on the lookout for an e30 m3!
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Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW ///M Power
Forum Discription: Ask your BMW M Power Technical Questions here (M1, M2 hybrids, M3, M5 & M6)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=6009
Printed Date: 13-May-2024 at 23:30
Topic: on the lookout for an e30 m3!
Posted By: Rags
Subject: on the lookout for an e30 m3!
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 16:22
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hello.
I am new to this forum as a poster but have been browsing the threads for a while. I am interested in buying an e30 m3. I was sold today. A workmate just took me out on a 'proper' drive.....funk me! what a superb car! Handles like it is on rails and sounds great. Any other advice other than the myths/truths about Cam chains. Obviously rust could be an issue, as these cars are getting on a bit, but i am sure a well looked after one should be unblemished. I have heard that places to look are the sunroof and the scuttle panel close to the windscreen. What else tends to go wrong with these babies? I am looking for a later spec one, preferably G or H reg but it depends on the car doesnt it! I recognise that the later spec s14 engines push out 215bhp. So, anyone know of a well looked after e30 m3 under 6.5k that will fit my criteria!? Thanks for reading this. Rags ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: M3Nally
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 16:27
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Get yourself up/ across/ down to Rockingham this weekend, you'll see lots there and probably a few for sale.
One of the chaps has a mint Evo2 for sale he's taking up there so I see from threads. Good luck. |
Posted By: shoestring7
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 18:42
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Im a wannabe too. Is there an up to date FAQ/buying guide/valuation table for E30 M3s? Cheers, SS7 |
Posted By: dpelec
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 19:13
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TO RAGS THE GUY WANTING AN M3 GET TO ROCKINGHAM THIS WEEKEND.SOME WILL BE FOR SALE I'M SURE I HAVE ALSO SEEN A CAR FOR SALE AT http://WWW.BMWMPOWER.CO.UK - http://WWW.BMWMPOWER.CO.UK IT'S A LACHS SILVER ONE WITH BLACK LEATHER THIS CAR IS IN GREAT NICK.BUT IT'S A BIT OLDER THAN WHAT YOUR WANTING.STILL I THINK IT'S WORTH THE MONEY. -------------  R///POWER FOR NOW
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Posted By: dpelec
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 19:16
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TO SHOESTRING IF YOU WANT A E30 M3 BUYING GUIDE I COULD EMAIL IT TO YOU. ------------- R///POWER FOR NOW
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Posted By: ROB ROSS
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 19:41
| Whos this chap selling a ev0 2 please? |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 20:19
Pish OFF! You wont like LHD, a Cossie is faster and E30 spares are like Hens Teeth (order from Germany EVERY time)
With all these new people coming along looking for Late cars. It means I wont be able to find a good car! To give you a gist, I've been looking for over a year. And I mean REALLY looking. Missed out on a couple of nice cars, but there you go 
Give Munich Legends a ring, tell them how much you want to spend. When they've finished laughing, give up and leave people like me who've wanted one for years to get a good example! Thanks 
Alternastively start looking in Autotrader and this sites cars for sale section. The Evo 2 is the £15K car isnt it. Macau, VERY low mileage and seaid to be immaculate. Should be for that money. ------------- Rich. 
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Posted By: ROB ROSS
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 20:59
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German cars in Norfolk have a evo2 in red for £12500 low miles low owners. I go and look but i hate red cars. WWW.320IS.CO.UK
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Posted By: dpelec
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 21:31
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I BELIEVE THIS CAR IS STILL OVERSEAS BUT HE IS SHIPPING IT SOON ------------- R///POWER FOR NOW
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Posted By: PJSM3
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 21:49
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Out of interest how low is 'very' low mileage? |
rr_ww wrote:Posted By: thepits
Date Posted: 02-March-2004 at 22:28
Dear dear, what language! "Cossie" indeed, where did you learn to swear like that? and then, to make it worse "Munich Legends" - go wash your mouth out with soap and water!!!!!!! Give the guy a chance, parts are NOT that hard to get - except the plug spanner! 
I've never had a problem with the dealers (Xcept the plug spanner!!) ,
and there are loads of specialists - Nigel M for instance - to help us out. so.......... LHD is FUN A C*ssie is only a Ford! and E30 parts are bountyful.  So there! ------------- Cats know your every thought. But don't care. |
Posted By: Rags
Date Posted: 03-March-2004 at 08:59
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thanks for that........
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Posted By: AC79xxx
Date Posted: 03-March-2004 at 09:15
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Took me 5 years to find one I was happy with and since then I have only seen another two I would have bought, but I guess I was being pretty picky.
There are some good ones about (I do know of a 'G' plate 215bhp M3 with 7k miles on it). I don't think LHD is a problem, the very few parts I have had to get have been easy to get hold of. Try http://www.motoyen.com/articles/00/2000/classicsportscar/ - this as a buying guide. |
Posted By: Rags
Date Posted: 03-March-2004 at 11:11
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cheers...good guide
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Posted By: robmug
Date Posted: 04-March-2004 at 00:03
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Mine's still (kind of) for sale. I've been a bit reluctant, so not really pushed it. You're welcome to come and have a look. It's a 1987 (D) Black with 160,000km and a quiet chain. Plenty spent by me over the last 2 1/2 years and has been totally reliable, yet also perfect as a daily driver (I have 3 daily drivers...) Offers over £5500 will secure. Some info at http://www.bmwe30m3.co.uk - www.bmwe30m3.co.uk I'm planning to propmote it on Ebay in a few weeks, unless it sells before then. ------------- www.advancedcarproducts.com - UK Zaino distributors 5% discount for BMW Forum members 1996 E36 318is (one owner!) // 1993 911 Carrera 2 Coupe 1987 E30 M3 (sold) // 1997 E36 M3 Evo (sold) |
Posted By: Rags
Date Posted: 04-March-2004 at 09:22
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rob, i have to say your car looks fantastic! Very nice! Just might be slightly too old for what i want. Where are you based, if you don't mind me asking. If you are near me, there is no harm in looking... -------------
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Posted By: 215DMX
Date Posted: 04-March-2004 at 10:53
| Robmug, what suspension do you have, it looks very low |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 04-March-2004 at 13:14
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Rags
Nice WWW in your sig! Bet your going to b*st*rdise any M3. Big stick on Subaru spoiler. 20" rims, neons.... I was only taking the Michael. The problem, as I see it, is that clearly the M3 is the fastest car you've been in, so naturally you want one. I was pointing out that there are other cars, which are faster, and around the same money. For the price of a E30 you can pick up a 3.0 Litre E36 M3 which will be RHD and more modern looking. For 8K you can get a G reg Nissan Skyline GTR, with around 45K miles and 450-500BHP is only another £1500 on top of that! http://forums.turbosport.co.uk/bbs/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=160323&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=&vc=1&PHPSESSID= - GTR ad As you're probably becoming aware, a lot of M3's are overpriced. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2464451819&category=31357 - eBay Car is a prime example. As is (IMHO) Robs cars above. http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&make=BMW&min_pr=4000&postcode=sm6+9qt&source=0&model=M3&max_pr=10000&sort=3&variant=&mileage=&miles=1500&photo=1&keywords=&agerange=&max_records=200&search.x=25&search.y=4&start=2&distance=260&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200409130725467 - Red car on AT is roughly the sort of money you need to start at to get a nice one nowadays. Many were thrashed/smashed or just not looked after. http://www.munichlegends.co.uk - Munich Legends Reckon for a good car expect to pay £10-12K. Which is optimistic, but a Low (50Kish) 215 car with history will be this amount! Heres some of the cars currently for sale. http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&make=BMW&min_pr=4000&postcode=sm6+9qt&source=0&model=M3&max_pr=10000&sort=3&variant=&mileage=&miles=1500&photo=1&keywords=&agerange=&max_records=200&search.x=25&search.y=4&start=9&distance=137&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200409130686375 - 215 Red car http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&make=BMW&min_pr=4000&postcode=sm6+9qt&source=0&model=M3&max_pr=10000&sort=3&variant=&mileage=&miles=1500&photo=1&keywords=&agerange=&max_records=200&search.x=25&search.y=4&start=7&distance=85&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200408130081636 - Silver 89 car And to make my point http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&make=BMW&min_pr=4000&postcode=sm6+9qt&source=0&model=M3&max_pr=10000&sort=3&variant=&mileage=&miles=1500&photo=1&keywords=&agerange=&max_records=200&search.x=25&search.y=4&start=9&distance=45&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200406128213310 - White 58K FSH or http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=BMW&model=M3&variant=&keywords=&min_pr=10000&max_pr=12500&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=sm6+9qt&miles=1500&max_records=200&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=8&distance=44&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200407129535419 - White 48K 215 90% of the cars you'll find at under £7K will be early cars, with over 100K on the clock. Its not really a dig, I was just trying to make you aware that you'll need to be committed if you are after a good car. And have a fair amount of money to spend. Not just on buying and insuring (have you had a quote yet?) but also the spares. Mate get his from he dealers, and a) they are expensive but b) its frustrating the amount of stuff, that is "special back order" An M3 isnt for everyone. Not trying to be elitist, cos if you can afford to get one,then do. But dont become so blinkered as to what else is availiable for the same money. ------------- Rich.
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Posted By: Chris Miller
Date Posted: 04-March-2004 at 14:03
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Rags
Dont get to hung up on mileage and age if you want an M3 and have a budget of 6.5 stick to buying the best car you can for the money whether an early or late one.
When looking for mine I drove many so called lower mileage examples which had issues and be carefull as with the age of these cars one that has done 50 K means it has travelled only around 3,000 miles per annum.
Be very carfull buying low mileage examples at a premium unless you are 100% sure it is genuine and always buy on condition a 100,000 mile properly maintained example will be a better buy than a poorly maintained lower mileage example.
Its funny how us brits get so hung up on mileage in the US they adevertise M3's with over 100K miles and they are still considered low mileage for age. Mileage is not a issue unless you are buying purely as a investment.
In my opinion Robs car looks v good for the price comapred to some of the sheds around for similar money.
Regards ------------- |
Posted By: Tubbs
Date Posted: 04-March-2004 at 20:34
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Evenin all,
After much soul searching I have decided to sell my M3  . I will be posting the ad to the main site (+ autotrader and a couple more) in the next couple of weeks but thought I'd give you guys a heads up on here.
Things to be done: - I'm having the wheels refurbed next week as I'm currently running an Evo Sport wheel. The original was buckled and had to be scrapped, I bought a 2nd hand one and the only one available was off a Sport so it's the wrong colour. Rather than risk a poor colour match I'm getting them all acid bathed and powder coated + lacquered. - I've also got to get a small amount of paintwork done on the rear bumper after some *&%$ nerfed the back of my car in a traffic jam. - Got the car booked into my local dealer on Monday to get a new seat base fitted. My current one rocks backwards and forwards slightly, BMW are replacing it under warranty  . Will also get them to give the car a once over for anything that's developed since it's inspection 1 (unlikely as it was only 2000 kms ago)
The car is a: 1990 (H) M3 e30 215bhp 139,000 kms (86k miles) Diamond Black (Metallic) with grey cloth Air conditioning Front Centre Armrest (Original BMW including bizarre Tommy Tippee type mug thing, still in original packaging with part number 82 11 1 467 122 if you’re interested!) Complete tool kit (including plug spanner) + Torch Eibach lowering springs and adjustable ARBs Bilstein dampers Miltek exhaust Showing 5 green lights after Insp. 1 service at 137k Never been tracked (to my & previous owner's knowledge) Recently set up by Powerstation - showed 212 BHP on their (pessimistic) dyno on it's 6th or 7th run (graph shows an 8bhp drag difference between 1st and last run) not bad for a std 215 with a Miltek! Imported into the UK from Italy by a BMW Dealer in 1997. It has a full service history from BMW Dealers (file's about inch and a half thick!) + most importantly it still has the BMW Warranty intact. So far it has had more than £8,000 worth of warranty work including some biggies: a brand new gearbox a few thousand miles ago, a new d.m.e. (engine management), 2 x airconditioning systems. It costs £450 a year to renew the warranty and it's unlimited mileage, so as long as you keep renewing there are practically no running costs outside of consumables and routine servicing (you don't even need to worry about the timing chain @ 100k cos it's not an official service item, therefore even if the worst should happen and it did skip or break, the warranty would either pay for a new engine or rebuild it using original parts, which is nice). The warranty also includes European breakdown assist (+ hire cars when needed - they even paid my £35 taxi fair to pick up a rental car cos the hire company couldn't deliver the hire car to me within 2 hours) and MOT failure insurance. This warranty is not to be confused with 3rd party warranties that argue everything and only pay £35 per hour labour rates, this bit of paper seriously saves you thousands! The car was at Munich Legends about a year ago and I have the full hit list (most items have been sorted - any that haven't are somewhat nit picking shall we say e.g. New gear stick gaiter). There is no rust anywhere on the car, including the drain holes underneath the windscreen seal in the scuttle (I know cos I checked when it had it's new windscreen fitted - proper BMW screen too, not Autoglass pap) There really has been no expense spared in maintaining this car. The car will be priced at the top of the market for 215 models, but if you want to save a bit of cash on the asking price (and fancy saving me the hassle of getting the wheels and paintwork done) send me a PM and we’ll see if we can’t work something out (provided you don't mind viewing a car with an odd coloured wheel and a scraped bumper). ------------- Ex M Power owner :( |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 04-March-2004 at 21:21
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Tubbs
U have PM ------------- Rich.
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Posted By: Rags
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 08:45
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Evening, It seems to me that many assumptions have been made on your part! With regards to your comment about the e30 m3 being the fastest car that i have driven/been in, well thats total cobblers. Did I state that anywhere above? Doesnt look like it from where I am sitting. I have been around cars all my life and currently, on the weekends, drive about in my dads XJR and his soon to be departed 996 carrera. Anyway, The reason the e30 M3 is next on my list of cars, is due to the fact that it is the ultimate car with regards to what i want. I am not after pure power and lightening acceleration. If i wanted that, i would buy an Integra Type R or a Toyota supra or the previously mentioned Skylines. But i am not looking for silly power or power after 5k rpm. Currently I drive 2 cars, an e36 compact and a mk1 golf cabrio(track/fun car!) The Golf has a 2litre 8v on Lumpy Schrick 285 deg cams, heavily ported and gas flowed head, 4 branch manifold which is good for between 160-170 bhp depending upon the rollers. It also handles like a dream with eibach ARB's and koni adj. damping suspension. I feel that the e30 m3 will suit me down to the ground. As for insurance, best quotes are between 900fc and 1200 fc which is pretty good. One thing that does seem strange is your reluctance to encourage me to purchase an M3. -------------
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Posted By: 215m3
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 09:03
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Rags
I see you are looking for a Mint M3 and you want to use it on the track, is my assumption correct? You can get good track cars for £5k, that just need a little fetteling and use them as daily drivers as well. Or is it just for road use then yeah go for it with a Mint one. |
Posted By: Rags
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 09:44
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hello, my aim is to find a daily driver. But I tube it to work anyway so its not a 'daily hack' as such. I also recognise i will not find a 'mint' m3 at this price but i am looking for the best example i can find. -------------
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Posted By: 215DMX
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 10:02
| I doubt if there really any proper 'mint' cars around, (only a few museum pieces that never see the light of day, and whats the point of that) until people start doing proper restoration jobs, bare shell up. They are at the earliest 13 years old . . . |
Posted By: Rags
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 14:11
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Hello, I guess mint was the wrong word to use but i require one in good nick. One that is mechanically sound, has had the timing chain replaced and has no rust. Leather wouldnt go a miss but i might be dreaming a bit..who knows tho!
We will see! -------------
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Posted By: Chris Miller
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 14:34
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Ahh
Not the old timing chain debate again. Doesnt really need doing. It was a vicious rumour started by one of the independant repairers..
Chris. ------------- |
Posted By: Rags
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 15:17
cough ML cough -------------
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Posted By: 215DMX
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 15:18
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Rags I suggest you do a search on this site for 'timing chain' all new buyers should read what owners have to say. Also have a look at the top of the message list.
http://www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/Buying/BuyingFeb02.pdf - and here |
Posted By: Rags
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 15:48
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I have done my friend. Done some good research on the topic. In my opinion, its is wisest to buy an e30 m3 with a replacement cam chain. The reason i say this is because this myth(or truth) has been cast into the minds of potential buyers, so if i were to have to put my car up for sale, i would be able to state the cam chain had been replaced. Obviously the e36 non oil fed tensioner seems a very worthwhile modification as rattle on start up would worry the hell out of me as I like everything to be sounding right. As everyone says, mileage shouldnt be a problem if well maintained and serviced with the correct oil at sensible intervals. Also, a non abused track example is a definite. Wish me luck in the quest to find the car i require!
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Posted By: jon90
Date Posted: 05-March-2004 at 22:45
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A Question.
If the E30M3 is such a wonderful drivers car,why is it that there are so many alledged low mileage cars around? Didn`t their owners ever drive them,not what you would call enthusiast owners then?If a 13+ year old M3 has only 40/50k on the clock how many years has it spent in some garage/barn.The clock doesn`t stop just because the speedo`s not moving. As others have said,mileage is just a number,condition is everything as is history. Cheers Jon |
Posted By: 215m3
Date Posted: 06-March-2004 at 04:20
Jon For me it's not just driving, but ownership. Mine gets runs out to Le Mans, etc. I waited 9 years to get one and in my opinion a good one and one of the last 100 made as well. That's my thoughts as to my low mileage. |
Posted By: jon90
Date Posted: 06-March-2004 at 20:47
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But,if you hardly use it.And god forbid,take it out on the track(as we all know,you never buy a car that has seen a trackday)You will only have other peoples views on what its like to drive on the limit in an enviroment for which it was designed,and where it made its history.
Sure you can wash and polish it on a sunday,take it to the odd club rally if its not raining.But it is a drivers car,a car made to be driven on the limit and it does it brilliantly,just seems a shame to me to sentance one to a life as a garage queen. No offence meant just friendly banter. 
Cheers Jon |
Posted By: 215m3
Date Posted: 07-March-2004 at 11:05
No offence taken. It's seen a track and i know what it can do and have embarassed quite a few superior cars like porsches etc. I've done that bit now. I've got my C36 for speed and will get another M3 and turn it into a track car. |
Posted By: m3Cecotto
Date Posted: 07-March-2004 at 21:20
In my view, at your budget, you will get something close to what you are looking for, but you must be prepared to look at and discount a good number of right old moon howlers before you find the right car. I must have looked at six or seven before I bought mine and some were atrociously misdescribed by the prospective sellers. There are very few in Scotland and even fewer for sale. I was travelling from Glasgow as far as Portsmouth and Bournemouth to look at them :- "Right, this'll obviously be the one you are planning to break for spares, where's the one described as 'perfect example of cherished collector's car' then?" Good luck. |