need as much help as i can get!!!

[cecat90]

Hello Guys,
I am new to this forum, and to E30's.... i have never owned one, but i need a little here and there....
I am about to buy a 1990 325i....

and my main concerns were, what would you guys check for (from past experience) on the car. what are some major things i should inspect and watch out for....

also more info on the car is... it is a 1990 325i, 5sp manual, 140,xxx miles, pretty much stock all around.


any info would be really helpful... thanks for your time, and excuse my novice question.

[Teaguer]

The one major thing to look for when buying an E30 is the age of the timing belt .
Really important to change them every 60k or you are asking for trouble .

Other than that its mainly the everyday stuff .

Not really a big fan of sending people to other sites but you might want to check out the Buyers Guide on e30tech .

[cecat90]

oh yeah, sorry forgot to mention, the exhaust was replaced (original BMW one though, not some ricer stuff.), and the timing belt was also replaced.... there is a lot of paper work with all the oil changes on it, and anything done to the car.



i was also wondering, how reliable exactly are these e30's at higher miles???

[Justin B]

I wouldn't consider 140k on an M20 particularly HIGH, theyre bullet proof. The rest of the car would require basic maintenance like replacements of some bushings if theyre toasted, etc. Basic little things, but I bought mine at 118k and its got 145 on it now I think? Running just as good as ever, though I did overhaul the whole suspension, a lot of the parts were still in good condition.

[Midnight Sun]

Guibos, carrier bearing, cv boots and tie rod ends.

Not particularly expensive by themselves, but if you inherit a car that needs them replaced it can get really really annoying, and pricey all at once.

Other than that, just basic car stuff.

Expect little things to wrong, such as the shifter having a lot of play and coolant light being on.