Need help/questions on buying a 1991 e30 (First time buyer)

[Jayr93]

Hi, i'm trying to learn how to drift. I have never done it before and have even worked on a car but i am really interested in doing both. I want a project car along with a car I can learn how to drift in. Something that is easy to learn on and have reasonable support for parts and information.

I found a 1991 318i near me. It is a good enough price for me but I didn't know if it would be worth it or if I should aim for something different. I also don't know if the car is in good condition enough for me to even buy as a beginner. Any info you have for me would be great!

Also, i'm considering either an e30 or a miata as a drift car. I would prefer an e30 just because it looks a little nicer and Its a little bigger.

Link to the car I was thinking of buying:
https://smd.craigslist.org/cto/d/por...200284144.html

[superj]

i cannot open it but i don't remember drifting to much in my m42 powered e30. i only had one car with that engine and it was ok, but it wasn't like the 6 cylinder. the 2.5l 6 cylinder is very easy to drift with, like barely touch the gas in the turn and you can easily bring the rear end out and next to you in a turn.

maybe you can with the m42, i don't know because i was already done autocrossing when i got the car but i haven't seen a 4 cylinder e30 at the drift events here.

[Jayr93]

I'm a complete Noob at this but what's an m42?

[chefpeterlevine]

buy an e30 to restore and preserve as an example of perfection and then drive it. please pick another type of car to ruin.

my 2c

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[chefpeterlevine]

I'm a complete Noob at this but what's an m42?

my point exactly

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[Jayr93]

buy an e30 to restore and preserve as an example of perfection and then drive it. please pick another type of car to ruin.

my 2c

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These are just machines. No point in treating them so delicate.... There are plenty of cars you can preserve and showcase. It's better to use them for what they're meant to than not. Don't worry though I'm not going to do what people did to all the 240sx in the country.

[superj]

M42 is the 4 cylinder that is in a 91 318. The earlier 318 had m10 4 cylinder motors.

The six cylinder cars had two options, a 2.7 torque lower go motor for good gas mileage and a 2.5 litre higher hp/two motor for spirited driving. That 2.5 was the one that made autocross so much fun.

- - - Updated - - -

The m42 actually had a good amount of power but it was high in the rpms, like a honda motor. I am sure you could easily autocross it but I don't know how it would do in drifting because I only ever see 325 cars drifting

[ChuckDizzle]

For parts availability, I would think the 325i is a better choice. More of them around to pick parts.

[323i E30]

buy an e30 to restore and preserve as an example of perfection and then drive it. please pick another type of car to ruin.

my 2c

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Meh.. You should click the link to the ad before judging like that.
This is a poorly resprayed rusty E30 that's walking on its last leg.

If I were to restore an E30, this would not be it.
If I would want a drift car, this would also not be it due to the low hp engine in it.

[chefpeterlevine]

I didn't see the ad then. but, like your opinion on it now.
For me, it's always a shame to see another e30 leave the planet. that's all.

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[Mikealwa]

With any rwd car and a slippery surface I think you can get sideways. If you want to make a serious drift car...which I don't know much about, but I do know you'll have to spend over $2k in suspension parts and you'll want more power...this may not be the car for you considering the rust issues etc. I bet you spend over $2k on bringing this car up to safe driving conditions for road use looking at the ad. With that said I bought a $3k 325ix on impulse and I live it. However I paid over $3k in the past year fixing one thing after another after it comes up and problems still happen all the time. Honestly I'd buy a miata if you just want to drift you won't have to deal with as much bs from a 30 yr old car. PS I saw a z3 for sale near me for three grand. Maybe keep looking, but if you want an e30 go for it...just know it's 30 yrs old about and your going to have things brake all the time IMHO. However that didn't stop me.

[chefpeterlevine]

I've spent a total of about 38k on my 325i over the last 20 years in parts and labor.
I am no mechanic. I do everything but timing belts and major stuff that requires a lift.... I'd have no other car.

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[Jayr93]

Thanks everyone for the advice!!! Got my head straight. I think I'm going to go for a miata lol as much as I love an e30 I don't think it's a good idea to get as my first deift/project car

[superj]

you will end up buying e30 stuff for the miata if you are drifting. they found out the 325i trans works for them perfectly with an adapter so they starting buying them up. thats part of the reason its so hard for e30 guys to find standard trans for the i cars anymore

[Mikealwa]

Best of both worlds.

[superj]

Yup.