Paul and Dino test drive a restored BMW E30

[@dappergent9422]

I had the exact same car in the same colour. Beautiful car, sadly missed but never forgotten.

[@ClassicCarLab]

It truly is a beautiful car. I really enjoyed the driving position.

[@BullyBoxer]

In 1992 by part exchanged a 1989 E30 M3 for new sapphire Sierra Cosworth , I still say though to this day the BMW was the best car I owned in that decade .

[@ClassicCarLab]

I can see why you loved it so much.

[@getdealtwithquick]

"This doesn't drive all that different from modern day BMWs"... Sorry, but that just couldnt be further from the truth. E30s were developed and built during an era when BMW had just invented the sport saloon category and wasn't the tech-first, catch-all global luxo barge company it is today. They are popular and values are going up because they offer a great blend of slow-car-fast driving fun at much more attainable prices than aircooled 911s. No, they don't drive like a rear engined Carrera 3.2 but they also don't require $15,000 and up for an engine rebuild, the gearbox shifts much smoother and the AC actually works. E30s are extremely usable while weighing around 2800 lbs and represent the last generation of BMWs where automakers considered reliability a goal to go after to win customers, rather than see it as a hinderance to more money from part sales, repair dollars for dealers and lowest possible costs with suppliers. Today, too many car companies have to cater to the Chinese market and are trying to hide massive price hikes behind tech improvements no one asked for while build quality continues to go down. (S Class, looking at you). The 12V M20 engines have a bomb proof bottom end to the point where they can be safely boosted to 400hp with no mods! Try boosting a 2000s and up BMW and watch your rod bearings eat themselves in no time. M20s - while less practical with their valve adjustments and timing belt changes - are easy to work on and can last 300K miles. No expensive Vanos, water pump, bearing or timing repairs needed. They deliver an exhaust sound that some consider the GOAT in BMW history. Yes, 90s motors were a leap forward in smoothness, power and fuel economy when new but an M20 with the last iteration of the Bosch Motronic are such good motors for enthusiasts to learn wrenching on without breaking the bank while keeping the thing on the road instead of jack stands. Mine gets thumbs up everywhere and the example in this video, if kitted with a genuine Mtech 2 kit is only going up in value. The valvetrain definitely sounds noisy but unless the rockers, eccentrics or cam are worn, a valve adjustment should quiet that down. For those who wabt the most driving fun out of these cars, get one with a Z3 steering rack, newer engine swap and coilover suspension.

[@ClassicCarLab]

Thank you for your very detailed comment; I really appreciate it. I also found it very interesting. I am new to KZbin, so I will get better, and I will take on board people's comments about filming, especially the sound.

[@eoink8219]

The top end of that engine is very noisy !

[@ClassicCarLab]

Thank you for your comment. I think it was due to my inability to film it correctly. I will try harder next time. I appreciate your feedback.