E30 convertible

Good day all,

I am looking to add a stablemate (turbo Miata) that would be able to allow some top down convertible driving with the rest of my family and the E30 naturally came to mind.

I don't see much about them, did the lopping of the top totally ruin the character of the E30 with weight/flex or are they pretty good?

If it's a cruiser, who cares how many g's it can pull? Make sure the back seat is big enough, as it is a little on the small side.

True, but my cruisers never seem to stay cruisers...

How does 3K sound for a rust free but original (struts, etc) 5 speed 1990 in white with a blue top? The car has 107K

I believe those E30's need a timing belt, they were pre-chain correct?

Yes, the M20B25 in the E30 325i uses a timing belt, and is an interference engine. I replaced mine in an afternoon 2 weeks ago. It is not a difficult job to do, and is a good time to replace accessory belts, water pump, tensioner, etc.

Clean, low mileage E30s are getting hard to find. If the car you are looking at is in very good condition, I would say that price is appropriate. Expect to replace most wear items and put that in your budget. Parts are readily available and inexpensive, and the cars are really easy and straightforward to work on.

We have a 318 convertible. Its slow. And um.... thats about all the bad I can say about it. And with the five speed you don't even notice that it is slow, and it can be thrown around corners pretty well.

That being said, I don't know how it compares to other E30's because I've never driven any others. Dad says that he bought it because it reminded him of the 2002.

I just checked out the weight, BMW listed it 10 pounds lighter than the IX, so not too bad. It's still 145 pounds more than a coupe, but I imagine it feels pretty light still (certainly by today's standards!!)

danwink wrote: I just checked out the weight, BMW listed it 10 pounds lighter than the IX, so not too bad. It's still 145 pounds more than a coupe, but I imagine it feels pretty light still (certainly by today's standards!!)

Our's certainly does. Of course its only a 4 banger, but it is light.

I had an 87 325ic and I miss it terribly. Unless you're going to autocross it, screw the drop-lid. Its all the fun of an e30 minus 10% of the handling but add 100% more funn

and yes I spelled funn with two "n"s

And as an added bonus, if you are of the age that would be interested, it is a chick magnet...

curtis73 wrote: I had an 87 325ic and I miss it terribly. Unless you're going to autocross it, screw the drop-lid. Its all the fun of an e30 minus 10% of the handling but add 100% more funn and yes I spelled funn with two "n"s

Thanks!

I suspect with new M3 control arms and the full suspension treatment it would be pretty close to a normal E30 anyhow. I think I am sold.

mtn wrote: And as an added bonus, if you are of the age that would be interested, it is a chick magnet...

Well, if my wife and 2 daughters count...

My 3 year old rides in my turbo miata and begs me to go fast... she will like it.