e30 interior is WEAK - BMW Forum

csrumber1 · 09-20-2006, 01:08 AM

My BMW is close to how i want it to be...but i was wondering, if bmw is so quality, why would they make the center console (dash, radio, heat control, window switches, and back) so weak?

The person I bought my car from put in theis cup holder which drilled into the plastic. While removing this plastic to replace it, I just decided to remove it all to clean.

What i noticed was some nice weak foam...so, i was thinking, has anyone ever changed these pieces? something better quality (cup holders maybe?

)

sometimes these pos' seem to squeek and are really annoying while driving sometimes

gotKRAUT · 09-20-2006, 02:53 AM

not sure what your problem is with BMWs interior...i have found that of all the 80s cars i have owned the BMW is far superior in quality than any of my other cars...

ldsbeaker · 09-20-2006, 07:39 AM

^^

If it was meant to have a cup holder in it, it would have come with one.
You want to talk about a weak interior? Go sit in an E36 with over 100,000 miles on it.

Red_Rocket · 09-20-2006, 08:11 AM

why does the interior have to be strong? its not like the thing is an assault vehicle capable of withstanding nuclear war

PhatCat · 09-20-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotKRAUT

not sure what your problem is with BMWs interior...i have found that of all the 80s cars i have owned the BMW is far superior in quality than any of my other cars...

Agreed, my '86 e30 interior is great, I find it to be of very good quality, excellent fit and finish.

Teh Prof · 09-20-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldsbeaker

^^

If it was meant to have a cup holder in it, it would have come with one.
You want to talk about a weak interior? Go sit in an E36 with over 100,000 miles on it.

Dunno what you're talking about. I've got well over 140K and my interior is nearly pristine, other than a sun-cracked shift knob and a little steering wheel wear.

PhatCat · 09-20-2006, 11:48 AM

Cup holders are for gigantic, overindulgant SUV's and mini vans. You're supposed to be DRIVING your BMW.B)

Dan TM · 09-20-2006, 12:33 PM

A cup holder would be nice, but then again, that's why I got married. My only prob is my headliner is separating above the windshield. Then there's the cracks in the dash, but 19 years in California and Hawaii will do that.

DIRTE30 · 09-20-2006, 01:07 PM

I agree... think E30's are bad? Try an E36! I've seen some pretty bad ones. My E30 on the other hand is pretty solid. I agree that the whole thing could be a little stouter as it does tend to rattle a bit and shake over bumps but we're talking about a 20yr old car from Dallas and Tampa! The fact that it's still intact at all is a miracle in itself! By the way all my switches and electronics work perfectly! And I DON'T HAVE A CUPHOLDER! Cars are for driving and having sex in, tables are for eating and having sex on!

gotKRAUT · 09-20-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3UOND

Dunno what you're talking about. I've got well over 140K and my interior is nearly pristine, other than a sun-cracked shift knob and a little steering wheel wear.

well then yours is in the minority

just about all the E36s i see in my buddies shop with 150k+ miles have DESTROYED interiors, everything rattles, door panels are SHOT etc

triggrhaapi · 09-20-2006, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotKRAUT

well then yours is in the minority

just about all the E36s i see in my buddies shop with 150k+ miles have DESTROYED interiors, everything rattles, door panels are SHOT etc

Case in point: my E36 had two door panels that were being held on by broken clips and the two bolts that reinforce the door pull. It also rattled like crazy whenever you closed the door.

nukeduster · 09-20-2006, 09:15 PM

e36s were notorious for inferior interior quality.. my e30s have always been rock solid in terms of interior quality and durability

csrumber1 · 09-20-2006, 09:29 PM

I guess my post came off a little negative...although i did not mean that the interior is bad, doesnt last, rattles a lot...especially for an old car!

BUT, i just feel like the plastic and other pieces used to put it together werent the best quality. I think the fact that it is fairly simple supports the reason for it not breaking down and wearing out. Honestly, there arent many things that break in these old cars except a light bulb or maybe a button here or there.

nonetheless, I was simply comparing it to a mercedes benz (1980 240d) my father still has lying around(which is still running miraculously) and nocited how strudy the interior pieces were put together...now

My interior is perfectly fine. no blemeshes(except for a stupid person who drilled in a cupholder...which broke), no sun cracks, everything works and there is dust in some places just to show the age.

I was more curious about replacing the shift console area, just to something more sturdy...My step-mom says that cup holders are not german, that only americans would think of such a thing because they need a place to put the extra large fries with a big mac then a large diet coke.

Essentially i was hoping some one has seen an aftermarket shift console or something else that i could put there and if not, have people customized this out of interest?

daklunk · 09-20-2006, 09:50 PM

You could always build a wood or fiberglass one...

Just to be odd man out, my E30 interior is TRASH! But to be fair, the first owner(s) severely mistreated the poor thing, I think they were druggies. But lucky me I am getting an entire (almost: no carpet, front seats, or headliner) used interior for $330 shipped. Should be out in a few days, hopefully I'll have it next week. It's in great shape and it's leather, can't wait to take out my crummy old cloth pieces...

nukeduster · 09-21-2006, 12:50 AM

drinking and driving (ANY drink) is illegal in germany.. when you are on the road your job is nothing but driving.

thats why bmws havent ever had cup holders integrated until somewhat recently when they gave into the fat fast food eating american public.