Another dash-cam find is up for your pleasure, this what I think is a neglected-on-purpose E30, complete with huge wheels and roof rack.
I spotted its old silhouette from afar, but the closer I got the more baffled I was- neglected BMW? Sure, no surprise there. After all, it is from 1989, as the license plate testifies. But this roof-rack is something I rarely seen on these cars when they were new, let alone classic. And how about the door sticker? I somehow think this might have been on purpose:
Of course. the E30 is no stranger to any car buff on the planet, being one of BMWs most loved cars (and maybe one of their best?). In Israel it was very successful in its day, many E21 drivers upgrading themselves when this new model arrived in 1983. It was also the desired car of many nouveau riche, lusting after the E30 much more for its status symbol appeal than its handling abilities.
Perhaps this is part of the reason why so few have survived; Many E30 owners discovered what it means to own a BMW, i.e. far from cheap maintenance. So people “forgot” to service the cars, or prolonged service intervals, never a good idea. The result of this is that if you want to see classic E30s, your best bet is at classic meetings:
Survivors are rarely left alone- most managed to gain body kits and\or big wheels, of course. This four door is one of the more decent looking cars.
And here’s a 1986 three door, sporting huge wheels.
Some very rare convertibles managed to find their way into Israel. This is another 1989 car, laden with a body kit, wheels, exhaust tips, etc.
But of course, the most sought after were M3 Sport E30s. Surprisingly this yellow 1984 car and the red M3 below are original 1980s cars- not new classic imports. These were extremely rare when new, not to mention now.
I’ll finish off this post by reminding us all, just how good of a racing (touring) car the E30 was. These next few photos were taken at the Salzburgring classic racing event I wrote about here. Sure there were M3 E30s at the event, but I was paying attention to this one make race of 325i E30s that was among the racing at the event:
On track, the 325s were racing each other fiercely, but in the paddock you could see quite the comradery, racers sharing tents and mechanics:
I don’t know about you, but I’m in-love with this engine bay.
The E30s leaving the paddock area and heading towards the pits- and out onto the track.
And lets finish off with this E30 325i that provides background to a somewhat romantic setup…
Done like this on purpose I’m sure. These have now been firmly embraced as a cult car on the local scene, but as you said, many have been neglected by the 3rd-on owners so a lot of cars require work to bring up to standard – luckily, bits for them are readily available, even from the factory.
Is this Jimmy Smith playing? Always a good choice when driving somewhere…
That’s not the car radio- it’s off the YouTube free MP3 library. I’ve replaced the soundtrack because it just wasn’t interesting.
Ever since the baby arrived, and sharing car rides, I’ve had to tone down on the Rory Gallagher and Frank Zappa. It’s more Billy Joel and Steely Dan these days…
It’s still better than most babies would listen to in Israel:) I suggest moving to the hard-core stuff when he’s 6 months old, you cannot start educating them early enough.
As a long time CC reader I could not resist this opportunity to a post a photo of my ’88 E30M3. I am the original owner.
Beautiful car! Even adjusted for inflation, they are selling for more than their original MSRP these days (not that you would think of selling yours).
Those are now firmly into the “highly-coveted” realm everywhere I think… I remember seeing cars needing very slight work advertised here in Austria for €7000 only a few years ago. Nowadays, forget it, even an 318 is will set you back thousands, if in good condition.
As the owner of a “lowly” 85 eta, I have to confess my appreciation of the handling characteristics of these old timers. And while the eta engine doesn’t have the high revving zing of the later cars, I really like the torque, which feels to me kind of like an old chevy small block.
I have to admit, that engine bay shot made certain appendages tingle for me too.
The M3 of the 80’s is simply the best street level “Speed Racer” racer you can get.
1985 / 86 was the start of the 3 series domination in it’s class (compact sport).
Beat up well worn BMWs are everywhere here, the boyracer crowd likes them to lower the handling out of them and stance them rendering them basically undriveable lawn ornaments with a roundel on the bonnet can be seen in every suburb, there is an E30 race series for them and that has soaked up many of the survivors, though real M3s are very rare JDM M3s are common they had no performance enhancements other than the badge and recaro seats, selling the M motorsport badge as a part over the counter cheapened the brand lots.
As an M3 is an M3, whichever market it hails from, you must be thinking instead of the popular M-Technic package that was available on the cooking 3 series. I’m no expert, but I believe that it is usually a bit more than seats and a badge, with uprated suspension as well as other upgrades. Of course, that doesn’t stop people just sticking an ///M badge on the back of a common 318i. Regardless, no other 3 series shares the unique body panels of the M3.
That gunmetal-colored ’86 is, in my opinion, enhanced by the wheels. Big, yes, but tasteful and a great design. But I’m not a purist in that vein.