Hi all,

I've got a Polo GTi at the minute which I've had for a couple of years now, but I'm bored of it. Been looking around for a new project/track day car and have so far landed on the E30 325 sport. They're around the same value as my Polo, and I can take the upgraded brakes and wheels over too - bonus! And it seems quite an easy route to put the more modern M50/2 engines into them for extra power/reliability (and it will keep me busy/let me learn). Plus I love the look of them too.

That shape. ^

Anyone had an experience/opinions on the E30's or got any other ideas for an older, preferably RWD project/trackday car for around £2.5k (value of the Polo). I'd rather something 80's/early 90'sc era rather than a more modern car, and I don't want anything VAG have made (so no mk-II Golfs!).

I think in my heart I've settled on the E30 as it's the one car I keep searching/researching on, but there could be something I've forgotten when looking/trawling pistonheads. I'm not after the fastest of cars, just something fun (and not totally out of it's league on a track).

Thanks!

Joe

I had 1 of them , a silver 325i sport with black recaro leather and every option, bbs wheels etc, it was an e reg but was full of rust which really suprised me , nice car lovely noiseand quite fast for its day .

Be very careful when u look to check inner wings and wheel arches , the sports are quite sought after tho so may pay more

I had a H reg 316i, my dad had an E reg 318i and my mate had a E reg 316 carb and a G reg 318i. I then went onto a J reg 320i E36 6 pot and then a K reg E36 318iS so I do have some experience with these lol. E30 as a track car would be an interesting choice. Even my 316i was a tail happy thing and I saw a guy trying to wield a 325i on a track day and was struggling to keep it in a.straight line. Terrible rear suspension. The M50 engine is good though but make sure you get the VANOS equipped M50TU one. I had the non VANOS one and it had nack all mid range torque. Also they rust like mad so keep an eye out for that on the sills and in the boot behind the carpets.

Nice cars but rust is the biggest killer unless looked after properly. Check the boot floor and side carefully from both sides, under the carpet. Look for signs that the floor has already undergone welding or other rust / accident repairs.

I have previously owned:

(1988 'E') E30 318i

(1989 'F') E30 325i Touring (the 'one' car I regret selling)

(1991 'H') E30 318iS

(1989 'F') E30 M3

(1996 'P') E36 323i Coupé

I can honestly say the 318iS was the worst one of the lot, the 16v engine fitted to it (and later used in the E36) means it needs to be revved more than the non iS 8v engine.

The straight 6's were the most enjoyable to drive, a LSD though makes it a much more capable car, especially when it gets wet, for trackday action I would say it is a must.

Rust is going to be an issue though IMO, the newest one you will find is going to be 21 years old! look for rust in the bottom corners of the windscreen scuttle, front turret tops and bulkhead, these seem to be the first area's to go.

Don't buy the cheapest one you find either as there are a lot of rough (and accident damaged) ones about.

For everyday driving then it has to be a 6 cylinder one, for a dry weekend toy then a nice E30 M3 Sport Evo (if you can find a nice one now) would be my No.1 choice if I had a garage. (although that would be a tad over your budget )

Decent 2 door E30's are also getting harder to find now as well, as a few years ago they started a rally series for BMW's.

Terrible rear suspension.

Whats wrong with it?

I have previously owned:

Rust is going to be an issue though IMO, the newest one you will find is going to be 21 years old! look for rust in the bottom corners of the windscreen scuttle, front turret tops and bulkhead, these seem to be the first area's to go.

This one has never had any bodywork due to rust, the front bumper & rear spoiler have had attention due to paint fade:-

but you have to keep on top of it every year, even if it's only a summer car. .

Trailing arm rear suspension which is very basic and prone to bump oversteer. As such makes the car twitchy when pushed and notorious for doing 180's at inappropriate moments. Caught me out on a roundabout in the not so powerful 316i and I was hardly pushing it. The E36 introduced the Z axle multi link rear suspension which was much better. Even in the 320i and given the beans it was pretty stable on wet bends. Apart from the E36 compact which retained the E30 trailing arm setup due to space constraints. As I say, "interesting" on a track.

With values of good ones on the up i wouldnt bother killing one by messing/tracking it, if you want cheap trackday rwd fun get on skyline owners and check the amount of rwd r32 gtst that can be had for no cash at all , beutiful handling near limitless tning potential and reliable as hell with a bit of basic maintenance

Trailing arm rear suspension which is very basic and prone to bump oversteer. As such makes the car twitchy when pushed and notorious for doing 180's at inappropriate moments. Caught me out on a roundabout in the not so powerful 316i and I was hardly pushing it. The E36 introduced the Z axle multi link rear suspension which was much better. Even in the 320i and given the beans it was pretty stable on wet bends. Apart from the E36 compact which retained the E30 trailing arm setup due to space constraints. As I say, "interesting" on a track.

Before the E30 I had cart springs, now this setup I found to slighty bump, never had any problems with the E30 or cosworth, mst be my slow driving. .

I'd personally go mk1 MX5 or Cliosport 172.

Thanks all for the feedback. I knew rust was an issue, but have looked into it a bit further and it's worse than I thought. Doesn't put me off, just means I'll be more thorough in my checking.

I'd love an M3 version. . . my finances are about £13k (at least!) short though.

Re the MX-5, while they maybe fantastic cars, and I don't doubt that they are, they just don't interest me. I'm loathed to spend money on a car that doesn't get my interest. The Clio I like, insurance is a bit high though, and I'd rather not have another hatchback unless it was the V6 Clio. . . .

The argument about not tracking them - I do see your point, but a car is to be driven IMO, if I break something it's just an excuse to upgrade it really. Of course, I could crash it into something, but having seen the driving around here, I think that's just as likely on the roads! Skylines would be tempting, but again, they just don't float my boat in the same way.

That red one looks nice - everytime I see one I keep changing my mind on the colours! Quite nice to hear they're not universally slated. If I'd come on here saying I want a Vectra I'd be laughed out the door!

I'd love an M3 version. . . my finances are about £13k (at least!) short though.

I wont show you my old one then

oops sorry.

Very nice Martin.

I'd love an M3 version. . .

So would I, but the wheel's on the wrong side. .

MX5's are a great little car though, once you drive one you'll know why.

I had an E36 M3 Evo saloon, I'd personally go E36 and a 328 coupe of you really want to go BMW.

Other option is safe pennies and buy a cheap Elise or VX220.

I'm not denying they're good, they're just not to my taste. My fear would be buying one but not having the motivation to do much/anything with it, which is where I am now with my Polo. I don't like the look of the e36, and it's too close age wise to my 330 to be different enough IMO - the E30 is that much older/rawer. Dirt cheap though, real performance bargins the 328s!

Elise/VX200 beyond my budget, no way I can afford one of those and get myself through my final year of uni too!

Is that yours G.P? It looks absolutely spotless inside!

Is that yours G.P? It looks absolutely spotless inside!

It's in my garage but owned by my Dad from new, but he has a new 1 now so does'nt use it much, so I get the pleasure, it's on 78k at the moment. .

If you got a good one it'd be better to keep as a classic.

Clio 172 can make a good track car, I know someone who has just done that. Bought one that was sound but needing a bit of suspension work (he's a mechanic) and it'll only cost him about £3k to buy the car and make it the way he wants. but then has also has a Renault 5 Turbo as another toy.