M3 E30 Wanted

[steveashby]

Hi

Am looking gain for a M3 E30.had 2 over the last 9 years...sold the last one 2001.want one again

Any idea where to look?

Cheers

Steve

[kiko]

In the classifieds section. There was an Evo 2 for 10g for sale not long ago. If it's not rusted it's worth that and more.

[pikeyboy]

good man these cars are brilliant, i really miss mine

[andye30m3]

Munich Legends had a few last time i was there

[Piers917]

I'm seriously considering buying one of these. However i'd need to sell my Caterham first. Would i be mad to do so, or are they really as good as everyone seems to say they are?

[Nico G]

Piers917 said:

I'm seriously considering buying one of these. However i'd need to sell my Caterham first. Would i be mad to do so, or are they really as good as everyone seems to say they are?

I am awful for getting bored of cars and getting something new. I recently sold a standard 1989 car and replaced it with a Sport Evo. They really are brilliant cars and the SE is the latest in a series of 11 BMWs I have owned. I still really want an 8 Series, They're just so much car for the money. Several times I have convinced myself I'll sell it and get something newer as I can't afford to run loads of cars, then I drive it over the south downs to work and I think to myself, I'll never sell this and I need to start saving for something else, and a house, and a new engine management system and a carbon airbox and a power boat, I need to be minted

Get a good one and there's nothing so rewarding to drive, they are so much more than a bespoilered E30!!

[Piers917]

Nico - How pricey to run are they? I'd probably spend about 10-12k on one so that should buy me a nice tidy original example. I'd probably do about 5k miles per year as it's only a weekend toy. What's the insurance like?

[RLK500]

Well they are not expensive to run (IMHO). Once they are in a good state of repair then they are really bullet proof, you can rag them mercilessly. Remember that the engine was designed with 24 hour events in mind, so they will take lots of punishment. You should get good fuel mileage high 20's around town and easily 30+ on a run. If you like driving you will love it, if you want to be driven, it's the wrong car for you.

[Nico G]

RLK500 said:

Well they are not expensive to run (IMHO). Once they are in a good state of repair then they are really bullet proof, you can rag them mercilessly. Remember that the engine was designed with 24 hour events in mind, so they will take lots of punishment. You should get good fuel mileage high 20's around town and easily 30+ on a run. If you like driving you will love it, if you want to be driven, it's the wrong car for you.

I agree with all that but would add that what costs money once the car is good is upgrading it. They don't need anything but you won't be able to help yourself!! I have at least a £10K fantasy shopping basket for my car and that's just under the bonnet!!

[m3evo2]

Will be keeping mine as original as possible. Great cars, always puts a grin on my face and never ceases to amaze me with my limited piloting skills.

[_daveR]

I really want one too but the amount of rust that seems to exist on a lot of them really concerns me. Ive seen a few of the restoration project blogs where people have taken them down to the shell to cut it all out.
Buying one that ended up being that bad puts me off and it annoys me as I want one so badly!
What chances are there of finding a fairly rot free example?

[Geneve]

There are some excellent, original, well preserved E30 M3s, but often in long term ownership.

Many of those that appear in the classifieds and ebay, particularly in the lower price ranges, can be pretty iffy - non-original, 'blinged' and 'chavved', patchy history, tired and rusty. Best avoided.

It takes time to find a gem, but they are out there. Best to place a 'wanted' ad in the right media/forums. Many of the best cars change hands without ever being advertised.

[sleep envy]

_daveR said:

I really want one too but the amount of rust that seems to exist on a lot of them really concerns me. Ive seen a few of the restoration project blogs where people have taken them down to the shell to cut it all out.
Buying one that ended up being that bad puts me off and it annoys me as I want one so badly!
What chances are there of finding a fairly rot free example?

there's a very nice one in the classifides of www.e30zone.co.uk at a keen price too

if only I had the space...