March 2009. Odometer approximately 279000km. One of the cheapest ways you can add pep to an e30 is to put a modified ECU chip into it. A performance chip in your car's computer can add as much as 30 hp to your car, and often even improves fuel efficiency.
I found two chips for the e30:
Unfortunately, I had a hard time finding a chip for my car's specific computer (aka "ECU", aka "DME"). My car is an SETA 325 (not 325i, not 325e), and it was not listed as supported by either the Jim C or Mark D chips. However, I live in Toronto, where Mark D also lives, so I emailed Mark and it turns out he had a beta chip available for my ECU. I took my car over and Mark actually installed it personally! For the record, my "unsupported" ECU number is 0 261 200 154. If you are planning on getting a performance chip, be sure that you get the one that matches your ECU number. The ECU is in the glove box. You can find the number printed right on it. And if you have an SETA e30, try mailing Mark directly (link above) to get the beta chip.
Project Total: $229.00
*Significant* power increase that will put a big smile on your face if you're used to a stock 325e or 325. The effect on a 325i might not be as drastic, but likely still very worth it. I was giggling at the power improvement the first day. In first gear, I can spin my tires *much* more easily and *much* longer now, and there's a very noticable increase in the pull at the bottom of every gear right up to 5th. There might be a reduction in top speed but I haven't noticed it, and I rarely achieve top speed on the track anyway. Most straights aren't long enough for my car to get there (e.g., I'm only hitting 180km/h on Mosport's back straight).
Here's Mark D himself installing the chip: