Buying a used E30

[firstbmw]

I am looking around for a used E30 and I was wondering what is the difference, if any, between 325e,325es,325i,ect... All the ads say the cars have "every available option" so I was wondering if there is any real difference? What about resale value? Is an "is" more valuable than an "es"? One final question I have is there anything on E30's that you should watch out for? Do they have any weaknesses that you can spot when test driving them? Thanks

[davan]

325i/325iC/325iX (1987-1991)

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
M20 2494cc SOHC belt-driven inline 6, 2 valves/cylinder, cast crankshaft
168 hp @ 5800 RPM
164 lb-ft torque @ 4300 RPM
Compression ratio: 8.8:1
Bore/stroke: 84x75 mm
Bosch Motronic 1.3* fuel injection w/ DME
Exhaust control: 3-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor

5-speed Getrag 260 (manual)
Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/5/R): 3.83 / 2.20 / 1.40 / 1.00 / 0.81 / 3.71
4-speed ZF 4 HP 22 (automatic)
Ratios:1 (1/2/3/4/R): 2.48 / 1.48 / 1.00 / 0.73 / 2.09
Final drive: 3.73:1
4.10:1 (325iX) also has center differential w/viscous coupling,
27%/63% f/r torque split

CHASSIS
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil springs, lower control arms, swaybar
Rear suspension: Semi-trailing arms, progressive rate coil springs, swaybar

Steering: Rack and pinion, power assist
Steering ratio: 20.5:1

Front brakes: 260mm ventilated discs
Rear brakes: 260mm discs
ABS standard

14x6.0 alloy wheels on 195/60HR14 tires
14x6.5 alloy wheels on 195/65VR14 tires (325is)
15x7.0 alloy wheels on 205/55VR15 tires (325iX)

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
Weight distribution, F/R: 53%/47%
Fuel capacity: 14.5 gallons (1987, 1989-1990)
16.4 gallons (1988)
Curb weight: 2811 lbs (325i 2-door, all years)
2850 lbs (1987 325i 4-door)
2813 lbs (1987 325is)
3015 lbs (1987 325iC)
2895 lbs (1988 325i 4-door)
2865 lbs (1988 325is)
3055 lbs (1988-1990 325iC)
3010 lbs (1988-1990 325iX, 2-door)
2844 lbs (1989-1991 325i 4-door, 1989-1990 325is)
3054 lbs (1989 325iX 4-door)
3050 lbs (1990 325iX 4-door)
2988 lbs (1991-1993 325iC)
2955 lbs (1991 325iX 2-door)
2999 lbs (1991 325iX 4-door)

PERFORMANCE
0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds (325i manual)
8.1 seconds (325iX manual)
Top speed: 136 mph (325i)
132 mph (325iX)
130 mph (325iC)
Skidpad, lateral g: 0.79
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: 18/23

The "is" came with an LSD, sport seats, better suspension, more complete onboard computer, sport wheels. The "ic" is a 'vert. Equipped the same as an "i" I believe.

If you plan on doing any mods at all, get an "i" or "is". The engines in the "e" and "es" models have a lot less horsepower. They were made as a fuel economy car. Also, I'm not sure what year it was, but BMW released a "325" without any "i", "e", "es", etc. badging on it. I don't know much about it, but I think it was basically an "e" car.

Anyone else care to fill in the details?

[MR 325]

http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/differences.html

[BLAZEDe30]

i had a '87 325....its pretty much an "e"......except that it came with a cloth interior, and no cruise control....thats all i can think of that was different from the "e".....

[MR 325]

Originally Posted by BLAZEDe30

i had a '87 325....its pretty much an "e"......except that it came with a cloth interior, and no cruise control....thats all i can think of that was different from the "e".....

Cloth was purely an option. As far as the 325 it was the base model, 325e was better and the 325es was the sport model of the Eta cars

[DanGillan]

dont forget... e or es or any not i means shitbox.... i mean economy model, as in no power, save yourself the trouble dude, and just buy an 88-91 325i(or is) you wont be dissapointed

[firstbmw]

Great info! I was also wondering if there is anything that you should check specifically when looking at a used one? Like are they prone to rusting in any weird places? Any engine or other drivetrain problems? Electrical?

[OreoGaborio]

Originally Posted by DanGillan

dont forget... e or es or any not i means shitbox.... i mean economy model, as in no power, save yourself the trouble dude, and just buy an 88-91 325i(or is) you wont be dissapointed

hey dan, wanna race? i bet those Kopi's slow your car down to Eta status

[MR 325]

Check for service history. Mainly the timing belt. If it goes, the motor is done.

Dan, Eta's pwn you

[schmidty]

Originally Posted by BLAZEDe30

i had a '87 325....its pretty much an "e"......except that it came with a cloth interior, and no cruise control....thats all i can think of that was different from the "e".....

Damn dude, what happened to the '87, rear-end a semi? looks like the whole front passenger compartment is crushed?
I thought mine was totaled, not that it isn't, but damn.