Hey everyone - thanks in advance for reading this long post. I’m concerned about a few issues I’m noticing with my new-to-me car. Am hoping you all can give insight into each issue so I can set my expectations and look for solutions. Car is a 1991 325i Convertible (late model). Everything is bone stock.
2. Head gasket leaking oil
3. High idle - car idles really high when in park - around 1500 RPMs but then drops to about 800 when put in drive. Car does not run rough, but it does eat fuel like crazy and seems a bit sluggish. I am getting about 200 miles to the tank - using the odometer against a full tank. Any ideas as to what’s causing this and what to replace to fix the issue?
Let me know if I can elaborate and provide more details to clarify. I appreciate all your help.
Thanks
- Brakes - The brakes in my car are awful and tend to wear quickly. I have to push the brake pedal with lots of force to slow and stop the car. I do not feel safe. I remember the brakes on my previous 1992 325i convertible feeling nimble, responsive and quick. Also, the car has 158,000 and the brakes have been replaced 14 times throughout its life according to the records I have. The brakes on every car I’ve owned have lasted me at least 50k miles so this car is eating through pads and rotors. Is this history normal?
- Feb. 1993 - 22,748
- Front and rear pads
- Aug. 1994 - 33,638
- Front and rear pads
- March 1996 - 44,172
- Front and rear pads
- April 1997 - 50,021
- Rear pads and rotors
- December 1997 - 54,691
- Front pads
- Feb. 2003 - 83,138
- Front pads and rotors
- July 2003 - 86,150
- Rear pads and rotors
- Feb 2006 - 92,980
- Front pads
- July 2009 - 102,342
- Front and rear pads & rotors
- Nov. 2011 - 114,715
- Front and rear pads and rotors
- Oct. 2013 - 117,241
- Rear pads and rotors
- January 2017 - 126,315
- Front and rear pads and rotors
- Aug 2020 - 135,759
- Front pads and rotors
- May 2022 - 152,835
- Rear pads and rotors
- Feb. 1993 - 22,748
2. Head gasket leaking oil
- BMW of San Francisco replaced the head gasket in Oct. 1996 (48,072 miles) and July 2005 (92,218 miles). Head gasket is leaking like crazy again. This isn’t normal for e30s to be leaking this bad after having the engine rebuilt twice. Annoyed.
3. High idle - car idles really high when in park - around 1500 RPMs but then drops to about 800 when put in drive. Car does not run rough, but it does eat fuel like crazy and seems a bit sluggish. I am getting about 200 miles to the tank - using the odometer against a full tank. Any ideas as to what’s causing this and what to replace to fix the issue?
Let me know if I can elaborate and provide more details to clarify. I appreciate all your help.
Thanks
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