E30 : Anyone owned one?

[Wyldie85]

My Dad had 3 325i Sport's back in the 1990's.

A black D reg one with Mtech 1 kit. This was one of the first with air conditioning so it was sent off to New Zealand by BMW when he part exchanged it.

Then came a silver one with Mtech 2 kit.

Thirdly was a dolphin grey one with Mtech 2 kit that was owned by a disabled gentleman. BMW covered most of the centre console with protective casing to protect it when he put his crutches in and out of the car and wheelchair in the boot.

It was an auto with the 321/E/S switchable box. I think this was my favourite one of them all. He sold it for a techno violet E36 M3. To this day he wishes he kept it.

I loved the look of the E30 and I think this is where my original BMW passion started. The noise of the straight 6 was so addictive and those big sweeping dials on the speedo and rev gauge were so great. I couldn't afford a 325i but did manage to find a low mileage, 318is with Mtech 2 kit on it. It was a mint example and I loved it so much. It was diamond schwartz metallic with grey houndstooth interior. It had electric windows, sunroof and even the tool kit was complete.

It was retro and cool and never gave me any problems at all. I sold it to a guy my age who came down from Scotland with his dad to get it. He drove it back without any issues whatsoever and again envisaged keeping it for many years.

The DVLA shows that it currently has an MOT but isn't taxed so perhaps it's being kept somewhere off the road. Who knows.

I'd love to hear any of your E30 stories about ownership etc...

Dan.

I don't have any photos of my Dad's E30's but do have a couple of mine.

 

[Wyldie85]

Oh...and I didn't add the front ///M badge before any of you start but as I was young and it had the M-tech kit on I left it on there. I was too young and naive to be aware of the M badge rules.

 

[Marlon]

Never managed it, I wanted a 325i Sport so badly but couldn't justify the insurance. Classic 3 series imo. Lovely looking car you had there back in the day

 

[-Tom-]

My dad had an e30, B registered 323i coupe. It was the reason I ended up obsessed with BMWs since the age of about 2-3! I loved the noise of it, I remember him hitting kickdown with the autobox.

It had so much spec aswell, even the checkpoint above the rearview mirror with a load of LEDs that indicated any problems. I will try and find some photos, it was a metallic blue with a cream interior. That weird little rubber spoler on the rear, and an Mtech front splitter

 

[Wyldie85]

Ah the rear rubber spoiler! Yes My dad's black one had that on it.
Ah such fond memories!

 

[-Tom-]

Yes, I always found the spoiler a bit odd. I remember a cool vanos like ticking at high revs! And nice detailing on the manifold cover too (intake I'm guessing from memory). His had the digital clock, but the facelift got an analogue one! Always did prefer the pre-facelift though...

 

[Nick_in_Suffolk]

One upon a time I had an E30 M3, but just the ordinary cooking version. Owned it for nearly 12 years before getting bored (?) with it. Sold it for a pittance and a TT, which re-defined the meaning of tedium.

Every little retard in his/her Fiesta, Nova, Citroen wanted to race the car.

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

I had around six when I was a lot younger and had various bits and pieces which I would then unbolt and bolt onto the "new" E30. Wheels, steering wheel, interior.

Had various engines and a great time driving them. Would love to have one again especially after seeing so many again at the weekends 100 years of BMW meet in Coatbridge.

 

[Marlon]

I had around six when I was a lot younger . . .

wow, so many you can't remember the exact number

 

[CoupeAli]

I had a 318i, H reg, bbs alloys, dreaded rust in the rear arches and boot well and also leaks from the sun roof. Was a fantastic car at the time, easy to work on and I believe the front end and headlights was one of BMWs best designs.
Always on the look out for them but don't have the space to store or run one (yet).

 

[AlfaScozzesi]

I had around six when I was a lot younger . . .

wow, so many you can't remember the exact number

It was when I lived in Cumbria. I had three red ones in a row culminating in a 320. Whenever the garage bill got too big off she went and I got another. Wheels etc all came off and put onto the new car.

I gave a lift to one of the girls in the office once and proudly said this was my new car and she said she hadn't noticed I had a new car in the past two years!

 

[Zed Five]

I had a couple of E30s.

Dolphin grey what a lovely colour!

 

[wegras]

Yup had a E30 model 320 in 1984 new ,first Company car in Zinnobar Red
Loved it

 

[mr wilks]

My first of approx 20 Bmw's was a 320iSe in black diamond swharz in my mid 20's , on the BBS cross spokes i just loved everything about it , the seats & the way the bonnet closed stick in my mind along with the 4 round headlights & tiny wipers , class act after leaving a Ford Orion behind




After many sh1te motors it was my first german car & from there it was love all the way for anything Merc,Porsche,Bmw,Vw or Audi
Also had a silver 318iLux vert in mid 30s asmy first ever weekender , i was the 12th owner(lesson learned) , it was fooked & left me stranded in France for 6 days

 

[alane29]

Yes i owned this white one ,loved it still regret selling it to this day .I searched its not MOT'd or Taxed anymore

 

[srhutch]

Never owned one, but would love to get a 325 Sport.