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Maintenance suggestions for new E30

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    Maintenance suggestions for new E30

    I just dropped $800 on a beater E30 for some wintertime fun. She's got 212,000 miles, and I have no maintenance records or anything, so I'm looking to do some preventative maintenance to help her run smooth through the winter. Come spring, I'll replace all the suspension/transmission/engine bushings and springs/shocks.

    In the meantime, funds are tight and time is limited. so here's what I plan to replace for sure:
    Oil
    Oil Filter
    Air Filter
    Timing Belt
    Timing Belt Tensioner
    Water Pump
    Cam Seal
    Thermostat
    Brake Fluid
    Brake pads
    Full coolant flush when I do timing belt

    I've also got something weird going on with my power steering pump - it makes on odd sort of rattle anything beyond about a 30 degree turn of the wheel. I may just do a power steering delete and AC delete and be done with those complications.

    other things I may replace:
    brake rotors
    coolant hoses
    spark plugs

    Is this a reasonable list? Am I going overboard on anything? (I am on a tight budget at the moment). Any other recommendations?

    I need to make sure she passes inspection and I just want a smooth runner with no problems all winter. Any opinions/recommendations on the power steering and AC delete? This is a second car (2001 M3 is in the shop right now), strictly for winter and hopefully autocross action. I'm hoping to go turbo next year.
    Last edited by ///tonic; 09-26-2006, 09:56 AM.

    #2
    sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you, I would also change the rear diff fluid and the tranny fluid just to make sure you have it all clean. Other than that you have all the important items (IE timing belt, waterpump)

    Comment


      #3
      Thanks gt1.

      I forgot to ask - any suggestions where to buy everything - pelican, bma, ...?
      Ideally somewhere in the Northeast would be good so the shipping is quick.

      Comment


        #4
        bavauto.com is up in the northeast..if u have a european car parts store in your area id look there also for the maintainence stuff

        Comment


          #5
          Yup Bav auot has good prices so Does Pelican. With what you are looking for they will both ship you for free so I would just see who is cheaper.

          Comment


            #6
            PS make sure you fill the coolant with the BLUE coolant.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by ///tonic View Post
              any suggestions where to buy everything - pelican, bma, ...?
              i'll throw in a vote for bma.
              pelican has a nice 'quote format' for parts

              build up a quote-for-parts on pelican's site -
              then have Patrick @ bma price match/beat it via e-mail correspondance.

              with list that big, the savings is worth it.



              good times.

              .
              -----Zen and the Art of e30 Maintenance - / - Zen TOC - / - Zen Summary

              Comment


                #8
                Thanks. I'll have to compare prices - i've ordered from bavauto before and they have great service plus parts arrive next day because they're so close. Maybe they'll match BMA/Pelican prices for me.

                I've done some searching but not heard many opinions on AC and power steering delete. Anyone who has done these mods have any thoughts?

                Comment


                  #9
                  you may want to look at some driveshaft maintenence too, Guibo (flexdisc) and Center support Bearing will usually need attention...

                  and a good Compression check for the motor

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by ///tonic View Post
                    I've done some searching but not heard many opinions on AC and power steering delete. Anyone who has done these mods have any thoughts?
                    tradeoff of luxury options for weight-savings.

                    track car?
                    ditch ‘em.

                    street car?
                    keep ‘em.

                    (also would second notion for drive-shaft maintenance items mentioned)

                    .
                    -----Zen and the Art of e30 Maintenance - / - Zen TOC - / - Zen Summary

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Simon S View Post



                      good times.

                      .
                      Want to sell this pallet? I bid $5. Ha ha.
                      That pic is priceless.

                      1989 325iX
                      1995 540i
                      1986 325eS R.I.P.
                      1984 325e R.I.P.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Alright, although this won't be entirely a track car, I've decided to ditch the AC and power steering. I don't need that any of these newfangled luxuries. I'd prefer a quick little stripper.

                        Also, I'd prefer to wait and do the Guibo and driveshaft bearing with the tranny and shifter bushings and whatnot in the spring. They should hold up in the meantime, right?

                        Comment


                          #13
                          I am sure that Steve haygood will beat all of the above mentioned retailers. Tell him Mless5 sent you.

                          '96 328is
                          '97 m3
                          '04 zhp

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by ///tonic View Post
                            I'd prefer to wait and do the Guibo and driveshaft bearing with the tranny and shifter bushings and whatnot in the spring. They should hold up in the meantime, right?
                            likely

                            if I were in your shoes and were to find a relatively intact flex-disc – I’d let that stuff ride for winter months..

                            flex-discs tend to look visibly bad toward the end of their life. (cracked, frayed threads showing, etc.)

                            .
                            -----Zen and the Art of e30 Maintenance - / - Zen TOC - / - Zen Summary

                            Comment

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