e30 316i as first car?

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 2:27pm #1

I'm in love with these things, but I'm unsure as to wether I should can get one of these? I'm just about to apply for my learners permit, but I heard about Aviva's €400 deal with 6 months insurance and 13 lessons. I've know of one person getting a 316i (e30) insured on this (max is 1.6 litre).

I know it's quite slow, I'd like to do a 325i conversion sometime down the line, but would anyone recommend getting one? I would get a 318iS if there wasn't a limit on engine capacity. I would intend on keeping it for a good few years. Doing mechanical engineering and formula student, so I think I could take on a fair bit of work too.

Also are parts relatively cheap?

ants09 · 12-03-2012 3:06pm

Lovely car has a cult following and easy to maintain and upgrade

Things to watch out for is rust but can be easy to fix.
Engine swaps are easy to do from one E30 to another E30.
Most would say the 316 engine is underpowered but some love it, i havent drove a 1.6 in them so cant say tbh.
Parts are cheap in them either second hand or new.

If your interested in them join E30owners.com and you get great advice there and new members always welcome

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:08pm

ants09 wrote: »

Lovely car has a cult following and easy to maintain and upgrade
Things to watch out for is rust but can be easy to fix.
Engine swaps are easy to do from one E30 to another E30.
Most would say the 316 engine is underpowered but some love it, i havent drove a 1.6 in them so cant say tbh.
Parts are cheap in them either second hand or new.

If your interested in them join E30owners.com and you get great advice there and new members always welcome

I have and I have been welcomed!

Looking better and better!

Also, what's the story with €48 tax for 3 months? Which cars are elegible?

ants09 · 12-03-2012 3:12pm

Daniel S wrote: »

I have and I have been welcomed!

Looking better and better!

Also, what's the story with €48 tax for 3 months? Which cars are elegible?

Havent a clue what your talking about :rolleyes:

3 months for a E30 316 is €135

And welcome to the site hope your going to the big meet up whether you got a E30 or not

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:17pm

ants09 wrote: »

Havent a clue what your talking about :rolleyes:

3 months for a E30 316 is €135

And welcome to the site hope your going to the big meet up whether you got a E30 or not

Apparantly if you have a brown log book that means you get €48 tax.

Anan1 · 12-03-2012 3:19pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Apparantly if you have a brown log book that means you get €48 tax.

Afraid not, vintage tax is only for cars over 30 years old.

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:20pm

Anan1 wrote: »

Afraid not, vintage tax is only for cars over 30 years old.

Tax is pretty steep then.

ants09 · 12-03-2012 3:21pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Apparantly if you have a brown log book that means you get €48 tax.

I have 2 E30's and have them brown log books and who ever told you that well is leading you on a little merry goround

ants09 · 12-03-2012 3:22pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Tax is pretty steep then.

The joys of loving cars that are old

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:27pm

ants09 wrote: »

I have 2 E30's and have them brown log books and who ever told you that well is leading you on a little merry goround

Had a feeling that was the case. It was definitely too good to be true, 6 months insurance, tax and lessons for €496? :pac:

ants09 · 12-03-2012 3:36pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Had a feeling that was the case. It was definitely too good to be true, 6 months insurance, tax and lessons for €496? :pac:

One of my E30's car tax 186 for 3 months, classic motor insurance 120 for year

but hey the joys of owing one is priceless

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:37pm

ants09 wrote: »

One of my E30's car tax 186 for 3 months, classic motor insurance 120 for year but hey the joys of owing one is priceless

I'm 18 and haven't a full license. No chance of €120 insurance for me

Fiona · 12-03-2012 3:41pm

Daniel S wrote: »

I have and I have been welcomed!

Hey I am Lady30 on there

DaveMsport is yer man on the Owners for the engine conversions if you have any questions.

I have heard of some young lads having problems trying to get insurance on the E30's. You could try and get a classic policy with first ireland but you need to have another policy on your own name to qualify for one

It will all work out

ants09 · 12-03-2012 3:41pm

Daniel S wrote: »

I'm 18 and haven't a full license. No chance of €120 insurance for me

Oh i hate to be in your shoes

have you got one yet ?

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:43pm

mrs crilly wrote: »

Hey I am Lady30 on there

DaveMsport is yer man on the Owners for the engine conversions if you have any questions.

I have heard of some young lads having problems trying to get insurance on the E30's. You could try and get a classic policy with first ireland but you need to have another policy on your own name to qualify for one

It will all work out

Yup, I know you!

I'm the lad who wants an e30 looking exactly (not exactly but pretty close

) like yours :pac: Need to use the Aviva deal tbh, no other way of getting cheap insurance and a full license.

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:44pm

ants09 wrote: »

Oh i hate to be in your shoes have you got one yet ?

I'm applying for a provisional, but want to get Aviva's 6 month deal so I'm waiting to get a car before I apply. Get the most out of it if I can.

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:45pm

http://dublin.gumtree.ie/c-Cars-and-vehicles-for-Sale-cars-BMW-316i-auto-E30-W0QQAdIdZ353569649

That looks okay, but needs a new interior, steering wheel, wheels, gearbox...

Nevermind :pac:

ants09 · 12-03-2012 3:45pm

mrs crilly wrote: »

DaveMsport is yer man on the Owners for the engine conversions if you have any questions.

omg he hates anything less then a six pot or a 318is lol

mrs crilly wrote: »

I have heard of some young lads having problems trying to get insurance on the E30's. You could try and get a classic policy with first ireland but you need to have another policy on your own name to qualify for one

most wont insure a wee young lad but you could get lucky

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:47pm

mrs crilly wrote: »

I have heard of some young lads having problems trying to get insurance on the E30's. You could try and get a classic policy with first ireland but you need to have another policy on your own name to qualify for one

http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=190184&postcount=3

ants09 · 12-03-2012 3:50pm

Daniel S wrote: »

http://dublin.gumtree.ie/c-Cars-and-vehicles-for-Sale-cars-BMW-316i-auto-E30-W0QQAdIdZ353569649

That looks okay, but needs a new interior, steering wheel, wheels, gearbox...

Nevermind :pac:

Looks ok

like to see it to make sure theres no rust on it in usual places

interior ok but if you like i can get you leather seats for her

Its a auto so usually they aint abused like manuals tbh

Be lovely with a mtech1 style steering wheel and bbs style wheels and engine looks unmullested but pictures only tell a certain story

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 3:54pm

ants09 wrote: »

Looks ok

like to see it to make sure theres no rust on it in usual places

interior ok but if you like i can get you leather seats for her

Its a auto so usually they aint abused like manuals tbh

Okay, so that's one good thing about autos :pac:

The interior is okay, but it's just a horrible beige. One of the reasons I was looking to get a black car is because most of them have nice interiors.

There's rust on the bottom of the wings near the bonnet which can't be good.

It also has a sunroof but no pictures of it. A rusty E30, with a sunroof, without pictures cannot be a good thing.

ants09 · 12-03-2012 4:00pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Okay, so that's one good thing about autos :pac:

The interior is okay, but it's just a horrible beige. One of the reasons I was looking to get a black car is because most of them have nice interiors.

There's rust on the bottom of the wings near the bonnet which can't be good.

It also has a sunroof but no pictures of it. A rusty E30, with a sunroof, without pictures cannot be a good thing.

Wouldnt worry about rust at the bottom of the wings tbh as there easy treated

Sunroof can be replaced but check mechanism and seals, cage etc so make sure they are ok

You can get new interior in very cheap so wouldnt let that put you off it

Most important thing is to check for rust and walk away if bad !

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 4:02pm

ants09 wrote: »

Wouldnt worry about rust at the bottom of the wings tbh as there easy treated

Sunroof can be replaced but check mechanism and seals, cage etc so make sure they are ok

You can get new interior in very cheap so wouldnt let that put you off it

Most important thing is to check for rust and walk away if bad !

I meant the roof around the sunroof. If that's damaged, I'd be screwed.

ants09 · 12-03-2012 4:05pm

Daniel S wrote: »

I meant the roof around the sunroof. If that's damaged, I'd be screwed.

If its surface rust you be ok but if its bad then yep you could be screwed but unlikely E30's rust there as never seen any rust there and i have two with sunroofs

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 4:07pm

ants09 wrote: »

If its surface rust you be ok but if its bad then yep you could be screwed but unlikely E30's rust there as never seen any rust there and i have two with sunroofs

http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17731

Combine the two cars!

Gearbox, wheels and exhaust from the black one and everything else from the grey one

ants09 · 12-03-2012 4:18pm

Daniel S wrote: »

http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17731

Combine the two cars!

Gearbox, wheels and exhaust from the black one and everything else from the grey one

If thats a manual then goodluck trying to swap gearbox and engine not impossible

exhaust be difficult as thats for a 320 yours is a 316

interior wont fit as thats a two door and the other one is a four door

but sean your man if you need help along with dave and jozi etc

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 4:19pm

ants09 wrote: »

If thats a manual then goodluck trying to swap gearbox and engine not impossible

exhaust be difficult as thats for a 320 yours is a 316

interior wont fit as thats a two door and the other one is a four door

but sean your man if you need help along with dave and jozi etc

Crap. :rolleyes:

I'll just keep looking for now.

ants09 · 12-03-2012 4:24pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Crap. :rolleyes:

I'll just keep looking for now.

Do you want a manual one or auto ?

Dont rush into anything as take your time and when the right car come then woo hoo

have a look at lady30 cars its mmm

bty that blue one same colour as my one lol

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 4:50pm

ants09 wrote: »

Do you want a manual one or auto ?

Dont rush into anything as take your time and when the right car come then woo hoo

have a look at lady30 cars its mmm

bty that blue one same colour as my one lol

Manual

Yea, I can wait. I'll be using it from next September, so I have time to get it and repair it.

I have seen her's and it's pretty much exactly the way I want it. Can't afford her alloys though :pac:

Isn't it Sapphire Black?

Daniel S · 12-03-2012 4:55pm

Just found this:

WANT NOW!

ants09 · 12-03-2012 5:03pm

Very nice

left hand drive think think she's a M and sex on wheels some say :P

Fiona · 13-03-2012 8:01am

Daniel S wrote: »

I have seen her's and it's pretty much exactly the way I want it. Can't afford her alloys though :pac:

Isn't it Sapphire Black?

Its diamond schwarz and its so hard to keep clean! I got lucky with that car it was everything i ever wanted i was just in the right place at the right time.

I was talking to the seller on the phone about something unrelated and he said he was going to have to sell it and i just asked him how much and we did the deal over the phone. My only advice and the one thing i have learnt is that e30s are adult mechano.

Somebody always has the part you want. You might not buy the perfect car but you can always build the perfect car.

Trust me though my car looks nice far away but there is a lot of working needing to be done on the interior. Seats need to be repaired badly!

Bearcat · 13-03-2012 8:53am

I love the old e30s especially the 325is sports.......I had a316i years ago. My memories were it was asthmatic and the engine sounded like a bag of spanners. Having said that as a first car starting off I'd go for it.....they are very easy to work on and are iconic in their looks......big thumbs up here.

high horse · 13-03-2012 1:47pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Manual

Yea, I can wait. I'll be using it from next September, so I have time to get it and repair it.

I have seen her's and it's pretty much exactly the way I want it. Can't afford her alloys though :pac:

Isn't it Sapphire Black?

IMO the only wheels that should be on an E30 are the original 15" BBS cross spokes. Whatever you do, please don't fit a ****e set of 17" Alpina reps

Daniel S · 13-03-2012 1:52pm

high horse wrote: »

IMO the only wheels that should be on an E30 are the original 15" BBS cross spokes. Whatever you do, please don't fit a ****e set of 17" Alpina reps

Hahaaha! Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of it. If I can't afford decent new BBS, I'll be using an original used set.

Mr Benevolent · 13-03-2012 3:55pm

OP, have you gotten any quotes? An 18 year old provisional driver probably won't get insured on a RWD 1.6 for anything less than €4000. I have a provisional licence, I'm 32 with 1 year's NCB and am still being quoted €1200 for a 1.8 FWD.

Jimdagym · 13-03-2012 3:57pm

Confab wrote: »

OP, have you gotten any quotes? An 18 year old provisional driver probably won't get insured on a RWD 1.6 for anything less than €4000. I have a provisional licence, I'm 32 with 1 year's NCB and am still being quoted €1200 for a 1.8 FWD.

:eek: jaysus. Get that test sorted confab.

Daniel S · 13-03-2012 4:00pm

Confab wrote: »

OP, have you gotten any quotes? An 18 year old provisional driver probably won't get insured on a RWD 1.6 for anything less than €4000. I have a provisional licence, I'm 32 with 1 year's NCB and am still being quoted €1200 for a 1.8 FWD.

Look at aviva's deal with the lessons. €400 for 6 months insurance, 13 lessons and up to a 1.6 litre.

Mr Benevolent · 13-03-2012 4:02pm

Jimdagym wrote: »

:eek: jaysus. Get that test sorted confab.

Yeah, that and getting rid of both cars. Freedom!

Mycroft H · 13-03-2012 4:09pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Look at aviva's deal with the lessons. €400 for 6 months insurance, 13 lessons and up to a 1.6 litre.

Do you have to sign up to a 12 month contract though? You will pay through the nose for other 6 months.

Daniel S · 13-03-2012 4:25pm

BX 19 wrote: »

Do you have to sign up to a 12 month contract though? You will pay through the nose for other 6 months.

Nope, just a six month contract. I was thinking of getting it, then renewing for another 6 months if I can, then sit my exam a month or so into the second renewal.

Pique · 13-03-2012 5:25pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Just found this:

WANT NOW!

ye gods that's clean.
Have those carpets ever seen shoes, or those seats ever seen arses?
M-Tech2 Steering wheel is lovely too.

I used to have an E30 318is and loved it.
Rued the day I ever sold it fo the E36 version.

Mycroft H · 13-03-2012 5:50pm

Will another company take 6 months NCB from AXA?

L-M · 13-03-2012 6:19pm

i miss mine

Daniel S · 13-03-2012 6:52pm

Limerick man wrote: »

i miss mine

Very very nice, Alpinas actually suit that car :P

Ferris · 13-03-2012 8:02pm

high horse wrote: »

IMO the only wheels that should be on an E30 are the original 15" BBS cross spokes. Whatever you do, please don't fit a ****e set of 17" Alpina reps

Mine had 15" Mim alloys off an e21 which I liked, mostly because of the low offset, needed lowering but. It was a 316 and I was only 21, it was a good car though, not exactly a rocket but well able to keep up with traffic.

Fiona · 13-03-2012 8:11pm

I walked passed the car cleaning centre in phibsboro and there was a nice little e30 tucked in at the back. He has cars for sale from time to time give them a bell it looked tidy. I was gonna call in and ask about it but i was in a hurry and he looked to be shutting up for the evening.

CoDy1 · 13-03-2012 8:19pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Look at aviva's deal with the lessons. €400 for 6 months insurance, 13 lessons and up to a 1.6 litre.

The deal with aviva is 6 months free accompanied learner driver cover, on an existing Aviva private motor policy, when you buy a pack of 10 unrestricted or 13 unrestricted or off peak (completed before 12PM Mon – Fri) lessons and complete at least one lesson.

Someone (with a spare bonus) would have to take out a policy with Aviva and add you to it. The policy or the vehicle can't be in your name.

Daniel S · 13-03-2012 8:21pm

CoDy1 wrote: »

The deal with aviva is 6 months free accompanied learner driver cover, on an existing Aviva private motor policy, when you buy a pack of 10 unrestricted or 13 unrestricted or off peak (completed before 12PM Mon – Fri) lessons and complete at least one lesson.

Someone (with a spare bonus) would have to take out a policy with Aviva and add you to it. The policy or the vehicle can't be in your name.

Ah that's not an issue, I'd almost certainly be doing it/going halves with dad so it will be in his name anyway. I think he already has a policy with Aviva.

Mycroft H · 13-03-2012 8:30pm

Daniel S wrote: »

Ah that's not an issue, I'd almost certainly be doing it/going halves with dad so it will be in his name anyway. I think he already has a policy with Aviva.

Also check out if Aviva will insure you on a vehicle more the 20 years old. Many insurers wont. I know 123.ie/RSA wont.

Big Nasty · 13-03-2012 8:36pm

I like the way you're thinking, i.e. E30 as opposed to some sh1tty Almera.

You may already know this but if you spot a 316 (non fuel injected) that you like it has a 1.8 engine as opposed to the 1.6 in the 316i. It won't be any good to you with all this 1.6 lark!

Secondly, coupe or nothing. I would agree with the earlier comment about the BBS too.

First car I bought was an '85 320 coupe. No pics but looked like this:
images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQeiXeE6Q55QY5w968etIg2O6EtySp_Ibucabb4SfktLaN-32up

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQeiXeE6Q55QY5w968etIg2O6EtySp_Ibucabb4SfktLaN-32up

e30 316i as first car?

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