still drives better than mid-90s GM anything.
Comparing a late 80s/early90s E30 to anything from the same era GM is crazy to me. The E30 is wayyyy more reliable, fun and notE36 M3ty.
I've had my 1990 325i for a month now, and love it. 90 percent of the handling and fun factor of the Miata with more torque and lots more utility. I got a bargain on the i, but to really bring it up to a top performance spec it'll require more supportive seats, a LSD, and an upgraded steering rack. The seats and LSD are standard on the is model, so they're worth a bit of a premium.
I don't dd mine, but would not hesitate to do so. The only thing holding me back is that I'm a contractor, and the e30 just won't cary that much gravel.
I'm not comparing mid 90s GM to mid 90s BMW, I know the sunfire is crap, but it always starts and drives.
Is the E36 equally bullet proof?
I prefer to DD my '90 E30 325i Sedan, than my Z3 MCoupe..
WHY: I know the car. I've replaced almost every internal engine part. (Timing Belt, WP, CPS, TPS, FPR, O2, Fuel Pump, Fuel Tank, injectors etc..) I feel more in tune with it for DD duties. Nobody is pulling beside me and doing burn-outs, etc.. while in it.
We picked up a one owner "rust-free" beater in March 2011 for 900.00. Several options from the factory including LSD. Sunk Bilsteins/RD springs, some D-Force wheels and RE-11's and the thing handles like a charm.
After not driving it for about a week and taking out the MCoupe, I felt I neglected it. Plus.. some @sshat pushed a shopping cart to the rear quarter panel of my MCoupe on Monday and I'm pissed.. Now back to the E30 DD..
We love it and it is our Auto-X toy, soon to be my Son's Senior car. The only thing I need is sport seats..
Good Luck.. If you need any help, ping me.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/3208725395.html
I wish I were closer.. I would rip the key and computer out of my ti and run there, get it started, and drive it home
mad_machine wrote:Kenny_McCormic wrote: http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/3208725395.htmlI wish I were closer.. I would rip the key and computer out of my ti and run there, get it started, and drive it home
So this is an easy fix? The interwebs lead me to believe the ECU from an earlier E36 318, one with a red label, will get it going after clipping a wire.
The last e30 I had was an 89 325i with 289k and that thing ran strong until it ran into an suv... Granted that car had maintenance records since it was new and was very well taken care of. But it was probably one of my favorite DDs, I am looking for a clean ix for a daily right now...
Just took the E30 out for the first time in... months... It's an ok DD. Cruise control and an acceptable stereo make the miles pleasant. Still not liking the steering and especially the shifter after so many miles in my TDi (the Mk IV shifter is just light years better, but to be expected being a much newer car). Gas mileage sucks - forgot about that... I'll definitely press it into DD use while I service the TDi, but after that it'll be time to pass it along. If nothing else, I have a potential lead on a '65 1800S and between that and the Mini I need to buy, I have way too many cars for my parking situation.
By the way... Is there an emergency trunk release in the interior? I had to jump it and couldn't unlock the trunk with a dead battery.
Not sure on the E30.. but the E36 has posts in the engine compartment for jumpstarting
In reply to mad_machine:
I found it on the passenger side of the firewall, about where the battery would normally be. Was obvious once I needed to look for it. Because of how the cars are parked I usually jump it at the battery in the trunk.
BoxheadTim wrote: Actually it's a bit of a unicorn, but I hear a 325es makes a good daily driver, too.
Look in the Classifieds - I know where there is a relatively rust free E30 325es at $2k OBO.
Ian F wrote:DaveEstey wrote: I've been thinking of selling my Miata in search of a slightly more comfortable DD that doesn't lose all the fun.I have some experience in a Miata and now a fair bit with the E30. I bought the E30 with similar thoughts, but without the need for it to see regular DD duty (plus a g/f that hates Japanese cars...). The E30 isn't even in the same zip code as a Miata when it comes to "fun to drive". Maybe you'll feel different, but try to get some lengthy time in a sorted E30 before selling the Miata.
Do not sell the Miata. You will regret it. The E30 is nowhere near the driver's car a Miata is. I own an E30 (325i) E46 (323i), and E36 (325i). The E36 is my favorite by far. BTW I am selling both the E30 and the E46.
An E30 with a healthy m20 is still a quick car that will effortlessly run at highway speeds all day. It is lacking in the twisties for me. The E36 does all the E30 does but is far more fun to throw into a corner. The E46 is too refined for my tastes.
The E30 might be more fun to throw into the twisties if you get rid of the bus sourced steering rack and put something quicker in.
mad_machine wrote: The E30 might be more fun to throw into the twisties if you get rid of the bus sourced steering rack and put something quicker in.
I am sure that is true.
I still don't care for the rear toe changes on hard cornering and that 24v engine is soooo sweet.
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