Gonna take a look at an E30 next week

I figured so much.
When you go to look at it. Primary areas of concern.
Both sides front rocker panel, where it meets the fender. There is a square there underneath the car that is a jack point, and they REALLY like to rot away as water pools inside there.
Under the windshield. water CAN get trapped there, but I have yet to personally see an E30 with rust there. This happens when the windshield has been replaced improperly (It's not bonded from the factory, just a seal)
Tail light seals. Check fo' leakage
On the two doors, the rear pop out windows like to saw at the paint slowly. Check there and see if anything is going on.
And the seam under the trunk lid. This is pretty common, and usually never bad for some reason

and always check for sunroof leakages.

Yeak Jer, keeps us up to date with that bimmer!

But wtf with the darn 2.7? is the valvetrain the only thing limiting the rev? like how can a sohc not rev above 4.5k? I Mean a darn pushrod straight 6 will usually rev above 6k no problem... I just don't get it... lol

More specifically it's the valve springs . The 2.7 head has single valve springs, the 2.5 head has dual. The 2.7 heads valves can float if any higher then 5k. sometimes less. Plus, It's an interference engine.
It was designed specifically for economy, so not having the option of going over 5k rpm's meant they the double valve springs were extra parts. And germans being germans when they were building things that made sense, were averted to including unnecessary parts. The car was built to suit a need. Not to do anything else, and excel at the intention. They all shared the same valve springs, just the 325i had another one inside.

The wonder of the E30, it makes sense in nearly every aspect

Thanks. But first of all I need to get a hold of the guy who seem to have no way to be contacted by phone and have internet about 10min once a week lol.

i vote dont get it
all of my close friends have them and i still cant understand the fascination with the e30

I've always loved the style of these car­.
Parts are much more available than the S12
I could use an economic car right now for my frequent long trip

But if I see a spot that is too much rusted for my taste, I'll let it pass.

heith on 04:13:09 AM / 20-Feb-11i vote dont get it
all of my close friends have them and i still cant understand the fascination with the e30

i dont want to start an argument about nothing
i like my 240 alot more

Got a pm from the seller, he'll be back this friday!

Heith: it's all good bud, taste is nothing that we can argue about!

So I went to give a look at the car today, the owner had to stay in alberta but he left the car at a friend's house before leaving. it's indeed a 325e, there is no mistake with the tach. I couldn't try the car because it is surrounded by a snow bank, but the dude told me to go back in 2 weeks and the snow will be melted and I would be able to try it.

The good:
Black.. it match perfectly the look of the car
Body have very minimal look, couldn't check the undercarriage yet but the rocker panel and the door are very solid
Factory spoiler and bmw original wheels
Interio is in great shape overall

The bad:
Windshield need to be replaced (crack about 4 inches long)
Hood latch cable is broken.. something have been rigged with a cable behind the bumper lol.
Some wires sticking out from under the dash.. will need to ask the owner about those
His friend told me he don't think the car come with the stereo deck.

Also I couldn't see the sport suspension package or the leather interior, his friend don't have it so I guess the owner still have it at his home.

anyway it is a story to be continued when I'll actually drive the car. I'll try to lowball the guy a bit, I don't think it is a car easy to sell in the area because of the inspection rules they have here. Car looks really good tho :P

Yeah - damn ispection rules here in Alberta drive me nuts!

Well in quebec we have no inspection unless you import a vehicle from another province/country or if you haven't registered the vehicle for a year or more.

But when they inspect you, they are real assholes.

I failed with my 1984 celica for a battery not being tied enough... even though I was using the factory tie?
They were able to move the battery a bit if they shook on it with their hands... how does that make a care unsafe? I dunno. But that's how they are. That's why I'm making sure the car is top notch mecanicly before buying it.

i really do like the fuel economy gauge on the bmw
ill give them that

DjayS12 on 05:57:03 PM / 04-Mar-11Well in quebec we have no inspection unless you import a vehicle from another province/country or if you haven't registered the vehicle for a year or more.

But when they inspect you, they are real assholes.

I failed with my 1984 celica for a battery not being tied enough... even though I was using the factory tie?
They were able to move the battery a bit if they shook on it with their hands... how does that make a care unsafe? I dunno. But that's how they are. That's why I'm making sure the car is top notch mecanicly before buying it.

Well I will have to because the car isn't registered in quebec yet. I've been through it once already and I know how they play their game. I also have my old celica report, so the complete checklist of what they are looking at. Hopefully if I buy the car it will go smoothly for the inspection, but for that I have to make a very meticulous inspection of it myself.