As many of you have noticed, e30 325is models have been appreciating. In Northern California, a car that I could have bought 10 years ago is selling for the same amount of money - with another 100k on the clock! OTOH I have noticed that some 4-door 325i models are still reasonably priced. As I understand it, the drivetrain is the same, except that the i model doesn't have limited slip. Given that a 20-year old car generally needs new bushings, shocks and what not anyway, how much sense does it make to use an i model as the base for a track/autocross build, and use the price differential relative to is models for upgrades? Another benefit is that the i series are more likely to have lived a sedate family sedan life rather than a boy-racer life.
From what I saw back when I had a 4 door 325e, its only a 50lb difference.
I say go for it!
think you can thank the drift crowd for that. Even though I can't really blame drifters, its the following that older, rwd cars are getting now. I'm sure the story is the same for old S13s and AE86s.
kreb wrote:
As many of you have noticed, e30 325is models have been appreciating. In Northern California, a car that I could have bought 10 years ago is selling for the same amount of money - with another 100k on the clock! OTOH I have noticed that some 4-door 325i models are still reasonably priced. As I understand it, the drivetrain is the same, except that the i model doesn't have limited slip. Given that a 20-year old car generally needs new bushings, shocks and what not anyway, how much sense does it make to use an i model as the base for a track/autocross build, and use the price differential relative to is models for upgrades? Another benefit is that the i series are more likely to have lived a sedate family sedan life rather than a boy-racer life.
I think it makes a lot of sense. An M20 is an M20, right? Not having an LSD is the biggest issue with the regular version, but iirc, it was optional on some of them, and in any case, that's a fixable problem. Anything else can be taken care of with mods.
Thanks Tom. I respect your opinion a lot. A 50 lb. weight penalty doesn't mean that much to me, as I'm more interested in fun than competitiveness. The looks are slightly more dowdy, but that just means that it'll be a better q-ship!
In reply to kreb:
BMW diffs are a 45 minute swap (after the 1st time when you curse and get Kroil in your eyes) so if you find the right car - do not sweat an open diff on an otherwise good example.
I have 2, 3.64 for tight tracks and a 3.23 for the fast ones. Who needs quick change gears?
kreb wrote:
I have noticed that some 4-door 325i models are still reasonably priced. As I understand it, the drivetrain is the same, except that the i model doesn't have limited slip.
An LSD was available as an option on all E30s. It was just standard on the "s" models.
Given that a 20-year old car generally needs new bushings, shocks and what not anyway, how much sense does it make to use an i model as the base for a track/autocross build, and use the price differential relative to is models for upgrades?
A 2-door "i" would actually be the lightest and best option for any E30 build. I'd go with a 1991 318i. The E30 is just rather front heavy with any of the iron-block I6s--especially combined with the narrow stock fenders. I highly recommend an E36 or newer if you want an I6 powered BMW for handling.
of the E36s.. the Ms and TIsare holding their value well.. not sure on the Z's. The standard Coupe and Sedans are almost fully depreciated
^This!!
You can find a decent E36 for the price of a semi ratty E30 . . .
Strike_Zero wrote:
^This!!
You can find a decent E36 for the price of a semi ratty E30 . . .
You're quite right. but....To me the e30 was the last of the older Bimmers yet has fairly modern technology, while maintaining some link with 2002s et al. Whereas the e36 feels more in common with the current generation. For whatever reason, I think of e36s as being somehow linked to the shiny happy person stereotype more than e30s. That said, It'd be foolish to deny myself a beter car over superficial issues, so I'll have to work that one out.
Not my cup of tea, but seemingly a good price for a very rare model:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/2795162121.html
There is no negative to the four door for the enthusiast. I race one, and all of the racing community feels they are really about evenly matched once the weight is adjusted.
BTW, you can get a LSD in a 4 door 325i. It was an extra cost option. Mine has one.
Any way to tell besides driving one in anger?
I love those metal bumpers on the Baur, I knew someone who had them on his 325, made me jealous.
you suppose having the driver's side highbeam out on the Baur really helps get cooler air into the engine?
On the E30 vs E36 thing, it's obvious that the E36 is a better car in every objective way, and the prices are very similar. But the E30 just has a charm that the E36 lacks, and I say this as an E36 owner. The E30 is a classic, the E36 is a generic 90s car, from a styling standpoint, at least.
ddavidv wrote:
There is no negative to the four door for the enthusiast. I race one, and all of the racing community feels they are really about evenly matched once the weight is adjusted.
BTW, you can get a LSD in a 4 door 325i. It was an extra cost option. Mine has one.
truth. Hell, my 1985 318i, even with a puny M10, still has its original 3.91 small-case LSD...
Tom_Spangler wrote:
On the E30 vs E36 thing, it's obvious that the E36 is a better car in every objective way,
except weight, for those who care about things like that.
True. The weight difference between a 1985 318i (100hp) and a 1993 318i (138hp) is about 400-500lbs IIRC . . .
Strike_Zero wrote:
True. The weight difference between a 1985 318i (100hp) and a 1993 318i (138hp) is about 400-500lbs IIRC . . .
Not a fair comparison. A 91 318is weighs 2602. An 85 Weighs 2360.
DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Even though I can't really blame drifters,
I can and do. They're worse than demo-derby people as far as turning otherwise nice cars into scrap is concerned.
they have done a very good job of turning a lot of the 240SXs into scrap. I don;t blame the pros.. but the wannabes are the ones destroying the cars
Strike_Zero wrote:
True. The weight difference between a 1985 318i (100hp) and a 1993 318i (138hp) is about 400-500lbs IIRC . . .
during my 318 build, everyone has said "make sure to take out the 100+lbs of soundproofing in the floors, trunk, etc."
to which I answer "there isn't any in any of those places!"
