BMW 325i E30 Feature | Gears and Gasoline 

2016: easily finds E30 for $500 2019: Can’t find any under 5k

As these guys attest, the 1980's and 1990's were The Golden Age for BMW. The cars drove like no others and those who appreciated that bought them. It's great to see a younger generation appreciate that.

I totally agree with you guys on the power game. It's a red herring. No reason to even pursue much more power. BUT...I will say I'm NOT diggin the roofrack. lol

leaks oil and its cool

The old E30 325 has a special place in my heart.

I got to drive one today - a manual, no less. It's the first classic car I've ever driven, and I really enjoyed it. I never "got" BMWs before, but I kinda fell in love with this one. It's peppy, it's engaging, it's just such a different experience from modern cars.

Cool ass car and owner! Love his mindset. Backroad beauty

there not lightning fast but there far from slow

Just bought a bone stock e30 318i tape cassette player and everything for $400. I cleaned the interior and it looks brand new. Theres some tlc to do but damn it looks good. Cant wait to get this thing restored.

325i for $500? Can barely get a shell for that lol. Even 325e's are like 2k+

Its not fast, fuel economy poor, rust all over, but there something about that car, i just cant help it :-)

Still remember watching this video when it first came out. That look has stayed on and i knew I had to have one. Just bought a 325e after a lot of saving. Thanks for a life-long love affair!

Great vid and such a cool car. BMW E30s are one of the few cars that were developed with the driver in mind rather than the accountant in mind. They should have a near perfect 50:50 weight distribution coupled together with a front engine (longitudinal not transverse) and rear wheel drive layout which makes for a very engaging driving experience. Almost like an old Alfa Romeo before they went front wheel drive except that BMWs break down less. E30 325s with the M2025 engine also respond really well to subtle tuning tweaks such as aftermarket air filters, performance exhaust, high output spark plugs etc. Depending on your budget you could also go for high lift cams but that might be stretching things a bit far. Additionally consider a short-shift kit for the gear lever, competition clutch (pricey but worth it), brake upgrades, suspension lowering and stiffening together with decent alloys with a tweak of the camber settings to suit your needs. Lastly, E30s suffer a lot from poor bushes (high wear) so unless your's hasn't been done already, I would definitely look at polycarbonate bushes. Never tried them myself but hear they make a big difference and last longer. Have fun guys and keep the vids coming.

I think you guys are a bit hard on the speed aspect. These are actually quite quick, even by todays standards. They are light and small. I've got a 2 door 325 and the speed surprises me every time I get in it compared to my more modern daily drivers

absolutely fell in love with this car

God I can't wait until I have one for myself...

i drove an e30 and i loved it, it isn't very fast, but is isn't slow.

Really this was the ONLY proper 3 series. Back in the day pals and I took one of these 325i mtech with luggage from London to south of Spain cruising for prolonged periods at near 150mph (chipped). It could be thrown about like no subsequent 3 series. A fine car.

I have a 88’ 325e e30, soon to swap a s54 engine and turbo it. Good car overall, I’m really glad I bought the car

And that's exactly the love you need for cars/ a specific car.

Got me a Touring and an IS. Had them both for over ten years, cannot bring myself to sell either.

I drive a 2003 Buick LeSabre Custom that leaks Trans fluid and has a rusted spot on the driver side rear quarter panel. It's a bit quirky and it's not fast...but I don't care. It's a big boat that'll rock back and forth in turns and gives me all the memories of driving my first one way back in high school. That's what makes me love car culture. You can talk to people about what a car means to you and they'll understand.

I had one (325i e30) for about seven years. Bavarian perfection from Munich!

Its a fancy Miata. German technology, Love it!!! 😉😍

thanks for this great and well put together review dude !

just got my 325 for $1890 passes smog and drives solid

You guys make amazing videos! I love this e30! The roof rack makes it!

Great video, i have an e30 323i and these cars are just so much fun!

Yes guys cars done right I feel the spirit

I love the Respect Your Elders sticker. However, it seems the 2 guys from Gears and Gasoline didn't respect that car much since they were poking fun of how slow it was. Lol The E30 is one of the most reliable cars out there, particulary the M20. There are different families of E30s. Obviously some aren't gonna spin like the E30 M3. Before you go out and by a high performance car, learn how to drive one first. I think the E30 is the best prereq car.

i love my e30 and like in the video, each time a friend ask if they can drive the e30, i'll say yes there's something special about them hahah keep on the good work

When I am driving my E30 along at any speed, in any gear, if I let the throttle off quickly, there is a loud clunking sound coming from the rear of the car and the car shakes back and forward. It happens if I apply throttle quickly as well. Its like it only occurs when there is a rapid change from the engine driving the wheels to the wheels driving the engine, any help please?

To drive an E30 for 25years and counting I have found the UNICORN . Best car for someone who likes go-karts with doors !

just got mines for 700$. runs well and is quite fast. it needs shocks and needs tires but so far so good! Paint is a bit faded but matte plastidip can help

Got my 89' e30 325i convertible for $2k in pretty nice condition. Glad I caught it before prices went up more, because if I was to sell it today I could get $14-$16k out of it...

editing and photo work are aamzing, already subscribed.

Anyone know where I can get a roof rack and basket that fits an e30

Have a 1990 325i convertible that I hope to own forever. Now I want to find a coupe to work on.

Great car!

I had one of this... So nice car...

These cars are worth a fuck load in my country of Australia, a clean 325i will fetch around around 10-13k, 325is around 15-25k, a 318is 7-13k

The "Respect your elders" sticker with stripping out the interior and adding a roll-cage to make it a track animal are two opposite ideals.

Very cool, hopefully you still own it..

nice video ! i have an e30 318i. soon will be swapped with an m20!

This makes me want to take mine out right now!

I have a 1990 and a 1988 both run excellent both convertibles both 5 speed. I drive the 1990 every day.

what year?

totally agree with the term you wont get it till you drive one that's a fact! they are the perfect blend of driving bliss and luxury! and dont take the most expensive upgrade's to make them handle even better like polybushed suspension z3m short shifter e46 steering rack ect.. however i do unfortunately have a lust for more power as well but i think the limit for me hp wise would be 300hp so an m50 turbo swap or s50 b30 would be enough for me down the line making the car still usable as a daily if needed!

A true car guy :)

I love E30s such a cool car :)

While I certainly have respect for the E30, you'll never catch me in one. Being in South Africa, I consider my life more important. I'll take an E12 or E21 any day though. For those who don't understand, the E30 (box, matchbox, gusheshe (I'm not sure if I spelled that right)) is the preferred car for spinning here (due to its legendary durability), and it's a VERY high risk for hijackings. I've heard of someone who bought one, and on his way home (not that long distance) he went through 3 failed hijackings.

Looks just as fun as my little Saturn 5 speed wagon not fast but fun to drive

Can some body tell me where is this flimed?

What kind of steering wheel is that ?

How much did it cost I’m planning on buying one

Nice car...

now where in the heck did he buy that for $500?!?!?!?!?!?

Nice video , Very very pround to have a e30 327i

This guy has the right idea.

what are those roof carriers?

What roof rack is that?

why did he put that shit on his roof

classics are the shit!

Random question, is this in lynchburg va?

I'll never let someone drive my e30. If it was wrecked all because my buddy wanted to try it out I'd be devastated.

I have a 91 318is e30. has 200k always been solid:) also have an 04sti

Way to go, Bryce! You motorhead...lol

I like to swap m60/62b30 v8 in it and enjoy slow cruising at b-road while listening to the v8

Not a lot mechanical to make them faster? The M20 is a fucking weapon of an engine with even slightly worked examples able to make 140kw at the wheels, the most powerful at least here in Australia is making 280kw at the wheels, naturally aspirated. These engines will make as much power as you want or need.

My good look smile on his face

🤩

What do you have for an exhaust set up?

Can someone tell me where I can buy a roof rack like that?

Yup, great cars, driven a few in various states/tunes, currently have a 325e father n son restomod project, had a 74 2002 before so am familiar with the mystique of old bimmers, nice project, will be looking into the spec e30 suspension stuff to improve the handling of ours!

I forgot to mention that I sold it, e46 330i is now my new love.

Really enjoy your content, wish you could do a feature for my car.

bro he looks soo.cramped driving in 4:10 lol

3:41 reminds me of my English essay

$500? I see people selling 1980s 325i's for 4 or 5 thousand. Scrap value should be more than $500.

I really want a E30, but a clean one is not cheap :( btw i own a e46

Did he just say he paid $500 for that e30??

Cars owner also looks like , 80 young boy

i think the roof rack is slowing the car a lot........

170cv!! Yo tenia uno automatic

$500? 🤔

When to find a clean e30 325i coupe in manual for 500 dollars.... Go play the lottery because you have a better chance of winning that

this music is comically overkill

"i can't tell you what its like to drive an e30" - thats your job...thats why i'm watching the video...how about try...

Who else lives in the South East Queensland region of Australia.

More beef, less soy.

I can't believe you, the 325i isn't fast? hell yea it is fast, what do you expect to press the gas pedal all the way on 2000rpm? it does not kick you in the seat? then you don't know how to drive it, if you sit in that car with me behind the wheel, you will shit in your pants and yelling to slow it down. I can't believe the 325i e30 isn't fast, you guys are so unbelievable. Please tell me what did america build in late 80's that you can tell ooo it's so God dam fast. all what you know to build is big v8 with 6 or 7l engine that gives 200-300bhp and the car is about 2 tones or more heavy, way to go america, such an engineering! there is a familire video on youtube that some chevy or dodge, big v8 engine of course (police car) is chasing a bmw e30 m3, that has 2.3l 16v and around 230bhp, and the police can't catch a bmw. yea really slow car