-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Risk on E30 Models
- Thread starter Mike-R
- Start date
Waseem 333i
Active member
Buy it. The only thing you cant do is leave it unattended in a public area. Other than that you will love it. I had cops and fanatics all pull me over just to have a look. I usually oblige because i know of the excitement they are feeling and as a car guy i try to give them the joy also. Whenever i drive the car its like an event. Its such a pleasure.
Salwynne
New member
Hi MikeR.
I have owned three E30s during my early years and currently still own a 1987 325i 4 door chromie in the much loved Dolphin Grey. I have used it as a daily drive up to 2013 since I bought it from my parents in 2002. In my ownership they attempted to steal it on 3 occasions and another 4 attempts before that. Each time we had to replace all locks and ignitions, in some cases the door needed panel beating as they hammered the locks out with chisels. The steering wheel also needed to be replaced once after they used a saw to remove the Gorilla Lock. The only thing that saved the car on most occasions was the OBC code that prevents the engine from starting - thieves are more educated these days so they know how to bypass this. Because of the higher costs of operating, escalating fuel price and the fear of theft I had to get a new daily driver.
On the brighter side:rollsmile:, owning an E30 is marvelous. The pure, raw noises those cars make is just music to any car fanatics ear. They are easy to work on, no fancy electronic gadgets, just brilliant mechanics. And they last forever. I replaced the original clutch on my E30 in 2005 with 235k on the odo - the mechanic could not believe this. Some relays had to be replaced. The only oil leak the car ever suffered was from a leaking gearbox seal which was quick to repair and should be routinely replaced in with the guibo. Like any car getting this age, you will have the non-operational issue every now and then but they are normally easy and cheap to fix. There is a whole community for advice at "e30clubsa". Apart from the occasional non-start issue on my car and the ever increasing risk factor, my E30 is an awesome awesome car, easy to live with and a real thrill to drive. I own mine with great pride and cherish it more than my F30. I will not part with it out of choice. If you have the opportunity to get a clean, original E30, take it. You will not regret it.
BTW - the E30 in my profile pic is not mine.
Regards,
Salwynne
I have owned three E30s during my early years and currently still own a 1987 325i 4 door chromie in the much loved Dolphin Grey. I have used it as a daily drive up to 2013 since I bought it from my parents in 2002. In my ownership they attempted to steal it on 3 occasions and another 4 attempts before that. Each time we had to replace all locks and ignitions, in some cases the door needed panel beating as they hammered the locks out with chisels. The steering wheel also needed to be replaced once after they used a saw to remove the Gorilla Lock. The only thing that saved the car on most occasions was the OBC code that prevents the engine from starting - thieves are more educated these days so they know how to bypass this. Because of the higher costs of operating, escalating fuel price and the fear of theft I had to get a new daily driver.
On the brighter side:rollsmile:, owning an E30 is marvelous. The pure, raw noises those cars make is just music to any car fanatics ear. They are easy to work on, no fancy electronic gadgets, just brilliant mechanics. And they last forever. I replaced the original clutch on my E30 in 2005 with 235k on the odo - the mechanic could not believe this. Some relays had to be replaced. The only oil leak the car ever suffered was from a leaking gearbox seal which was quick to repair and should be routinely replaced in with the guibo. Like any car getting this age, you will have the non-operational issue every now and then but they are normally easy and cheap to fix. There is a whole community for advice at "e30clubsa". Apart from the occasional non-start issue on my car and the ever increasing risk factor, my E30 is an awesome awesome car, easy to live with and a real thrill to drive. I own mine with great pride and cherish it more than my F30. I will not part with it out of choice. If you have the opportunity to get a clean, original E30, take it. You will not regret it.
BTW - the E30 in my profile pic is not mine.
Regards,
Salwynne
Hey guys,I've been an e30 fan since i was 12 and now I'm turning 20 and i was considering an e30 for a first car. However I am aware of its vast historical fame in the eyes of criminals. I read the forum a few years back, and i guess i was wondering, is theft still a problem for e30 owners 5 years later?
This is a very old thread...but here's my opinion. .
My Dad drives an e30 2 door 325i model 1986.
It's unfortunately his daily. ..each and every day he have to face "prospective' buyers
mgwaiting:
It have been stolen twice now but luckily was recovered by the tracking company the same day each time.
This time they stuffed up the ignition lock:rage:
My father is in his 70s and unfortunately due to health problems can't take care of it any more.
As soon as my F30 and E70 are finished I'm going to get him a small daily and bring the E30 back home.
I can't have my old man driving with it any more...its not worth he's life:dunnoanymore:
Even though it has been in our family for close to 30 years I will probably end up selling it ...I won't take the risk of driving it with my wife and kids...
My Dad drives an e30 2 door 325i model 1986.
It's unfortunately his daily. ..each and every day he have to face "prospective' buyers
mgwaiting:It have been stolen twice now but luckily was recovered by the tracking company the same day each time.
This time they stuffed up the ignition lock:rage:
My father is in his 70s and unfortunately due to health problems can't take care of it any more.
As soon as my F30 and E70 are finished I'm going to get him a small daily and bring the E30 back home.
I can't have my old man driving with it any more...its not worth he's life:dunnoanymore:
Even though it has been in our family for close to 30 years I will probably end up selling it ...I won't take the risk of driving it with my wife and kids...
NtandoN
///Member
The short answer is yes.
The long answer.
This is still a very popular car. It’s amazing how many people suddenly want to buy the car when they see it on the road. It’s also made popular by the spinning scene. Now remember these are 30 year plus cars so a lot of them have a fair bit of wear and tear and spinning really destroys them. Go to any spares shops and the selection of e30 parts is very limited. As for scrapyards, they rarely have e30s. So the demand for parts is high and that makes these cars targets for theft to strip for parts.
I’ve owned mine for almost a year now and I drive it to places where I feel it will be safe, and no driving at night.
The long answer.
This is still a very popular car. It’s amazing how many people suddenly want to buy the car when they see it on the road. It’s also made popular by the spinning scene. Now remember these are 30 year plus cars so a lot of them have a fair bit of wear and tear and spinning really destroys them. Go to any spares shops and the selection of e30 parts is very limited. As for scrapyards, they rarely have e30s. So the demand for parts is high and that makes these cars targets for theft to strip for parts.
I’ve owned mine for almost a year now and I drive it to places where I feel it will be safe, and no driving at night.
Jeremy.d
Active member
It's also about where you're based. My dad, and then me have driven an e30 daily (albeit base model) for the best part of 15 years without incident.
That said, driving (or even just owning) an e30 has the inherent theft and violence risk. You have to decide if that's worth it.
That said, driving (or even just owning) an e30 has the inherent theft and violence risk. You have to decide if that's worth it.
Beemerbro
Member
The E30 is the car that sparked my love of BMW as a kid back in the 80s and not having owned one in my life is a debt i do not want to die not having paid to BMW.
So despite its high risk status, I've placed it at the top of my to-do list as a near future project. I plan to restore it and use it randomly so my movements can't be monitored by thieves. But this is a must have car for sureraise:
So despite its high risk status, I've placed it at the top of my to-do list as a near future project. I plan to restore it and use it randomly so my movements can't be monitored by thieves. But this is a must have car for sure
raise:Nürburgring'R_ZA
Active member
Yup. It's still a risk. A daily risk. I've had an E30 and hung around guys with E30s. No criminal problems at all for either of us, but that doesn't mean you'll have the same luck. E30 is a lifestyle, not a car so when making your final decision, remember all that comes with an E30. People staring at you in envy... People making unsolicited offers... People judging you etc.
