1985 BMW 316: E30 Ownership 30 Years Later
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- Опубликовано: 14 авг 2017
- This week, join us for a late night cruise sitting shotgun in Sébastien Defaux’s 1985 BMW 316 across the cobblestones and lamplit streets of Lille, France.
Like many young boys pushing toys around on the floor, Sébastien’s initial love for wheels came in the form of a firetruck infatuation. Obsessed with the vibrant red mobile extinguishers, it’s no surprise that Sébastien dreamt of growing up to become a firefighter himself one day.
That profession plan stuck for a while, but it all changed when he came across a model of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. “Bye, bye, firefighters, hello, backfires,” Sébastien quips as he remembers the moment of transition, admitting that the form of the scaled-down Benz was enough to sway him away from the path of battling blazes and onto the track of sporting automobiles that would eventual lead him to the Ultimate Driving Machine.
With a cousin already steeped in BMWs, not to mention an uncle who’d raced a 2002Tii around the Nürburgring, Sébastien became interested in the motorcars from Munich soon after that pivotal moment with the toy Gullwing, noting, “[My cousin] has owned a lot [of BMWs]. He’s an auto body mechanic, so he fixes a great deal of them.” Sébastien then finished school with his diploma in auto body repair after learning the trade under his cousin’s guidance. “This allowed me to get a closer feel for this brand's bodywork,” explains Sébastien, adding, “That's when the double grille managed to get me.”
The BMW bug had bitten, and it left a permanent impression on Sébastien. While he adores many of the marque’s masterpieces, it was a happenstance run-in with an E30 M3 parked on the street that really influenced him when the time came to buy his first car. “I instantly fell in love with that model,” Sébastien tells us, “I was there facing her, and I thought, 'This is the one I need.'"
While an E30 might seem like a perfectly suitable first car, many of us forget the chassis is 35 years old at this point. A lot has changed in terms of automobile safety, efficiency, and reliability, but Sébastien was set: only an E30 would do. Despite his parent’s initial skepticism and appeal to practicality, Sébastien remained determined, “I really wanted an old car to drive to school, 30 years late.”
Most older entry-level Bimmers have been driven into the ground by now, but there are lovingly cared for examples still out there, which is exactly what Sébastien was searching for, and exactly what he wound up with. While not the highly coveted Motorsport division homologation sports coupe that is the M3 that sparked his search, Sébastien did find a pristine silver 316 sedan listed in the classifieds, and it comes with its own unique charms.
The retired mechanic who owned the car had taken exceptional care of the fun-to-drive, well-rounded example of the roundel. Nervous it was too good to be true, or worse, that he’d been beaten to the deal, Sébastien “didn't want to miss out on it,” and so with his mother, father, and grandfather in tow, the family set off to see the car. “I entered the garage, turned my head, and there she was, glistening, the yellow front beams shining under the neon lights.” Only a single instant separated Sébastien’s first glimpse of the car from his deep longing for it.
After an extended test drive, everything checked out as advertised and a deal was made. “I knew she was the one,” Sébastien confidently declares, “I finally had my first car at the age of 19, and it wasn’t a random car. It was the car I had dreamed about. But, mostly, it was my first BMW.
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Owning an E30 is such a lovely thing. Everyone waves, gives you thumbs up and wants to ask about it at a gas station. They're cool cars and I'll have a lot of trouble selling mine because I have such an attachment to it.
Why would u sell it? Just keep it
A convertible isn't the most practical model. I would if it were a sedan or just a normal coupe. I'm moving to E39s and picking up another E30 as a project.
CaptainTeemoOnBooty I am searching for a long time for E30s. Is it an 325i?
easy... just don't sell it.
My first car was an E30.
You're channel is beautiful
The car is beautiful
The video is beautiful
The interaction with the owner is beautiful everytime there is a different story.
Everything thing about this channel is so beautiful.
Every upload is Bliss
Amer Zahid the great thing about petrolicious is they tell the story of the mark, the particular model AND the owner. Sometimes the owner's story and the story of how he found the car is just as interesting as the car itself. Petrolicious understands that those of us who really love cars of all types also love the stories we hear and the people we meet along the way.
'Mark' in this context is spelled 'marque':
marque
/märk/
noun
a make of car, as distinct from a specific model.
And not 'marquee' or anything else. Pleeeeease!
I forgot to breathe when he described his first time seeing it. I cried. Now I want an E30 as my first car.
He's a nice, appreciative, unpretentious young guy in a classic car that he is proud of. A great story in any language.
Thanks !
It's really nice to see a relatively inexpensive vintage car treated with such respect!
Don't worry Sebastian, like you (and many others) the double grill got me too.
I've driven Porsche's, Audi's, Ferrari's, etc and even though all those cars are fantastic in their own way, I always find myself back at BMW. And he describes buying his car in much the same way some guys describe meeting their wife. I don't have a wife but I certainly know all of the emotion involved when seeing your dream car, especially when its an e30 M3.
No need whatsoever to state the obvious here, but fantastic production on another great video petrolicious. Keep it up!
I think it's pretty much the same thing when you see a gorgeous car or gorgeous woman and you fall in love haha
Eric Hakanson thanks for your reaction guy !
Regardless of age of the driver and car, enthusiasts tend to know from instinct what speaks to them. Taking up ownership is merely a result of action. Bravo Sebastien!
It's 2017 and people _still_ can't find the subtitles button, it's almost like Petrolicious needs to add a short how-to guide in every video.
Congratulations Sebastien! Have owned my E30 325i for years now and I still look over my shoulder at it after parking.
I got chills. His story is very similar to my own. I hope he takes great care of that gorgeous 316.
nice cinematography, love the night shots on a sleeping city
I got a 1987 316 Coupe a few months ago,almost brand new from an old chap,I always dreamt of getting an E30 one day as my first and probably only bmw,the smell and the thrill of driving this car is just unique,me and my son love it...
Thank you Sébastien, I wanted you to know that this video has helped me buying my first car! A darker grey BMW E30 316i 1990. I now feel everything you describe in this video. It's such a special car. Greetings from Portugal!
You guys literally kill it every time, it's almost unfair how good these videos are...
A very fine example of an E30 and tastefully done. It proves that you don’t have to go crazy with mods to end up with an outstanding little Bimmer.
So cool to see the next generation love the e30. A classic
Petrolicious, thank you once again for creating and sharing beautiful art films. There's something timeless and obtainably classy about an E30, regardless of engine size or door count. Your artistic expression of it is the perfect icing on the cake.
You can hear it in this kids voice that he wanted this car so bad. I felt for him and I am so happy he found his dream car. You guys defiantly know how to show us a fantastic story.
Owned my E30 for close to a year now, it is my second car and I still can't believe its mine everytime I walk up to it
Same Feeling since 3 years now... i just love this car! Greetings from germany 👍
what a coincidence. the guy has the same name as me and also has the same car than me, and from the same year. I have a bmw e30 316 1985, but mine is black and need restoration. I'm planing to restore it.
Ahahah nice !
Having a 316 sedan from 1986 which i am restoring, can i join the party?
Videos like this make me realize why I'm a car guy. I can never explain it to non car people. You know they questions. "Why pay more it's just a car?" "What's so special about it?" And especially these old cars. I saw an old 7 series parked in a Walmart the other day. Believe it was an 86 or 87 and I just took a ton of pictures and my friends asked me what's the deal and I just don't even know how to respond and sometimes it sounds like a good question then I watch this and understand why I do.
Wow Sebastian, you've got a beauty there! I am in love as well with the bimmers. I own i 1981 bmw e21 315 and i absolutely love it. I love that i can feel the road so well unlike modern cars, i love that it is tail happy and finally i love that i get to spend time in taking care and improving my car. It's a feeling that most people don't get. Greetings from Greece!
Great video...brings me memories about my first BMW back in 2004 a 93' e36 318i.
This was awesome, my first car was an '85 BMW 318, I bought when I was 14 and worked on until I could drive, now Im almost 30 and have a built E36.
yes another e30 my dreams have come true
I had a gorgeous Calypso red convertible. Was a great car but felt small a bit too small. That is why my first BMW was a e24 and I cant help but want one again.
His interest in old cars reminds me of myself. Never be afraid to be different.
I LOVE this video. Merci beaucoup!
Great story! I love cars from childhood too.
BMW E30 316 is a great first car...
what a beautiful car and a great story. the owner took him for a 2 hour drive, he knew this kid loved the car. magic.
I had an E30 exactly the same as Sébastien's only mine was a 318i and right hand drive. And it was a 1986 model. Had it from 2005 to 2016. I'm sorry I sold it! Fantastic video, brings back memories.....
he has a great pure love for his car, you can tell by his eyes
Such a lucky chap to own this as a first car.
Congrats for the great story! Btw this BMW is gorgeous, i also felt in love!
Excellent. What's not to like. A perfect choice for a new driver.
This engine is not the M40B16. That one is fuel injected. This is the M10B18. This one is carburated. The M40 is the successor to the M10. These are very nice engines (not powerful though) and, being the owner of an M40B16 (in Canada too), I absolutely love it. The sound, the feel and the smoothness is perfect. If you don't intend to go too fast and maybe feel like modifying a small four cylinder don't overlook these engines. I will be putting individial throttle bodies on my M40B16 as a call back to the old sport cars of the 70s and 80s that had them. I really want to open up the engines driving potential that has been muffled and overshadowed by the other engines.
Another beautiful Petrolicious story, always looking forward to a new one
Great Car , Great Kid , Great Story!!!!
Beautiful looking car. I've always loved BMWs of the early 80s.
1:48 Jidé 1600 spotted ! Great french kit-car ! Really deserves more attention ! Jidé's were the "french Lotus" (and even lighter)
this is a perfect car. one of my favorites. just wow.
Great channel thanks!
Magnifique vidéo Sébastien!
Merci :)
I'm 20 years old. Eventhough I'm younger than this car, I really want to own it very bad. This machine is just Beautiful
I got a 1985 318i (Also sedan!) and I get all this. It's such a magical experience of having one, I had the luck of it being my first car too so I'm really attached to her. The double grill, the bonet lines, the chromed trim. Its a beautiful car as it is.
I passed up the opportunity to buy a white 324is E30 Coupe w/ BBS rims for $3600 back in 2012. Now they're double that or more. I regret it every time I see one!
Great video and clean E30.
Would love a version of this with English subtitles...... Please...
Love the car.
Love the music.
Wow, what a nice, well-spocken young man.
Etant moi même propriétaire d'une BMW E30 316,je confirme, cette auto est un pure plaisir, que se soit les courbes de la carrosserie, l'intérieur très bien fini pour l'époque et puis son moteur increvable, cette voiture est une merveille
This kind of sentiments can make anyone cry mahn! I wish i had the enough knowledge and capital to restore my rides.
This young man has an old soul. Incredible.
who ever the people behind Petrolicius, thank you for the beautiful documentaries and cinematography :)
This channel is starting to question my life-decisions every video it uploads...
Beautiful story!
A real beauty.
Great video.
My dream car is the E21 323i
BELLISSIMA BMW ..TRES TRES TRES MAGNIFIQUE..
I've learnt to drive on that car. My father had it for 12 years. I'm so grateful for that I I know how this guy feels.
Nice Video, in France,
i always like to take my old BMW for a spin (in France too:)
beauty.
Love the E30. I've been lusting over a 320is for years...
My first car was a near pristine white '89 316i that i bought just a couple of days after my 18th birthday, its been two years and its still here, not my daily driver anymore but i just cant part with it.
The E30 is just.... the best
Getting done my BMW E12 1978 year, after 3 years of restoration and very very expancive parts. Drive and enjoy!
Une présentation soignée !
Petrolicious, the channel that makes a 500€ car looks unique and special.
But what am I saying? Every car can be unique and special, if YOU (the driver) love it.
as a fellow e30 owner I was waiting for another video on it.
that 2002 is perfect
Votre vidéo ma tellement inspiré que j'en acheter une !!!👍👍
Cool ! :D
I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ONE LIKE THIS..I LIKE THE COLOR ILIKE THE STYLE I LIKE TH ELEGANCE I LIKE THE VOICE OF THE MOTOR..FIRST OF ALL...THANKS A LOT FOR THIS VIDEO SEBASTIEN!!
This is the type of video to be in my recommended list for 2 mounths
Thanks. Now I want an E30.
This car 😍
Good looks on the translation
My uncle passed down his 1982 BMW 728ia Euro-Spec to me and my brother. He bought her brand new in West Germany stationed there during the cold war
Give it to Petrolicious to make me fall in love with a base model.
great story :)
You have very good car in your hand. One day it will be historic car forever ❤bimmer❤
I would really love to see a video about the Bugatti Atlantic. Your videos are so beautiful!
Sébastien, belle E30! ;)
Merci !
Dude your cinematography is amazing. I've been slowly watching one vid per night. So many cars I love. You deserve to have another 0 on both your likes and subscribers. When I see the inane rubbish that some car chans post and they get a million views, it makes me deeply sad that you don't get more!!!
Not really the nicest E30 but still jealous! I love E30's :)
Man, I can relate to this guy :D
All love for the E30. But this is the third e30 video on this Channel. Would love to see a E34 M5 or E34 540i.
Nice
I also had an E30 as my first car. Was a fantastic car to learn to drive and own. Pity I rolled it...
I didn't understand a single word and yet I understand him completely
stanley oleyte there is subtitles. If you go into video settings.
stanley oleyte turn on the captions my guy
Thanks guys I watched the video 1 minuet when it came out and didn't have the option but thanks
Wait, is he the younges Petrolicious ever filmed? :D
Where would you see any of the classics in the future? Can they still be daily driven?
I couldn`t tell if it was an automatic, manual or much more about the car.
2264ish manual !
Do a video about that car at 1:48. I'm guessing it's a Jide. At first I thought it might be a De Tomaso but I finally googled 1970's French sports car and found something that looked more like it. Never heard of Jide before.
I guess it's just a kit car? Seems like they were going for a baby GT40 look.
hahaha, I was thinking that something was wrong with that Pantera ;)
Yes that's a Jidé !
i like it
Welcome BMW's new brand ambassador, ladies & gentlemen.
La classe .
Nice Jide at 1:48
Great car, nice owner. But please: Why the heck shoot it only at night!? I guess the color of this 316 is "bronzitbeige" which looks terrific in sunlight (I used to own a 4-door 1985 bronzitbeige 325eta quite like Sébastien's). Showing it only during a night ride is pretty much a waste...
If you release E32 video this would be soo cool!
DANEX7799 no video but the petrolicious website has a great article about an e23 and an e32 called "New Old School." I highly recommend it if you haven't already seen it.
Thanks a lot! I'll check it out
I wish that I kept mine a 1984 318i Henna-rot!