Old Skool euro rides

Woody wrote: Euro bumpers are the key to any Mercedes.

And the key to E28's. Along with Euro lights.

mk1 vw rabbit truck. also +1 on e28. excellent car

the answer is e30 for anything. even for the questions in which miata might be mistaken as the right answer. i've had like 30 cars and currently own 4 , a civic , a cressida , a datsun z , and a ford f150 ....i just sold two e30's and i'm convinced they're the answer....their 16 year old forumhardass , sissy pants mtech II loving douchenugget highschool musical collar up wearing jerk stains that make you not want to own one are the only thing that makes it annoying to own an e30 or a bmw sometimes.

BMW E24. Currently at the bottom of the depreciation scale. Get one quickly, before all us 40-ish yr old guys finally figure out we'll never be able to afford an E9, and buy up every single E24 on the planet.

I do like the e24, but how is the parts availability and upkeep costs for these cars. Any problems with the m30 engine?

On a sidenote, I have seen lots of early 90's w201 190e that are in mint condition for dirt cheap money (less than $2500). Opinions on them? This one makes me want one :

sanman wrote: Any problems with the m30 engine?

None, really. They're renowned for being bulletproof.

Also, this just popped up on BaT. Grey Market '79 280E.

Don't forget the E23 7-series, either. M30-powered luxobarges. Great lines, and lightweight by today's standards.

gflint wrote:

Woody wrote: Euro bumpers are the key to any Mercedes.

And the key to E28's. Along with Euro lights.

Not a big fan of the Euro lights.

My Audi Coupe GT, allegedly still floating around out there for sale with it's very expensive +40 HP engine: Surprisingly reliable for the 12 years I had it, only took a fuel pump. Handling far better than you'd expect. Great fuel mileage. Strong online community.

sanman wrote: I do like the e24, but how is the parts availability and upkeep costs for these cars. Any problems with the m30 engine?

The m30 engine is pretty much bulletproof. I have only 195,000 miles on my car, but most guys I know have cars with well over 200,000 miles, there are some running around with 350,000 miles plus. Parts availability is surprisingly good for the e24 and e28, considering they're all over 20 years old, but the trick is finding a good place to buy them - there are some good independent suppliers who can get you anything from the BMW parts catalog as well as quality aftermarket replacement parts, as well as a few enlightened BMW dealers who have good discounts on factory prices.

e24 interiors can be expensive to fix if they're worn out, but their drivetrains and suspensions are the same as the e28.

m30s love boost. Some e30 guys swap them in and make crazy horsepower numbers.

ddavidv wrote: My Audi Coupe GT, allegedly still floating around out there for sale with it's very expensive +40 HP engine: Surprisingly reliable for the 12 years I had it, only took a fuel pump. Handling far better than you'd expect. Great fuel mileage. Strong online community.

theres a few of those around my university campus, very fast cars from stock. i can only imagine how fast you could build them into

Old BMW 6-series vote here.

the problem with euro rides is they carry euro drivetrains. All well and good, but cantankerous at the best of times....

For your thought.....

get an older Volvo and swap in a japanese drivetrain. For example, for a sedan try a Volvo 122, swap in a twincam 2 liter (160hp over 110), or since the chassis is nearly the same, use a Volvo 1800, and swap in the twincam

stealthfighter1 wrote: the answer is e30 for anything. even for the questions in which miata might be mistaken as the right answer. i've had like 30 cars and currently own 4 , a civic , a cressida , a datsun z , and a ford f150 ....i just sold two e30's and i'm convinced they're the answer....their 16 year old forumhardass , sissy pants mtech II loving douchenugget highschool musical collar up wearing jerk stains that make you not want to own one are the only thing that makes it annoying to own an e30 or a bmw sometimes.

Post of the month.

I loved my E28, I would own another in a heartbeat - but only if it was kitted up euro-style like mine was. Once you've owned a euro 5er, it's hard to look at the USDM cars without vomiting...

Having owned and driven a W123 (230E iirc while in Europe), I can't understand the enthusiasm for them. Decent cruiser but that is it.

sanman wrote: I do like the e24, but how is the parts availability and upkeep costs for these cars. Any problems with the m30 engine?

A well-cared for M30 is dang near bulletproof.

Here's a couple of buyers' guides:
http://www.bigcoupe.com/checklist.php
http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/0401ec_bmw_e24_6_series/index.html

The Shark rocks, but the Mercs you had on your post look pretty hot too..

I would say an E30 would be good, good power and fun, great looking, relatively easy and cheap to work on. Or a MkI vw rabbit gti with either a 16v (or 16v turbo) swap, or with a 20v 1.8T swap. the NA 16v would be quick, the 16vt would quicker yet, and the 20v 1.8T is a little bullet (if dont right). MkI's are simply designed, and easy to work on. the 16v's are easy to work on. the 20v's are harder and more expensive, but we all pay a price for speed!

*DONE right

Not mine, but it might soon be...

http://boise.craigslist.org/ctd/1820485541.html

Hmmm... sell the Jeep for a B swap in the CRX or the best condition e24 in my state...

eurotrash77 wrote: I would say an E30 would be good, good power and fun, great looking, relatively easy and cheap to work on. Or a MkI vw rabbit gti with either a 16v (or 16v turbo) swap, or with a 20v 1.8T swap. the NA 16v would be quick, the 16vt would quicker yet, and the 20v 1.8T is a little bullet (if dont right). MkI's are simply designed, and easy to work on. the 16v's are easy to work on. the 20v's are harder and more expensive, but we all pay a price for speed!

MKI chassis, 16v from factory. The only thing unique are odds and ends, its mostly bunny mechanical bits.

coll9947 wrote: Not mine, but it might soon be... http://boise.craigslist.org/ctd/1820485541.html Hmmm... sell the Jeep for a B swap in the CRX or the best condition e24 in my state...

I got a serious case of DO WANT on that one. Don't even mind the price, since I'm getting so tired of resurrecting stuff these days..

Awesome, awesome car. Had one in high school and still want another one.