SO I'm a NOOB here.

[Gerta]

Also for parts, you can reach out to BluntTech.com (or steve@blunttech.com) as he is a forum supporter and all that. You might also take a look at Realoem.com so you can see the BMW parts you might want to price out.

Good luck fixing 'er up! Welcome to R3V!

[Project535]

My biggest concern is replacing the cam seals and a valve adjustments. I'd need to get somebody to do that for me. I don't trust my people because they're all just backyard mechanics. I don't want anything to be FUBAR, you know?
Hoses, timing belt, water pump, brake lines, brake booster, checking the interior for any standing water, that all can be done by me and my friends/family.


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The cam seals are super easy. Pull the valve cover, pop out the 4 rubber seals on either side on the cam, put new ones in with a tiny dab of RTV and press. Super simple.

The adjustment is pretty easy, though a little tedious. Just make sure you take your time and measure twice. You won't fubar anything unless you seriously mess up the measurement, but I think you're looking at ~$100 to have a shop do it, at least in my experience.

[dariel1013]

Here's a list of things I would recommend getting done right off the bat:

Timing belt, tensioner, water pump, thermostat, and your cam seals will ALL need to be replaced. This is preventative maintenance we're talking here.

A valve adjustment (obviously replacing the cover gasket just comes with the territory) and a fluid change will also be necessary. Flush your radiator and change out all your hoses and serpentine belts. Check all of your suspension bits, especially bushings, as rubber does get old and rot away. Check your seals for any leaks. Check your trunk for any standing water, and also check your floorboards. Brake lines might need to be replaced.

Keep your ear wide open for any interesting noises. Now, mind you that your '88 has a I6 M20B25, so that loud "tickatickaticka" noise that they're common to make is nothing to worry about. Some people call them sewing machines. Also, invest in a few cans of Rustoleum undercoating spray to keep your underbody from getting all icky if you ever decide to be ballsy and drive it in the winter like me.

Oh, and if you decide to modify it, remember the golden rule:

Suspension, brakes and tires come first. Then comes the power.

Other than that, if you keep her happy, it'll keep you happy. Even with the slushy auto, they're fun cars. You can still kick the rear end out, so be careful!

My biggest concern is replacing the cam seals and a valve adjustments. I'd need to get somebody to do that for me. I don't trust my people because they're all just backyard mechanics. I don't want anything to be FUBAR, you know?
Hoses, timing belt, water pump, brake lines, brake booster, checking the interior for any standing water, that all can be done by me and my friends/family.


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[UlrichFennec]

Here's a list of things I would recommend getting done right off the bat:

Timing belt, tensioner, water pump, thermostat, and your cam seals will ALL need to be replaced. This is preventative maintenance we're talking here.

A valve adjustment (obviously replacing the cover gasket just comes with the territory) and a fluid change will also be necessary. Flush your radiator and change out all your hoses and serpentine belts. Check all of your suspension bits, especially bushings, as rubber does get old and rot away. Check your seals for any leaks. Check your trunk for any standing water, and also check your floorboards. Brake lines might need to be replaced.

Keep your ear wide open for any interesting noises. Now, mind you that your '88 has a I6 M20B25, so that loud "tickatickaticka" noise that they're common to make is nothing to worry about. Some people call them sewing machines. Also, invest in a few cans of Rustoleum undercoating spray to keep your underbody from getting all icky if you ever decide to be ballsy and drive it in the winter like me.

Oh, and if you decide to modify it, remember the golden rule:

Suspension, brakes and tires come first. Then comes the power.

Other than that, if you keep her happy, it'll keep you happy. Even with the slushy auto, they're fun cars. You can still kick the rear end out, so be careful!

[dariel1013]

Congrats on the purchase! I also have an automatic vert, and it's definitely still fun to drive! Make sure you pick up a bentley manual, or download the PDF version from here



And just my $0.02, if you need to replace the brake lines, might as well go with SS Braided lines. Can be had for ~$90 and will last a lot longer than rubber, it's a nice little upgrade.



Enjoy!!

Will do!
I'm actually in the process of putting a list together of things I need.
Brake lines
Brake booster
Timing belt and water pump.

That's all that's NECESSARY so far.


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[Project535]

Congrats on the purchase! I also have an automatic vert, and it's definitely still fun to drive! Make sure you pick up a bentley manual, or download the PDF version from here

And just my $0.02, if you need to replace the brake lines, might as well go with SS Braided lines. Can be had for ~$90 and will last a lot longer than rubber, it's a nice little upgrade.

Enjoy!!

[adjmcloon]

I'm sure you'll discover quite a lot of mechanical maintenance that needs to happen as you go along, but that's the fun, just building it up until it's exactly like you want it. Congrats, and enjoy!

[UlrichFennec]

There's nothing wrong at all with having an automatic. I treat mine like a cruiser, not a road bruiser. It'll still handle well around the bends and have enough pull to get you where you're going. The gearbox is a tad dimwitted, but the kickdown is good.

[dariel1013]

I'm sure they're are OEM heated seats. People retrofit them all the time, but I'm not sure the car left the factory like that. But like I said I could be wrong, but I don't think heated seats came out until 89

Ouhhh ok gotcha! Even then that's surprising considering THAT era of cars. I mean, I work for Honda and it wasn't too long ago that they introduced heated seats.


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[dariel1013]

Based off of your description, you have a bad brake booster. If you want, it can be tested with a handheld vacuum pump.

That's what I read. Bad brake booster. I'm not too distraught by it. I mean, it's like an $100-150 fix. BUT that's on top of any other necessary fixes that the car might need.
So far:
Timing belt and water pump
brake booster



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[stonea]

I'm sure they're are OEM heated seats. People retrofit them all the time, but I'm not sure the car left the factory like that. But like I said I could be wrong, but I don't think heated seats came out until 89

[dariel1013]

Timing belt and water pump first. Secondly I don't think Euro bumpers wont fit on your car, either way plastic bumpers will bolt on just fine and its A LOT less expensive than euro bumpers. Also I don't think 1988 came with heated seats (could be wrong but don't think I am) so the heated seats might have been wired in wrong when added in by the PO

I actually think the heated seats are OEM. The switches look OEM and I see the same buttons in other e30's idk I could be wrong about the button function


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[KI4UJO]

THAT GUY is exactly who I need to point me in the right direction lolz.

Timing belt and water pump are definitely first on my list. The breaks too. I'm not too sure what's wrong with them, but the pedal is super stiff. I mean, they work, but still. The break also doesn't drop a little when I turn the car on like it should.
The guy said its the break line. But I'm not sure.


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Based off of your description, you have a bad brake booster. If you want, it can be tested with a handheld vacuum pump.

[stonea]

Timing belt and water pump first. Secondly I don't think Euro bumpers wont fit on your car, either way plastic bumpers will bolt on just fine and its A LOT less expensive than euro bumpers. Also I don't think 1988 came with heated seats (could be wrong but don't think I am) so the heated seats might have been wired in wrong when added in by the PO

[dariel1013]

Awesome, congrats on the e30 man, great choice for a fun car!

Thanks man! I'm looking forward to joining the car scene w/ this thing. I've only been a spectator since I have a bunch of friends that work on cars, yet I didnt have one to work on too.


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