Finally picked up my dream car...

attbimmer · 01-30-2014, 12:11 AM

After almost a decade of searching on and off I finally picked up a close to stock E30 M3. It is even better than I expected and is just a blast to drive. In reality it is likely slower to 60 than just about any modern car, but it feels so much faster than it is. The combination of low weight, relatively low grip, great balance and a little motor that loves to rev is just heaven. Especially on the street where you can actually reach its limits without blowing past the speed limit. My 991 S is an amazing machine, but it's limits are so high that it is really hard to enjoy it on the street without driving like a maniac. Certainly the creature comforts/tech in the E30 don't really compare to anything modern, but the driving experience is something that you just can't get in a new car. I will keep this one forever. I'm still grinning just thinking about.

Below are a few pics from just after I got it. Overall it is in great shape and only needs a few minor misc things and a good detailing this weekend.

MaC-N54-E82 · 01-30-2014, 12:19 AM

Beautiful!

bmwluvr24 · 01-30-2014, 12:22 AM

Beautiful combo! I miss my old E30 every day.

rjd598 · 01-30-2014, 12:50 AM

Wow that's amazing. Just how I would dream of buying it. What are the specs and how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

DriftDreamzSS · 01-30-2014, 01:12 AM

Wow, looks amazing. I love these cars, especially in white!

yousefnjr · 01-30-2014, 04:39 PM

Great color combo. Well done

Chihuahua · 01-30-2014, 05:16 PM

Hold on to that car. In 10 years (or less at the rate E30s are going) it'll be worth double whatever you paid for it. That car you have there is beautiful.

Rockette · 01-30-2014, 10:51 PM

Beautiful!

attbimmer · 01-31-2014, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjd598

Wow that's amazing. Just how I would dream of buying it. What are the specs and how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

I picked it up for $16k. It is an 88 (8/87 production) with 152k miles. It is mostly stock with just a few minor mods (bilstien sport shocks, muffler, chip). It has different wheels on it, but I got the stock ones as well. It has never been tracked or wrecked, but has 2 minor rust spots underneath that I will take care of now. The motor runs great and compression is good. There a few minor oil leaks that are common easy to fix. Overall the paint looks great. When you really look close there are some issues, but nothing worth correcting at this point.

It isn't a show car, but that isn't what I wanted. I wanted a car I could drive and not worry too much about. I can do just about all the work needed on it myself and I enjoy doing the work, so buying a $30k pristine car didnt make sense. It sure took a long time to find one like this. I was starting to think it would never happen, but now that I finally have one I will never sell it.

techietaichi · 01-31-2014, 02:06 AM

Damn dude, I'm crazy jealous. What a beauty! I love classic Bimmers.

Nkc · 01-31-2014, 03:38 AM

It looks amazing, congrats on finding one that you like.

Same reason I got my 98 M-Z3 Roadster... No matter what other cars I have or get n the future, i'm taking good care of this one for a long long time.

Billup · 01-31-2014, 07:40 AM

Looks like it was very well taken care of, very nice pickup!

crex · 01-31-2014, 08:18 AM

Gorgeous !! They both are!

Chihuahua · 01-31-2014, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by attbimmer

I picked it up for $16k.

That is a seriously good deal for that car.

mpower3330 · 01-31-2014, 10:16 AM

Nice car! And great deal!

Malibu1 · 01-31-2014, 03:37 PM

E30m>e36m>e90m

Freon · 01-31-2014, 04:52 PM

slicer · 01-31-2014, 10:56 PM

Sick car. I love the color combo!

NewM3driver · 01-31-2014, 11:21 PM

I've had more new BMW's than I can keep track of. The one car I wish I never sold was an E39 530 sport stick. That car was as close to perfect as I have ever owned. Everything worked in perfect harmony, the engine was amazing and the steering sublime. It was silver black and had the classic bbs type original bmw wheels. I would so love to have that car back in my garage.

Mavus · 02-01-2014, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by attbimmer

After almost a decade of searching on and off I finally picked up a close to stock E30 M3. It is even better than I expected and is just a blast to drive. In reality it is likely slower to 60 than just about any modern car, but it feels so much faster than it is. The combination of low weight, relatively low grip, great balance and a little motor that loves to rev is just heaven. Especially on the street where you can actually reach its limits without blowing past the speed limit. My 991 S is an amazing machine, but it's limits are so high that it is really hard to enjoy it on the street without driving like a maniac. Certainly the creature comforts/tech in the E30 don't really compare to anything modern, but the driving experience is something that you just can't get in a new car. I will keep this one forever. I'm still grinning just thinking about.

Below are a few pics from just after I got it. Overall it is in great shape and only needs a few minor misc things and a good detailing this weekend.

what a beauty!!

I'd take this over any F model. Congrats and enjoy!

VMRWheels · 02-03-2014, 12:56 PM

Wow niice

The E30 M3 is definitely on my list of cars to own

Alpine F31 · 02-03-2014, 05:36 PM

Great pick up and I like your "review". I agree with everything you said about old vs. new cars. Of course I love both, but your E30 is from a golden era. Look at that motor!

One day I have to own an E9 coupe in nice, driveable condition like your M3.

Congratulations!

01-30-2014, 12:11 AM	#1
attbimmer First Lieutenant 187 Rep 326 Posts Drives: '23 GTI, F80+F31 in pieces Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: socal iTrader: (5)	Finally picked up my dream car... After almost a decade of searching on and off I finally picked up a close to stock E30 M3. It is even better than I expected and is just a blast to drive. In reality it is likely slower to 60 than just about any modern car, but it feels so much faster than it is. The combination of low weight, relatively low grip, great balance and a little motor that loves to rev is just heaven. Especially on the street where you can actually reach its limits without blowing past the speed limit. My 991 S is an amazing machine, but it's limits are so high that it is really hard to enjoy it on the street without driving like a maniac. Certainly the creature comforts/tech in the E30 don't really compare to anything modern, but the driving experience is something that you just can't get in a new car. I will keep this one forever. I'm still grinning just thinking about. Below are a few pics from just after I got it. Overall it is in great shape and only needs a few minor misc things and a good detailing this weekend. __________________
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01-30-2014, 12:19 AM	#2
MaC-N54-E82 S58 Love 620 Rep 489 Posts Drives: 2023 M4 Competition xDrive Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M4 Competi ... [10.00]	Beautiful! __________________ MAC Current: 2023 G82\|BG over BLK Prior: 2008 N54 E82\|AW over CR Also: FJ60, Volvo Recharge
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01-30-2014, 12:22 AM	#3
bmwluvr24 Driving Mika all over California..... 57 Rep 619 Posts Drives: 2008 E60 M5 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Beautiful combo! I miss my old E30 every day. __________________ 2008 E60 M5 Sepang Bronze Metallic, gloss black grills and gills, LED side markers, 12mm spacers all around, stud conversion kit, custom exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers and x-pipe.
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01-30-2014, 12:50 AM	#4
rjd598 Banned 1745 Rep 6,695 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Wow that's amazing. Just how I would dream of buying it. What are the specs and how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?
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01-30-2014, 01:12 AM	#5
DriftDreamzSS Captain 22 Rep 627 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oxnard, Ca / Lafayette, LA iTrader: (2)	Wow, looks amazing. I love these cars, especially in white! __________________ _
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01-30-2014, 04:39 PM	#6
yousefnjr salty cowboys fan 7210 Rep 3,779 Posts Drives: ‘06 Z4MR, ‘20 X7, ‘22 M4x Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	Great color combo. Well done
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01-30-2014, 05:16 PM	#7
Chihuahua Brigadier General 4624 Rep 3,423 Posts Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: SE US iTrader: (0)	Hold on to that car. In 10 years (or less at the rate E30s are going) it'll be worth double whatever you paid for it. That car you have there is beautiful.
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01-30-2014, 10:51 PM	#8
Rockette Private 3 Rep 76 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: NYC & SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [10.00]	Beautiful! __________________ “You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.”
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01-31-2014, 02:06 AM	#10
techietaichi Major 296 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Pre-LCI & 2010 X3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Massghanistan, USA iTrader: (1)	Damn dude, I'm crazy jealous. What a beauty! I love classic Bimmers. __________________
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01-31-2014, 03:38 AM	#11
Nkc NOOB 1604 Rep 1,356 Posts Drives: Cars Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: @BMWclassicdivision iTrader: (0)	It looks amazing, congrats on finding one that you like. Same reason I got my 98 M-Z3 Roadster... No matter what other cars I have or get n the future, i'm taking good care of this one for a long long time. __________________ @BMWclassicdivision
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01-31-2014, 07:40 AM	#12
Billup Banned 476 Rep 928 Posts Drives: Your mum crazy. Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Baconopolos Island iTrader: (0)	Looks like it was very well taken care of, very nice pickup!
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01-31-2014, 08:18 AM	#13
crex Captain 54 Rep 659 Posts Drives: bmw 135i, Jeep wrangler Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NOVA iTrader: (1)	Gorgeous !! They both are!
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01-31-2014, 10:16 AM	#15
mpower3330 First Lieutenant 201 Rep 357 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Comp Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Nice car! And great deal!
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01-31-2014, 03:37 PM	#16
Malibu1 First Lieutenant 44 Rep 313 Posts Drives: Charger HC, Backdraft Cobra Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Washington State iTrader: (2)	E30m>e36m>e90m __________________ Currently own: 1965 Backdraft Cobra Replica, 2013 SVT Raptor, 2020 Charger Hellcat, 1967 Olds
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01-31-2014, 04:52 PM	#17
Freon Major 84 Rep 1,051 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (3)	__________________ 2009 BMW 135i 6MT Sport, AFE intake, Cobb AP, Apex 18x8.5+9.5, 255/275 PSS
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01-31-2014, 10:56 PM	#18
slicer Major General 2834 Rep 6,762 Posts Drives: E46 M3, GT3 Cup, X7, G80 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin - Instagram - @slicer_m iTrader: (39)	Sick car. I love the color combo! __________________ '23 X7, '22 GT3 CUP, '25 M3 LSB on Tartufo '04 M3 - Fall Line Motorsports Built Race Car - S65 swap, Dry Sump, Bosch Stand-Alone ECU, Drenth Sequential, JRZ 3-Way, Flossmann Wide Body, Brembo Motorsports, Drexler LSD, BBS E88 Etc. INSTAGRAM - @Slicer_M
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01-31-2014, 11:21 PM	#19
NewM3driver Colonel 1112 Rep 2,007 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I've had more new BMW's than I can keep track of. The one car I wish I never sold was an E39 530 sport stick. That car was as close to perfect as I have ever owned. Everything worked in perfect harmony, the engine was amazing and the steering sublime. It was silver black and had the classic bbs type original bmw wheels. I would so love to have that car back in my garage.
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02-03-2014, 12:56 PM	#21
VMRWheels General 2124 Rep 25,972 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	Wow niice The E30 M3 is definitely on my list of cars to own __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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02-03-2014, 05:36 PM	#22
Alpine F31 Colonel 924 Rep 2,710 Posts Drives: MB E350 4MATIC Estate Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 Jeep Grand Che ... [0.00] 2015 BMW M235i (sold) [0.00] 2013 BMW 328i (sold) [10.00]	Great pick up and I like your "review". I agree with everything you said about old vs. new cars. Of course I love both, but your E30 is from a golden era. Look at that motor! One day I have to own an E9 coupe in nice, driveable condition like your M3. Congratulations!
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