First e30 .. Couple questions & some pics

[MeinBMW]

So I finally got myself an e30 .. have a couple questions though and maybe someone can help me out

I ran a vin decode and it came back with this ...

Chassis number 1697064
Vehicle code 1554
Series E30
Model 325e
Body type saloon
Catalog model USA
Production date 1987 / 06
Engine M20
Transmission Manual
Steering Left
Catalyzer YES

and it also says

Engine M20 B25

Now I thought all the 325e had a M20 B27 ... is the vin decoder wrong? Just trying to figure out what exactly I have so when I start buying stuff to restore it I get the right things

As for the car itself .. it needs some love .. some minor stuff, interior door handles, door locks, window switches, etc ... it runs pretty strong, however it takes a bit to get it started (lots of cranks before it turns over) .. if anyone has any ideas on this that would be awesome .. also if anyone can suggest anything I should look at ASAP I'm all easr ..

If anyone is local to Orlando, FL and wouldn't mind going over the car with me over a beer that would be great .. I'm not new to BMWs (have owned e36, e46 & currently an e90 335i) but am to e30s

And finally ... here are a few pics :)

FYI .. The wheels are going as is the spoiler & the frenched highbeams







Thanks!

[MrSlacker]

lol @ the sticker!

[mamzak]

What the hell is on the front fender? He bent a euro plate around it?

[XicemaniacX]

WTF does the bumper sticker say?

[quickervicar]

You're right, a 325e should have the B27 engine (too early for the SuperETA, I think). Pics under hood would help us determine for sure.

As far as the cranking bit goes, I'd start by cleaning out the ICV and see if that improves anything.

[MrSlacker]

What the hell is on the front fender? He bent a euro plate around it?

Thats a VERY old Soviet plate

WTF does the bumper sticker say?

It says "Don't laugh, she also costs money"

[quickervicar]

It says "Don't laugh, she also costs money"

That IS funny!

[txtorquemade]

1. Nice pick up.
2. Keep the spoiler
3. Lose the Russian tag for a front lip....LOL. At least make it German..or sumptin
4. Hard to start? Do a tune up. Clean the ICV. Make sure you put on a new fuel filter and probably needs a O2 sensor.
5. Unless your 325e is incorrect you have a M20 B27. How high does your RPM show on the tachometer? If 5k is the tops, you have an eta. Unless you have a 1988 seta.
6. It is required you post how much you paid for your new e30, or be banned for life. (well, not really... but we are curious)

I just noticed its a 4 door. Wow, wish I had that!!

Congrats and you will find the e30 so much different than any other Bimmer. I have several, 330i, Z3, multiple e30's over years. Always enjoy driving the e30 better than any other car.

[MeinBMW]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! I've wanted one of these for a long time and am very happy to have her :)

The Russian sticker & tag are gone (previous owner took it) .. it will be getting a German tag for the front in time ... but more important things first :)

For the cold start ... ICV? What is that and where would I find it? (Sorry again just a total newb to the e30)

I snapped a few pics of the engine bay in hopes you guys can tell me what it is ... forgot to mention it's a 5spd manual and the redline looks like it's at 6250





What is this exposed thing on the MAF?


Looks like one of those contacts broke off the master cylinder ... should I be concerned? Sometimes the brake pedal goes limp .. car still stops though .. guy said he thought there was some air in the lines still



Also I pulled the trunk carpet back and saw this .. the rust isn't really much of a surprise, but it doesn't seem to be too bad .. it's still pretty solid .. I guess it would be best to just get those bits cut out and some new pieces welded back in?







and lastly ... I paid $1400 cash and she's got 129k miles on her :)

And again, thanks for the warm welcome and help everyone .. I know I'm gonna like it here :)

[E30_(1st Musk)_]

yup! b27. dude is that rust on the trunk lining(or watever)?

[agent]

Congrats on your purchase. Before you do anything else, buy a Bentley manual. Best $40 you'll spend on the car.

[MeinBMW]

yup! b27. dude is that rust on the trunk lining(or watever)?

Yea it's pretty rusted ... solid, but rusted

And it's a B27 huh? Was hoping it was a B25 .. those have a bit more go huh, or does the B27 have potential? I doubt I'm gonna go turbo (I saw that now but ya never know) .. I really just want a nicely built NA motor that has some go .. maybe like 175ish to the wheels would be nice :)

So this is probably just a 325e then I suppose .. so most likely it doesn't have a LSD either I would imagine ... it does have sport seats though if that means anything

So future plans for a bit more go/fun ... e36 Steering Rack swap, LSD, headers and whatever else you guys can recommend

Thanks again :)

[MeinBMW]

Congrats on your purchase. Before you do anything else, buy a Bentley manual. Best $40 you'll spend on the car.

Yar gonna do that ... I figure I'm eventually going to pull the whole engine out and replace most of the stuff on it ... best way to learn about it huh haha

[agent]

Just noticed this...

[MeinBMW]

yup! b27. dude is that rust on the trunk lining(or watever)?

I just read that the B27 has a 4500RPM redline where the B25 has a 6200 which is what my tach says ... so maybe it has a swap or something?

Just noticed this...

Yea, it's been repainted ... and a bad job at that ... the whole thing is going to get resprayed