Gearbox??!!

[blck325is]

So I am looking at a 1989 4 door e30 with basically everything in good working order except that the seller said it needs a new gearbox. I am a NOOB so I need to know what the deal is cause I was wondering whether that means the whole tranny is shited or not, or mebbe something else. I really dunno like I said I am The Noob. Anyone wanna volunteer info. I would appreciae it alot. late..

blck325is

[blck325is]

Don't all rush to answer now.

blck325is

[StereoInstaller1]

Um...assuming (and you know the "power of assume", right?) he has any clue what he is talking about, he means transmission.

So, howzabout some info? 4 door '89 isn't the best description, you know.

325? 318? ETA or I motor, or m10 or m42, auto or manual or 4X4?

Give us a full question, with relevant info, maybe then we could help.

Or just be the usual asshat R3Vers.

[Febi Guibo]

if its a MANUAL transmission, check the car out... it could be something very simple, like:

- check the master cylinder for fluid level
- get under the car and check the slave cylinder (see how it looks, eg not leaking!)

if the master cylinder fluid situation looks ok:

- drive the car, find out what the problem is... if the car goes in and out of gear ok, but grinds a little going into say... 3rd gear (common problem with E30s) it could be just the shifter bushings (eg: the shifter action feels 'sloppy')

- if the car makes a rattling noise in neutral, with the clutch in, could be a throwout bearing

- if the thing grinds only in 1 or 2 gears, try double declutching when you shift... eg, (say, going from 2nd to 3rd): clutch in -> car into neutral -> clutch out -> blip throttle -> clutch in -> put into 3rd gear -> clutch out

if it doesn't grind when double declutching, the fork and/or synchronzer for that one gear is prolly fading or worn and it's really not the end of the world. Just double declutch (double clutch) when going into whatever gear is grinding.

finally, drain and replace the transmission fluid... if the thing is making noise, it might be out of fluid or what's left has been turned into espresso.

[blck325is]

Sorry stereoinstaller, it's a 1989 bmw 325is, 5speed. Oh yeah and thanks Febi. That info is really helpful.

blck325is

[StereoInstaller1]

Hey...I just re-read my post. Sorry if I came off as a dick. It happens from time to time.

I don't think there ever was such a thing as a 4 door 325is.

But the tranny issues are just as Febi described. Tranny mount bushings can make the thing damn hard to get into reverse, too.

GL!
Luke