Here’s how the BMW E30 was the classic 80s yuppie car

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Here’s how the BMW E30 was the classic 80s yuppie car

Рет қаралды 63,242

Күн бұрын

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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.

Пікірлер: 172

@neildempster2827 Жыл бұрын

The E30 interior was exactly right. Nothing unnecessary, driver focused and well made. A masterpiece.

@baronvonjo1929 Жыл бұрын

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.

@KingCast65 11 ай бұрын

I have E28 I prefer but yah. Exactly.

@matthewsanchez8624 Жыл бұрын

Bought a 325 for 2000 bucks, 200k miles. Kept driving it, never died. A little maintenance and that m20 goes a long way.

@lm1314 Жыл бұрын

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.

@stupidvideos1449 Жыл бұрын

I miss when these were affordable

@POVShotgun Жыл бұрын

Hehe got one when it wasss

@everettblue9484 Жыл бұрын

Fr i want one so bad

@NidzaGaming Жыл бұрын

i bought mine 3 years ago for 1000e,but it needed 3k more to look decent :'D

@brendanngin9939 Жыл бұрын

@@NidzaGaming lucky

@sv_cheats1970 11 ай бұрын

@@NidzaGamingin Serbia they are cheaper then in Bosnia 😅

@teddbutler5903 Жыл бұрын

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.

@rheijm9201 Жыл бұрын

@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.

@mrlafayette1964 Жыл бұрын

And Marcy Darcy's red one from MWC

@stewartjmurray Жыл бұрын

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.

@monk3yboy69 Жыл бұрын

@Stewart Murray And you sold them …..you kicking yourself?

@stewartjmurray Жыл бұрын

@@monk3yboy69 well a bit but this was nearly 20 years ago. I would of had to maintain and store them for all that time!

@e28forever30 Жыл бұрын

@@stewartjmurray “Would have”

@Steve-gc5nt Жыл бұрын

This is what I still think of as the definitive 3 series.

@padroooo Жыл бұрын

I have never wanted one, but they are nice looking cars. Thank's Pat for another great video.

@alpaljl Жыл бұрын

Couldn’t agree more

@joeseeking3572 Жыл бұрын

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.

@Mantenner Жыл бұрын

325e? Or 325i? The Eta was arguably the worst spec of E30 you could get, depending on what you wanted out of the car.

@johnjones393 Жыл бұрын

The E30 Series Two refresh is peak 3-series for me. Such a clean and timeless design.

@monk3yboy69 Жыл бұрын

@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

@neverwithout1985 Жыл бұрын

E30 is such an iconic car. I currently own 4 325; 87 325iS; 2 89 convertibles and most recently acquired ‘89 325ix touring model.

@TurboDub1991 Жыл бұрын

That's an awesome collection!

@MultiMusicbuff Жыл бұрын

$18 000 was expensive in 1984.The Chevy Monte Carlo with a V-6 was $9425.

@orkoto6057 Жыл бұрын

That's 51.576,50$ in today's money

@fatalfallacy Жыл бұрын

You should check out the 3-series touring story, actually being a hobbyist project to provide more space for a growing family needs.

@JK061996 Жыл бұрын

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

@texarican_77 Жыл бұрын

Man, these 3 series are just beautiful cars! I just love them!

@andrewkessinger5966 Жыл бұрын

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

@djverhulst Жыл бұрын

the E30 was one of the best driving compact cars, high quality build and long lasting ,

@jergervasi3331 Жыл бұрын

I had a 1991 318is from 1997 to 2006... amazing car. 180K miles, and still ran perfectly when I traded it in.

@Twmpa Жыл бұрын

The last truly elegant looking BMW design. These days BMW are beating their cars ever harder with the ugly stick.

@dustygrimes2754 Жыл бұрын

Great info. Let's have a video on the Mazda 929!

@heroesofthelandstrasse Жыл бұрын

Good Idea. 929 Coupés are great looking.

@Fat_Rob Жыл бұрын

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.

@AdamG1983 Жыл бұрын

That's a damn good looking car, plain and simple. Timeless design.

@fhwolthuis Жыл бұрын

The E30 2 door was never officially called a "coupe", as far as I know. It was just a 2 door sedan.

@NFLdom22 Жыл бұрын

Ooo la la! 😂

@cormacbeats Жыл бұрын

same thing with the volkswagen fox!

@neverwithout1985 Жыл бұрын

I recall seeing BMW adverts calling the sports (325is/es) a coupe; but technical data documents for have 2dr and 4dr listed as sedans.

@KingCast65 11 ай бұрын

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.

@elilevine2410 Жыл бұрын

When Bmers where reliable long ago , what a concept !

@MechaFenris Жыл бұрын

I still remember the joke about BMW's and porcupines... :-)

@CassidyListon Жыл бұрын

Still holding out hope for a VW Corrado episode.

@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary Жыл бұрын

Yeah.. what the heck ever even happened to the Corrado?!! Disappeared like a Ghost!

@marcogtc Жыл бұрын

Please do Opel Manta next

@Lightdog555 Жыл бұрын

I had a 87 325e the e was the gas “saver” it was still a great car

@paulmuaddib451 Жыл бұрын

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.

@charliebulldoghunter6182 Жыл бұрын

Please do a video on the Ford explorer sport Trac

@scottyg7284 Жыл бұрын

E30 2 door was never a coupe, it was a a saloon/sedan.

@akfifa4764 4 күн бұрын

There was also a 1992 and 1993 bmw e30 sold in the us its was the convertible model since the e36 convertible didn't come till 1994. And that 1993 model were all only sold in manuals.

@tominator23 Жыл бұрын

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.

@ChrisTopher-jv6ex Жыл бұрын

only mandatory in snowy conditions

@jamesreckling6697 Жыл бұрын

Really great video! Love to see you do one on the R129 Mercedes SL. A very, very innovative car!

@bigsur175 Жыл бұрын

I have a 90 e30

@d.michaelmcbridedc1082 2 ай бұрын

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.

@88Hellrazr Жыл бұрын

1984 Jetta GLI was compared to this car often.

@tillneumann406 10 ай бұрын

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.

@michaelb.42112 Жыл бұрын

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.

@modfus Жыл бұрын

Such a pretty car. Makes me sentimental for the '80s.

@guygrenke266 Жыл бұрын

I rebuilt a 1988 E30 convertible in 2003. New front clip and total replay. New top and rebuilt the motor.

@JSFGuy Жыл бұрын

Will need to forward this.

@MandusahRamirez Жыл бұрын

I wish these episodes were longer🙏🏽

@NFLdom22 Жыл бұрын

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! 🎉🎉🎉

@justas525 Жыл бұрын

The ultimate Driver's car the 325i 5 speed manual

@j887276 Жыл бұрын

Modern yuppie car is Subaru or Volkswagen, shortly before that Volvo. Interesting how yuppies evolve, I believe it's image and exclusivity.

@Colonel_RamRod Жыл бұрын

Subaru impreza/legacy next please!!!! 🥰 Great review btw, love the E30, everything on it is just right.

@IsmailAbdulMusic Жыл бұрын

They have a real nice BMW 7 series in the movie called License To Drive

@andrewnichols1023 Жыл бұрын

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.

@xraider927 Жыл бұрын

First video I watch for 2023....Happy New Year 🎆🥂🚗

@howebrad4601 Жыл бұрын

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

@e28forever30 Жыл бұрын

Correct!

@marial8235 Жыл бұрын

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.

@colemarzen2692 Жыл бұрын

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

@jamescox1806 Жыл бұрын

Had a 1996 E36 convertible and absolutely loved it ❤

@JayBee3237 Жыл бұрын

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.

@briannavarrete49 Жыл бұрын

Great video sir. Would you consider covering the Ford Econoline Vans for a future episode?

@doug6191 Жыл бұрын

Hoping for a Mazda 929 profile

@klaushuxley3342 Жыл бұрын

I've owned 2 E30s. I wish I still had one...!

@ToniZamboni Жыл бұрын

You should do the Volvo 240

@Val-mm5gd Жыл бұрын

Classic bmw ❤❤❤

@rnb250 Жыл бұрын

Great vid. Thanx!

@itsPikachu Жыл бұрын

E46 Please

@michaelsimko7694 Жыл бұрын

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!

@somethingvisceral2003 Жыл бұрын

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.

@DUNEATV Жыл бұрын

Great video!

@googleuser3760 Жыл бұрын

Great video. 👍👍

@daveblock4061 11 ай бұрын

In 1984 a Gen 1 944 listed for under $20k.

@oregonborn9769 Жыл бұрын

Would love a video on the e24 6 series or e31 8 series

@chrislemaster2695 Жыл бұрын

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.

@nathancook1404 Жыл бұрын

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.

@mattylamb9194 Жыл бұрын

Tom me BMWs have been the drivers' choice, Mercs the choice for luxury

@Commercialape Жыл бұрын

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.

@pagodacloud2241 11 ай бұрын

❤E30 every model version ❤

@brendanode Жыл бұрын

Yesss thank you for doing the E30

@rileysmith9843 Жыл бұрын

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.

@jerbele Жыл бұрын

Arachnophobia from 1990 the main character had this car too. Bomb proof 2.5 inline 6 ❤

@lordduvet1141 Жыл бұрын

Had the chance to buy one but always felt was paying for the badge . Happy new year though

@heroesofthelandstrasse Жыл бұрын

Mazda Luce R130 would be a great car to talk about. Only FWD rotary from Mazda.

@btrdangerdan2010 Жыл бұрын

1987-1990 Nissan Sentra, the poor man's e30

@davidp2888 Жыл бұрын

Did the turn signals work? 😂 Great video, Pat.

@floyd9572 Жыл бұрын

Mine was an '86 325 es.

@blackoutstudio217 Жыл бұрын

Pls do Pontiac since you already done saturn geo and hummer

@anthonyrivera4735 Жыл бұрын

Please Do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup

@pooppowder1919 Жыл бұрын

Infiniti G20 91-96

@isnftv2880 Жыл бұрын

Please please please do a video on the Volvo 240

@mbuso6208 Жыл бұрын

In South Africa we call the E30 i-gusheshe

@CostelloBrasco Жыл бұрын

please make a video on the Chrysler New Yorker.

@UmmYeahOk Жыл бұрын

The 1988-1991 (and some 1992) convertibles still had the diving board bumpers.

@GeeEm1313 Жыл бұрын

I'd love to have a 4 door someday.

@fleshvehicle9140 Жыл бұрын

All wheel drive too ❤

@Turbo1602ti Жыл бұрын

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

@mattw8332 Жыл бұрын

In Europe we also had the 316 with the smaller engine.

@trtamrtac Жыл бұрын

And 315 :)

@mattw8332 Жыл бұрын

@@trtamrtac I have heard of the 315. That one wasn't available in UK.

@Lando-kx6so Жыл бұрын

I live in New York & see G20 3 Series all over the place so wouldn't say their rare

@monk3yboy69 Жыл бұрын

You forgot to mention the 333i

@austinjoseph4516 Жыл бұрын

Please do a Mercedes r107 video!

@blue_lancer_es Жыл бұрын

Hey. It's Zack!😅

@threeer02 Жыл бұрын

When BMW wasn’t an over-styled beaver-toothed disaster. Miss those days

@AlanDampog Жыл бұрын

good stuff!

@thefryingdutchman8795 Жыл бұрын

Chevy Monte Carlo

@fastsilverado Жыл бұрын

Have you done one on the Mercury Cougar?

@1mzfe Жыл бұрын

Mazda 626

@YarRaymadeit Жыл бұрын

BMW 4life

@RogerAlan Жыл бұрын

You sound just like Greg from Greg’s Airplanes and automobiles.