E46 330Ci or 88’ E30 325i

[Zinnober325i]

Hey everyone, new to this site but I’ve been reading through just about every post I could find that’s relevant.

In need of some advice. I’m finally able to purchase my first car next month and I’m a bit torn between 2 cars.

My neighbour is a middle aged lady who’s selling her well kept 330Ci convertible, only has 170,000km on the clock and has been privately serviced at a reputable shop. The car is very nice but needs some body work, but at the low price I can get it at I wouldn’t mind taking on the expense.

On the other hand, there’s also an ‘88 E30 325i that I’m interested in, also very well kept and bodywork is great but the mileage is quite high at 303,000km. This has been a dream car of mine since high school though and I’m being a bit of a fanatic about it.

Which would you guys say is the better buy here? Taking into account maintenance costs as well.

 

[maleven-GP]

Hi
Welcome to the forum..
The safe bet will be 330ci for a first car.. Daily driving an e30 could be tricky.. not to mention they are probably 15 years apart in technology..

 

[Zinnober325i]

Hi
Welcome to the forum..
The safe bet will be 330ci for a first car.. Daily driving an e30 could be tricky.. not to mention they are probably 15 years apart in technology..

Thanks for the quick response. My mind says E46 for the newer tech but my heart says E30 for the simplicity 😂 but you’re probably right.

 

[individj]

is the 330 auto? if so i wouldnt go for it. Also....you love the 325i...so why not.

 

[Zinnober325i]

is the 330 auto? if so i wouldnt go for it. Also....you love the 325i...so why not.

Yes, automatic 330Ci unfortunately. Also a reason why I’m even considering a manual E30 instead.

 

[individj]

naaaa those boxes have been known to go...its a R30k rebuild...i had a beautiful 330 individual with 160 000km on the clock...was so nervous about the box...one day it did something weird with kick down and i was like naaaaa man....my uncle redid his and a mechanic friend had his done twice...you might be lucky as some are but ja...

 

[individj]

how much does she want fo fit that would also help the decision as well as the e30 ..e30 probably more door with normal seats and no sunroof?

 

[Zinnober325i]

how much does she want fo fit that would also help the decision as well as the e30 ..e30 probably more door with normal seats and no sunroof?

I can get the 330Ci for R65k, the 325i is a coupe, manual with leather seats and a sunroof. Not sure if the engine has been rebuilt or not. Asking price is R90k for the E30

 

[individj]

....plastic bumper? recaros?

 

[individj]

the e30 sounds nice. i assume that the e46 is old spec

 

[Zinnober325i]

the e30 sounds nice. i assume that the e46 is old spec

There are 2 E30s I have as options, the second one has lower miles (around 250,000km) is a plastic bumper, cloth seats, manual with no sunroof.

The first is a chromie, has the comfort seats, not recaros.

E46 is pre-facelift. It’s silver with an ugly but neat grey interior with wood trim. Not my favourite spec but can be changed.

 

[Zinnober325i]

the e30 sounds nice. i assume that the e46 is old spec

I feel like I’m just talking myself further into getting the 325i 😂 I’ve been romanticising getting one and how I’d tastefully mod it. My judgement is entirely clouded but I do love E30s.

 

[individj]

i wouldnt be too worried about mileage with the e30 i would check compression well with both cars etc. so cloth seats also not sport..im biased to the plastic bumper but no sunroof would be a deal breaker for me...i saw a set of recaros for R10k in need of a recover....are they both book 325i's and not built to it? i wouldnt want to daily it but ja will be hard to get later in life if im honest and that is some of my biggest regrets is saying ill buy it later and it becomes too expensive ...i mean R90k is actually crazy but ja. i would probably build one..i was supposed to get a 318i coupe plastic bumper for R18k from a church brother who's father in law died and they were busy with the estate and he ghosted me.

 

[Zinnober325i]

i wouldnt be too worried about mileage with the e30 i would check compression well with both cars etc. so cloth seats also not sport..im biased to the plastic bumper but no sunroof would be a deal breaker for me...i saw a set of recaros for R10k in need of a recover....are they both book 325i's and not built to it? i wouldnt want to daily it but ja will be hard to get later in life if im honest and that is some of my biggest regrets is saying ill buy it later and it becomes too expensive ...i mean R90k is actually crazy but ja. i would probably build one..i was supposed to get a 318i coupe plastic bumper for R18k from a church brother who's father in law died and they were busy with the estate and he ghosted me.

I’m not too fussed about the sunroof to be honest. The coupe will probably hold value better over the years as well, especially since it has leather seats and a sunroof. If I get that one my plan is to fit an M-Tech 1 kit, if I can even find it. And yes, both are original 325i’s.

I also don’t want to regret holding out on buying an E30 and not being able to afford one later on. Obviously I’d try to haggle the price down from R90k.

 

[individj]

recaros and a sunroof are sought after.....as well as a LSD...but ja man sounds good.

 

[Riaad]

Username = Zinnober325i, looks like you have already decided on which car you want, so guess you are here for reassurance?

Anyway, if your budget is R90k...a better bet in my option would be a manual 6 pot e46 sedan...that budget could potentially get you a decent 330i ...again...just my opinion

 

[Zinnober325i]

Username = Zinnober325i, looks like you have already decided on which car you want, so guess you are here for reassurance?

Anyway, if your budget is R90k...a better bet in my option would be a manual 6 pot e46 sedan...that budget could potentially get you a decent 330i ...again...just my opinion

Basically just looking for reassurance yes. The 330Ci I’m looking at is pretty decent, the lady who owns it would only drive it into town where she works and back daily. It just has some small dings here and there and could do with a respray.

The car I really want is the E30, but I want to know if it would make sense all round to get that or the E46. I appreciate everyone’s input

 

[Zinnober325i]

I’m in Cape Town if that helps the decision at all. Cape Winelands area

 

[rsgordini]

E30 too old and you’re too young. Later in your life when you find gave to daily it then it would make sense. But now it’s way too risky. Get the 330ci tops car and it’s dirt cheap.
Otherwise look at e46 330i or 328 or 325

 

[GoCart]

E46 6pod in manual, the end.

Good luck with your decision.