end of day rant against PO

[mybimr]

sorry in advance, but I need to release some frustration. My cussing and swearing didn't cut it in the garage, so now I'm at the computer with a vodka!

So I bought my 16yr old daughter her first car, a 1988 325is auto. I paid asking price since the PO had done many maintenance things to the car that are normally a pain in the butt: new head, new exhaust, new wheel bearings all around, etc.

that was the good part (I thought), until I started to correct a few things. now I'm realizing that all of these repairs appear to be done very poorly, and with no consideration of the next guy that needs to get in there.

So here's a note to all of you home mechanics:
- PLEASE use new hardware if the old is all rusted out...you're in there anyway, so take the time and spend a few more cents to put it back right!
- I see a new head, new water pump, but he used the old accessory belts, and didn't even bother to properly tension them! I can only ASSUME he didn't re-use the old timing belt (argh!)
- exhaust manifold-to cat pipe nuts frozen? Don't just remove the manifold from the head, break the flex coupling to the one-piece cat pipes so you can remove the cat/manifold as one assembly and leave the bastards to someone else!
- can't get the rubber donut for the exhaust hanger on? don't simply use one hanger and leave it for someone else to figure it out later. consult the DIY stuff here, there are a lot of tricks to make it easy!
- have to destroy the hardware for the cat-to-exhaust flanges? don't just pick some crappy galvanized hardware you have lying around the garage to reconnect. get the proper hardware!!!

that's all I've got to say about that...I've got the entire exhaust out of the car from the head back, and will take the time to put everything right. and the vodka is sinking in now :)

[Exodus_2pt0]

Swap that timing belt.

Mmmm Vodka. I haven't had a glass of straight vodka on ice in a while.

[E30 Wagen]

You should be thankful if the biggest things you've had to deal with are stubborn hardware and old V-belts.

[ahrensNW]

It's a used car. If you didn't take it to get it inspected before you bought it then you should have expected some problems.

[mybimr]

Get it inspected?? This is the 7th e30 I've owned since 1995. And I've done all the maintenance on every one. I don't doubt that I can fix it, it's just that I expect proper workmanship from other e30 owners. If you say you've done something, do it right or say you had problems. I knew there were exhaust issues to fix when I bought it, just didn't expect such a rats nest of other issues.

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[J.Rizo]

it's just that I expect proper workmanship from other e30 owners.

well theres your first mistake.

[2mAn]

you live in a place where rust is a common problem, Im sure you own stock in penetrating oil

[mybimr]

Which is the point of my rant, and glass of vodka, and my admonition to those younger folks accustomed to lowering their standards to the minimum amount of work exhibited by their peers. Expect more from yourself!

Can you get a feeling for how I lecture my daughters? Lol



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[///M42 sport]

couple of west michigan members here who can help out if needed. I'm in muskegon

[anabolice30]

You sound like Walter White "APPLY YOURSELF!!!"

[ahrensNW]

Well, I'm 18. I've had 2 e30's and an e34. Buying another e30 soon, and fairly savvy as far as work on cars goes. I am also as honest as I can possibly be when selling my cars. That's just the right way to be. But I'm not saying you should trust me, or any of my peers. Go into buying a car with the idea that you're going to spend a grand on maintenance.
You can't lump all e30 owners together. Just stay away from people who seem like they don't know what they're talking about.

[Exodus_2pt0]

It's true though. So many people these days have no idea what it feels like to take pride in your work. If you take pride in your work, you won't half ass anything.

[mybimr]

Lol. My 20 year old daughter also has a 1991 325i. She's heard the speech many times. The thing is, the po was a guy my age who I thought had the same philosophy.

This one was from toledo, my older daughter's was from LA which I flew out and drove home, same for my 89 325is from Pennsylvania, I shipped my cabriolet from Florida, and I picked up a 91 325is parts car from Chicago, I got my 88ix from my father in law, fixed it up with parts i picked up in germany and sold it to someone in boston. I obviously love these cars as much as anyone, and think they deserve the best treatment. After all, they are the best motorized conveyance ever devised by man!

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[mybimr]

couple of west michigan members here who can help out if needed. I'm in muskegon

I've got the motor and tranny out of my 89is. I don't get to talk to many other e30 owners in Michigan. Come on over for a beer and car talk!

Well, I'm 18. I've had 2 e30's and an e34. Buying another e30 soon, and fairly savvy as far as work on cars goes. I am also as honest as I can possibly be when selling my cars. That's just the right way to be. But I'm not saying you should trust me, or any of my peers. Go into buying a car with the idea that you're going to spend a grand on maintenance.
You can't lump all e30 owners together. Just stay away from people who seem like they don't know what they're talking about.

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[lambo]

Hahaha... it sounds like you bought my car

So here's a note to all of you home mechanics:
- PLEASE use new hardware if the old is all rusted out...you're in there anyway, so take the time and spend a few more cents to put it back right!

I definitely reuse old hardware.

- I see a new head, new water pump, but he used the old accessory belts, and didn't even bother to properly tension them! I can only ASSUME he didn't re-use the old timing belt (argh!)

I reused my alternator belt when I did my waterpump/timing belt. Properly tensioned, though.

- exhaust manifold-to cat pipe nuts frozen? Don't just remove the manifold from the head, break the flex coupling to the one-piece cat pipes so you can remove the cat/manifold as one assembly and leave the bastards to someone else!

Mine were frozen, removed it as described, didn't bend anything but I stripped two of the exhaust stud holes on the head. Hasn't been fixed almost a year later.

- can't get the rubber donut for the exhaust hanger on? don't simply use one hanger and leave it for someone else to figure it out later. consult the DIY stuff here, there are a lot of tricks to make it easy!

Yepp. Missing one donut for that exact reason.

- have to destroy the hardware for the cat-to-exhaust flanges? don't just pick some crappy galvanized hardware you have lying around the garage to reconnect. get the proper hardware!!!

Did that.