how's the reliability of the E30 325i?

[DSK M3/4]

i'm trying to convince my father in law that an E30 325i would be a good car for my sister in law. she wants an E36 325i, but that is quite a bit more money, and my recollection is that the E30s were pretty solid cars for the money. thoughts?

[Don Stevens]

You have to be careful though to find one with a good history. Bimmers are expensive to fix and if things like water pumps, timing belts, clutches, wheel bearings (hubs), and A/C have not been replaced by 100K miles, they will need to be at significnaty expense. the ideal thing is to find a 100K car that someone has just fixed all of this stuff. They get fed up with the bills but don't realize the car will go for another 100K without a problem.

Good Luck,

Don

[E30pwr]

Originally posted by Don Stevens
You have to be careful though to find one with a good history. Bimmers are expensive to fix and if things like water pumps, timing belts, clutches, wheel bearings (hubs), and A/C have not been replaced by 100K miles, they will need to be at significnaty expense. the ideal thing is to find a 100K car that someone has just fixed all of this stuff. They get fed up with the bills but don't realize the car will go for another 100K without a problem.

Good Luck,

Don

What he said. :) I got lucky and all mine had been performed directly prior to her selling the car. :)

[D Davis 89 325iS]

Man, i love mine, i have had no problems what so ever, when i bought it i got all the records on it and it was taken care of WELL i mean WELL. These are great cars, i have a 89 325iS, and it's a blast, and a great High school car for me. I love it and i would say go fot teh E30 325i, but if you get a 325iS you get : stiffer spring rates, stiffer shocks, thicker sway bars?, and the best of all, a LSD rear end, plus sport seats and all the great add ons. Trust me, they are fun fun cars, and get a 5SPD!!!!!!

[The Beastmaster]

Well, I'm new to the E30's. Just picked one up last night to add to my BMW collection. '89 325i 2dr, Bronzit, 58k, original owner, all records. Timing belt, water pump and all major service done in the past year, new brakes in January. Perfect condition, one of the cleanest ones I have ever seen. Converting the AC on Monday to R134.

[00soul]

i have a 1990 325i, i crashed head on so the front was fucked, but luckily i have a uncle who is a BMW master, and he fixed mine up real nice, i love going into the dealership near his house with him because everyone knows him and he knows everyone on a first name basis, one time i went we went test driving a Z3 without the usual dealership guy sitting shotgun

[casto1313]

i just got a 89 325i and had to replace the ball joints it was 200 dollars and everything else is stock i took it to a bmw repair ahop by my house and everything came out good but thats 1 out of the 3 ive had that didnt need more done just be careful

[casto1313]

def get the is if possible it cost alot to get the is parts im converting my 325i to an is like seats steering wheel ect... and they are a bitch to find and alot of money