Master list of all repairs to do on a newly acquired E30.

[OnTheFence]

I went though a couple of for sale ads and compiled a master list of all things one might need to address when buying an E30.

A subset of this list could be used as a checklist to give a PPI mechanic.

Or, it may be used as a guide to assist in prioritization of DIY projects.
To that end, is there any way poster here can common on the list?

• Can we sort the sections into priority order? (#1 is more urgent or common)
• Can we exclude things that are never really an issue?
• Do we reclassify repairs that are in the wrong category?
• What missing repairs does this list overlook ?

Any help in making sense of this list is much appreciated


TYPICAL
=======

1. Burnt out dash bulbs replaced with working ones
2. Replaced all burnt out interior lightbulbs
3. New fog light bulbs (fog lights are fully functional)
4. Stainless Steel brake lines
5. New spark plugs
6. New fuel tubing (engine bay) / New fuel hose to the fuel rail and cold start injector
7. Replace oxygen sensor.
8. New distributor rotor
9. New distributor cap
10. New spark plug wires
11. New thermostat
12. New valve cover gasket
13. Valves adjusted (another must for M20's), New valve cover gasket. Replace rocker shaft seals.
14. New oil pan
15. New oil pan gasket
16. New battery
17. New timing belt/tensioner (a MUST for M20 engine BMW's)
18. Changed engine oil (10W-30 synthetic)
19. Changed rear diff fluid (75W-90) / Diff: Redline Synthetic GL-5 Gear Oil
20. Changed transmission fluid (Redline MT-90 racing fluid) / Tranny: Redline MT-90 GL-4 Synthetic
21. New brake pads/brake rotors (OEM replacement from Turner Motorsport)
22. New driveshaft guibo (known failure point on BMW's) with OEM BMW part and new OEM BMW hardware
23. New driveshaft center support bearing, OEM BMW parts/new hardware
24. New tires (Falken Ziex ZE912, OEM size)
25. New belts (power steering, alternator, and A/C belts)
26. New spark plugs
27. New intake gaskets
28. Replaced all cracked fuel lines, vacuum lines, and coolant lines
29. New radiator and hoses
30. Coolant flush, used BMW coolant purchased from the dealer
31. Fan Clutch
32. Idle Control Valve
33. Thermostat Housing
34. Throttle Body-Bypass (??????)

LESS TYPICAL
============

1. New brake master cylinder with new o-ring from BMW
2. New taillight gaskets
3. All new exhaust gaskets and new hardware, replaced with OEM BMW parts
4. New head gasket and head bolts!
5. UUC DSSR Selector Rod with new shifter mount bushings
6. Rebuilt shifter linkage with all new bushings
7. Rebuilt calipers
8. The only performance modifications on the car are new BavAuto spark plug wires, and an E32 7-series brake master cylinder for a stiffer brake pedal feel.
9. Cleaned/flow tested fuel injectors at Witchhunter Performance ($135 service), all injectors at best rating
10. New DME main relay and fuel pump relay (old ones were corroded)
11. New ABS relay
12. New crank shaft seal
13. New engine mounts
14. Replaced cylinder head bolts with factory updated ones
15. New coolant level sensor.
16. Steering rack
17. Replaced an ABS sensor.
18. Wheel bearings
19. Replaced rear transmission seal and shifter shaft seal.
20. Replaced clutch.
21. Replaced shift joint.
22. Replaced differential half shaft seals. Redline differential oil.
23. Thermostat and Aux fan temp switch replaced
24. Replaced Air flow meter
25. New Catalytic Converter
26. New Transmission Mounts
27. Remanufactured Driveshaft
28. New Slave Cylinder
29. New Hydraulic Slave Cylinder Line
30. Resurfaced Flywheel
31. New Pressure Plate bolts
32. New Flywheel Bolts
33. New exhaust flanges/bolts
34. New shifter cup-bushing
35. Clutch Master Cylinder rebuild

SUSPENSION
==========

1. New tie rod ends and boots (Lemforder)
2. New control arms (Lemforder)
3. New front shock strut mounts (Sachs)
4. New front spring pads
5. New front/rear sway bar endlinks
6. New front sway bar mount bushings
7. New rear spring pads
8. New rear shock tower mounts/gaskets
9. New bushing set for rear trailing arms
10. Front Strut Rebuild
11. New Front Shocks

OPTIONAL COSMETIC
=================

1. New front license plate delete - bumper trim piece
2. New seals bottom seals for front door windows
3. The exterior modfications include: body color mirrors, front license plate delete, and rear "euro" license plate filler.
4. New power antenna, new antenna grommet
5. Repainted all exterior trim
6. Repainted wheels
7. New exhaust tip, repainted muffler and exhaust manifolds (look great)
8. New M-badge on steering wheel, new BMW roundel, new chrome window moulding! (that stuff that's yellow and nasty on every other '80s BMW)
9. New custom floor mats

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=250095

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=259589

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=256902

[5Toes]

Lol yeah that is a pretty complete list...

[///M42 sport]

Theres alot of variability between cars so a "list" isnt necessarily the best of going about things. Unless you just want to throw money at it. Usually wait till things break and in the meanwhile do routine maintenance.

Things like SS brake lines dont make sense since everyone has diff driving habits and needs. The original rubber lines have lasted 20+years. I doubt SS lines will last that long.

Also cars in different geographic regions have different maintenance needs. Northern climate cars more prone to rust, need more maintenance.

[Click]

Can't imagine changing the oil pan (#14) for the hell of it. Also the cost of the parts would easily eclipse the cost of any e30, at least one that is in bad of shape to need all these parts replaced. Also I'd recommend doing output shaft seal and selector shaft seal on the trans and maybe the input shaft seal as well if the trans gets pulled.

[Thehemiman]

Can't imagine changing the oil pan (#14) for the hell of it. Also the cost of the parts would easily eclipse the cost of any e30, at least one that is in bad of shape to need all these parts replaced. Also I'd recommend doing output shaft seal and selector shaft seal on the trans and maybe the input shaft seal as well if the trans gets pulled.

Having just changed my pan, I can't even imagine changing the gasket unless it's leaking like a sieve..

[MC Hammered]

I'll assume you bought a rust free car since nothing about checking drain holes, elephant drain or under the carpet is listed under "optional cosmetic"

[drumad]

nice

We really need a "SO YOU JUST BOUGHT AN E30" faq/diy thread.

[Simon S]

Advise Bentley manual and review maintenance schedules - then work from there for guidance on replacement of wear-items.

Would tend to put things like timing belts, fluids, and filters toward top of priorities.
(and broken shit - obviously)

Good list there though..

[ecsk]

If you have to do all items in typical section, you bought a lemon.

[Chunter]

Can't imagine changing the oil pan (#14) for the hell of it.

This. When I came to that on the list I lost hard hahaha.

[efficient]

i like this. what about change odometer gears before they break if they haven't already

[stamar]

holy mother of god this guy has been talking about getting a bmw since i got mine a year and a half ago.

[beanerguitarist]

sub'd

[Exodus_2pt0]

Your list just killed the E30 as a budget car.

Awesome, scare them away so we can get replacements cheap.

[mkcman17]

timing belt, water pump, oil, spark plugs.

after you do the critical things, reassess the rest as needed.

this list is frivolous and unnecessary.