Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests E30 M3's

What are the reliability of these cars? I know there were a few variations of the engine on the car, but more or less it seems the saem (maybe?) Any opinion welcome. Just curious. Theres a decent amount of them on e-bay but they're all still relativly high priced (for an 'older' car anyhow)

I can get you a good deal on a 84 325e runs good, but needs the shifter fixed in the trans(possible worn out bushings) has body rust. There great little cars though.

If I had the $$$ to throw around, I would own one in a heartbeat, regarded by many to be the purest and best handling m3 of them all.

The engine was only used in the m3, I don't remember the code for it, but parts are going to be hard to come by and expensive (even for a BMW). You have to keep in mind that this car was producing close to 100hp/l back in the late 80's. IIRC, the heads it used were similar to the design on the M1, being pretty advanced and powerfull, but once again, rare and expensive.

Any non-m3 specific parts should be fairly reliable, once again keep in mind that european car parts are generally not cheap, and especially for a car about 15 years old, can be hard to find. Once again, if I had the money I would gladly buy one and turn in into a terror for road course's. Unless you have deep pockets or are a BMW mechanic with good connections I wouldn't reccomend one for anything other than some kind of side project.

HTH,
Pete

I get confused, what years were the E30's? The late 80's with the 4 cylinder? That's the one you want! Race car for the street, had to build so many in order to race them. The later the year the better, I think the last year for those was 89 or 90, they had a few more horses. If it's the next body style there is 2 different engines. One was torquey and low rev's, the other high rev. Look at the BMWCCA web site. As far as reliability, my son has the older 325, and is as reliable as anything I've ever seen. My mother, brother, and a good freind have the newer body, late 90's, 325 and 328i and they have ALL been very unreliable. Every 6 - 8 weeks in the shop at least $800.00 every trip!!My mother and my freinds transmissions went up with just over 50,000 miles. Warranty is 50,000 miles. My mother had under 53,000 and always seviced by the dealer, in the shop about every 6-8 weeks and always at least $800.00. They told my mom since she had so many problems with her car they "would ONLY charge her half price" on a new trans....$1500.00. How generous for a $50,000 car just off warranty. I went thru the roof! I've had Ford's and GM's just out of warranty but they still covered it. The GM was a trans!!! You would think BMW would first last longer than 50k and they would stand behind there product. They wouldn't budge, I called BMW HQ and still nothing, they said the car may have been abused, by my 78 year old mother? I raised so much H#ll, the said if I didn't stop they would charge FULL price. WHAT GREAT SERVICE FOR SUCH A SUPPOSEDLY GREAT CAR AND COMPANY...Thank God the car was totalled not long after, she bought an Infinity and likes it much better, as do I it accelerates better handles better and with a better ride. Has more accessories and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to use them. The car is rock solid and NOT ONE problem. Be ware it's going to be expensive. Try the jap and american competition, they are just as good if not better. The late 80's car was built to race, becarefull if high mileage. YOU HAVE A GREAT CAR NOW,

If you had better luck with cars, I would recommend one, but considering what has happened to you, the M3 probably will contribute significantly to your maintenance bills.

they are gorgeous cars...and are still considered one of the best handlking M's there is..
check out
www.bimmerforums.com
lots of sexy ones there..

damn temptation!

You know you can't resist!

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
it was in euro