Are e28s and e30s good for daily drivers? [Archive]

View Full Version : Are e28s and e30s good for daily drivers?

Rento_VW

11-25-2007, 01:13 AM

I was just wondering this... Because I really been thinking of what I can use as a good daily. Trying to stay away from the term "beater" because I don't beat cars, I pamper them. In the midst of searching for something more... "Daily driver" friendly, instead of looking at Mark I/II Jettas, golfs, and Scirocco IIs, I decided, why not try looking at a few e30s and e28s?

So yeah, just wondering if a old e30 or e28 would make a good daily.

What is the lowest you'd pay for one if you were in the market for one?

super b5.5

11-25-2007, 01:28 AM

ya they are, i would go for an eta or "e" car(325e, 528e) to save gas. i drive an e24 635 csi daily, its basically a 2 door 535is. most i would pay about 2500.

Rento_VW

11-25-2007, 01:56 AM

Hmm ok, I was actually just browsing the socale30 forums, it seems that they are a bit like Corrados or something... Everytime I hear "preventative maintenance" I think Corrado.

Just trying to see if I can get a daily that I could essentially do the typical "drive and forget" type of deal that most people do... Looking for something around $2000 that I could drive where thinking of getting stranded somewhere would be the LEAST of all my worries. So when you said $2500, that made me feel pretty good.

super b5.5

11-25-2007, 02:08 AM

of coarse, you still have to remember that it is an older car. so you might run into those because of its age problems, and that goes for all old cars. i got my 6 for 2400 in pretty good condition.

Rento_VW

11-25-2007, 02:18 AM

Hmmm, now the question is should I get a e30/e28 or stick with getting a Scirocco II or a 85-95 Diesel VW.

Going to sleep and think about it more, see what replies will land in here tomorrow.

super b5.5

11-25-2007, 02:24 AM

in my op i wouldnt get a rocco for a daily. i had know idea that you were thinking about diesel. with the way gas prices are, your best bet might be diesel. btw how far do you drive daily?

bmwmandan2002

11-25-2007, 02:51 AM

unless you find an old BMW that runs like a champ, go diesel for smog, me and super found ours that run real good, what about a benz diesel? just a thought, but if you get a BMW, dont get the 4CYL they're the hardest to get smogged, wernt we talking about this a couple mondays ago? lol

Rento_VW

11-25-2007, 12:43 PM

Hmmm... I never had a thing for the 80s-90s Mercs just the ones in the 50s and below and now.

So they're really hard to get smogged eh.. Hmmm.

Well, I currently drive a Corrado, my commute is nothing right now since I try not to drive it too much. Maybe once a week.

Thanks for the info though.

RollinInGreenz

11-25-2007, 02:44 PM

Rento_VW

11-25-2007, 06:07 PM

find yourself an old 2002, strip it of any non-essentials, and fix/replace whatever's left :)

pre-'75 = no smog

no smog on a BMW 2002 = potential

Here's one that's amazing...and 10x your price range (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-BMW-2002tii_W0QQitemZ150186394971QQihZ005QQcategoryZ42 601QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

but this one looks like a winner! (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FueI-Injected-1974-BMW-2002-California-Blue-Plate-Car_W0QQitemZ200177290273QQihZ010QQcategoryZ42601Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) ** I actually hope you don't buy this one, because I kindof want my girlfriend to sell her shitty Nissan Sentra and get that instead!

Haha, no worries man, I'm clear of money for a new car for maybe half a year or so. The top bimmer would look so much better had it kept it stock, and the lower one is sweet, if I had the money, we'd be head to head in bids (nah, I wouldn't do that to ya). But yeah, good luck on scoring that 74 2002.

I just now noticed you meant 2002 as in pre 75 haha, I get confused w/ that sometimes.

But yeah, I've even looked into some Volvos as people had said some of the older (85-95s) make some damned good dailies. So yeah.. I'm in sure what i'm going to do.

Even thought for a second about a crotch rocket, but... eh. Only Euro ones are Ducatis that I know of.. and for the price of one of those, I'd rather buy a RS4 lol.

mike

11-25-2007, 06:37 PM

they run forever, great cars, get an "e" for mileage, they will need some stuff, like bushings, hoses and stuff, keep the cooling system in good shape on these, thats the weak link. Find a nice one, mint cars can be had for $4K, so buying a mediocre one at $2K isn't worth it. I have a bead on an 85 325e 5spd for $200 that needs a head gasket and reseal, makes sense for me since I'm my own shop!

SYNYSTAGLI

11-25-2007, 07:29 PM

Bought my son an E28. With a few pointers from Mike, it runs like a champ. picked it up for 1200.

Rento_VW

11-25-2007, 07:39 PM

Oh yeah, I think I remember that thread, really good looking car! Mike is the ultimate SCE P-car source and good points on Bimmers. :tup:

mike

11-25-2007, 08:48 PM

Sorry for the thread jack, how did it turn out Manny?

Rento_VW

11-25-2007, 10:08 PM

Sorry for the thread jack, how did it turn out Manny?

No problem, if you're asking about his son's 6 series, that's a good question, how is that car doing?

Also mike, one for you, how good is a 914 for daily? For some reason I think it would be great, but I bet the parts are killer pricey.

Hopefully I wouldn't back into someone at a stop light since reverse is where 1 would be haha.

RollinInGreenz

11-26-2007, 12:46 AM

But yeah, I've even looked into some Volvos as people had said some of the older (85-95s) make some damned good dailies. .

There's a highschool kid that frequents the bagel shop by my work that has a purple station wagon with a Chevy big block in it.

just throwin' that out there...

gettin' that post count up.

yep.

:tup:

Rento_VW

11-26-2007, 01:14 AM

Haha, yeah, not sure if I'm into the volvo idea, the average mileage on those these days are like 150k... dang man.

I have also been looking into other euros.. I dunno.

SYNYSTAGLI

11-26-2007, 07:27 AM

Sorry for the thread jack, how did it turn out Manny?

Mike, I told my son the probable causes you mentioned. He jumped the gun and bought a master cylinder, slave cylinder, fluids...bla bla bla. I actually paid for the shit too :rolleyes: Anyway, we bled the system and there was ALOT of air in the lines. After we were done, he said it was like driving a different car. He's pretty much missing most of the time and hasn't asked to borrow my car so yea, it's running fine.

Thanks for your help, and for looking out for anyone with problems :tup2::tup2:

mike

11-26-2007, 09:37 AM

a 914-6 will set you back $20K for a decent car, a 914 will run the range price wise from $1K to ??????? The 914 is a great car, its basically a VW, has the TypeIV pancake motor, and VW parts here and there built and sold at VW dealers in europe. It gets expensive to drive when you have a rusty car, or are trying to restore one since seals and interior parts are money. But you can buy a nice solid driver for $5K. Not bad, they will out handle a 911 when set up (coming from a 911 guy, thats hard to say), and the technology nowadays, you can get as much, if not more, power out of the 4 as the 914-6 had originally.