I failed as a man. Here is my public apology regarding my e30.

[vdubspeed]

So right before Christmas last year I bought a BONE stock 1989 325i and began to make it my own. She ran GREAT even with 300k+ on the odo. I immediately set out to make her meet my needs. Bilstein/Spax, OZ rims, Recaro seats, Scorpion exhaust, and a few other slight mods. I've absolutely been enjoying the car and yesterday I decided to check the air filter. Here's what I found:





So yeah...for someone who is absolutely crazy about scheduled maintenance...I really felt terrible. Kinda makes me realize I need to pick up my game on the t-belt change. No idea when that was done last!!!

[Stanley Rockafella]

wtf is that shit?

[kronus]

squirrel nest?

[ravenlord89]

Yes you have failed. Now relinquish your E30 to me.

[vdubspeed]

squirrel nest?

Most likely a mouse or something.

raven...not a fucking chance bro.

[theDELO]

Haha wow that's a good one. As a side note the wheels look great!

[Gunner_1886]

Looks like the inside of my gutters. :(

[ST1G]

wtf is that shit?

Looks like Leaves. What were you thinking?

[Exodus_2pt0]

This is actually fairly common.

I can't count the times I threw a squirrels winter stash in the trash can while replacing air filters when I worked on cars for a living. Stuffed full of acorns, turds, or just shredded filters.

[flyboyx]

did you say timing belt? check out this thread:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=321612

i bet after reading this, you will get to work on it this weekend.

[rob-redm]

see that all the time were I work, hopefully nothing else was chewed on... seen some expensive bills due to rodent damage(wiring , etc)... a lot of it happens in garages, were owners have pet food stored by their cars.. glad you caught it now.

[Codym42]

Haha, I read the first few sentences thinking you had wrecked the car or something. Then I see the air filter pic...

Don't worry, I changed my oil and didn't check the level for a long time. The next oil change was almost due and it was really low.

[IRON-E]

You absolutely disgust me!

[vdubspeed]

You absolutely disgust me!

cool story bro.

flyboy...thanks for the link! Motivation secured.

I'm actually pull the trans this weekend to do the clutch, pulling the rear subframe to do all the bushings and adjusters, and adding IE camber plates.

Need to add the t-belt to the list! LOL

[Jims5543]

You should always "zero mile" a car when you acquire it.

Before the rims, lowering springs, exhaust etc.. the priority should always be on the maintenance items.

My son purchased a $500 E30 when he was 16 five years ago, and I taught him this lesson as well. This carried to his second E30, which he paid almost 3K for. Now both are sold an he has a S50 swapped E30.

First and foremost, unless you have a receipt from a REPUTABLE shop to prove it was done, the timing belt should be change post haste.

While you are in there:

Water pump
T - stat (flush cooling system as well)
Distributor cap
rotor
Wires
spark plugs

While you have the plugs out and the engine is cold, do a valve adjustment.

Then do the air cleaner and the fuel filter.

Then bleed your brakes and check your pads for wear as well as your wheel bearings.

Those are all the major items that I always take care of first on a used car, especially if I do not have evidence of maintenance of it.


Then you can go on to tuning the car with go fast goodies. Suffice to say, the maintenance items will get you a good strong running car right off the bat. What good is a performance exhaust if the valve clearance is out to lunch and the plugs are worn out?