Faults:

When I bought the car, I had to replace the front brakes. The car was very cheap, so it was no problem at all.

After one year, the exhaust was rusting hardly so I had to replace it. The new exhaust only lasted for 2 years, so I had to replace it again. Now it's rusting again... I don't know why the car has such problems with the exhaust. Other owners of such cars don't have these rusting problems.

2 years ago the car broke down while I was driving on a crowded highway; the fuel pump had died after 23 years of duty.

In middle of 2012, the service lamps went wrong. I assume the batteries in the instrument panel are down.

This cars needs relatively much service: Oil change after 10.000km / spark plugs & air filter after 20.000km / drive belt after 45.000km.

General Comments:

This car is fun to drive and its suspension is very comfortable. You can't compare it with a Cadillac, but it's quite nice. The modern cars are way too hard. The seats are also comfortable.

The engine is not built to win races, but it fits to the car and you can drive smoothly down the road. If you are in a hurry, you hit the gas and the kickdown will do its job. The gas mileage is okay for a car of its age. My car takes 9L/100km.

Unfortunately the inner space of the car is not very roomy. People over 1,90m will not find a good seat in the BMW.

I use the car as a daily driver and I won't miss it. It's comfortable, fast, stylish and I can depend on it. These days the E30 becomes more and more rare, so that people come to me to talk about the car.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing as of yet.

General Comments:

I have only owned this car for a little over a week, but I am in love. The handling, steering, acceleration and braking are all so precise, that it feels like you are one with the car. This is the kind of car that makes you look forward to going to work in the morning, just because you know you get to walk out the door and drive it.

While driving with the top down, it just gets better. The top folds so seamlessly into the car, and the car still manages to avoid too much excessive wind noise, even with the top down. The sound of the engine however, is heavenly. It purrs like a sleeping tiger, then howls as it zips up past 4000 rpms.

I would recommend this car to anyone. You won't be disappointed.

Faults:

Repaired front right quarter panel and front valence after an accident.

Around 200,000 km, I replaced the timing belt, battery, and did a valve adjustment.

At 215,000 km, I replaced the control arm and sub frame bushings, replaced the O2 sensor, and did a transmission and power steering flush.

Power steering has started to leak. Used some stop leak to plug it up, but will have to face that problem eventually.

General Comments:

This is a great car. Not the fastest vehicle in existence, but easily one of the most fun. Definitely has a split personality. Commuter car one minute, auto-crosser the next. This car loves being thrown into corners.

Fuel economy isn't the greatest, but for a 6 cylinder, it's not bad.

Fit and finish in old bimmers is exceptional. My interior looks brand new, and it's 22 years old! No rust either. Paint has started to fade on the hood and driver's side A pillar, though is seemingly perfect elsewhere.

Tracks straight as an arrow.

Has never burnt any oil, and it always comes out clean when its changed.

Very reliable car and cheap to maintain. They are getting older however, and more age related problems will arise.

My next car may very well be another well sorted E30. While a manual is not a must for this car, it would make it much more fun to drive, I regret getting an auto.