timing belt- how far can one REALLY go?

[MR E30 325is]

I do them a bunch at work, my record is 47 minutes without changing the water pump. You could get it done in less than 5 hours pretty easy if you're even slightly competent. And parts are cheap, I say just do it.

You are a speed freak! That is twice as quick as my quickest change ever.

I still say leave it be.

[Echo30V]

In 1992, I bought my first BMW, a 1990 Delfin Blue e30 325i with 14,000 miles on the clock. I drove that car everyday for over 11 years and loved every second. I was a lot younger and a bit dumber and knew little about these incredible cars. One day, in or about 2003, I looked down at the odometer and read 170,XXX miles, all on the original belt. I shutter to even think about it. Truth. I did some maintenance on the car, not much...oil changes, two brake jobs and two water pumps and das ist alles.

SInce then I owned a 1998 e36 325i Montreal Blue vert, a 1999 e36 Imola Red M3 vert, a 2005 e46 blue 330i, a 2004 e46 ZHP Orient Blue 330i, and a sweet 2006 e46 ZCP Interlagos Blue M3. I learned much along the way. My eye wandered and I sold both the M3s and purchased an insane 2009 Porsche 997.2 911, which I still have. All these cars and I still longed for the feel of the e30.

And I'm happy to say that I'm back home...just bought a 1990 e30 325i Alpine White vert with 129,000. Oh yeah, have proof that the timing belt was already changed 3 times. Indeed, I will be purchasing a timing belt kit in the near future to have ready when the time comes. I learned my lesson. I love working on these wonderful cars and have learned much over the years. I have three Bentley Manuels, three Hayes manuels, 101 project book, many many tools and a lot of hours under these cars. By the way, BMW hit its sweet spot with the e30. The damn car is just right.

[Kershaw]

Nice man, you should start a thread in the members rides section and post some pics!

[Echo30V]

Will do