timing belt

[Commondetail]

I'm looking at '88 an 325iC with 129k..
timing belt changed 4 years ago--current owner bought the car in '96 with 37k..he drives it only during summer months--and garages the car.
Should timing belt be changed ASAP? He estimates 25k on new belt (since replaced 4 years ago) What is the recommended period of time (miles or years) to change the belt?

Car is mint, mint and more mimt..
new tires, new top, new muffler (original catalytic converter), leather in very good condition, always garaged, he has service records and claims to be selling car due to purchase of new vehicle..he's asking $5500--is this a fair price? What else can you suggest for inspection, areas to look for correct maintenance, etc. it's an automatic


Thank you!

[SoEm0]

I would. Why risk it if the car is mint?

[StereoInstaller1]

3 years is safe, 4 is pushing it...but there have been known examples to last 10+ years.

For $100 in parts and an afternoon, seems dumb not to.

[Eta power]

If you have to ask if you should change your timing belt, change it.

[Robert]

I wouldn't risk it .
Just change it .

[StereoInstaller1]

oh yeah, BTW: Welcome to R3V.

Luke

[jeffSDguy]

Buy it and change it if you really don't trust it. It's a mint E30. Hard to find those. I turned down a mint blown gasket E30 for $500. I was dumb.

[bimmershark]

imo unless the po has absolutely solid proof that he recently had the timing belt (and associated parts) replaced , and this can be for the 1k dollar e30 to the mint showroom e30, that its the first thing on the list to do ...tho id be less upset about having to do head work an such on the cheap car..not so much the mint one..

[txtorquemade]

1. Head gasket, most the time I pass. Although if mint MINT I'd pay 1k and do it.
2. Timing belt, just do it!!

[Commondetail]

timing belt for '88 325iC

thanks for all of your comments concerning timing belt issue for '88 325iC-exterior very good, interior 6/10
owner couldn't come up service records--he claimed to have owned car for 16 years..
too many unknowns for me,

cheers,

david:(

[ZekeTheSneak]

They don't call it the silent killer for nothing :up:

[bimmershark]

They don't call it the silent killer for nothing :up:

yup...my current project 89 coupe..has a snapped timing belt (supposedly...havent full checked yet but does have a broken rocker) i knew both previous owners and told both of them over the course of a year to change it..both said naw it ll be ok ...well needless to say i got a really clean body car for cheap lol