Bmw E30 for family use?

[DeBue92]

Hi,

I dont use my F31 no longer and i was thinking of buying a E30 for fun and also it keeps its value.
But i have a family with a dog, so I don’t know if it will be a good fit for driving on sundays and on holidays?

We are with 4 persons and a medium size dog.

Are there any people out here who does use a E30 with a family who can help me out on this?

Great thx in advance!
If i mis posted this thread pleas dont be angry because i didn’t find a place to post this.

Thx a lot!

[M-technik-3]

E30's served as family cars for 15 years but as size of people have grown the size of cars have grown as well. I used mine for a few years and the kids had trouble with the back seat floorboards being so small. They also do not have the modern safety features of a modern cars.

I still have my E30 M3 but I use that by myself or with my gal so it's not cramped feeling to us, but when I get back in my e91 I sure notice the size difference.

[DeBue92]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

E30's served as family cars for 15 years but as size of people have grown the size of cars have grown as well. I used mine for a few years and the kids had trouble with the back seat floorboards being so small. They also do not have the modern safety features of a modern cars.

I still have my E30 M3 but I use that by myself or with my gal so it's not cramped feeling to us, but when I get back in my e91 I sure notice the size difference.

Thx for the advice.
Its such a shame…
I love the car but it needs to stay practical as well.
Any advice on older bmw’s that are good for me?

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by DeBue92

Thx for the advice.
Its such a shame…
I love the car but it needs to stay practical as well.
Any advice on older bmw’s that are good for me?

I'd look at an E46 or an E39, maybe even an E90. I have an E30, I only drive it about 500 miles per year. I did daily drive it when I was in college, squeezing people in the back of those cars is a BIG ask. They're very small especially by today's standards.

[DeBue92]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

I'd look at an E46 or an E39, maybe even an E90. I have an E30, I only drive it about 500 miles per year. I did daily drive it when I was in college, squeezing people in the back of those cars is a BIG ask. They're very small especially by today's standards.

I drove a E91 for over 4years.
It was a great pleasure to drive it, nice handling.
But i find it a bit to modern…

[s_ribs]

Same boat as you OP. Family of 4 with a M/L dog. I have an E30 and I always drive my F10 instead.

Question: is this just a for fun car or your only car?


Agree with comments on the E30. As fun as they are I wouldn't use it as a family car on the daily. Only way I'd consider it is if it was only an in town car, and I had something larger for family trips.

If you want something old have you considered an E34? Especially if you can find a wagon. I owned two E34's and have a love/hate relationship with them. Love their looks and I really loved the sound of my '95 540i 6-speed. But I absolutely hate their sloppy steering boxes and always under damped suspension (yes, I did have refreshed stock as well as aftermarket setups). If I were buying a "classic" 5'er, I would go with an E39 as their steering and suspension is much more modern.

Or... as mentioned above, for likely as much interior space as an E34 wagon, E91 wagon. It's really a shame we don't get modern 5-series wagons.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by DeBue92

I drove a E91 for over 4years.
It was a great pleasure to drive it, nice handling.
But i find it a bit to modern…

OK, so you're looking for something old school then. If you like the E30, maybe go take a look at an E34 5 series, maybe even an E32 735i. Honestly though if you have your heart set on an E30 then go for it. There's a lot of options, the trick is going to be finding a good example of the specific car youre looking for. Good luck with the search.

[DeBue92]

Originally Posted by s_ribs

Same boat as you OP. Family of 4 with a M/L dog. I have an E30 and I always drive my F10 instead.

Question: is this just a for fun car or your only car?


Agree with comments on the E30. As fun as they are I wouldn't use it as a family car on the daily. Only way I'd consider it is if it was only an in town car, and I had something larger for family trips.

If you want something old have you considered an E34? Especially if you can find a wagon. I owned two E34's and have a love/hate relationship with them. Love their looks and I really loved the sound of my '95 540i 6-speed. But I absolutely hate their sloppy steering boxes and always under damped suspension (yes, I did have refreshed stock as well as aftermarket setups). If I were buying a "classic" 5'er, I would go with an E39 as their steering and suspension is much more modern.

Or... as mentioned above, for likely as much interior space as an E34 wagon, E91 wagon. It's really a shame we don't get modern 5-series wagons.

It wouldn’t be a daily car, just for sundays and holidays.
So the E30 is out for now because of the space. My kids and wife would fit but i love my dog equaly so she wouldn’t have no place 😔.

As for the other cars that where mentioned i have nog great love for them.

Such a shame

[BMWCCA1]

E28 is the same vintage and offers 4-doors and plenty of room inside as well as in the trunk. Prices haven't gone quite as bat-shit crazy as E30—yet. They are climbing. I'm driving mine on an 8-hour trip next week, and hopefully back, too.

[DeBue92]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

E28 is the same vintage and offers 4-doors and plenty of room inside as well as in the trunk. Prices haven't gone quite as bat-shit crazy as E30—yet. They are climbing. I'm driving mine on an 8-hour trip next week, and hopefully back, too.

I do like this model but is there acces from the trunk to the rear?
Like a middle seat that folds down?

Let us know if you made it back 😉

[M-technik-3]

The rear seat is not foldable and nor was it ever on an E30 with exception of the touring. Both the E28 and E30 had bulkhead behind the rear seat.

I had an early M-Technic 1 E30 when I was living in Germany and that had an extended range tank and I will say I was very thankful to have that. Many a trip when I did not have fuel coupons so if I had to buy fuel off base it was crazy money. Was 1.65 Euro a liter and the exchange rate was the dollar was worth less than a Euro.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by DeBue92

I do like this model but is there acces from the trunk to the rear?
Like a middle seat that folds down?

I don't recall any 5-series with fold-down rear seats until the E39. And even then they were somewhat uncommon.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by munch

Hello e30 owners, I'm thinking about getting a bmw e30 for a first car, they are farely cheap where i live, and it seems like a cool lil bimmer, good idea?

No, you should invest in propane and propane accessories. my neighbor Hank is way into it.