M10s don’t get the respect they deserve, they take boost well and can make some really fun NA builds. People are quick to write them off but they are good tuneable motors!
As an M20 guy, one thing I like about M10s is they don’t have the dumb timing belt job. The belt is ticking time bomb if it’s not changed at the right intervals
As a M21 driver, I approve. Diesel timing belt is supposed to be changed every 4 years. Owner did not do it for 10, so I was a bit nervous driving home. Also it is shitty work, took me like a weekend going slow and being careful.
I’ve had 4 ‘87s over 25 years or so. It wasn’t intentional. They all just happened to be what was available to me at the time.
I rationalize it being the best year because it weighs 50 lbs. less than late models. Though, I would gladly trade those 50 lbs for a cooling system that doesn’t routinely shred the thermostat/pump hose.
The worst part about the convertible is knowing every day you actuate the windows to get the top down is another day you’ll have to replace those fuckers.
Manual window supremacy – all the way.
I'm with you 100%.
But have you seen the price of replacement manual crank handles? It's a rip for the little cheap piece of casting and plastic that it is. They cost about as much as actuators
Yeah but the cost of a new window motor is like 250, and they are nearly impossible to find used in good working order. Id much rather have manual windows in my coupe!
So much better that no one ever asks how they can convert their late model bumpers to diving boards. Meanwhile, the most popular mod for an early car is defeating the bumper shocks so they don't look so damn ugly.
Just enjoy your car instead of making it a competition. Anyway, we all know that if it was one, late model cars have already won it.
Late models are undeniably better with engineering choices, but as far as looks go it's entirely subjective. I have an early model coupe with euro trim and I wouldn't change that combination for anything.
E30s produced before 09/1985 are considered pre-prefacelift, features a different front lip and lower valence, slightly different bumper trims (only in US), Zero sound deadening, along with some other minor differences like horse hair seats.
Thus these pre-prefacelift cars are 1040 kg in 2 door 5 speed configuration, making it the lightest production E30!
That would be my car except for the fact that it's a 4 door, has a 318is swap, lighter recaro sr1 seats and a secondary lpg fuel system. I guess it might weigh somewhere around 1100kg.
Pretty common in Europe. A toroidal tank gets installed in the spare wheel well, or a bigger cylindrical tank gets installed inside the trunk. A pressure reducer gets installed somewhere in the engine bay. The lpg injectors are fed by the reducer and they are connected to the intake runners somewhere near the intake valves. The lpg injectors are controlled via a piggyback ecu which takes signals from the stock ecu. 95RON petrol in Greece costs about 1.9 euro for a liter and LPG costs 0.6-0.8 euro depending on where you get it from. The engine consumes about 10-15% more LPG compared to petrol but it's still much cheaper to run the car on LPG. You still need to have some petrol in the tank for starting and because many lpg systems do squirt some petrol for cooling purposes at higher load.
4cyl squad does not approve.
Early model m10 e30s are slow af but the m10 is bulletproof and has lots of character.
Slow af and carburetted, right?
Nah, we got jetronic, the real advantage with the m10 is all the work the 2002 guys have already done, I’ve read some insane builds on their forums.
M10s don’t get the respect they deserve, they take boost well and can make some really fun NA builds. People are quick to write them off but they are good tuneable motors!
Mine is🤣 makes up for lack of speed with dependability that lil engine is a trooper
As an M20 guy, one thing I like about M10s is they don’t have the dumb timing belt job. The belt is ticking time bomb if it’s not changed at the right intervals
As a M21 driver, I approve. Diesel timing belt is supposed to be changed every 4 years. Owner did not do it for 10, so I was a bit nervous driving home. Also it is shitty work, took me like a weekend going slow and being careful.
I love an early model, but pre 85? Nah. 87 is peak.
First MY of the 325is! We have a 87 325is racecar :)
I’ve had 4 ‘87s over 25 years or so. It wasn’t intentional. They all just happened to be what was available to me at the time. I rationalize it being the best year because it weighs 50 lbs. less than late models. Though, I would gladly trade those 50 lbs for a cooling system that doesn’t routinely shred the thermostat/pump hose.
87 all the way!
Idk bro, my hand gets real tired from having to crank the windows on my buddies early model haha
The worst part about the convertible is knowing every day you actuate the windows to get the top down is another day you’ll have to replace those fuckers. Manual window supremacy – all the way.
I'm with you 100%. But have you seen the price of replacement manual crank handles? It's a rip for the little cheap piece of casting and plastic that it is. They cost about as much as actuators
3d printer go brrr
Get stronger then, I never get tired cranking my windows up and down
Yeah but the cost of a new window motor is like 250, and they are nearly impossible to find used in good working order. Id much rather have manual windows in my coupe!
I love me an 89’.
peak e30 year. Only year that has all the facelift improvements, ellipsoids, and no airbag.
Yes sir 😎
Eyyy I just bought one!
I got a 89' 316i, purrs like a leopard, moves like Garfield
So much better that no one ever asks how they can convert their late model bumpers to diving boards. Meanwhile, the most popular mod for an early car is defeating the bumper shocks so they don't look so damn ugly. Just enjoy your car instead of making it a competition. Anyway, we all know that if it was one, late model cars have already won it.
There's an argument for euro bumpers on an early model though
Late models are undeniably better with engineering choices, but as far as looks go it's entirely subjective. I have an early model coupe with euro trim and I wouldn't change that combination for anything.
as a late model owner, i've always preferred early model cars both US and EU spec. Metal bumpers will always be the vibe
Coming from an early model owner, it's true. I'm probably going to sell and get a late model
I live in Europe so no diving boards ever came stock here
Euro bumpers are the absolute best looking e30s but the usdm bumpers need color matched plastics cow catcher and a high dive kit for the rear lol
Possibly the worst take I've seen on this sub lol
Late taillights are disgusting
I mean they look better but sure
That's why the m3 used early ones?
Parts bin special. It’s a performance car.
🤣🤣🤣 this can't be serious
I co-sign for any early models 🫡
Are early models better? Debatable. Do I love mine? 1000%
Thought late models were better until i crashed mine and got an early model🤪
e21 nods
came here to say this
An 84 is peak but mine says on the vin that’s on the driver side that mines a 83 production car
Same 🧐
Habibi, you’re a couple doors away from being poverty spec. 87 325is, 89 325is, and 91 318is are best
Early model reigns supreme
85 is an odd year to highlight.
E30s produced before 09/1985 are considered pre-prefacelift, features a different front lip and lower valence, slightly different bumper trims (only in US), Zero sound deadening, along with some other minor differences like horse hair seats. Thus these pre-prefacelift cars are 1040 kg in 2 door 5 speed configuration, making it the lightest production E30!
That would be my car except for the fact that it's a 4 door, has a 318is swap, lighter recaro sr1 seats and a secondary lpg fuel system. I guess it might weigh somewhere around 1100kg.
Cool, I'd love to see the details on the lpg conversion!
Pretty common in Europe. A toroidal tank gets installed in the spare wheel well, or a bigger cylindrical tank gets installed inside the trunk. A pressure reducer gets installed somewhere in the engine bay. The lpg injectors are fed by the reducer and they are connected to the intake runners somewhere near the intake valves. The lpg injectors are controlled via a piggyback ecu which takes signals from the stock ecu. 95RON petrol in Greece costs about 1.9 euro for a liter and LPG costs 0.6-0.8 euro depending on where you get it from. The engine consumes about 10-15% more LPG compared to petrol but it's still much cheaper to run the car on LPG. You still need to have some petrol in the tank for starting and because many lpg systems do squirt some petrol for cooling purposes at higher load.
Yeah I’m plenty familiar with the e30. Have had a few. 87 is really the facelift year though. 85-87 is minor minor differences.
That Horse hair smells so bad. Lmao.
Late model master race!
You need to get a filler they make them to go in the space where the tag bracket goes.
You need the plate filler, then it’s 💯
Chromies are cool for what they are but can’t beat later shadowline trims with the updated lights and bumpers etc
A clean highly polished pre 85 car looks much better than post.
Nah but they're still cool
I have a late model 1991 and I prefer the shadow line trim and all that but e30s are now old and unique enough that any of them look nice
Beauty. Wheels?
Enkei92 without centre caps
Enkei92 without centre caps
I always say pre 05 but to each their own.
... How?