just got an e30.. what do i do now?

[jaye30]

i started my addiction for e30s last year in 08. finally saved up enough money to buy my 89' 325i. now that i have it... theres a couple of problems... the clutch fan is out.. getting out of 1st n 2nd gear is not that smooth.. the car jerks a little bit. i need new sparkplugs. other than that.. i think everything is fine. i want to fix all these problems myself because im not financially able to take it to a mechanic. anyone have any tips and advice? i also want to make some modifications.. but have no idea where to start or even what to look for. I love this car and I need some real good advice to get on the right track. I just want a solid daily driver.

Thanks!

[Danny]

Slap some turbs

[e34john]

Slap some turbs

atleast 4 of them!

[DCColegrove]

Get a service manual... Start reading... Make friends with a mechanic.

[Van Westervelt]

Welcome, congrats on what will now consume your life from the inside out, if you let it. :)

Pick up a Bentley manual...

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-E30-Servic.../dp/0837603250

Nice car in your avatar btw! Its mine at b-fest last year. :)

[AndrewBird]

First off, buy a Bentley manual. It will show you in detail how to fix damn near everything on the car. Indispensable able manual to own.

Clutch fan is a pretty easy job. Just buy a new one and install it. OR, if you live in an area where it doesn't get very hot, just run without a fan. It isn't really needed in cooler areas.

Not sure about the tranny issue. I'd start by changing the fluid and see if that helps.

As far as plugs go, DO NOT USE BOSCH PLATINUMS. Just get a set of Supers (copper core) and you will be good. These engines don't like the platinums.

Other things to check out are all the fluids in the engine including motor oil and filter, coolant, power steering and brakes. It's generally a good idea to change these when you get a used car unless you have full maintenance records. Who knows when it was last done.

Timing belt. If you don't know for a fact that it has been changed, change it. They are another maintenance item and if they snap, your engine is toast.

Suspension bushings. More then likely, all of your will be the original worn out pieces. put the car up on jack stands take the wheels off and check everything out. Anything that looks worn, replace. Generally it is best to replace everything at once, but you can buy each piece over a period of time if you don't have all the cash to do it at once. Just install it all at once. Things to check are control arm bushings, rear upper shock mounts, front upper shock mounts, etc.

Brakes are another wear item. Check the pads and see how much life is left. If there is under a 1/4" of pad left, they need to be changed soon. Other wear items include the rubber hoses that connect the hardlines to the calipers. I suggest going to braided stainless lines if you end up changing them. Check out you clutch hydraulics while your at it. Changing the fluid and bleeding them is also a good idea.

Ignition wires and distributor cap/ rotor. Check these for obvious wear (crack on the wires, carbon buildup on the cap/rotor, etc.). Replace ant parts that look bad.

Valve adjustment. Can be done by yourself, but it helps to have an extra set of hands. Only parts you should need are a valve cover gasket. The Bentley explains the procedure.

If you take car of all this stuff, the car should run like new. Don't worry about getting all this done before driving the car however. Most can go without repair for a long time without causing any further damage. Just don't let anything go for too long.

[Jand3rson]

Nice post, Andy! :up:

[atomic]

First off, buy a Bentley manual. It will show you in detail how to fix damn near everything on the car. Indispensable able manual to own.

Clutch fan is a pretty easy job. Just buy a new one and install it. OR, if you live in an area where it doesn't get very hot, just run without a fan. It isn't really needed in cooler areas.

Not sure about the tranny issue. I'd start by changing the fluid and see if that helps.

As far as plugs go, DO NOT USE BOSCH PLATINUMS. Just get a set of Supers (copper core) and you will be good. These engines don't like the platinums.

Other things to check out are all the fluids in the engine including motor oil and filter, coolant, power steering and brakes. It's generally a good idea to change these when you get a used car unless you have full maintenance records. Who knows when it was last done.

Timing belt. If you don't know for a fact that it has been changed, change it. They are another maintenance item and if they snap, your engine is toast.

Suspension bushings. More then likely, all of your will be the original worn out pieces. put the car up on jack stands take the wheels off and check everything out. Anything that looks worn, replace. Generally it is best to replace everything at once, but you can buy each piece over a period of time if you don't have all the cash to do it at once. Just install it all at once. Things to check are control arm bushings, rear upper shock mounts, front upper shock mounts, etc.

Brakes are another wear item. Check the pads and see how much life is left. If there is under a 1/4" of pad left, they need to be changed soon. Other wear items include the rubber hoses that connect the hardlines to the calipers. I suggest going to braided stainless lines if you end up changing them. Check out you clutch hydraulics while your at it. Changing the fluid and bleeding them is also a good idea.

Ignition wires and distributor cap/ rotor. Check these for obvious wear (crack on the wires, carbon buildup on the cap/rotor, etc.). Replace ant parts that look bad.

Valve adjustment. Can be done by yourself, but it helps to have an extra set of hands. Only parts you should need are a valve cover gasket. The Bentley explains the procedure.

If you take car of all this stuff, the car should run like new. Don't worry about getting all this done before driving the car however. Most can go without repair for a long time without causing any further damage. Just don't let anything go for too long.

Congrats on the new purchase!



Everything he said is spot on...

and what I put in bold should be first and foremost on the to do list! Along with a new H2o pump, timing belt tensioner, T-stat. Camshaft seal & o ring and coolant hoses as needed...


Also, as mentioned, do buy a Bentley manual first off as well.


good luck


;)

[jp_slick]

Timing belt. If you don't know for a fact that it has been changed, change it. They are another maintenance item and if they snap, your engine is toast.

.

Listen to the man on this one, i learned the hard way and my wallet is still mad at me

[monty]

Post some pictures so we can see what your working with.

[jaye30]

thank you everybody for all of your great advice. i am so grateful!
heres a few pics of my baby.

[Tbolt]

not bad, now do some work

[jaye30]

yes. i need to do some engine work before i start working on apperance.

[jaye30]

Welcome, congrats on what will now consume your life from the inside out, if you let it. :)

Pick up a Bentley manual...

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-E30-Servic.../dp/0837603250

Nice car in your avatar btw! Its mine at b-fest last year. :)

man that picture/car is amazing! props.