New Member Introduction

[325ix]

Whoo! Another ix. Good to see people with them joining the board.

[Blendercloud]

Welcome. Reno to St. Louis ? Thats quite the first date with your new ride!

That's for sure! I've wanted one of these for a really long time. When I was a kid there was a doctor in my tiny hometown that had one of these (red also). He wasn't snobby in the slightest and would fly around doing all sorts of crazy shit in it in the snow to show off for us kids who were sledding. I'd wanted one ever since and just happened to find a red one that was in pretty good condition.

So I've got some questions for you e30 masters:
1) I've got some seriously sloppy shifting going on. It's a 5-speed and the gear lever is all over the place. There is no snap-back to center when pulling the lever left or right. My e21 didn't have this issue so I know it's not normal. It shifts into all forward gears just fine (reverse is a bitch). Is this a shifter issue or a transmission issue? I'm inclined to say shifter, but I'm new to these cars. What should I be looking for or to replace?

2) I've got a slight shimmy from 55 to 65mph that didn't go away when the previous owner had the tires rebalanced and the car realigned. It isn't brakes because it happens when accelerating through that speed range, not braking. I was thinking it might be the driveshaft out of balance. I also thought it might be the u-joints in the rear, which are showing some very small traces of rust. Another thing I've thought about is maybe a wheel-bearing... What do you guys think it might be?

3) On the display up above, I've got a couple of concerns. When I first turn on the car, the brake warning light is on, but when I tap the brakes it turns off. The front rotors and pads are new, and the rear pads are new. What might this be?

Also, the coolant warning light stays on in the above display, but I've checked the coolant levels and they check out fine. Any ideas?


Thanks a lot for any help you guys can give me. I'm trying to get this thing back in great shape and get as close to factory mint as possible.

Thanks again!
Chris

[LJ851]

1) all of the detents are inside the gearbox, its prob. shifter bushings. e30 is very similar to e21.
2) look at ujoints and center support bearing.
3) Normal function.
also) coolant level sensor in expansion tank is prime suspect.

[Blendercloud]

1) all of the detents are inside the gearbox, its prob. shifter bushings. e30 is very similar to e21.
2) look at ujoints and center support bearing.
3) Normal function.
also) coolant level sensor in expansion tank is prime suspect.

In a single swoop you've helped me a ton! Just a quick question regarding the shifter bushings. Is there more than one bushing?

What I'm getting at www.bimmerpartswholesale.com is this:

http://www.bimmerpartswholesale.com/search/?N=9715+4294963356+1580+11921+7241

SHIFT LEVER BUSHING Brand : OEQ
OEQ Shift Lever Bushing
1988-1991 BMW 325iX
Fits: Located in shift arm through which shift lever slips. One per car..
FITS (ENGINE/CHASSIS)
1988-1991 BMW 325iX W0133-1638677
$8.95
1989: All Submodels; All Engines;

OR

SHIFT LEVER BUSHING Brand : OEQ
OEQ Shift Lever Bushing
1988-1991 BMW 325iX
Fits: Bearing Sleeve @ Shifting Arm : Round : L = 26mm.
FITS (ENGINE/CHASSIS)
1988-1991 BMW 325iX W0133-1818878
$11.95
1989: All Submodels; All Engines;

[LJ851]

Are you familiar with realoem.com? If not check it out for part #s and exploded diagrams.

[Blendercloud]

Are you familiar with realoem.com? If not check it out for part #s and exploded diagrams.

Awesome, thanks! This will make things A LOT easier.

[LJ851]

Indeed.

[JasonC]

Hello, and welcome to the site!

[Redfox]

Hey all, I'm new here as well. My name is Rachel and I just bought my first car, a 1988 325is Bmw. Its a two door and it's white. Unfortunately, the garage I bought it from let it sit out, and 2 inches of ice were under the carpets, so that had to be torn out. Besides that, there wasn't any other big problems with it. My friend Steve recommended me to these forums, and luckily I found a member here who is selling interior. I'm pretty excited to get everything installed and make "Zach" looking sexy and amazing. I'll post pics as soon as I can.

[LJ851]

Hello Sparkles, Zach is your e30 ? There are several places water will attack the e30 chassis . please post pics of your new machine possibly on a new thread just to show respect ... and welcome.

[Stanley Rockefeller]

Hey all, I'm new here as well. My name is Rachel and I just bought my first car, a 1988 325is Bmw. Its a two door and it's white. Unfortunately, the garage I bought it from let it sit out, and 2 inches of ice were under the carpets, so that had to be torn out. Besides that, there wasn't any other big problems with it. My friend Steve recommended me to these forums, and luckily I found a member here who is selling interior. I'm pretty excited to get everything installed and make "Zach" looking sexy and amazing. I'll post pics as soon as I can.

Welcome!!!
Any pics of you and your car?

;)

[LJ851]

Welcome!!!
Any pics of you and your car?

;)

perv

[LJ851]

winter sucks sorry to hear about it .

[BoxDriver86]

In a single swoop you've helped me a ton! Just a quick question regarding the shifter bushings. Is there more than one bushing?

Here's what I bought when mine had the same problem. It's a really nice kit that shortens your throw a little but looks and feels OEM.

http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=ireland&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=345974147&Count2=263114571

Spring for the extra bushings and you will be pleased. This job can be a pain in the ass, so check the DIY forums for a nice write-up on how to do it.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

[Redfox]

perv

Hahaha

I have a few pics of Zach, but none with me and Zach. I'll get some up of me and the car soon though. I just ordered a bunch of stuff since spring is almost here and he's gonna get painted :D Mtech wing came in today :D