Trading BMW E3 for E30?

Yoda

Yoda

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Hello,

I was curious if anyone on here had a relatively rust free E30 (specifically around the windshield) they would trade/sell for a 1974 Bavaria. I have a pretty large collection of parts for it/other bmw models. I’ll add some more pictures tonight. It has been M30B34 swapped with the 5 speed transmission, using the EFI system from a 1987 or 88 6 series. I’m not entirely sure what the previous owner did during the swap, but it runs/shifts nicely. I know it’s not the most desirable year, just wanted to see what was around.

Thanks,
Chris

PS is it even necessarily worth swapping it for an E30? We used to have one as a kid, and I miss it but the M20 scares me a bit compared to the M30, timing belt and all that. Thank you.
 

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Interesting! I have a rough e30 lemons race car… not what you’re after and I’m not interested in trading it anyway. But I’m curious why you want to trade?

For me, the Bavaria is a more useful, handsome and obviously rare car. I love my E30 on the race track, but on a twisty road I enjoy the E9 almost as much as I would an E30. I guess what I’m saying is that both cars are nimble and direct, and it’s only when you are pushing 10/10 that you feel the lighter weight and stiffer body of the E30.

Engine wise… I would keep the M20 if you ever do get an E30. Swapping a timing belt for peace of mind is not too hard. The M20 revs higher and is lighter - I would worry that a heavier engine would ruin the tiny advantage that the E30 has in handling.

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Wow those are both very nice! I guess I worry about the part availability. I love driving all of the cars I own, and I worry that whenever I take it out for a drive something might break. I don’t have a ton of money saved up specifically for repairing the Bavaria, and it seems like more of risk driving it to work occasionally/out for fun. If someone hit it, the transmission started shifting weird, or overheated, I feel like it would start to cost thousands to dig in and fix it.

Maybe I’m totally wrong about the E30, but it definitely seems like there is a bigger aftermarket/current OEM support for parts. Maybe that’s because nearly 2.5 million were built, but that is somewhat reassuring for me given my lack of funds. It’s a super fun car to drive, but my previous experience with a 2002 unfortunately scarred me and made me think harder about the lack of part support.
 
I hear you about the parts… but unfortunately the situation is getting rapidly worse with E30s. Yes they made a bunch of them but they are becoming “classics” with mediocre ones selling for $10k and nice ones for more than twice that. Which means they don’t go to junk yards anymore. And yes there is lots of aftermarket support but it is mostly performance parts…

It does suck to want to drive what you have but worry it will break. But you can learn to fix some breaks yourself… save up for a mechanic when you get stuck… I think either car can be expensive, but still both are worth owning and driving and enjoying.
 
All good points..My 17 year old son drives an 88 325is and yes, it is a little nerve wracking if I stop and think about something happening to it and can't find parts, but it's not hard to work on and everything we've needed has been easy to find and not very costly. The biggest worries are the moronic drivers out there...I mean, just imbeciles everywhere..

I'm rebuilding a 73 Bavaria, and I genuinely worry that if it gets hit or something, then its over...but I've done soooo much work on it and I'm able to do all the work, that I'm still going to enjoy the hell out of it and not sweat it too much..But I hear you on the funds scarcity..unfortunately, with these old cars, you just have to accept that there's a risk and get busy playing...I'd rather do that than drive some soulless new turd for the rest of my life. No thank you. Hell, my daily is a 76 fj40, so I'm in deep...lol
 
I’ve daily driven an e30 for most of my driving life(18 years) Parts can be difficult at times but the main maintenance stuff to actually keep them running aren’t too bad. So many are swapped and that only helps things. My current one is b35 swapped. The e30 parts support and availability is far greater than e9s imo.
 
I have M30B35 into E30 motor mounts if anyone is interested. They came from my 88 325ic that had a B35. That engine is now in my Bavaria. I loved my E30 with all that torque.
 
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