19 Jan 07
The E30 was 3cm shorter than its predecessor, more aerodynamic and, despite extra equipment, around 30kg/66lbs lighter. No surprise then that it's a great drive and faster than its E21 predecessor, as well as being a little more predictable thanks to revised front and rear suspension.
The most desirable E30 of all is, of course, the 195bhp, four-cylinder original M3 - especially in limited-edition Sport Evolution 'Evo' form. This two-door M3 was left-hand drive only, giving it kudos as a hardcore sports car for the real enthusiast.
The 323i and 325i are also strong performers and are more accessibly priced. Some of these were given a boost by the highly-credible aftermarket tuner Alpina, making them very collectable.
Sadly, so many E30 3-Series have been much-abused it's difficult to find a good genuine car at a sensible price - so get a BMW specialist to carry out a professional inspection on an M3 or an expensive six-cylinder model. Many E30 M3s have been privately imported into the UK from Germany - which is no bad thing, but try and find a car with some history. Try and find the most original-stock car you can.
Two- and four-door saloons; Touring compact estate from 1987; new Bauer-developed convertibles with four seats and much-improved roof design.
Six-cylinder 323 or 325i for cheaper-than-M3 performance; 318i or late-80s 316i with fuel injection (100bhp) for economy. Well-kept Touring estates and convertibles still look smart.
Carburettor-fuelled 316; the slow Euro market 324d diesel and economy-tuned 325e; complex-to-maintain 325iX four-wheel-drive model.
Fake Alpinas and M3s; cam belt or cam chain (M3) must be changed to schedule; rattles from the M3's cam chain; erratic electrics; fuel injection problems; tired suspension and general boy-racer abuse. Rust is also becoming an issue. Ignition timing adjustment needed on 316, pre-1985 318i and 320i/323i/325i built before September 1988 to run on unleaded fuel, some models needing lead replacement additives. M3 is not unleaded-compatible and will need valve modifications.
Alpina-tuned models and M3s fetch serious-collector prices; the best of the E30 M3s are now a good £10,000 or so. Otherwise, runners with rust and short MOTs can be had for less than £200; decent saloons which won't demand immediate restoration at £600-odd; £1,500 for the very best non-M models. Good Touring estates from £750, but Convertibles £1,500-plus.
