E30 As First Car

[GavinShep]

I am looking into getting my first car and an e30 is one of the top choices. However I have some questions that hopefully I can get some answers to. 1. How reliable are they generally/ is there is difference in reliability between models? I am looking mainly at the 325i
2. In general how is insurance?
3. Are they safe?

[superj]

they are very reliable but they are also 30 years old, so there will be some maintenance and items that need replacing more than on a newer car. no difference in reliability between models though.


for my kids, its about 100 bucks a month, each, to have insurance on their e30s, on our plan. not liability, actual real deal with towing and everything, insurance.

they are as safe as you will be in a car that is older. only the last year or two of e30s had air bags so prior to that, you are seat belts and being an aware driver for safety

[tomstin]

1. How reliable are they generally/ is there is difference in reliability between models? I am looking mainly at the 325i
2. In general how is insurance?
3. Are they safe?

1) These are 30+ year old cars, if you can't do the maintenance yourself, it can get expensive quick. Once you get them sorted, they are reliable. But they are 30+ year old cars, it's always something.
2) Generally pretty reasonable as the book value is next to nothing, easy to total from the insurance company's perspective.
3) Compared to today's cars, not very, early airbag and antiknock brake technology (if you have a model with both), none of the newer nanny aids. But with a manual, you need to pay more attention to the process of driving and use all your extremities. So, in a way, I think it is safer.

[323i E30]

Does anyone have any knowledge about the safety level of 30 year old airbags btw..?
Really just curious, and relevant to this thread.

[superj]

I don't. I didn't even like having an e30 with an air bag. I would rather be an aware careful driver than rely on hoping an air bag saved me