1989 325ix NOOB Here!!

[anonymous alias]

Got my first E30 home today, its a 89 325ix grey on black vinyl auto (for now). Drove it home 62 miles from Hartford Co., MD. PO seems to have kept up with the maintenance and service records. Major parts like the cv, control arms, front diff, brakes, fluid changes have been kept up by an E30 enthusiast in Parkton, MD.

I'm not too experienced in DIY's. I dont have a garage and dont have much free time but things will need to be replaced and repaired but will do what I can and would have to find a reliable/fair priced shop.

short list of issues (sure, there's more):
odo, speedometer are not accurate
steering is a little loose
exhaust is loud
rear windows inoperable
interior needs a thorough cleaning (PO had dogs)
it lacks some good ol' POWER!!;)

Here's some pics that I have. I will take some photos with my real camera when i get a chance








:

[mr ilia]

Welcome to the club!

[berlow94]

PO's who keep dogs in the car are the worst, been there done that.
I recommend taking all the seats out and giving everything a thorough shampooing.
Good luck!

[Poorboyz]

Looks exactly like mine when I got it besides the weaves center caps..I had them. As far as the rear windows not working try either of the button above the window switches. I know one disables just the rear windows and the other disables ALL of the windows.

[anonymous alias]

Welcome to the club!

Thanks

[anonymous alias]

PO's who keep dogs in the car are the worst, been there done that.
I recommend taking all the seats out and giving everything a thorough shampooing.
Good luck!

Yea, the dog hair is every where. I will have to spend a few hours cleaning all that stuff. I'm scared to see what's under the seats.

[anonymous alias]

Looks exactly like mine when I got it besides the weaves center caps..I had them. As far as the rear windows not working try either of the button above the window switches. I know one disables just the rear windows and the other disables ALL of the windows.

Yea I tried the switches but the windows still don't work. a fuse maybe?

[saturnv7890]

Congrats and welcome!

There's not much I love more than a grey e30..

As for good old power, a compression test might be in order

[goldenbb]

Never drove the iX, but the iS I have now doesn't seem to be lacking in the power department. I would do what saturnv7890 advises since I don't think the awd mechanism can completely account for what you are talking about. Or else your expectations are too high for it?

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74650 <-- link to Car & Driver article.

[saturnv7890]

Yeah my friend's i's 0-60 is probably about 9-10 seconds at this point due to bad compression

[anonymous alias]

Yeah my friend's i's 0-60 is probably about 9-10 seconds at this point due to bad compression

sounds like mine. i'll order a compression kit and look up the "how to's". I havent gotten the E30 manual yet.

Could it also be an issue with the injectors? fuel pump or line? I'm thinking it would be best to replace those just because.

[Poorboyz]

Yea I tried the switches but the windows still don't work. a fuse maybe?

The window locking switches get jammed up a lot of times. Either take them out, clean and re-try it or just keep trying to get the switches to pop out. I had a hell of a time with my car when I first got it. I thought my window motors were bad.

[nomansland92]

congratulations on the Ix! drop a 5 speed in there and that should wake her up a bit.

[saturnv7890]

sounds like mine. i'll order a compression kit and look up the "how to's". I havent gotten the E30 manual yet.

Could it also be an issue with the injectors? fuel pump or line? I'm thinking it would be best to replace those just because.

No need to throw parts at that sort of thing. If it's really jerky and bucky then yes I might be worried, but I'd still do some troubleshooting before throwing parts at anything.


If it's a fueling issue and your car is running lean, it will usually throw a lambda code. Be sure to do a stomp test to see if there's any codes on there.

Sometimes the harness plug going to the fuel injectors starts to go bad.. but you'll definitely notice that one, it'll feel like it's hitting a brick wall.

[anonymous alias]

No need to throw parts at that sort of thing. If it's really jerky and bucky then yes I might be worried, but I'd still do some troubleshooting before throwing parts at anything.


If it's a fueling issue and your car is running lean, it will usually throw a lambda code. Be sure to do a stomp test to see if there's any codes on there.

Sometimes the harness plug going to the fuel injectors starts to go bad.. but you'll definitely notice that one, it'll feel like it's hitting a brick wall.

it would feel a little jerky at times at start off. but i'll have the troubleshooting and tests done to make sure it gets what it needs. thanks