What to Look for on an '85 Eta?

[Threehz]

So my girl and I have been looking for an E30 for her for a while now. We've sound some ok ones and a lot of awful ones. Today we literally stumbled upon one and because we're a little crazy it worked out for the best.

Today when we found it I did a brief look-over on the car and it is in great condition, and tomorrow I'm going to give it a thorough look-over and test drive to seal the deal.

Just wondering if there is anything particular to look for on a '85 eta?

Also I've never driven an automatic E30, anything that I should look for pertaining to the tranny?

Thanks in advance!

[long tall eta]

timing belt mileage/date, check suspension, look for rust in the rocker panels, pass rear fender well and under the battery tray. all known trouble spots. etas are pretty bullet proof, slow, but bullet proof.

[Threehz]

Good deal.

Any idea how long E30's automatic tranny's last?

[reelizmpro]

I once owned an 85 325e automatic. It was a good car but I wouldn't get one today. Nit when a 325i can be had for about the same price. Those early automatics like to go bad too. Changed one out on my 87 325eS.

[Threehz]

Yeah that's the only thing I've worried about but hopefully we can find a nice 5-speed to swap in.

[bowtie2bimmer]

i have a 87 i model and tranny has close to 200k... andrewm on here has an 87e, miles are similar. Both trannys are fine.

But i'll tell you the auto = SLOW

[Dirtsquirt]

'85 eta?

Look for the cliff someone pushed it off...

[Threehz]

Well at least we got one eta hate comment in here :)

Yeah I just read a thread on E30 auto trannies and it sounded like most made it to at least 200k

The car is at 144k right now and is in immaculate condition so I don't fear the tranny going downhill for at least a little while. Tomorrow when I drive it I'll see how every feels and get down on some eta.

Hopefully we'll come out of this with a car by this weekend. It's one of the cleanest E30's I've ever seen.

[Threehz]

Driving automatics is always such a weird experience.. Drove great though, slow as hell, but felt solid.

Only thing I could find is it has an oil leak. It wasn't dripping but it was wet. The rest of the car was dry, rust-free, perfect.

What's a common place for these old M20's to leak from? And is it any concern?

[Jrey]

valve cover AFIAK, but i fixed that, mine is slightly leaking from the tranny casing on my 5speed

[Kershaw]

if the tranny has made it past 100k it was either rebuilt or it's going to be fine.

i loved my eta, it was a 5 speed though.

[TimKninja]

I have a brand new filter kit and brand new cooler lines for that exact tranny ill sell you on the cheap! Cheapity cheap!

M20s leak oil everywhere. Its one of the features of owning one .

[Stanley Rockafella]

Front passenger side of engine b/t the head and the block. that's one of the most common places. Mine has a very slow leak from there

[Threehz]

Yeah I figured if an E30 doesn't have an oil leak it's probably a fake ;)

@Tim, if that's something we need may have to hit you up, but we'll probably be converting to a 5-speed hopefully soon.

It definitely looked like it was leaking on Pass side, if all goes well tomorrow and we come home with it we'll definitely clean up the engine bay and see where it's coming from.

Now to fight the urge to 327i it, or maybe just not fight the urge and have some fun