OK, so I am impressionable.

Not Scoobies, but interesting car question

Top Gear last week reminded me that ten years ago I really, really wanted an E30 M3 with those blistered arches etc.

Anyone here owned one/own's one. Experiences, what to look out for etc, etc?

Found a specialist importer about twenty miles from home - brings in and sells around SEVEN(!) a week from Deutscheland mostly between £6 and 13k. He had three Evo IIIs as well.

Very tasty.

Thanks in advance,

Mr Fink (as Sunil now calls me )

 

Dear Fink,

Not done it myself, but a friend who is a trader regularly imports stuff from Germany, and ran an E30 M3 himself for a while.

It is a fantastic car, at if you can find a good example great value for money too.

Generally the Germans maintain their cars very carefully, which is good for the private 2nd hand buyer, but there are a few things to watch out for:

Avoid any modified examples (usually the cheap ones)
Listen out for Diff/transmission whine - very expensive to fix.
See if the timing chain has been changed - expensive job
Check dampers for leaks
Listen out for any squeaks or rattles from the suspension.

They are strong and well built, but ageing so be prepared to look for a while to find a clean example. Buy on condition, not price because you'll save a heap in the long run.

Cheers,

Alex

 

Possum, never owned one, but drove one a few years back and it was fantastic but odd driving position.

After watching Top Gear I surfed the Autotrader website for E30 M3's and there are hundreds that range wildly in price.

I think Alex is right. Look at plenty and insist on full service history, plenty of receipts etc.

If my Scoob had to go due to expense, then I would seriously consider one as they are big fun

blubs.

 

Mr Fink,

Three of my mates all have E30 M3 cabrios, and they are fantastic cars....certainly a lot of motor for todays money. One had his chipped by AmD and it goes like stink....

Alex M's comments are spot on....look for accident damage/resprays (obviously)

Have you tried Munich Legends in West Sussex...not cheap, but excellent examples.

Also, there is a german dealer that advertises Integrales and M3's in the back of Evo every month and also promises A1 examples.

Sunil