The Ultimate Driving Machine: BMW E30
 

I always heard it, seen the ads and read the magazines growing up (80's-90's), that BMW was the "ultimate driving machine". However I never really understood it until now... Maturity maybe? Growing up I always saw BMW aesthetics to be bland, the motors meh compared to cheaper alternatives with more HP and torque. I've had a couple camaro's, a fiero gt, then graduated to a Benz 560sec and 500S. Many cars in between but never felt really involved or in love with a chasis until I had an e36....I loved it so much as a daily driver but wasn't aware, it was subtle, after my e36 I test drove preludes, celicas, RSX's etc..Japan wasn't cutting it, domestics were so off the mark they were not even on my radar anymore.... then I drove an old e39....4 doors, big, bloated even... but 300hp and a beautiful aluminum chassis snapped me back into BMW'S arms. When you close those precise german doors its like you've shut the door to a bank vault. They are tanks, nimble tanks that communicate so well with the driver that they are like another appendage. I had to stay BMW.... now though I'm moving downtown and I need small size, fuel economy, room for groceries and something that will still bring a smile to my face when I feel like "spirited" driving.

Which has brought me to the e30, I can work on it quickly in my underground garage, it gets nearly 30mpg, seats four, is light weight and easy to park due to its short stature...and it looks great. This lines I found boring as a child have endured when the racy looks of competitors look tastefully obsolete.

I now know why the E30 is considered by many as the ultimate driving machine. It took me 20 years and 20 cars but I think I get it.

What is your perfect DD and why? What are your thoughts on the E30?

Pics now!

E30 M3 is one of my attainable dream cars (if it stops appreciating) but even the normal cars have so much character.

Been posted in other threads before but...

should try out an e82

I'd swim laps in kits pool filled with horse shit for a week straight for an e30 m3. My first car was an e30 325is. Currently driving a mk5 gti but looking to get back into a bmw. Pretty much my only choices are a late model e30, or an e36 m3. I'd love to pick up an e30 M3 but I don't ball enough for a 25k second car that I will need to maintain and mod. My e30 was quick, handled amazingly, and was the basis for me learning about modding and enjoying the driving aspect of cars. I always liked cars before, but this showed me a side of cars that you didn't need a ferrari or porsche to get pure driving pleasure.

Oh man...the E30 has got to be one of my favourite cars. So hard to find a "low" (relative) mileage one.
And I totally know what you mean when you talk about having a small, light weight car. I didn't have a crazy fast car by any means but my '95 200sx gave me that connected driving feeling that is tough to find with new cars. I'd love to find another like it one day

my dad still cant figure out why the e30 look so boxy small on the outside but yet so has so much space on the inside

If i had to buy new that is exactly what I would buy even if money were no object, I drove a 135 and loved it although it felt like a more refined and subdued e36, not that there is anything wrong with that but for quarter of the cost or even a smaller fraction of the cost I can buy a clean e30 with no bloat or electronic gadgetry but all the fun and practicality and more.

Someone asked if the e30 was so great why are they not used extensively in pro motorcross still...that's easy, BMW has to promote and sponsor their current tech. In my experience most drivers will say nothing is as alive as the e30 chassis...and for the backyard mechanic, that's awesome. Keep in mind this is all according to my wants and opinion.

not saying completely comparable but I read this a while ago

Toyota GT86 vs BMW E30 M3, Renault 200 Clio Cup, Honda Integra Type-R

I saw an E30 m3 today driven by an older asian fellow... It sat on 20" chromies and had the worst sounding exhaust ever... I had a moment of silence for the fallen legend. (<-- E30)

Stance:Nation ? Form > Function » Norwegian Beauty

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/...jpg?1318992465

Why...why..why!?

Putting 20 inch chrome on an e30 is like putting antlers on Mila Munis... Retarded

having owned two regular E30s.....

they are indeed awesome.

drives awesome. out of the box they are good cars.

A set of bilsteins and H&Rs along with a shorter final drive rear end with lsd = fun daily driver. very predictable slides and great steering feel. its a great car.

and since you asked ultimate DD... id take a late 325i E30 touring for DD... much more practical than the coupe / sedan (small trunks)


I have awesome owned my stupid fair share of cars... and somehow end up finding myself in a BMW again....

I've owned multiple older bmw and the e30 is still my favorite. I had to sell my E30 M3 to pay off student loans and to go travelling. It must have been 6-7 years ago. Till this day, I regret that decision. Since then, I've had multiple E30 325is/e/es/i, a 318is, an e34, few e36, an e38, and an f30. Nothing comes close to the driving fun and pure enjoyment the original M3 offered. If you get a chance, I highly recommend you jump on an e30 M3. Over at S14.net, guys are reporting at least 25% appreciation per year. They are getting real expensive real quick.

It's strange, once you drive a bimmer daily there really is no going back

Oh man, that's a kick in the pants... I think we all wish we held on to that special something... But an e30 m3? Yeah I'd be remorsefull too lol.

That's what's amazing is these cars are seemingly getting more and more expensive!

I've had the opportunity to drive a lot of M cars, and I'd give up half my organs to have any of them as a DD; in terms of fun and feel and looks, and by no means which-is-faster performance, the e30 is by FAR my favorite.
As for the rest, my preference goes 1M > Z3M Coupe > e46 M3 > Z4M Coupe > e36M3 > e92 M3.

I miss my 1989 325is. The communicative chassis, the no-nonsense interior, and the sound of that old M20. Simply wonderful. My E46, while a far more sensible car, will never capture my heart like the E30 did. Plus, the chicks dug it.

I will own an E30 again. Likely never an M3, but definitely a 5-speed Vert.

All lemons.

Honda dah best.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e/e4/Lemon.jpg

edit: dammit dukes, beat me to it

but bmw engine and max torque :megusta:

E30's are unbelieviably sexy buttt... I'd rather have a Merc Evo II :megusta:

http://www.performance-car-guide.co....ution-II-4.jpg

ITR is a better DD

Still waiting for pics... Or was this just a hypothetical from the OP talking about a perfect DD?

Mi...Mi..Miata? I like them. My family has had different genuine roadsters, a Spitfire IV, a 4/4, a Spider, etc. My daily is my Miata.

The European roadster feel is there, right arm on the shifter and left arm hanging over the open window, left thumb on the steering wheel with the top down and wind in your hair while having Japanese reliability in the same package.

I still go to Costco and the states with my Miata. Most of the time I drive myself or 1 passenger, rarely do I ever have the need to carry 4 people, my car is not my friends' taxi :ilied:

I'm not married yet so I guess I don't need the seats like an E30. Miatas are great on gas, front engine, rear wheel drive, cheap to insure, cheap to fix.

I love my Miata.

No BMW without M power

Ever driven a zhp, 320is, 325is, 318is, 335is, 535is, e34 540i, 850csi, 635csi, 2002tii? I can go on. Thats such a badge whore thing to say.