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Top 5 Reasons the BMW E30 Has Still Got it

written by Adam December 4, 2016
Top 5 Reasons the BMW E30 Has Still Got it

Why on earth would you want to buy a 25 year old German car? Here are 5 reasons why newer is not necessarily better in my review of the iconic BMW E30.

Driving Engagement

The car of today is awash with convenience and comfort, but it has been said you only truly find yourself outside of the comfort zone. While you won’t find any 7 speed dual clutch transmissions or intelligent cruise control here, such things shortly appear superfluous to the peppy growl of the little 126kW, 2.5 litre straight six engine channelling its efforts through a short and sweet shifting 5 speed Getrag manual gearbox. Whilst this little Bavarian bruiser may struggle to show it’s behind to a modern hot hatch, the sensation of pace and connection from behind the wheel will convince you otherwise. While the performance credentials may fail to impress on paper, 0-100 km/hr in 8 seconds and a standing ¼ mile time of 15.7 seconds is not going to win many performance car awards in 2016, the BMW E30 is the classic case of the whole result being more than the sum of its parts.

Tahnee showing off the E30’s underrated style.

Style

In 1988 the ruler was the tool of choice for the designer elite, with which they chiselled the e30 3 series in all its Teutonic goodness. Style is subjective but there are only two types of people in this world, those who adore the E30 and those who are wrong.

Plush interior makes it sensually inviting.

 

Practicality

With its boxy styling, skinny pillars, low beltline and large windows the BMW e30 offers a spacious and airy travel environment. It may lack conveniences now taken for granted such as cup holders and a proper centre console, but this little wonder wagen is built for driving not drinking! Unlike many of its modern equivalents you can even fit 2 moderately sized adults in the back seat without first removing their heads, always a bonus. I have even had a surfboard within its 2 door confines, and once channelled my many years Tetris experience to squeeze in a full size engine crane without so much as removing the passenger seat.

A good looking gearstick.

Cost

A clean manual E30 325i can be had for around $11000, with lesser models such as the 318i often going for a good deal less. Whilst that is expensive for a 25 year old car, prices have been rising steeply in recent years and will likely be worth much more in the future provided they are maintained to a high standard. Ah maintenance, the Achilles heel of complex German engineering you say? Well in this instance that is not the case. The e30 325i is one of the most robust and reliable cars ever to come out of the factory in Munich. By modern standards it is remarkably simple, with electric windows, mirrors, and an on-board computer being the most complicated options on the car. The M20 straight six engine is very robust, requiring only basic maintenance and regular 90 000km (60k miles) timing belt changes to keep ticking along nicely. That is more than a passing reference too, as the M20’s mechanically adjustable valve-train rockers commonly emit a faint ticking noise whilst the engine is running, perhaps bothersome but nothing to worry about.

Fuel consumption is perfectly acceptable for a vehicle of this vintage. Throughout my ownership experience I have found I average 10L/100km, good for at least 600km from the 62L fuel tank.

Parts can be harder to source locally than the average car, but online parts availability and pricing for the e30 is excellent with countless suppliers just a mouse click away. This is particularly beneficial for those who like to swing their own spanners and can afford to wait for shipping, but I admit it could be troublesome or expensive for the layman servicing his daily driver at the local mechanic.

Out and about on a cruise in Perth, Western Australia.

Motorsport Success

The e30 M3 is the most successful touring car ever produced and whilst the 325i shares as much with the M3 as Stephen Hawking shares with Jennifer, the family connection is much more obvious. The e30 M3 is a shining symbol of motorsport success and the 325i is the substitute product for the man (or woman) on the street. For the budding enthusiasts among us, the e30 has some of the most comprehensive aftermarket support I have ever come across, in addition to reams of information from a very large enthusiast following. With such support it is possible to upgrade the vehicle to almost any point, from a lightly fettled street car through to 500 horsepower S85 V10 engine swaps.

A racing machine.

So you want a drivers car on a budget? Can’t choose between classic style, rewarding driving and reliability? For he who must have it all, the e30 might be just the ticket…

BMWGerman Car
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Adam
Adam

Adam is a qualified Mechanical Engineer and auto enthusiast who loves escaping into the wilderness. He's a 'Mr-Fix-It' kind of guy that can give you a detailed rundown on just about anything with an engine! His side passions include motorcycling, snowboarding and making sure Tahnee doesn't get into too much trouble (it's a full time job).

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Hello! We are Adam & Tahnee, a young couple from Perth, Western Australia currently embarking on a road trip around Australia! Follow our journey to see how we go! You can read more about us here.

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Horizontal Falls in 1 minute! 💦 Watch the video Horizontal Falls in 1 minute! 💦 Watch the video [sound on] 

That 900 horsepower speed-boat was a blast!
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@horizontalfalls  #dirtydrifters #broome #australia #westernaustralia #horizontalfalls #speedboat #900horsepower #exploringaustralia #travelaustralia #travel #aussiesofinstagram #thekimberley #thekimberleyaustralia #discoveraustralia #visitwa #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #gopro #seaplane #roadtripaustralia #roadtrip #westaussies #catamaran #seeaustralia #Perth #adventure #adventuretime
Fly above the magnificent Kimberley coastline and Fly above the magnificent Kimberley coastline and discover the natural phenomenon of Horizontal Falls! 

We chose the half day morning tour and it was action-packed!

Two scenic flight trips over magnificent scenery, an epic seaplane landing/taking off, two boat trips on an exhilarating 900 horsepower speed-boat, shark cage swimming and to top it all off breakfast included - wow - what an itinerary!

This is truly a once in a lifetime experience! And our favourite tour of our Broome holiday. Scroll for pics - video coming next 😁👍✈️
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#dirtydrifters #horizontalfalls #horizontalfallsseaplaneadventures #broome #visitwa #perthisok #naturalwonder  #exploringwesternaustralia #thekimberleyaustralia #thekimberley #Perth #westernaustralia #australia #cessnacaravan #seaplane #roadtripaustralia #roadtrip #travelaustralia #travel #broometime #900horsepower #aussies #westaussies #roadtripoz #westaustralia #oz
Nothing quite like sailing to remote beach locatio Nothing quite like sailing to remote beach locations to frolic in pristine azure blue waters... 

Karma IV Charters took us to the exclusive Eco Beach Resort in style with lunch included, before taking us back to Broome in time for another sensational sunset.

Food didn't stop flowing all day as we spotted a mother and calf Humpback whale! A relaxing way to get to Eco Beach while meeting new people! 
.
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#dirtydrifters #broome #broomecounty #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #australia #westernaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoverwa #Perth #thekimberley #exploringwa #discoverwest #travelaustralia #ecobeach #karmaIV #karma4 #roadtripaustralia #roadtrip #westaussies #catamaran #sailing
Tunnel Creek in a 1 minute video! 📹🐊 👌 . Tunnel Creek in a 1 minute video! 📹🐊 👌
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#dirtydrifters #broome #tunnelcreek  #kimberleywild #australia #westernaustralia #exploringaustralia #Perth #travellingaustralia #westaussies #roadtripoz #westaustralia #oz #thekimberley #roadtrip #aussiesofinstagram #broometime #gibbriver
Thanks to @kimberleywildexpeditions we spent one f Thanks to @kimberleywildexpeditions we spent one full day touring the Gibb River's Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek out from Broome. 

Tunnel Creek is a fascinating 750-metre 'secret' cave system, and is home to subterranean wildlife including bats and freshwater crocodiles. The cave also has an interesting history, reputedly being used as a hide-out by rebellious indigenous fugitives in the late 1800's.

We actually missed out on Tunnel Creek during our 2018 road trip so we were glad to have ticked this one off the bucket list. Being in pitch blackness with water getting up to your hips at some points and the odd fright of a bat or croc or two - this one is worth the detour off the Gibb!
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#dirtydrifters #kimberleywild #broome #broomecounty #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #australia #westernaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoverwa #Perth #thekimberley #exploringwa #discoverwest #travelaustralia #travelWest #perthlife #perthisok #perthtodo #tunnelcreek
We got a quick refresher of the Gibb River Rd and We got a quick refresher of the Gibb River Rd and Kimberley experience with a one day Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek Tour out of Broome. Travelling over 800km in one big day! 

We went with @kimberleywildexpeditions in their converted truck, and enjoyed being chauffeured around for the day! It's well organised and great value for money. 

Here's some highlights of Windjana Gorge. This time round, we saw heaps of crocs! Will post Tunnel Creek next 👍😁 🐊

#dirtydrifters #kimberleywild #kimberelywildexpeditions #broome #broomecounty #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #australia #westernaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoverwa #Perth #thekimberley #exploringwa #discoverwest #travelaustralia #windjanagorge #thekimberley #gibbriver #freshwatercrocodile #crocodile
We're in Broome right now! 😁👍 No Landrover We're in Broome right now! 😁👍

No Landrover this time around - we flew straight here from Perth thanks to the WA Government backed flight specials. Unlike our last time here, accomodation is booked and we won't need to bend the rules when finding a spot to camp! 

To mark our arrival into Broome, we did the most touristy thing possible - a sunset camel ride. Can't beat that Cable Beach sunset! 🐫🐪🐪 

We're up here for two weeks with an activity-packed itinerary and can hopefully give you a taste of what Broome has to offer 😁 
.
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#dirtydrifters #broome #broomecounty #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #australia #westernaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoverwa #Perth #thekimberley #exploringwa #discoverwest #travelaustralia #travelWest #perthlife #perthisok #perthtodo #travelWA #travellingwa #travelwesternaustralia #camels #cablebeach
Escape into the ancient, spiritual landscape of Ka Escape into the ancient, spiritual landscape of Karijini National Park and 'switch off' the COVID-19 pandemic.

We went up there not long after WA Premier Mark McGowan reopened the regional borders and practically had the whole place to ourselves! 

Read our Karijini guide on: http://dirtydrifters.com.au/karijini-western-australia [Link in bio👆] 

---
👋A quick note to our followers:

After taking a hiatus from social media, we're back! Now more than ever is a great time to celebrate and promote Western Australia. Stay tuned for more camping experiences and travel tips from The Dirty Drifters!
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#dirtydrifters #aroundaustralia #roadtripaustralia #australia #karijini #karijininationalpark #karijiniexperience #karijininp #Perth #westernaustralia #wa #waterfalls #mtbruce #roadtrippers #roadtrip #roadtripOz #visitaustralia #explorewa #discoverwa #tourismwa #exploreaustralia #seeaustralia #visitwa #perthisok
Making a quick escape to the forests just south of Making a quick escape to the forests just south of Perth, including the Captain Fawcett 4WD track and this beauty of a camping spot :D

#dirtydrifters #4wd #australia #wa #dwellingup #travelaustralia #camping #adventure #offroad #landrover #lr3 #discovery #kayaking
Enjoying the soothing thermal waters of Zebedee Sp Enjoying the soothing thermal waters of Zebedee Springs in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

This outback oasis is yet another reason to add El Questro onto your road trip itinerary! 😍🌴
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Read More on our Blog: http://dirtydrifters.com.au/zebedee-springs
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Horizontal Falls in 1 minute! 💦 Watch the video Horizontal Falls in 1 minute! 💦 Watch the video [sound on] 

That 900 horsepower speed-boat was a blast!
.
.
.
@horizontalfalls  #dirtydrifters #broome #australia #westernaustralia #horizontalfalls #speedboat #900horsepower #exploringaustralia #travelaustralia #travel #aussiesofinstagram #thekimberley #thekimberleyaustralia #discoveraustralia #visitwa #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #gopro #seaplane #roadtripaustralia #roadtrip #westaussies #catamaran #seeaustralia #Perth #adventure #adventuretime
Fly above the magnificent Kimberley coastline and Fly above the magnificent Kimberley coastline and discover the natural phenomenon of Horizontal Falls! 

We chose the half day morning tour and it was action-packed!

Two scenic flight trips over magnificent scenery, an epic seaplane landing/taking off, two boat trips on an exhilarating 900 horsepower speed-boat, shark cage swimming and to top it all off breakfast included - wow - what an itinerary!

This is truly a once in a lifetime experience! And our favourite tour of our Broome holiday. Scroll for pics - video coming next 😁👍✈️
.
.
. 
#dirtydrifters #horizontalfalls #horizontalfallsseaplaneadventures #broome #visitwa #perthisok #naturalwonder  #exploringwesternaustralia #thekimberleyaustralia #thekimberley #Perth #westernaustralia #australia #cessnacaravan #seaplane #roadtripaustralia #roadtrip #travelaustralia #travel #broometime #900horsepower #aussies #westaussies #roadtripoz #westaustralia #oz
Nothing quite like sailing to remote beach locatio Nothing quite like sailing to remote beach locations to frolic in pristine azure blue waters... 

Karma IV Charters took us to the exclusive Eco Beach Resort in style with lunch included, before taking us back to Broome in time for another sensational sunset.

Food didn't stop flowing all day as we spotted a mother and calf Humpback whale! A relaxing way to get to Eco Beach while meeting new people! 
.
.
.
#dirtydrifters #broome #broomecounty #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #australia #westernaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoverwa #Perth #thekimberley #exploringwa #discoverwest #travelaustralia #ecobeach #karmaIV #karma4 #roadtripaustralia #roadtrip #westaussies #catamaran #sailing
Tunnel Creek in a 1 minute video! 📹🐊 👌 . Tunnel Creek in a 1 minute video! 📹🐊 👌
.
.
.
#dirtydrifters #broome #tunnelcreek  #kimberleywild #australia #westernaustralia #exploringaustralia #Perth #travellingaustralia #westaussies #roadtripoz #westaustralia #oz #thekimberley #roadtrip #aussiesofinstagram #broometime #gibbriver
Thanks to @kimberleywildexpeditions we spent one f Thanks to @kimberleywildexpeditions we spent one full day touring the Gibb River's Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek out from Broome. 

Tunnel Creek is a fascinating 750-metre 'secret' cave system, and is home to subterranean wildlife including bats and freshwater crocodiles. The cave also has an interesting history, reputedly being used as a hide-out by rebellious indigenous fugitives in the late 1800's.

We actually missed out on Tunnel Creek during our 2018 road trip so we were glad to have ticked this one off the bucket list. Being in pitch blackness with water getting up to your hips at some points and the odd fright of a bat or croc or two - this one is worth the detour off the Gibb!
.
.
.
#dirtydrifters #kimberleywild #broome #broomecounty #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #australia #westernaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoverwa #Perth #thekimberley #exploringwa #discoverwest #travelaustralia #travelWest #perthlife #perthisok #perthtodo #tunnelcreek
We got a quick refresher of the Gibb River Rd and We got a quick refresher of the Gibb River Rd and Kimberley experience with a one day Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek Tour out of Broome. Travelling over 800km in one big day! 

We went with @kimberleywildexpeditions in their converted truck, and enjoyed being chauffeured around for the day! It's well organised and great value for money. 

Here's some highlights of Windjana Gorge. This time round, we saw heaps of crocs! Will post Tunnel Creek next 👍😁 🐊

#dirtydrifters #kimberleywild #kimberelywildexpeditions #broome #broomecounty #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #australia #westernaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoverwa #Perth #thekimberley #exploringwa #discoverwest #travelaustralia #windjanagorge #thekimberley #gibbriver #freshwatercrocodile #crocodile
We're in Broome right now! 😁👍 No Landrover We're in Broome right now! 😁👍

No Landrover this time around - we flew straight here from Perth thanks to the WA Government backed flight specials. Unlike our last time here, accomodation is booked and we won't need to bend the rules when finding a spot to camp! 

To mark our arrival into Broome, we did the most touristy thing possible - a sunset camel ride. Can't beat that Cable Beach sunset! 🐫🐪🐪 

We're up here for two weeks with an activity-packed itinerary and can hopefully give you a taste of what Broome has to offer 😁 
.
.
#dirtydrifters #broome #broomecounty #broometime #broomelife #broomewa #australia #westernaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoverwa #Perth #thekimberley #exploringwa #discoverwest #travelaustralia #travelWest #perthlife #perthisok #perthtodo #travelWA #travellingwa #travelwesternaustralia #camels #cablebeach
Escape into the ancient, spiritual landscape of Ka Escape into the ancient, spiritual landscape of Karijini National Park and 'switch off' the COVID-19 pandemic.

We went up there not long after WA Premier Mark McGowan reopened the regional borders and practically had the whole place to ourselves! 

Read our Karijini guide on: http://dirtydrifters.com.au/karijini-western-australia [Link in bio👆] 

---
👋A quick note to our followers:

After taking a hiatus from social media, we're back! Now more than ever is a great time to celebrate and promote Western Australia. Stay tuned for more camping experiences and travel tips from The Dirty Drifters!
----

#dirtydrifters #aroundaustralia #roadtripaustralia #australia #karijini #karijininationalpark #karijiniexperience #karijininp #Perth #westernaustralia #wa #waterfalls #mtbruce #roadtrippers #roadtrip #roadtripOz #visitaustralia #explorewa #discoverwa #tourismwa #exploreaustralia #seeaustralia #visitwa #perthisok
Making a quick escape to the forests just south of Making a quick escape to the forests just south of Perth, including the Captain Fawcett 4WD track and this beauty of a camping spot :D

#dirtydrifters #4wd #australia #wa #dwellingup #travelaustralia #camping #adventure #offroad #landrover #lr3 #discovery #kayaking
Enjoying the soothing thermal waters of Zebedee Sp Enjoying the soothing thermal waters of Zebedee Springs in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

This outback oasis is yet another reason to add El Questro onto your road trip itinerary! 😍🌴
. 
Read More on our Blog: http://dirtydrifters.com.au/zebedee-springs
[Link in bio👆]
.
.
#australia #westernaustralia #exploringaustralia #Perth #travellingaustralia #explore #adventure #experiencewa #elquestro #zebedeesprings #hotsprings #aussiesofinstagram #outbackaustralia #aussies #roadtripaustralia #campinglife #campingAustralia #roadtrip #aussieexplorers #westaustralia #exploringwesternaustralia #discoveraustralia #4wdaustralia #wa #experiencewa
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