Here’s how the BMW E30 was the classic 80s yuppie car
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- Опубліковано 30 гру 2022
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In this episode I provide the history of the E30 variant of the BMW 3-series, which was sold in the U.S. between 1983 and 1991. American carmakers had nothing similar to compete with, and by the end of the 1980s, the E30 had become synonymous with Yuppies. Although the earlier E21 version was also sold in the U.S. as well, many E30 fans like it best as it was also the first generation to feature the M3 performance model. The platform for the E30 also was used for the Z1 roadster with its bizarre slide-down doors. By 1992, U.S. buyers were able to buy the E30's replacement, the E36, but the biggest difference is the G20 variant of the 3-series today, which can't compete against the X-series SUV's in America.
The E30 interior was exactly right. Nothing unnecessary, driver focused and well made. A masterpiece.
Kinda reminds me of how houses have gone. Constant growth and innovation and rising costs to add that. These car companies have to keep competitive or fall to the wayside. However now it feels like we reached the breaking point where folks haven't seen wage growth to compensate for the rest of everything else. Plus the gymnastics automaker have to do now ro make their cars standout. They aren't really even cars sometimes. Just tablets on wheels that will age like milk.
I have E28 I prefer but yah. Exactly.
Bought a 325 for 2000 bucks, 200k miles. Kept driving it, never died. A little maintenance and that m20 goes a long way.
I miss when these were affordable
Hehe got one when it wasss
Fr i want one so bad
i bought mine 3 years ago for 1000e,but it needed 3k more to look decent :'D
@@NidzaGaming lucky
@@NidzaGamingin Serbia they are cheaper then in Bosnia 😅
Bought a 1990 E30 manual convertible during the pandemic. Love the car and fun to drive. Get a lot of compliments on it for still a good looking car.
There was a movie called Flashback. It came out in 1989. It was a great movie and it was also a compilation of the 80's "greatest hits" in culture. At one point Dennis Hopper's character ( after angering a couple of grown up hippies) was thrown into the trunk of a 3 series outside of a bar. Those cars are iconic 80's.
@tad in Wall Street Bud Fox has it too, but only when hurrying to his dying dad. It may be borrowed... Tom Cruise in the movie starting a small business doing accountancy for the mob (by a scietology person) opted for a comvertibe Mercedes coupe, i d say this is more of a I m from humble breed style choice. Sakko, Bruna s last name indeed means suit, the lonely wiper can be considered to have a tie (Windsor knot) vibe.
And Marcy Darcy's red one from MWC
This is what I still think of as the definitive 3 series.
Such a great car. I had three of these when they were cheap, a 320i a 318is and a 325i. So much fun. That was in the U.K. where they did get really cheap for a while.
@Stewart Murray And you sold them …..you kicking yourself?
@@monk3yboy69 well a bit but this was nearly 20 years ago. I would of had to maintain and store them for all that time!
@@stewartjmurray
“Would have”
The 325e was absolutely inescapable in the 80s - it just became the thing you had to have once you'd hit a certain age/salary/job. Oh, you just got out of law school and landed with Cravath, Sawine and Moore - get a 325! I apprecited them for the size, but having had one of the original 533i sedans from the same era, found them sluggish and smogged. Also, almost up until the most recent G20 3 series (tho I have a fond memories of a mid 2010s 335 M sport ) coupe, they've always managed to feel a little cheap inside - German, but still cheap. BWM present design direction isn't great - realize that Lexus and Audi started it but, cmon.
325e? Or 325i? The Eta was arguably the worst spec of E30 you could get, depending on what you wanted out of the car.
$18 000 was expensive in 1984.The Chevy Monte Carlo with a V-6 was $9425.
That's 51.576,50$ in today's money
The E30 Series Two refresh is peak 3-series for me. Such a clean and timeless design.
@John Jones Yes, indeed . The rear light cluster just looked so smart for the time on that refresh.
These were beautiful cars. The sound of a 325i …heaven
I have never wanted one, but they are nice looking cars. Thank's Pat for another great video.
Couldn’t agree more
E30 is such an iconic car. I currently own 4 325; 87 325iS; 2 89 convertibles and most recently acquired ‘89 325ix touring model.
That's an awesome collection!
You should check out the 3-series touring story, actually being a hobbyist project to provide more space for a growing family needs.
In Italy and Portugal engines over 2 liters were heavily taxed so BMW created the 320is as a cheaper alternative to the M3. The de-stroked engine lost 0.3 liters but the performance was very similar
Man, these 3 series are just beautiful cars! I just love them!
the E30 was one of the best driving compact cars, high quality build and long lasting ,
This decision for older generations opens the door for the Mercedes W201. It’s a fantastic car with a fascinating history. Considered by some to be the first C class
The last truly elegant looking BMW design. These days BMW are beating their cars ever harder with the ugly stick.
I had a 1991 318is from 1997 to 2006... amazing car. 180K miles, and still ran perfectly when I traded it in.
Great info. Let's have a video on the Mazda 929!
Good Idea. 929 Coupés are great looking.
I had a 87' 325i while I was in the Army stationed in Germany. If you did regular maintenance, those E30's were bullet proof.
Great video!
Great video. 👍👍
When Bmers where reliable long ago , what a concept !
First video I watch for 2023....Happy New Year 🎆🥂🚗
I owned an E30; I used to rip on them because I am a long time E28 Big Block guy but look man they both are ALL GOOD. Also historically the new grilles are true to form. Look at the first 328 roadster.
The E30 2 door was never officially called a "coupe", as far as I know. It was just a 2 door sedan.
Ooo la la! 😂
same thing with the volkswagen fox!
I recall seeing BMW adverts calling the sports (325is/es) a coupe; but technical data documents for have 2dr and 4dr listed as sedans.
Still holding out hope for a VW Corrado episode.
Yeah.. what the heck ever even happened to the Corrado?!! Disappeared like a Ghost!
Please do Opel Manta next
I wish these episodes were longer🙏🏽
I still remember the joke about BMW's and porcupines... :-)
Please do a video on the Ford explorer sport Trac
Really great video! Love to see you do one on the R129 Mercedes SL. A very, very innovative car!
Love these videos. I would love to see one on the Nissan Maxima in the near future now that it’s being phased-out after the 2023
That's a damn good looking car, plain and simple. Timeless design.
Great vid. Thanx!
I'd love to see you cover the 80s models of the Datsun/Nissan 200sx, when they were still rear-wheel drive.
They offered turbo and 6-cylinder models as well, the 6s being basically smaller, lighter 300z's.
Such a pretty car. Makes me sentimental for the '80s.
I had a 87 325e the e was the gas “saver” it was still a great car
Will need to forward this.
Subaru impreza/legacy next please!!!! 🥰
Great review btw, love the E30, everything on it is just right.
Actually in Germany and Europe in general the cars are fitting with „Winzerreifen” winter tires which give incredible grip in snow. You can actually drive 40 -60 km/h in the snow.
Nice Video on the BMW E30, When I'd saw BMWs on TV or in real life I'd mostly saw them as Luxury Cars compared to their other German Counterparts like Mercedes Benz, Audi, & Volkwagen's Passat, and During the 1990's Pierce Brosnan's 007 had driven some BMWs in the 007 Films that you could probably make a list on becides the other cars he was driving.
Tom me BMWs have been the drivers' choice, Mercs the choice for luxury
They have a real nice BMW 7 series in the movie called License To Drive
Germans are required to put on winter tires during winter months. Tires do a lot more than all wheel drive for important traction situations like turning and stopping.
only mandatory in snowy conditions
I rebuilt a 1988 E30 convertible in 2003. New front clip and total replay. New top and rebuilt the motor.
I grew up in the 80's and when I think of the 80's I think of this car in the equation. Our neighbor three houses down was a real estate agent and when she got this car she thought she had arrived and made it. Total 80's car.
E30 2 door was never a coupe, it was a a saloon/sedan.
Would love a video on the e24 6 series or e31 8 series
1984 Jetta GLI was compared to this car often.
That's what VW wished. It just never worked out here in Germany. Hardly anybody would buy a Jetta (of all its generations) - in spite of III and IV renamed to Vento and Bora here, to improve its reputation - since everybody knew it was a Golf with a tacked-on trunk. And except for premium cars the three-box design was considered something for retired "squares" who didn't know how to drive anyway and drove unnecessary slowly on the highway. About like the little DAF cars that came out of the Netherlands until 1975, where you could be sure the driver would wear a hat while on the wheel and had a roll of toilet paper with a crocheted cover on the rear shelf. I think the last generations of Jetta weren't even offered in Germany any more. At least they're nowhere to be seen.
Modern yuppie car is Subaru or Volkswagen, shortly before that Volvo. Interesting how yuppies evolve, I believe it's image and exclusivity.
Had a 1996 E36 convertible and absolutely loved it ❤
The e30 m3 I never got, giving it a 4 pot, when you could buy a 325i 6 pot cheaper I never got. I owned a e36 on 60k and drove it until 166k, it gave me hardly any issues, what a fantastic and cheap car to run.
If you do cars that “are specific model ranges from interesting cars that are still in production”, please consider the Honda Civic Wagon from 1984 to 1991. As this was the precursor to the Honda CR-V, it was available from 1985-1991 in 4WD. The wagon models were known as the “Wagovan” to many. Also called a Civic Shuttle in Asia. It is so rare to see any of those Civic Wagons. I own a 1985 and have the only one of this model year left where I live! Thank you MyOldCar! Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉
The ultimate Driver's car the 325i 5 speed manual
Have you done one on the Mercury Cougar?
I've owned 2 E30s. I wish I still had one...!
I think the e on 325e was actually meant to denote the 6 cylinder "eta" engine generation. I remember car and driver magazine covering this topic. I could be wrong but believe this is what C&D said
Correct!
Had the chance to buy one but always felt was paying for the badge .
Happy new year though
This was just a classic and unique design. It was clearly BMW. They are less distinguishable from everything else now. Probably why those grill shapes are so prominent now.
Great video sir. Would you consider covering the Ford Econoline Vans for a future episode?
Yesss thank you for doing the E30
I have a 90 e30
Did the turn signals work? 😂
Great video, Pat.
I have a 325i and a Z3 2.8 and I think a good deal of the e30 is in the Z3. Very similar feel.
The E30 was very attractive. BMW's designs on their sedans and coupes in the past decade or so have become too rounded and curvy. with the F30 being the beginning. I like the E90's design more than the F30.
Another BMW you should do a video on is the legendary E31.
And I'm still waiting on that Avalanche video!
Classic bmw ❤❤❤
You should do the Volvo 240
Bought one as a everyday car in 2017. Didn't realize the value till I had people stop me in traffic or follow me home... that thing was the cocaine delivery machine.
Arachnophobia from 1990 the main character had this car too. Bomb proof 2.5 inline 6 ❤
Please please please do a video on the Volvo 240
Hoping for a Mazda 929 profile
good stuff!
please make a video on the Chrysler New Yorker.
I'd love to have a 4 door someday.
All wheel drive too ❤
The Fox Body 1984-1985 Lincoln Continental/ Mark VII has the BMW 4 cylinder Diesel 2.4L purchased from BMW for the 1984-1985 model years only and extermaly rare and only 1500 built in 1984 and 500 for 1985.
Can you cover the Chrysler 300 in a future video? 2023 is the final year for the Chrysler 300, and I would like to see a video about the car in its various forms, even though the first 300 arrived in 1962, but there were versions sold in the 1970s, from 1999 to 2004, and recently, from 2005 to 2023.
Pls do Pontiac since you already done saturn geo and hummer
In 1984 a Gen 1 944 listed for under $20k.
E46 Please
Hey. It's Zack!😅
In Europe we also had the 316 with the smaller engine.
And 315 :)
@@trtamrtac I have heard of the 315. That one wasn't available in UK.
You should do a video with odd ball model year ford cars for example, the ford explorer (freestyle) station wagon, Taurus x, ecosport and flex. Also have you seen a MV1? It's ugly but amazing at same time
1987-1990 Nissan Sentra, the poor man's e30
The 1988-1991 (and some 1992) convertibles still had the diving board bumpers.
Mazda Luce R130 would be a great car to talk about. Only FWD rotary from Mazda.
Please Do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup
In South Africa we call the E30 i-gusheshe
You sound just like Greg from Greg’s Airplanes and automobiles.
Mine was an '86 325 es.
❤E30 every model version ❤
I live in New York & see G20 3 Series all over the place so wouldn't say their rare
I know someone who saw a z1 in the middle east while he was deployed
When BMW actually made good cars that lasted a long long time. The late 80s M cars were Bavarian perfection. M3, M5, M6 the perfect blend of everything that made a good car. Very few doodads, thingamajigs, and unnecessary creature comforts...The epitome of The Ultimate Driving Machine, and if you couldn't get the M series, a good 325, 535, or 635 would be almost as good, but just as much smile enducing as their big M brothers.
3:33 8:00 2door sedan...
8:32 series 3... 1982-85 Series 1, 85-87(convertible 86-90) series 2, 87-94(convertible 90-92) series 3
Please do a Mercedes r107 video!
Infiniti G20 91-96
This is such well produced stuff 'a Porsche 944 or 914 video work be great too' it's as classic as the e30 'Volvo 240 saab 900 Nissan s13 'just naming off important cars of the era Toyota ae86 'original ' infinity q45
You forgot to mention the 333i
That's why in Europe they cost with 6 cylinders cost 2.5 grand
Saab 9-3 and 9-5 Aero’s please
900 and 9-3: ua-cam.com/video/tg6nCqPqykE/v-deo.html