Maintaining a bmw e30 m3

[ian3]

Hey I have a bmw e30 m3 with a s50 motor and its always a problem after another or just minor issues. But I love the car. I put down a list of problems the car is having and some things that need to be fixed. I've already put a lot of time into the car and it drives great for the most part. Working on the car is just a good hobby to have.

Problems:
oil pan gasket (has anyone replaced this for a s50 swap on an e30 and is a lift recommended?)
valve cover gasket

Things needed to be fixed:
turn signals and m3 emblem (may just have to take it to a bodyshop because of the way they are mounted to the bumper, it is ghetto rigged)
-straighten exhaust

Here are some pictures







It isn't perfect yet but I think it looks much better than when I first started working on it. Between this project and college for my mechanical engineering degree it will take awhile but I can't wait until the project is perfected.

[kalib0y]

nice car!

[Lof8]

I'm guessing you bought the car already swapped. Your "list of projects" is pretty minimal, especially in comparison to the swap.

Car looks nice!

[ian3]

No its been in the family for a long time and one of my relatives couldn't maintain it so I started to pay the taxes and insurance for it. The swap was done during that time so I know the specs on the motor. The list of projects is minimal for now because college isn't cheap and I guess those are just "necessities, not really projects." But I love the car and hope to keep it running within the family tree.

[ian3]

People also love to hit the front the bumper when its parked. So now that needs to be straightened once again :/

[phreshkid]

I want relatives like yours

[1mz]

still a nice car man, where in NoVa are you? (Im assuming you are in NoVa haha)

[ian3]

Dumfries, VA...and thanks bro and to the other members as well. but I also reside in Fairfax County alot.

[freeride53]

Lol just noticed the front turn/parking lights.
That thing could definitely get a turn around, it already looks nice as hell, and most people here would be/are jealous of you.

[1mz]

word, Im in FFX as well, workin herndon, live in oakton, about to move to falls church probably,maybe arlington

[ian3]

I know right but money is just tight and its garage kept for now with a few cruises on the weekends..and yes i know people are jealous which is why I want to keep it running. The car has so much history that it would be a shame to do anything otherwise.

[ian3]

lol i've lived in springfield, burke, arlington, centreville, dumfries, etc. But you should go to the kingstowne shopping mall meets on Monday evenings. Its a good turnout with a wide variety of cars. PM me if you have any questions.

[pandaboo911]

Nice m3 ^^
to try and answer your questions, I have not done an oilpan gasket on a 24v e30, let alone an m3.
On an m20 you can do it by simply lifting the engine a few inches, dropping the oilpump into the pan, and then removing it. However the 24v engines have a gear driven oilpump and e30s are shaft driven. You may run into some issues getting the oilpump off with the very little clearance between the block and pan. I recommend dropping the subframe.

As for the valve cover gasket, make sure you replace the spark plug hole gaskets and perhaps vanos gaskets as well, if they fail after you install the vc gasket you'll have to replace it again since they are generally 1 time use.

[1mz]

hah, I lived in Kingstown for 15 years (went to Hayfield actually...) but unfortunately I live ~ 45 min from there now withOUT traffic... hence why I haven't been to those meets yet.

[graphikg]

Nice car - Lets see the bay!

I can answer that oil pan question though. Its a crappy job, took me a while, but it is sooo satisfying to know that your oil has nowehere to be but in your engine. :)

You do not need a lift - but it would make life easier. I did it in my garage. What you do need though, is something to lift the engine up - like a support beam or something that can crank the engine up about 5-7 inches or so. I needed a lot of clearance for my s50 e30 subframe. You also have 2-3 bolts that you cannot get to unless the tranny is off! Thats why the job can take long. Might as well replace the clutch and flywheel once you're at it if you need to.

In short: take the tranny out, unbolt the motor mounts, lift the motor up to have enough space between the subframe and pan, and take all those 24 or so bolts to replace. Again - tight car!