https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/ en Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:03:45 GMT vBulletin 60 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/images/misc/R3V.jpg https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/ https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10163550-how-to-adjust-door-locks-on-2-door-e30 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 04:35:32 GMT
The doors on my '87 E30 take more force than they should to open and close. They work, but they're noticeably harder to operate than I'd expect.

Does anyone have any tips on adjusting the door alignment or latch/striker to make them open and close more smoothly?

Thanks in advance!]]> General Technical stacycannon https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10163550-how-to-adjust-door-locks-on-2-door-e30 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10163535-m-tech-2-rear-bumper-need-help Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:12:16 GMT I am bought OEM rear bumper M tech 2 on my convertible 1990, problem is bumper sliders which cannot buy anymore, and i have this problem on which you see on picture, my question is: have anyone solution to mount bumper with coupe/touring/sedan sliders on convertible? I am bought OEM rear bumper M tech 2 on my convertible 1990, problem is bumper sliders which cannot buy anymore, and i have this problem on which you see on picture, my question is: have anyone solution to mount bumper with coupe/touring/sedan sliders on convertible? Bruno112 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10163535-m-tech-2-rear-bumper-need-help https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10163373-need-help-identifying-this-passenger-rear-wheel-well-piece-1986-us-325e Sat, 27 Jun 2026 22:34:22 GMT Hello! I recently bought this completely stock 1986 U.S.-spec 325e sedan from an older gentleman who had owned it since 1990. I’m trying to identify this piece in the passenger rear wheel well. It’s behind the rear shock, closer to the trunk. I can’t find a corresponding piece on the driver’s side. It seems to be the only rusty piece in that specific area. Before I start planning rust repair, I’d like to know: What is this piece actually called? Has anyone repaired or replaced this section before? Thank you!
Hello! I recently bought this completely stock 1986 U.S.-spec 325e sedan from an older gentleman who had owned it since 1990.

I’m trying to identify this piece in the passenger rear wheel well.

It’s behind the rear shock, closer to the trunk. I can’t find a corresponding piece on the driver’s side. It seems to be the only rusty piece in that specific area.

Before I start planning rust repair, I’d like to know:

1. What is this piece actually called?
2. Has anyone repaired or replaced this section before?

Thank you!
]]> SeanMK12 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10163373-need-help-identifying-this-passenger-rear-wheel-well-piece-1986-us-325e https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10163276-saggy-pop-out-window-trim-fix Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:59:31 GMT
Window seal seems to be in good shape. I want this fixed to OEM quality. Has anyone fixed this before? Thanks





Could it be 03?

03

Synthetic strip

2

51361906566

]]> Matt341 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/body-paint/10163276-saggy-pop-out-window-trim-fix https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10163154-should-i-convert-my-manual-window-cranks-to-electrical Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:17:37 GMT
My main question is whether it's worth buying an original BMW power window setup or if a cheaper universal kit would do the job. I'm on a fairly tight budget, so I don't want to spend more than necessary.

If anyone has done this conversion before, I'd appreciate any recommendations on what parts or kits to buy.
​]]> General Technical priscillacraven https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10163154-should-i-convert-my-manual-window-cranks-to-electrical https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162945-itb-balancing Sun, 21 Jun 2026 13:02:09 GMT Here is a video of it idling at 900rpm with Schrick 284 cam, my idle setting without AC (AC ON is 1000rpm). Cyl 2 and 3 TBs are off from each other by about 0.5-0.7 kgm or whatever this little tool shows? Should I leave it alone or mess with TB plate a little and hope it won't stick after?

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zqa09f7gc1z9mz6wswe3z/ITB-balance.MOV?rlkey=fccfjmg7x98zad9i151h5dpjb&st=ulz iogbx&dl=0]]> M20 zaq123 https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162945-itb-balancing https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10162900-tail-light-and-dash-light-problems Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:07:28 GMT I have been trying to trouble shoot some electrical problems but I cant figure out what is wrong. The car is a 1983 e30 coupe. I have not installed any front headlights yet, but something is going on in the rear. When the light switch is in position 0, fully pressed in, no lights are on. This I understand is correct. When the light switch is in position 1, parking mode, left and right taillights come on, the dashlight/cluster illumination comes on and can be dimmed. When the light switch is in position 2, ON position, only my left tail light works and the dashlight turns off. What could be going on here? Do I have a short somewhere? I dont get 12V out from the switch to my left tail light in position 2 (pin 1 of the light switch connector) I have tried another light switch with the same outcome. Brake lights and number plate illumination works as it should btw.
When the light switch is in position 0, fully pressed in, no lights are on. This I understand is correct.
When the light switch is in position 1, parking mode, left and right taillights come on, the dashlight/cluster illumination comes on and can be dimmed.
When the light switch is in position 2, ON position, only my left tail light works and the dashlight turns off.

What could be going on here? Do I have a short somewhere? I dont get 12V out from the switch to my left tail light in position 2 (pin 1 of the light switch connector) I have tried another light switch with the same outcome.

Brake lights and number plate illumination works as it should btw.]]> General Technical Liffa https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10162900-tail-light-and-dash-light-problems https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162872-blew-new-fuel-hose-cheap-hose-or-something-else Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:27:24 GMT
So I just rebuilt my M20 and have had it running for a couple of weeks. Been taking it out for short test rides around the neighborhood, mainly been focused on getting the air out of my coolant lines. I've brought it up to temp idling about 10-20 times, and have taken it out numerous times, probably like in total 5-10 miles.

Anyway on my drive yesterday, about a mile away from my house I started to smell a strong fuel smell so I pulled over immediately and popped the hood and saw that my supply fuel line into the rail split. 😳 Luckily I caught it as soon as it happened, that could have ended very badly. I had it towed back to my house.

The fuel hose I used was stupidly bought on amazon so I'm chalking the fuel hose split to just buying a crappy hose and bad luck (maybe I nicked it when I was adjusting the intake manifold)....but I wanted to double check with all you experts here.

Is there something else that I should be looking at that could have caused that or likely it was just the crappy hose and I should be good to go after replacing with a quality hose? I don't want to buy new hoses to have this happen again because of something obvious that I missed. The fuel pressure reg is new.

I'm going to buy the Gates brand 5/16" ID fuel hose at Autozone/Oreillys unless you all have a suggestion on specific fuel hose brand I should get?

Thank you all!!

]]> M20 eight-0-eight https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162872-blew-new-fuel-hose-cheap-hose-or-something-else https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162867-lets-see-your-valvecovers Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:06:25 GMT
I know the crinkle-black with the polished vanes is the go-to but wondering what other options are out there.

Pic for clicks (stolen from peteb3 )
]]> M20 2mAn https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162867-lets-see-your-valvecovers https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/suspension-unsprung/wheels-tires/10162529-m-tech-2-wheel-clarification Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:33:23 GMT ThomHart https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/suspension-unsprung/wheels-tires/10162529-m-tech-2-wheel-clarification https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10162455-trailing-arm-rear-subframe-reinforcement-question Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:40:01 GMT
I would have thought some flexibility in those tabs is a design feature so that it tightens up onto the bushing sleeve properly during torquing. Does that part of the rear subframe ever even get damaged outside of accidents?

Essentially my concern is that after these pieces are welded in that it would no longer properly squeeze the bushing. I am NOT adding toe/camber adjustment because for my desired ride height it really isn't worth the hassle/expense. I would also have to drive far for an alignment shop that would agree to deal with that.

I am building my car so that the chassis is ready if I ever 24V swap it. I already reinforced the front subframe and the rear is torn apart now for full rebuild.]]> General Technical 88Sedan https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/general-technical/10162455-trailing-arm-rear-subframe-reinforcement-question https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/lighting/10162415-front-parking-light-lenses Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:01:53 GMT Hi all, does anyone know where I can pick up a set of either clear or smoked front parking light lenses for an 86 with the diving boards No luck yet searching… thank you No luck yet searching…
thank you]]> Lighting Mike30e https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/appearance-cosmetic/lighting/10162415-front-parking-light-lenses https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/e30-faq-and-diy/10162353-m3-rear-sway-bar-links-replacement Mon, 08 Jun 2026 22:47:39 GMT I tried getting it on with channel locks with no luck. I didn't have the correct puller either.
Mine were worn enough to get off by hand.
Getting them on is the hard part. I used a scrap piece of 2x3" 10" long and wedged it between the sway bar and diff.
I than used a 22mm socket and a couple extensions 1/2 inch drive and a hammer.

The socket and extenson will fit through the rear spring and line up great on the link at the sway bar
I used just a little bit of lube on bar and link .
Three good smacks with the hammer on the extension and link is installed.
You can do it by yourself but much easier if you have someone holding the 2x3 in place.
This is all done with rear wheel off.

Pics to help explain.

]]> E30 FAQ and DIY jp5Touring https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/e30-faq-and-diy/10162353-m3-rear-sway-bar-links-replacement https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162333-oil-leak-by-cam-seal Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:43:27 GMT Bought this car a few months ago and have had a oil leak sense. Took it down to do a timing belt change and found attached in the photo. Does this look like a cam seal leak or a head gasket? It looks like the can seal is the highest point of the leak. Bought this car a few months ago and have had a oil leak sense. Took it down to do a timing belt change and found attached in the photo. Does this look like a cam seal leak or a head gasket? It looks like the can seal is the highest point of the leak. M20 3VOLV3R https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162333-oil-leak-by-cam-seal https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162240-s54-stock-headers-on-m20 Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:32:25 GMT
M20 exhaust port ramp is more upward facing, s54 has a flatter exit.

Won't fit at all with b25 oil cooler setup. Would require a short filter b27 mount style or oil filter relocation.

Couldn't find any info on it so I wanted to take a few photos while I had a set on hand.

Engine block tab hit the front most head flange so I couldn't get the front flat. This orientation was the closest fit.

Untitled by bimmertown, on Flickr

Untitled by bimmertown, on Flickr
Untitled by bimmertown, on Flickr


]]> M20 AWDBOB https://www.r3vlimited.com/board/forum/e30-technical-forums/engine-drivetrain/m20/10162240-s54-stock-headers-on-m20