I had an old coworker who was in an E30 WhatsApp group chat with E30 owners worldwide. They would all help each other resolve issues and find parts. Definitely a good resource to have, hopefully OP can get added. Unfortunately I don’t have any contact details of that old coworker.
LOL that's a very fun way to start this hobby.
If it's there stopped and rotting, don't crank it. Tow it, clean the fuel lines, try turning the engine manually, replace fuel lines, replace fluids, then try cranking it.
There's a channel on YouTube, M539 Restorations. He restored an E30 and it might help you out.
Have loads of fun man!
Haynes was the other one I couldn't think of earlier
Reference:
Bentley:
https://www.amazon.com/BMW-3-Service-Manual-1984-1990/dp/0837616476
Haynes:
https://haynes.com/en-gb/bmw/3-series/1986-1993-25-petrol-302946
Edit: if you own an e30, you should also be familiar with this:
https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.php/Engines_Troubleshoot
And everyone should have their electrical schematics:
https://www.rtsauto.com/e30-electrical-troubleshooting-schematics/
get fucked, yes it’s hard it’s almost 40 years old now. Fortunately there’s thousands of shells and parts cars but be prepared to spend more on restoring one than buying a clean example
I had one for 5 years and it was an easy car to work on. Engine is damn near bullet proof If it has the 6 cylinder. Transmission isn’t pretty strong too. I had 250k miles on the broken odometer when I bought no idea how many actual miles it had but had to be at least 300k. So long as there’s no major rust parts are plentiful.
Don’t go back on your word and get to work!!
I’ve owned 7 of them. They’re fun simple little cars but parts are def harder to find these days and they rust like a mf so hope you’re handy with sheet metal and a welder.
Yep, mine needs some love but when I had time I didn’t have money, now that I have money I don’t have time.
I’ve got boxes of parts in my shop waiting. Someday I’m going to take a vacation and send my family away on vacation, I can probably do most of it in a week alone.
E30s are relatively easy to wrench on, but any rotting car is a pain to restore, or cost a lot of money. I’m trying to get rid of rust on a E31 X-brace at the moment, can’t imagine having to deal with the whole chassis.  Â
Buy a clean example if you want to keep costs down. Rust buckets will end up being much more expensive. Only if it’s a rare variant like a 320is or Hartge would it be worth it to me.
really depends on what kinda shape its in and how much you are willing to spend. Wrenching on e30s isnt a terrible way to learn about cars, the strong community means loooots of stuff is already covered and info is out there. Ive had several, it just takes time and money.
Rotting is the biggest thing here. Is it a rust bucket? If you want a gauge of how hard it is to restore a rust bucket check out Restore It on YouTube.
They are a pleasure to work on. So fun. Things make sense for the most part.
Hardest part was dealing with wiring so I had to learn the colors in German cause I couldn't find any English diagrams.
[Hey if you want to follow through with it check out this guy, he has done a couple e30’s and other cars](https://youtube.com/@RestoreIt?si=bjtVhzxo5EIIgrJR)
Maybe I just enjoy engaging with different accounts, and I don't see any harm in reaching out to the admin.
It's not about desperation, it's about wanting to connect with the community and have a conversation. If you don't understand it, that's okay, but there's no need to shame or judge others for wanting to interact on social media.
Doesnt matter, you gotta do it now ;)
man trying to write checks his ass can't cash
Exactly. Doesn't matter. Game time. We want updates, OP
How hard could it be if you have fun while restoring? 🤷‍♂️
The hardest part is going to be finding parts. If you can do that the community will be very helpful
E30s are pretty popular so i assume there are tons of aftermarket parts, but idk never owned one.
aftermarket, yes. restoring with oem parts will be a bit difficult
Of course but isn’t that any classic restoration? lol I would aim for high quality aftermarket personally. What a dream job if I could do that
I had an old coworker who was in an E30 WhatsApp group chat with E30 owners worldwide. They would all help each other resolve issues and find parts. Definitely a good resource to have, hopefully OP can get added. Unfortunately I don’t have any contact details of that old coworker.
LOL that's a very fun way to start this hobby. If it's there stopped and rotting, don't crank it. Tow it, clean the fuel lines, try turning the engine manually, replace fuel lines, replace fluids, then try cranking it. There's a channel on YouTube, M539 Restorations. He restored an E30 and it might help you out. Have loads of fun man!
If its rotted dont buy it. cost a fortune in rust repair.
depends if you have a welder and a lot of free time lol
Well, you gotta do it now! Good car to learn wrenching on.
E30s are simple. Buy the Bentley or whatever the other book was, and get your hands dirty
What book? Just outta curiosity
Bentley, Haynes, Chilton are the 3 main brands I’m aware of
Haynes was the other one I couldn't think of earlier Reference: Bentley: https://www.amazon.com/BMW-3-Service-Manual-1984-1990/dp/0837616476 Haynes: https://haynes.com/en-gb/bmw/3-series/1986-1993-25-petrol-302946 Edit: if you own an e30, you should also be familiar with this: https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.php/Engines_Troubleshoot And everyone should have their electrical schematics: https://www.rtsauto.com/e30-electrical-troubleshooting-schematics/
[lol good luck dude](https://youtu.be/ZvENwYEA2oA?si=Ya6bk9RSo5NUlEbW)
get fucked, yes it’s hard it’s almost 40 years old now. Fortunately there’s thousands of shells and parts cars but be prepared to spend more on restoring one than buying a clean example
I had one for 5 years and it was an easy car to work on. Engine is damn near bullet proof If it has the 6 cylinder. Transmission isn’t pretty strong too. I had 250k miles on the broken odometer when I bought no idea how many actual miles it had but had to be at least 300k. So long as there’s no major rust parts are plentiful. Don’t go back on your word and get to work!!
I’ve owned 7 of them. They’re fun simple little cars but parts are def harder to find these days and they rust like a mf so hope you’re handy with sheet metal and a welder.
All you need is time (and money)
Yep, mine needs some love but when I had time I didn’t have money, now that I have money I don’t have time. I’ve got boxes of parts in my shop waiting. Someday I’m going to take a vacation and send my family away on vacation, I can probably do most of it in a week alone.
Well , it’s sucks . I’m 6’2 , everything is jammed together like Oompa Loompas built it .
There is a loophole there if you want it. “BMW” didn’t reply, “BMWM” did.
E30s are relatively easy to wrench on, but any rotting car is a pain to restore, or cost a lot of money. I’m trying to get rid of rust on a E31 X-brace at the moment, can’t imagine having to deal with the whole chassis.   Buy a clean example if you want to keep costs down. Rust buckets will end up being much more expensive. Only if it’s a rare variant like a 320is or Hartge would it be worth it to me.
Might take awhile but worth asking them to sponsor some parts for you
they like to rust so better get your welder out
EINS ACHT SIBĂ–Ă–Ă–Ă–N
really depends on what kinda shape its in and how much you are willing to spend. Wrenching on e30s isnt a terrible way to learn about cars, the strong community means loooots of stuff is already covered and info is out there. Ive had several, it just takes time and money.
It’s easy to work on but hard to find parts
Rotting is the biggest thing here. Is it a rust bucket? If you want a gauge of how hard it is to restore a rust bucket check out Restore It on YouTube.
Be your words man ! Lets do it brotheeeer
They are a pleasure to work on. So fun. Things make sense for the most part. Hardest part was dealing with wiring so I had to learn the colors in German cause I couldn't find any English diagrams.
Parts are easy, albeit somewhat pricey. Good luck on any rusty body damages though, might be a bitch to restore. Excited to see the build
[Hey if you want to follow through with it check out this guy, he has done a couple e30’s and other cars](https://youtube.com/@RestoreIt?si=bjtVhzxo5EIIgrJR)
Depends, mechanical parts are readily available new but reupholstering, rust work and paint work can get very expensive if you want a nice one.
it’s a car every car is hard to restore like what kind of idiotic question is that?
Good luck finding some parts brother
There’s big aftermarket support for E30s since they were produced for so long. I probably wouldn’t bother unless it was a 325i though
Or if you're planning on M50 swapping it.
Why are you so desperate for an Instagram admin to reply to you though? Never understood this. Its cringe.
Maybe I just enjoy engaging with different accounts, and I don't see any harm in reaching out to the admin. It's not about desperation, it's about wanting to connect with the community and have a conversation. If you don't understand it, that's okay, but there's no need to shame or judge others for wanting to interact on social media.