Quick question. Would someone mind talking me into getting an E30 M3? If so I'd really apprecaite it. I've never owned a foreign car let alone a BMW, but I'm obsessed with the E30 M3. I'm a big fan of cars that handle well, and I like the fact you don't see these M3's all over the place. (Not around me anyhow). So, anyone feel like being a salesman for a few minutes? :buttrock

http://www.motoyen.com/articles/00/2002/classicsportscar/

Good enough for me. Great article, by the way. Thank you very much for that. There are none for sale in my area. I'll try and research them more as a whole and find some of their weaknesses (anyone care to share?) and possibly try and pick up something off E-Bay.

Rye, check out www.s14.net


There is enough info there to keep you busy for months! Also, www.motoyen.com has more articles like that one.


Good luck in your search!

Weaknesses? I'd say the biggest weakness is a broke owner. These things need to get preventatively maintained to function at their peak potential. An E30 M3 can be an amazing car, as long as you will take care of it. Good luck, and great choice!

I'm by no means broke but that doesn't mean I want to have to spend as much money as I paid for the car in the first two years just to keep it running properly, ya know? I'm coming from 2 Fords and a Chevy (:dunno , the Chevy was horrible. The Ford Escort was as reliable as you could get, and the current car has been a blast when it works). But I have spent so much money on repairs, thats what I'm trying to get away from with a new/used car. I realize going for a late 80's or early 90's car isn't the ideal route for that, which is why I have no problem and completely understand there will be things that need to be done. My current car is on engine #2 and transmission repair #4. By now I could've had a brand new M3 practically :nono I'll read the sites you guys posted. When buying on E-Bay if I go this route, is there anything to watch out for?

dont buy an e30 m3 unless you can personally see it or get someone who lives close to it to see it. you will be screwed in most cases. (rust)

If I were to buy a car on E-Bay I would either try and find someone on here willing to help or find an appraisal company near the car to get the info. I'd need to make the purchase. Thanks for the advice though.

I actually just called the BMW dealership that I would end up taking my potential car to get any work done to it. They charge $103/hr. for labor (which is rediculous, but I guess what I expected). I'm used to paying $70/hr., if that, for Ford. Anyhow, he said when buying one the most important thing is to listen to the engine. If it isn't making any weird noises they're usually okay. He said to ask about when the last time the valves were adjusted because they need to be done every 12k to 15k miles. He said there were some issues with timing chains and tensioners (?) and some door window regulators. Would anyone care to expand on any of those? Then for examples of service situations, he said it would be around $1,000 for parts/labor on a clutch, about $200/axle for brakes and about $200 for to get the valves adjusted. Comments? Are these figures accurate? If so, overall that's really not too bad.

dont buy an e30 m3 unless you can personally see it or get someone who lives close to it to see it. you will be screwed in most cases. (rust)

Rust? Hardly any have rust, usually they are daily driven in the Northern winters.

Really the only "trouble" spot is the windshield. If it was replaced, and done wrong, you CAN have rust in the cowl, see the windshield is glued in, and when they scrape the old stuff out, they scrape away all the paint, and then water gets in there and sits, thus you CAN have rust. If it was done right, there will be no problems at all.

I actually just called the BMW dealership that I would end up taking my potential car to get any work done to it. They charge $103/hr. for labor (which is rediculous, but I guess what I expected). I'm used to paying $70/hr., if that, for Ford. Anyhow, he said when buying one the most important thing is to listen to the engine. If it isn't making any weird noises they're usually okay. He said to ask about when the last time the valves were adjusted because they need to be done every 12k to 15k miles. He said there were some issues with timing chains and tensioners (?) and some door window regulators. Would anyone care to expand on any of those? Then for examples of service situations, he said it would be around $1,000 for parts/labor on a clutch, about $200/axle for brakes and about $200 for to get the valves adjusted. Comments? Are these figures accurate? If so, overall that's really not too bad.

Fist off the Dealer is one of the WORST places to get your car worked on.
1. WAY overpriced.
2. I doubt they ANY tech was trained on E30's
3. You will not be a priority.
4. NEVER pay to train someone else to work on your car.

Find a good independent. Most will be owned by BMW Factory teks that went out on their own.

Really you just need to do general maintaince on the engine, they are really rock solid! Yes, the valves will need adjustment every 15kmi, but it's usually only $2-300 depending on how many new shims you need to buy.
The timing chain is burly, the problem comes from worn chain guides. THe most common is the tensioner spring gets weak, and shrinks, put this with worn guides, and it will start to make noise. most people just put in a new tensioner. it's like $80 and 15min worth of work.

The power windows are fine, it's the earlier ones that can have problems the later ones are solid.

There is more internet myth and rumors on this car then any other one I know. Just about EVERY problem with the car will be lack of maintaince, and not replacing parts then they are worn.