New Member and New Car

[Cinnabar325is]

Hello to everyone. I thought I'd introduce myself and my new (old) car. First, I should say that I've wanted a plastic bumpered 325is since I was 15 years old... and I'm now almost 25. We'll see if it was worth the wait! :p

I'd also like to ask some basic questions about the car itself; I hope people can fill me in. FWIW, I've spent the last two days combing over the car and going through the entire Bentley manual page by page! I'm not used to not knowing every nut and bolt on my cars.

Anyway, the car is an '89 325is in Zinnoberrot. Chassis has 163k but the motor is a swap and the mileage on the block is unknown. The car has an expensive list of recent modifications (last 8k miles), most of which I'm pretty happy about. Car came with the black sport interior although a PO recovered the front seats at some point with a dark gray leather. Everything else is still black.

I was able to buy the car because it has a serious rod knock and the PO was tired of putting money into it. Other than that, the car is mechanically sound and has a number of new maintenance bits on it.

Cosmetically, the car is in dire need of attention, but I thoroughly enjoy "turning a car around" and I'll work on that as time/money allows. Car also has some rust issues in the rear wheel wells and rockers I'll attend too.

Here are some questions I have related to the car (please chime in!):

1.) Anybody have experience with changing rod bearings w/ the motor in the car and bolted down? The Bentley says I can pull the pan off with the motor and subframe in place...

2.) Shouldn't the mirrors be body color? Which E30s came w/ body color mirrors?

3.) What brand of pedal covers are on the car? Are they actual BMW bits?

4.) Where's the best place to buy OEM black floormats?

5.) Did any E30s come with black interior carpet? Is it expensive/difficult to find?

6.) How is the red metal panel lying in the trunk supposed to attach to the frame behind the rear seat? Clearly someone cut all the foam out behind the center of seat...

Some pics of the car below just after buying it. Came with steel wheels and snow tires on it. First thing I did was swap the basketweaves on (painted black :roll:). I do have the OEM brake ducts for it too!























And a peak at some of my other projects; I'm still immersed in the MK2 VW world. Don't know if they get any respect here or not!

'88 GLI


with the '92 GTI


and my huge project '89 GLI

[BrewCity11]

Nice starting point man. Looks like its had a few nice mods done. That panel in the trunk was cut out, probably for a subwoofer. Toss it.

Are those MK wheels on the Jetta?

[Cinnabar325is]

Nice starting point man. Looks like its had a few nice mods done. That panel in the trunk was cut out, probably for a subwoofer. Toss it.

Are those MK wheels on the Jetta?

So I'm stuck with that big hole behind the seat eh?

And yes, I thought you BMW guys might pick up on that quick. They're Mk1s. However, it's been 2 years and I've been unable to find centercaps for 'em.

Would anyone else mind answering a few of my questions?

Thanks. :D

[soupiemelody]

good, a few rust spots needs atten but otherwise good starting point as said...yes there were black carpets, hard to find though I believe. But what most have done, is die their carpets.

[scabzzzz]

Car looks like it has some promise.
Nice VW's. They will get love here. We have a VW thread, duh..

What questions you got sweety?

[Cinnabar325is]

What questions you got sweety?

I numbered them up in my original post.

[scabzzzz]

1.) Anybody have experience with changing rod bearings w/ the motor in the car and bolted down? The Bentley says I can pull the pan off with the motor and subframe in place...Ive never done it. Seems like it would be easier to pull the motor and put it on a stand. If you're going through all that trouble at least, you might as well address some clutch bearings and other shit. Good insurance

2.) Shouldn't the mirrors be body color? Which E30s came w/ body color mirrors?I dont know. I think my early E30's came stock with black mirrors, but the late models body color. 83-87 early, 88-92 late

3.) What brand of pedal covers are on the car? Are they actual BMW bits?If those are OEM, they are rarish. Probably repro's though of some other pedal with M logos on them from ebay.

4.) Where's the best place to buy OEM black floormats?www.blunttech.com.. email Steve (blunt).

5.) Did any E30s come with black interior carpet? Is it expensive/difficult to find?Yes? A lot of people have good luck dying their carpets. But from the looks of it, you should take that carpet out and inspect for rust in the floor pan. Kind of common for rust to be in the footwell on the drivers side. Especially in northern/wet/snowy states. I bet its wet underneath right this second.

6.) How is the red metal panel lying in the trunk supposed to attach to the frame behind the rear seat? Clearly someone cut all the foam out behind the center of seat...Weld it

[rightcoastbias]

Those hubcaps make me jelly.

I like where this car is going.

[leegf]

is that your mk2 gti? so nice! love that you kept it oem+ :up:

[timofeylbelarus]

those r nice vw's i was going to buy one too but i just couldnt get a hold of that guy. its a nice e30 but its got some rust. you can buy a carpet new for like $250ish. or if ur lucky enough and find a clean one at the pull a part for $20 like i did. most of the e30 i believe come with black mirrors. and the red panel is supossed to be welded on and the dude brobably wanted to make a center console or something if he cut out the foam. its a great start tho i remember when i was 16 and i saw an e30 pass by i was overtaken by it

[Cinnabar325is]

1.) Anybody have experience with changing rod bearings w/ the motor in the car and bolted down? The Bentley says I can pull the pan off with the motor and subframe in place...Ive never done it. Seems like it would be easier to pull the motor and put it on a stand. If you're going through all that trouble at least, you might as well address some clutch bearings and other shit. Good insurance I'd agree with you except the clutch bearings, clutch, flywheel and a whole bunch of stuff only has 8k on it. Turns out this bottom end was only put into the car (unknown mileage though) 8k miles ago. I'd really like to blow the rod bearings in and get it on the road so I can take my '88 GLI off the road.

2.) Shouldn't the mirrors be body color? Which E30s came w/ body color mirrors?I dont know. I think my early E30's came stock with black mirrors, but the late models body color. 83-87 early, 88-92 late Yeah, from the pics I've seen, I think an '89 should have body color mirrors. I'll have to fix that.

3.) What brand of pedal covers are on the car? Are they actual BMW bits?If those are OEM, they are rarish. Probably repro's though of some other pedal with M logos on them from ebay. I'll take 'em off, clean them up and see if they say anything on the back.

4.) Where's the best place to buy OEM black floormats?www.blunttech.com.. email Steve (blunt). Thanks.

5.) Did any E30s come with black interior carpet? Is it expensive/difficult to find?Yes? A lot of people have good luck dying their carpets. But from the looks of it, you should take that carpet out and inspect for rust in the floor pan. Kind of common for rust to be in the footwell on the drivers side. Especially in northern/wet/snowy states. I bet its wet underneath right this second. Yes sir! Carpet is quite wet, although the floorpan looks good from underneath. Planning to yank the carpet to address the wetness. Is there any particular place where these cars let water in? In Mk2 VWs, it's always the vapor barriers behind the doorcards.

6.) How is the red metal panel lying in the trunk supposed to attach to the frame behind the rear seat? Clearly someone cut all the foam out behind the center of seat...Weld it I suppose so, easier said than done.

Thanks for the help so far.

[scabzzzz]

Thanks for the help so far.

In regards to the carpet wetness... You should check the sunroof drainage areas. Also, make sure your doors have good seals on them. I think the seals are NLA from the dealer, but you may be able to get a good used set. Also, from what I've noticed, a lot of the wetness and rusting in the pans is largely due to getting in and out of the car with wet and snowy shoes. It never really drys, and just stays wet underneath the carpet. I'll bet there is rust underneath there, its just not bad enough to create rot visible from understand. You'll definitely want to pull the carpet and POR-15 the pans after sanding the surface rust out (if there is any). Let the carpet dry, should be OK. All weather mats are a must for you yankee's ;)
Not an issue down here.

[freeride53]

Love the hubcaps & stance.

[BrewCity11]

You should do a search as far as the leaking goes. Numerous write-ups on here.

You'll have a verrrry hard time ever finding caps for those MK1's but Borbet caps are the same diameter, FYI

[Cinnabar325is]

In regards to the carpet wetness... You should check the sunroof drainage areas. Also, make sure your doors have good seals on them. I think the seals are NLA from the dealer, but you may be able to get a good used set. Also, from what I've noticed, a lot of the wetness and rusting in the pans is largely due to getting in and out of the car with wet and snowy shoes. It never really drys, and just stays wet underneath the carpet. I'll bet there is rust underneath there, its just not bad enough to create rot visible from understand. You'll definitely want to pull the carpet and POR-15 the pans after sanding the surface rust out (if there is any). Let the carpet dry, should be OK. All weather mats are a must for you yankee's ;)
Not an issue down here.

Good info. Does BMW make good all-weather mats that fit E30s? VW makes "Monster Mats" that are awesome. Similar to Weather-Tech mats.