What to do? feel free to give your 2 cents

[rlich8]

as said above - most of this stuff is pretty basic and doing it yourself will get you familiar with E30's.

Is your car:
Automatic or manual?
AWD system working?
Coupe or sedan?
Does everything else besides the windows work correctly?

What are your objectives with the car? Will it be a winter beater or something you want to put on the car show circuit?

Overall will you be putting more $$$ into it than it is probably worth? Yes. We all do. If you're in to make money or break even, this definitely isn't the adventure you're looking for.

I totally agree with this. Be socratic in your decision making and ask yourself what an E30 is to you. Great wisdom.

[Bbruins72]

My goal with this car - have a fun nice looking daily driver. My daughter got her license so I traded in my 2011 STI for a 2014 VW Jetta. It was like the car part of my heart was ripped out and stomped on. I loved that car. I almost turned around and did not show up for the trade in/paperwork signing appointment. But we needed an automatic realistic car an 18 yr old girl could drive as well. So I drove it all winter and spring. I was searching for a fun cheap car replacement. I have owned other BMW's in the past and always liked the e30. So I want mine to be nice. Not perfect not show quality, thats not realistic. But it needs to be reliable to get me to work 10 mile drive a day and around town to kids hockey/soccer games and practices etc...

Thanks again everyone. Well you have motivated me to keep it (unless i get drastically surprising news tomorrow from the shop) and I want to put the work into it. I want to get the list from the shop with exactly what it needs and to determine this damn Fuel tank issue. Otherwise I think everything is pretty straight forward and loads of information is available to get this beauty on the road as my daily driver.

That said; I do need an e30 buddy. So yes I am soliciting help for when I start the repairs. Anyone near western Mass care to help? I will gladly pay you in beer, and pizza (like other posters stated) and friendly conversation.

My wife is still very uncertain about this. To show her I am series I have been selling parts from my 2011 STI this weekend to help fund the e30 repair bill. I still think she feels the 4K was better spent elsewhere.

[mbonder]

I will be away from July 5-July 26, but if you want to start repairs that last week of July I would have no problem driving up there (I did undergrad at UMass for a year before transferring back to NJ) so I know the trip and its an easy one. I can bring tools and repair manuals.

PM me if you want to set something up.

Matt

[Bbruins72]

Matt I might take you up on this. That would give me time to get the parts ordered and delivered. Thanks man I will let you know.

[F34R]

From your first post I was expecting some horror...that looks in pretty darn good shape! Interior does need some help :D

[gtdragon980]

That is the cleanest fucking iX I've ever seen! At least without any sort of restoring that is! That shop you went to is full of shit and they are just a bunch of lazy fucks. Do the regular maintenance, Timing belt, valve adj., tune up, fix any intake leaks, replace all cooling components, replace your worn out suspension and bushings and drive that thing! It looks great! Better condition than 60% of r3v!

[matthugie]

I'm really curious about this gas tank thing and why it wouldn't pass inspection.

FYI, if you need to replace it search the technical forums here. There is a website that has been posted that sells OEM gas tanks for our cars for pretty cheap. I bought one to replace my rusted tank, it arrived in a couple days and fit just fine. I think the total was ~$225 shipped, but that was also a year or two ago.

[Bbruins72]

I spoke with the shop and they said it is something wrong with the pump aseembly. Someone manufactory a cover? Iam not sure myself. They seemed very confused by the condition as well. But it is slowly leaking fuel. I could smell it standing by the right rear but not in the car. Never noticed any fluid below the car either. So iam not sure.

I found fuel tanks for about 1000 bucks. Damn who has them for 225 shipped?

I'm really curious about this gas tank thing and why it wouldn't pass inspection.

FYI, if you need to replace it search the technical forums here. There is a website that has been posted that sells OEM gas tanks for our cars for pretty cheap. I bought one to replace my rusted tank, it arrived in a couple days and fit just fine. I think the total was ~$225 shipped, but that was also a year or two ago.

[nando]

it probably just needs new rubber fuel lines. 5/16" fuel injection rated hose is cheap and should work fine. just pop the cover under the rear seat (lift the seat bottom up by pulling at the front corners). The cover for the pump is on the passenger side and held on by 4 Phillips screws. the fuel pump is directly underneath. you should be able to see the rubber hoses that are likely leaking and need replaced.

an easy 30 minute job unless it's something much worse. just make sure you pull the fuel pump relay out and crank it over until it dies so you don't spray pressurized fuel in your face. :p

[Stanley Rockafella]

OR it could also be the fuel pump seal that's causing the leak. Very common issue on cars that have had the pump replaced

I know mine was/is leaking after I replaced it. Even the seal is new and still I'm getting some leakage..but only when full

[Bearmw]

For now you can try to just nut and bolt the seat slider down as a temporary fix? I briefly talked with you about the car a couple of weeks ago when I was driving my e28. I would be willing to take a look at it to give you my 2 cents worth.

[Bbruins72]

Right on man i remember, your car is sweet!

[Bbruins72]

** Update** Christmas in July
So the car while start receiving repairs this coming week. First bunch of suspension delivered. Shocks, springs, front and rear strut towers, metal spacers. Control arms, tie rods, bushings, all brake components to follow in mail. Should be ready to drive. I have already purchased 2 new front seats, radio bezel, switches, hood support arm. Ready to get the e30 on the road. Timeing belt is good. Gonna do valve adjustment oil change...

Remaining items the damn fuel issue. Still unresolved. Battery tray area will be looked at by an auto body shop.

[Bbruins72]

UPDATE:
So I have put a ton of items into the car suspension all new. Fuel tank all new. Brakes/lines all new, interior a work in progress. I will be making a new thread with updates and pics and my future wants. I wanted to say thanks to everyone here for the advice and a bigger thanks to Dave the team of mech's and Tracey at the shop who worked on it. They kicked butt dealing with me and my crappy car. Anyone needs to know a good place to bring a vehicle in for maintanance and is in the new england area message me and I will direct you to this team in western mass, truly awesome people.

[TimKninja]

Don't know if I Said this before but if you have a Facebook join NE30 . Their the local E30 enthusiasts . Good luck with her she looks really good for an IX!