Almost a year ago, I set out on a foolhardy endeavour to procure the beautiful base model BMW 316 from Brighton. At that time, no one could foresee what the future held for the diminutive e30 of 1987 vintage. Despite a failure to proceed shortly after obtaining an MOT certificate it settled into the fleet nicely.
Style in automotive form
bonus 406 coupe action in the background
Shortly after arriving in the not so grim Northlands, the eye of my Mother was caught by the 316. From her lips the phrase “I’ll have that car” did flow. She is not one to be refused, so I set about readying the little car for life as a second car at my parent’s household.
Luckily it was in very good fettle, and only needed brakes, a service and some rear dampers to become a reliable runaround for the Maw. She took to it like a duck to water – commenting most favourably on the excellent all round vision, the light steering and the willing engine. It certainly cut a dash about town.
Moreover, it functioned as an exceptionally good courtesy car for when one of my fleet was off the road. It outlived the Octavia, the 306 and the Alfa 156 – It may not have been as frugal, as dashing or as handling focused, but it had a character that just endeared you to it after 10mins behind the wheel. As a serial e30 owner, it was everything I didn’t like:
2 door body
Automatic
4 Cylinder(although it has to be said, the m10 engine is the pick of the 8v 4cyls available in the e30)
blessed with 45mm front struts
Sporting Rear Drums (almost worth it for the working handbrake!)
But yet it was so much more than the sum of its parts. A clean, low mileage e30 is a lovely place to be. No rattles, squeaks or hums, just effortless and enjoyable miles covered without concern.
One such sojourn of note was the trip to drop off a Saab 9-5 to the very north
An Idyllic view (and a no bad wee cottage)
The 316 was easily the match or the Saab- getting similar economy (38mpg), with better comfort and more driver communication on the sinewy roads north of Dingwall.
Shortly thereafter, it passed into my care again as the Maw has now set her sights on a nice e60 5 series of some sort. Can’t fault her really.
I replaced the downpipe after an unfortunate “failure to remain attached” incident, and replaced the exhaust mountings with genuine BMW parts at a very reasonable cost (£30!).
Balcocks!
That done, it proved a superb commuter, comfortable on the motorway and engaging on the backroads. Moreover, it drew admiring glances wherever it went, and was the source of much positive comment from my colleagues.
It was not to last though – A chance note on the 335 from someone looking for an old BMW lead to the classic “Offer I couldn’t refuse” scenario.. As of Tuesday evening, the 316 resides elsewhere.
Bye Bye:(
I enjoyed my time with it, and it taught me several important things, the chief of which is “if you see an e30 for sale, buy it!”. A great wee car that was reliable, frugal and easy to work on yet had sufficient character to reward you every time you drove it!
Now to get the 320i back into service…
fu'guttycars 