Best E30 Advice You Can Give

[BustingMyWallet]

Hey there R3v! I'm new to the r3v forums, to e30s, and to cars really. I just bought my first car, a 1989 BMW 325i vert. It's alpine white with this awful navy and light blue pinstripe that PO put on. I bought it for cheap (sure as hell beats an old Carolla ). It has it's flaws and I'm trying to focus on needs instead of wants right now. I really look forward to reaching out to you guys for help and I'm going to post tons of pictures in the near future.

Alright so my question is, what's the best advice you could give me right now? Anything I should stay away from? What actual part about your car are you most proud of? Also, what aftermarket brands would you recommend based on reliability and performance?

[flash 23]

Welcome. Maintenance first before aesthetics.

[TehRaydarlover]

Welcome. Maintenance first before aesthetics.

[BustingMyWallet]

Yeah I have a whole shopping list of maintenance that I saw on r3v and i'm going to try to get most of it done. Has anyone had any luck with Sea Foam? It was the only product I was told that would be worth the money, of course not including all fluids that the car needs such as oil etc.

[Cambiocorsa]

Yeah I have a whole shopping list of maintenance that I saw on r3v and i'm going to try to get most of it done. Has anyone had any luck with Sea Foam? It was the only product I was told that would be worth the money, of course not including all fluids that the car needs such as oil etc.

Avoid Sea Foam. I've never seen it accomplish anything positive and I have seen people blow motors with it before. Do the work properly, don't trust some magic fluid you pour in your intake/gas tank/whatever.

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

Drive in a prudent manner. If you drive too fast, especially over speed humps, you might pope a tire and then careen out control into a spec house most likely built on the cheap by Ryan Homes. You do not want to do this. The last instance of this particular phenomenon occurring happened in Atlanta GA this spring. Given that you're from there as well, I'd be concerned that maybe that particular region of the country is prone to tire poping incidents. I'm just trina help you out...

You're lucky that your first car is the best car that's ever been built. Welcome.

[F34R]

Do the timing belt, water pump and tensioner, do not wait. And a coolant flush wouldn't hurt if it looks dirty.

This^ and IMHO a coolant flush is a must when doing the timing and water pump. While you're there right?

Best advice I can give it spend time here and LEARN before buying. Anything you want to know has been covered in detail. We have sections for anything you need to know, PLEASE search and read for before you make a new thread asking about what part and how to do something.

BIGGEST thing, do not undertake an engine swap right out of the gate. No matter how good or fast you think you are it always takes longer than expected. I know you did not mention it, but swaps are common like changing wheels here.

I am glad to see you said "needs over wants", you are going to do well here if you learn to use our search button(located @thread titles).

Must do:
Buy Bentley maintenance book.
Make a project build thread. It will keep you on track and keep all of your car in one place and you can ask anything about parts and what to do. Keeps the forum clean! and you on track.
Also a HUGE motivator, it makes you desire to work on your car and keep updates going. I know it has helped me gain info and learn.

-Timing belt, water pump, tensioner and belts for the accessories.
-Brakes(check)
-Replace stock rubber brake lines
-Replace rubber fuel lines with PROPER high pressure fuel lines

That is all cheap and must change items. I do not care if a PO says the timing belt has been done. I have been lied to many times. It is not expensive and takes no time to do it once you learn it! So get the book and learn! everyone starts someplace.

[golde30]

control arms, tie rod ends, M3 control arm bushings, sway bar endlinks.

[avery0829]

Blow it up. Trust me

[BustingMyWallet]

This^ and IMHO a coolant flush is a must when doing the timing and water pump. While you're there right?

Best advice I can give it spend time here and LEARN before buying. Anything you want to know has been covered in detail. We have sections for anything you need to know, PLEASE search and read for before you make a new thread asking about what part and how to do something.

BIGGEST thing, do not undertake an engine swap right out of the gate. No matter how good or fast you think you are it always takes longer than expected. I know you did not mention it, but swaps are common like changing wheels here.

I am glad to see you said "needs over wants", you are going to do well here if you learn to use our search button(located @thread titles).

Must do:
Buy Bentley maintenance book.
Make a project build thread. It will keep you on track and keep all of your car in one place and you can ask anything about parts and what to do. Keeps the forum clean! and you on track.
Also a HUGE motivator, it makes you desire to work on your car and keep updates going. I know it has helped me gain info and learn.

-Timing belt, water pump, tensioner and belts for the accessories.
-Brakes(check)
-Replace stock rubber brake lines
-Replace rubber fuel lines with PROPER high pressure fuel lines

That is all cheap and must change items. I do not care if a PO says the timing belt has been done. I have been lied to many times. It is not expensive and takes no time to do it once you learn it! So get the book and learn! everyone starts someplace.

Yeah I typically find comfort in drowning myself in research and comparing parts in my free time. Swaps are great and all, but I'm not building a track car or any serious project so I don't see the point. Besides, m20s are solid. I downloaded every single book about e30s on my computer so if I cant figure something out, I like to look there. Thanks for all the advice. By the way, its funny that you suggest PROPER fuel lines, because I'm currently having fuel problems that I believe are from old hoses.

[F34R]

Members have lost their e30s to engine bay fires due to old lines. Clean e30s and they overlook 20 bucks in fuel line. Do not get shitty line, high pressure fuel lines only!

Also a new fuel pump is a great upgrade for our old tired ones. Walbro 255
There is a DIY thread on here for install.

Also in my links below in my signature is my build thread. It is just geared towards performance and track, but it is a full ground up build with tons of pictures. Good place to start if you need info or how things look taken apart. Good luck and welcome to r3v, best place for BMW info!

[Cletonius]

Welcome! As others have said, maintenence first. F34R pretty much covered everything already other than that you should buy a shift boot from me.

Post some pics!

[BustingMyWallet]

Welcome! As others have said, maintenence first. F34R pretty much covered everything already other than that you should buy a shift boot from me.

Post some pics!

I would but it's an automatic. Not sure how I feel about it being automatic somedays, but it's what I need with little driving experience.

[F34R]

I would but it's an automatic. Not sure how I feel about it being automatic somedays, but it's what I need with little driving experience.

For a kid you sure have your head on straight. If I were you; do the said timing and other engine stuff. Replace suspension parts that are worn out. As mentioned above by Gold. Control arms, inner and outer tie rods(Meyle or Lemforder) , CAB(Control Arm Bushing).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E30-M3-3-series-MEYLE-Tie-RODS-Set-2-325e-325es-1984-1992-New-FAST-SHIP-/360708805859?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53fbeb94e3&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E30-M3-Control-ARMS-Wishbones-MEYLE-3-series-318-323-325-Set-2-STEEL-New-/360719957362?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53fc95bd72&vxp=mtr

For suspension pick up some Koni Sa shocks and inserts and match them with H&R race springs/e90 top hats(drops the car 15mm to reduce reverse rake).

You are all set now man!

Best thing you can do is grab that book:

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Series-E30-Service-Manual/dp/0837616476/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376627611&sr=8-1&keywords=bmw+e30+bentley+manual

There is also a PDF but I personally like having a book instead of a screen. PDF is free, so it goes with suit for most of our members....

[Dj Buttchug]

i like the OP.

carry on new guy. you will do well here