Salutations to all Bimmermans.I used to drive a stock E30 320i (M) more than 15 years ago as my everyday transport. After that I changed to E34 and several models (including non BMW). Now the E30 bug is coming back, but the concern is that the cars are not that young anymore and may not be suitable for daily usage. So I just wanna know if anybody in this BMWCM forum actually use their E30s as their daily workhorse and how is it faring nowadays in terms of reliability, mileage and repair costs.Thanks.Cheers and best regards,Zaim Al-Amin aka zaimhq.
BMW E30 as a daily workhorse
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rockonla
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hey bro, im currently using my e30 m40 engine car on a daily basis and i think it copes with modern traffic just well. the gas mileage are good and the parts are plenty (if ur not talking abt rare parts such as mtech bumpers, alpinas rims, spoilers, all that). ive done some major service to her at about two years ago, and fixing the little niggles here and there is normal. in terms of reliability, ive had no break down with her and im stuck in the kl jam like daily. longest drive i had with her was to johore and that was smooth sailing all the way. as long as u get the service and parts changed in time, ul be happy with her. im surprised that some parts are cheaper compared to a normal wira parts but last much longer. once u get urs ready, all checked out, the drive is awesome!
datsunnismo
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i 2nd rockonla....
kgb
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Had a drive to Phuket (lets not talk about Johore, Penang, Kelantan and etc that i've done plenty of times) at the beginning of this year, or was it a flight? I guess it was, since pedal to the metal all the way! I will never admit overtaking Thai Ambulance which was flying to some emergency.... :76:
Point i am trying to make is this: on the clock i have well over 470,000km, i take very little care of the car other than changing oil and some minor repairs when i bought the car, traffic jam on daily basis, no overheating, nothing, it just goes!
Go buy one!!!
Point i am trying to make is this: on the clock i have well over 470,000km, i take very little care of the car other than changing oil and some minor repairs when i bought the car, traffic jam on daily basis, no overheating, nothing, it just goes!
Go buy one!!!
Jules
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My 28 year old 323 ( M20 6 cylinder ) was a daily drive.......until only recently. Now its a 3 times weekly or when i need to go a bit further.
Its been a good car to me, altho a bit tired in the engine side - some oil consumption. Overheated on SIC track twice ( broken hose, punctured welch plug ) few years back and still after replacing the parts and filling w water.....:top:
Its a simple car mechanically - take care of it, nothing fancy and it will serve you well. Also as its an old car.....ppl will always be surprised with how this car can still go!
Have fun.
Its been a good car to me, altho a bit tired in the engine side - some oil consumption. Overheated on SIC track twice ( broken hose, punctured welch plug ) few years back and still after replacing the parts and filling w water.....:top:
Its a simple car mechanically - take care of it, nothing fancy and it will serve you well. Also as its an old car.....ppl will always be surprised with how this car can still go!
Have fun.
mizhan
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used my 4-door to work before that task got replaced by the E34. no breakdown by the roadside during those 2 years i used her, and i touched 200kmh almost every morning on the NKVE stretch before Bukit Raja tol. can't wait for her to be on the road again, in Sterling Silver this time 
Eggie86
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mizhan;616212 said:used my 4-door to work before that task got replaced by the E34. no breakdown by the roadside during those 2 years i used her, and i touched 200kmh almost every morning on the NKVE stretch before Bukit Raja tol. can't wait for her to be on the road again, in Sterling Silver this time
For a moment I thought you were referring to your Once In A Lifetime Project, until you mentioned the colour. Hehe. Wow, 200 KM. @_@... I don't even have the balls to exceed 180km when I was presented with a really awesome piece of road on LEKAS today. Hahaha.
And just to chime in with what the others had mentioned, I can only say, Why not as a Daily Driver? It's still a pretty robust car, and there's still a fair few running around.
Hi,
I think it depends on personal perception. If you are someone who had been very used to a new age car, you may find it a bit uncomfortable and impractical. On the other hand, if you are not, you may find it more acceptable in terms of comfort, handling and etc etc...
Also, daily basis can differ alot depending on your time spent on driving. Is it just to commute from home and office? Or do you drive to many destination everyday? Far or near ? All are factors...
For me, the e30, if well maintained, can be everyday car provided you can accept the 20 yr old technology. For me, it is fine as my usage is quite minimal everyday. It has power steering, power window, air cond, for me thats the minimal requirement for everyday usage. It was my everyday car for the past 6 years and still is but lesser now since i alternate it with another car. And the last 6 years, it has never fail me. I do very little mileage everyday though.
The e30 is a very special car. Driving pleasure is almost second to none. Well, personal of course but for me, e36 or e46 cannot give me the same feeling of 'attach' and 'confident'....for some reasons...it is weird e90 is just too big for a 3 series, imho....i never understand why cars keep getting fatter...? Though i do agree that e30 is a little too small for 4 adults....but i cannot imagine what would a 7 series be like in another 3 generations.... lets see if anybody can remember this and bring up this post after 3 generations in future hope everybody gets to see it.
My humbly 2c....
I think it depends on personal perception. If you are someone who had been very used to a new age car, you may find it a bit uncomfortable and impractical. On the other hand, if you are not, you may find it more acceptable in terms of comfort, handling and etc etc...
Also, daily basis can differ alot depending on your time spent on driving. Is it just to commute from home and office? Or do you drive to many destination everyday? Far or near ? All are factors...
For me, the e30, if well maintained, can be everyday car provided you can accept the 20 yr old technology. For me, it is fine as my usage is quite minimal everyday. It has power steering, power window, air cond, for me thats the minimal requirement for everyday usage. It was my everyday car for the past 6 years and still is but lesser now since i alternate it with another car. And the last 6 years, it has never fail me. I do very little mileage everyday though.
The e30 is a very special car. Driving pleasure is almost second to none. Well, personal of course but for me, e36 or e46 cannot give me the same feeling of 'attach' and 'confident'....for some reasons...it is weird
e90 is just too big for a 3 series, imho....i never understand why cars keep getting fatter...? Though i do agree that e30 is a little too small for 4 adults....but i cannot imagine what would a 7 series be like in another 3 generations.... lets see if anybody can remember this and bring up this post after 3 generations in future hope everybody gets to see it.My humbly 2c....
datsunnismo
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before i shifted to klang, my e30 makes daily trip from kuala selangor to klang. 120km round trip, thats not all, again from klang to kl and west port almost every day. thats another say about 80kms.....
hidup e30!!!
hidup e30!!!
Its a hardy car. With proper TLC, it should last. Furthermore, like most forummers, its a simple car to DIY. Had taken the interior apart to dry the carpet, quite easy and the web is full of helpful fellas with shared experiences to get you started on the right DIY path.
Was initially thinking of getting the e39, but then, changed to get a e30 since it was smaller and (more importantly) more fun to own and drive.
cheers.
Was initially thinking of getting the e39, but then, changed to get a e30 since it was smaller and (more importantly) more fun to own and drive.
cheers.
evilnickwong
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I used my E30 daily to work and everywhere else for about 2 years plus since the day I got it. As long as you keep up with the maintenance etc, it's fine.
Nowadays it only gets used one week per month or so as I'm no longer working in the country.
Nowadays it only gets used one week per month or so as I'm no longer working in the country.
fabianyee
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the 4 cylinder M40 318i is pretty PPAG (pump petrol and go) and lower maintenance with 2 less cylinder... but it lacks the silky smooth power delivery of the 6 cylinder M20...
However, in Malaysia most of the facelifted(89-91) E30 are 318i and very rare u come across facelifted 320i and 325i as those would be imported or converted from 318i...
prefacelift (84-88) E30 has inherent issue with rust. Facelifted E30 has galvanised body panels with better rust resistance, but don't be deceived cos better rust resistance does not mean rust proof. It'll still rust, just that it wouldn't spread so easily. Especially at hidden places where grime, mud, dried leaves accumulated..
However, in Malaysia most of the facelifted(89-91) E30 are 318i and very rare u come across facelifted 320i and 325i as those would be imported or converted from 318i...
prefacelift (84-88) E30 has inherent issue with rust. Facelifted E30 has galvanised body panels with better rust resistance, but don't be deceived cos better rust resistance does not mean rust proof. It'll still rust, just that it wouldn't spread so easily. Especially at hidden places where grime, mud, dried leaves accumulated..
SimpleSoul
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My E30M20B20 is my daily ride. Just completed KL-MlK-Singapore-Mlk-KL within 36 hrs. I also clock 5000km about 2 -2.5 months. So far no major problems. Reliable machine.
ICEMAN 68
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sorry offtopic ...not an e30 , but even my e36 too is my daily work horse ...
previously running on m40b18 -- as fabian puts it PPAG and every 45days oil change is being carried out ...
now on m50b25 -- still using the same method as m40b18
previously running on m40b18 -- as fabian puts it PPAG and every 45days oil change is being carried out ...
now on m50b25 -- still using the same method as m40b18
to be honest to you guys here at the forum, i do not own a beemer, so by right im not really part of this forum but hopefully i will be soon...hehe... the only reason why i joined this forum is that i have been contemplating to buy an E30 and i have been stalking this forum reading bout all the problems e30 owners face with their cars.i currently drive a peugeot206 (naza bestari) and i am very discontented with the way it drives and im looking for more excitement in a car.
each time i bring up the topic of getting an e30 with frens n family they give me loads of reasons why NOT to buy the car eg car is too old to be reliable,parts are expensive and hard to find, fuel consumption is high,alot of attention needed for a car this old etc etc.
so basically i am sorta like on the same page as zaimhq and i want to know whether or not an e30 is practical as a day to day car? and while looking for a car, what are the things that i should be looking for in an e30 that qualifies it to be a daily workhorse? thanks in advance for the advice..hehe!
each time i bring up the topic of getting an e30 with frens n family they give me loads of reasons why NOT to buy the car eg car is too old to be reliable,parts are expensive and hard to find, fuel consumption is high,alot of attention needed for a car this old etc etc.
so basically i am sorta like on the same page as zaimhq and i want to know whether or not an e30 is practical as a day to day car? and while looking for a car, what are the things that i should be looking for in an e30 that qualifies it to be a daily workhorse? thanks in advance for the advice..hehe!
fabianyee
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I think all of your points have been discussed before, on this thread and others.
The last of the E30 was rolled out in 1991, some 20 years ago. If the car and engine are in reasonably good health, there's nothing to prevent it from being used as a daily ride. Fuel consumption would be higher than the lighter jap cars. but some of the M40-engined 318i have gotten good consumption. the key is engine health. Parts wise, yes, some parts may appear to be more expensive but the conti parts can last significantly longer than the jap parts from the same era. Once changed, can be problem free for years.
Better still if you're grease monkey who can DIY on the car.. It's a very simple car to maintain, especially the 318i. everything straightforward.
The last of the E30 was rolled out in 1991, some 20 years ago. If the car and engine are in reasonably good health, there's nothing to prevent it from being used as a daily ride. Fuel consumption would be higher than the lighter jap cars. but some of the M40-engined 318i have gotten good consumption. the key is engine health. Parts wise, yes, some parts may appear to be more expensive but the conti parts can last significantly longer than the jap parts from the same era. Once changed, can be problem free for years.
Better still if you're grease monkey who can DIY on the car.. It's a very simple car to maintain, especially the 318i. everything straightforward.
