BMW dealer declines suspension work on E30

[lukeADE335i]

I have just the opposite experience when I park my E30 at the dealer. Several of the sales and service guys have asked me about it as some have never seen one.

Not suggesting it's all dealers, but certainly my local dealer has lost site of their traditional clientele.

Never have had an issue with the parts guys though - they always ask about the car and dig it (and often seem to "need to double check the vin" to have a peak under the hood).

[325e '87]

I have just the opposite experience when I park my E30 at the dealer. Several of the sales and service guys have asked me about it as some have never seen one.

Yeah, at least one of the folks that work there (Greenville, sc) makes me an offer on mine.

[ghrays]

I went to my local dealer a couple of weeks ago to have a look at a couple of F22 demonstrators they had in stock as I'm working out what I might get as a new daily.

I parked the e30 in the carpark by the showroom & service area, when I got back there were 4 guys standing by the car scratching their heads and I was grumpily asked why it was parked there - despite the fact I'd just walked out of the showroom and had popped into the dealer from work so I was in business attire - I wasn't there on a weekend in my hoodie and jeans.

It was obvious they thought my clean old e30 was going to offend the rich Soccer Moms. After more than 20 years driving BMWs, with that treatment I'm seriously considering a C250 coupe instead just on principle.

I have just the opposite experience when I park my E30 at the dealer. Several of the sales and service guys have asked me about it as some have never seen one.

[ghrays]

My biggest concern is why you’d consider taking your e30 to a dealer, especially while living in SoCal.

A few reasons. First, i bought my new 5 series there. Second, they have a great parts department where the manager is very knowledgeable about E30s and he has helped my out many times. I bought the tires and wheels there and needed the balancing re-done as there was a vibration in the steering wheel.

I have done a lot of work on the car myself but when it is beyond my capabilities, I usually bring it to an independent shop in Escondido. I already have an estimate from them for replacing the rear subframe, trailing arm and diff bushings but it is a lot of money so I thought perhaps the dealer, who might have the special BMW tools for the job, could do it cheaper by replacing the bushings without dropping the subframe.

I plan on doing it myself, in part because I want to re-paint the trailing arms and subframe as well as possibly replace the fuel tank and lines while in there.

[Kershaw]

It is a straight forward process. The only bad part about it is if the subframe bushings are stuck in the car.

"You never know how hard or how long it will take. They can be easy and a few hours or be stubborn and take a few days."

I like how you agree with them the very next sentence. Lol. They're absolutely right.

[lukeADE335i]

I went to my local dealer a couple of weeks ago to have a look at a couple of F22 demonstrators they had in stock as I'm working out what I might get as a new daily.

I parked the e30 in the carpark by the showroom & service area, when I got back there were 4 guys standing by the car scratching their heads and I was grumpily asked why it was parked there - despite the fact I'd just walked out of the showroom and had popped into the dealer from work so I was in business attire - I wasn't there on a weekend in my hoodie and jeans.

It was obvious they thought my clean old e30 was going to offend the rich Soccer Moms. After more than 20 years driving BMWs, with that treatment I'm seriously considering a C250 coupe instead just on principle.

[Stanley Rockafella]

I had a shop that specializes in E30 turn down the job on my car. They said "You never know how hard or how long it will take. They can be easy and a few hours or be stubborn and take a few days."

+1
Had a reputable shop turn down my e30 when I wanted rear wheel bearings replaced.

[88BlackS-ETA]

I had a shop that specializes in E30 turn down the job on my car. They said "You never know how hard or how long it will take. They can be easy and a few hours or be stubborn and take a few days."

It is a straight forward process. The only bad part about it is if the subframe bushings are stuck in the car.

[coldweatherblue]

I wouldn't take my car to BMW for maintenance work, but I will say they are a good resource for certain parts.

I usually buy online, but recently decided to replace my aging front valance.

$230-$240 at multiple shops online + $150-200 shipping.

The local dealer could get it the next day for $225 without the shipping charge.

[ButtJuice]

My biggest concern is why you’d consider taking your e30 to a dealer, especially while living in SoCal.

[nando]

Yeah. Maybe - but TBH, i felt really out of place there among all the rich soccer moms in my 2006 E90, lol. Maybe the E30 would be more special, but obviously thats not going to happen..

[DrJosh]

Where I live, the closest BMW dealer is 2 hours away, and I doubt they've seen an E30 recently...

If you're talking about BMW Seattle, I wouldn't be surprised if they still see E28s, E30s, and E34s. I see these cars pretty frequently in the wealthy parts of Seattle, all completely stock and looking pretty clean.

[Rob]

I had a great relationship with my dealer in Charlotte. Not only did I text orders to my parts guys but if I had questions when I went in, he'd grab one of his 2 e30 guys who would come talk to me.

It all depends on who you know.

The one on Independence? I used to know a couple of those guys, solid dudes.

[TimKninja]

I work for a Benz Dealer. We take in all sorts of older cars. I constantly see 300d's old Pagoda SLs , W126s. We have older guys that are cranky and miserable but they know their shit. This kinda surprises me .

I interned at a BMW dealership back in 2008 and saw E30s and E34s in for service often enough as well.

[nando]

Where I live, the closest BMW dealer is 2 hours away, and I doubt they've seen an E30 recently...