E30 vs E36

[roberttran]

Hey,
I'm tossing around the idea of getting a complete sh1tbox fixer upper and I'm trying to figure out which one would be cheaper/easier to fix up. I'm thinking of maybe spending under $1000 for the car and a few grand fixing her up (less is better).

Are E30 or E36 parts more available? I'm leaning towards the E36 since there were so many and I'm seeing parts for them being sold on the boards very often. I also like the fact that the E36 engines used chains instead of belts. However, I love the look for the E30 and how they are small and lightweight.

I plan on ripping all of the interior out and having only the bare minimum inside. This is going to be a street car and don't have any real plans on it being track worthy. But at the end of the project, the car should be a clean reliable commuter car.

Thanks,
Robert

[Gregg]

I am going with an E30. I have never been a big fan of the E36 but taste is individual.

[erik325i]

e30 deffinately.
Compareds to e36, the e30 parts are CHEAP and plentiful. Go to your local junkyard and find a row of e30s to take parts from. Rarely will you see an e36 at a self-serve junkyard.

With your budget, deffinately get an e30. You could make a decent car with only a few grand. With an e36 though, if you find one for $1,000, you probably shouldn't even bother fixing it up. It will be a total beater.

plus, e30s are just better.

[ehlpitel]

What's the point of removing everything from the car unless you plan on tracking it? I would go with an e30, you could swap the motor you like into it.

[B.Watts]

These two statements simply don't make sense together:


I plan on ripping all of the interior out and having only the bare minimum inside. This is going to be a street car and don't have any real plans on it being track worthy.


But at the end of the project, the car should be a clean reliable commuter car.

Why would you want a loud, uncomfortable, no interior car as a commuter car?

[roberttran]

These two statements simply don't make sense together:
Why would you want a loud, uncomfortable, no interior car as a commuter car?

Well with a car that old and in crappy condition, I'm sure most of the interior will be in crappy shape too. Maybe I'd redo the interior if it's cheap, but priority is to get the car running well. What basically meant by that was during the initial fixer up stage, everything would be coming out. Overtime I'd put things back in as I find the parts or fix up the old ones.

[rmani]

an e30 would probably suite your needs a little better.

[cgregory]

If you're just looking for a beater, you can find E30s suitable to be driven daily without needing to be fixed up for $1K.

[roberttran]

How much would a beat up E30 go for? I don't mind if I have to replace everything inside to the suspension. I'd have body work and fresh paint done so body condition should be salvagable. Only thing I don't want to worry about in the beginning phase is internal engine problems.

I seems that E30's are still in high demand and every one I've seen is being sold for rediculious amounts for their condition.

[roberttran]

If you're just looking for a beater, you can find E30s suitable to be driven daily without needing to be fixed up for $1K.

I am looking for a beater, but also a lil project I can work on. I have an E36 now so when the beater is up on jack stands, I still have a car to drive.

[Ryan Stewart]

You can get a pretty nice 84 318i for a grand, shit it should be about mint for that.

[roberttran]

You can get a pretty nice 84 318i for a grand, shit it should be about mint for that.

Would an 84 be worth fixing up? I'm sure an 84 would have like 200k+ miles on the engine or something.

I'd like to get an 85 or newer. I have a thing with cars older then I am.....

Where would I go about looking for an old E30? I've tried cars.com which also has newspaper ads posted. Haven't been able to find any. Everyone is asking like 2k+ for an '86 E30 :(