E30's

GBDiaz

GBDiaz

Furious Eggplant
Spectator
Okay, well I've started looking into them and I've always loved how they look. I want to get to know more about them?? I really don't know where to start, are they M3's or what're they, and information like that.
Thanks for those who can help, I just want to learn some things on E30's.
 
oh man, where do we begin...

when it comes to any bmw, there are so many different models for each chassis.

these are the ones sold in North America only.......

1984-1985 318i - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 101 hp (75 kW) - North America
1991 318iS - 1.8 L M42B18 I4, 134 hp (100 kW) - North America
1984-1991 325e - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 121 hp (90 kW) - North America
1986-1991 325es - 2.7 L M20B27 I6, 121 hp (90 kW) - North America
1987-1991 325i/is - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 168 hp (125 kW) - North America
1988-1991 325ix - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 168 hp (125 kW) - North America
1988-1991 M3 - 2.3 L S14 I4, 192 hp (143 kW) - North America


and of course, all the different types sold in Europe.... :)

1982-1987 316 - 1.6 L M98 I4, 90 hp (66 kW)
1982-1990 316 1.8 - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 90 hp (66 kW)
1987-1993 316i - 1.6 L M40B16 I4, 102 hp (75 kW)
1982-1987 318i - 1.8 L M10B18 I4, 105 hp (77 kW)
1987-1993 318i - 1.8 L M40B18 I4, 115 hp (85 kW)
1989-1991 318is - 1.8 L M42B18 I4, 140 hp (103 kW)
1982-1985 320i - 2.0 L M20B20 I6, 125 hp (92 kW)
1985-1991 320i - 2.0 L M20B20 I6, 129 hp (95 kW)
1988-1990 320is - 2.0 L S14 I4, 192 hp (141 kW)
1982-1986 323i - 2.3 L M20B23 I6, 150 hp (110 kW)
1985-1991 325i - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 170 hp (125 kW)
1986-1991 325iX - 2.5 L M20B25 I6, 170 hp (125 kW)
1986-1988 M3 - 2.3 L S14 I4, 200 hp (147 kW)
1989-1991 M3 Evo - 2.5 L S14 I4, 215 hp (158 kW)
1985-1991 324d - 2.4 L M21 I6, 86 hp (63 kW)
1987-1991 324td - 2.4 L M21 I6, 115 hp (85 kW)


the numbers on any bmw, ex. 318i , the "318" means its a 3 series, with a 1.8 liter motor. pretty simple.

the letters that come after the numbers (ex. 318i , the "i" simply means its a coupe) all mean something different.

"i" stands for coupe.
"is" stands for "sport."
"e" stands for "economy."
"es" stands for "economy sedan" i believe.
"ix" stands for all-wheel-drive.
"d" stands for "diesel."
"td" stands for "turbo-diesel."
"ic" stands for "convertible" even though they are not shown in the lists above.

and i cant exactly remember, but theres another code for the "touring" e30 which is the station wagon version.

the "M" in M3 stands for "Motorsport" which basically means that the car is equipped with a much more powerful motor and suspension package, as well as a more aggressive body kit and wider fenders, and also has 5 lug hubs, a brake upgrade, and various "Motorsport" parts unique to the interior.


They all have different values but if you can find an e30 M3 for a price that you like then go for it, otherwise you could find one you like, post up about it and we can help you judge if its worth it. I know older bmw's better than any other car out there i would say, probably because my dad has 3 of them. lol

also, this thread has some pictures of sweet e30's of all types, so scroll through every page of it, you wont get bored ;) http://www.floridagerman.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3346&highlight=obsessed
 
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m4nfred said:
i thought is's were like sports ones...i know they got t3h lsd iirc
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yea, you are right.

at this hour in the morning its hard to remember :p
i fixed the post so its correct now
 
drift a 944 said:
the letters that come after the numbers (ex. 318i , the "i" simply means its a coupe) all mean something different.

"i" stands for coupe.
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On e36s, yes. On e30s, no. My 325i is a four door. The "i" in e30 means it's an M20B25 motor, which produces 168hp.


drift a 944 said:
"e" stands for "economy."
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Not entirely. It means "eta", which is the greek symbol/word for economy.

drift a 944 said:
"es" stands for "economy sedan" i believe.
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Nope. "e" still stands for eta. The "S" (and not iS.. the two letters mean different things) stands for sport. Sport eta then :)

drift a 944 said:
and i cant exactly remember, but theres another code for the "touring" e30 which is the station wagon version.
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Nope there isnt. They were badged just like any other e30: for their series, motor and whatever letters applied to it. The fact that it was touring never earned it it's own letter or series.

drift a 944 said:
the "M" in M3 stands for "Motorsport" which basically means that the car is equipped with a much more powerful motor and suspension package, as well as a more aggressive body kit and wider fenders, and also has 5 lug hubs, a brake upgrade, and various "Motorsport" parts unique to the interior.
Click to expand...

Eeeh, you might as well just say it's a completely different car. Even the chassis is different. :) But even the non-M e30s (like any non-M BMW) is able to have M-technic options for their cars.


drift a 944 said:
They all have different values but if you can find an e30 M3 for a price that you like then go for it, otherwise you could find one you like, post up about it and we can help you judge if its worth it. I know older bmw's better than any other car out there i would say, probably because my dad has 3 of them. lol
Click to expand...

Sorry to keep cutting you off here, but owning an e30 M3 is not as easy as just paying for the asking price. Maintenance can get ridiculously expensive, and you pray you dont have to rebuild the S14 motor it comes with. You really have to be ballin to be able to afford such a feat.

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But you covered the basics. There's a whole lot more to it, but I could literally lose 2-3 hours typing all I know about them.

- Erick

m4nfred said:
i thought is's were like sports ones...i know they got t3h lsd iirc
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With the exception for the 318iS, where their LSDs were optional (even being a sport model) :bigthumbu

But even being an optional it was a popular one... when I was looking to buy one I saw a 1:1 ratio between cars with it and without it.
 
Thanks so much guys.
E30, I just want to know things like what engine do they have, the different years, different looks, just pretty much the basics of the car.
I don't only want to know about Nissan, I want to know more about other cars also.
 
gah all this bimmer talk makes me miss mine...

e30's are a great car for someone looking to get into euro's; and if you know what you're doing you can have alot of fun with them (and they're easier to work on than an e46 or e90 which are total pains the the ass to do anything too, except drive)
 
Drift a 944, my life has changed ever since I saw those pictures.
I'm in love B].
And this is longgggg so many differen't types. Are the specs. Drift a 944 posted up only about E30's?
If it is holy f*ck that's crazy! That is A LOT of things to learnnnn! Whatever Im up for it
 
Out of all E30's (Euro and American) Which is the fastest one, and what year???
 
Ohh kk. And there wouldn't be any speed difference in the 4 door and 2 door right? Just the size of the car, or am I wrong..?
 
There is no such thing as a 4 door e30 m3. Between the non-M models, it's basically the same. The cars have the exact same wheel base. The only difference is 50+ lbs on the 4 doors.

And in the United States, e30 M3s came from 88-91.
 
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