Hey everyone, I've been a lurker here for a while whilst shopping for a decent car to buy. I've learned a lot from the forums here and have many a DIY bookmarked that I'll be attempting soon. This will be probably about the 6th BMW in my family and I've personally owned a 1987 BMW 535is and a 1995 318is prior to this. I have some wrench time, but for some of the more major operations this will also be a learning experience for me. But that's actually kind of the part I'm excited about, I'm looking forward to learning how to work on more than just the basics.
This is what I got:
(I'll take better pics when time permits)
1992 325i cabrio. AlpineWeissII with Indigo interior and top. Manual transmission of course. The guy originally wanted $3000 and I talked him down to $1500 after rattling off all the stuff I'd have to do to it, which I felt was a fair price and gives me about $800 left to start fixing stuff right off the bat. Also, It's got 196k on the clock and the ODO actually appears to work (for now anyway).
The paint is surprisingly good for having been an AZ car it's whole life. Someone must have loved it at some point. The front seats aren't horrible and the rear seats and side panels were recently redone. The guy I bought the car from referred me to the guy who did it and apparently he still has the material to do the fronts. The dash is absolutely freaking perfect, I'll get a picture of it, because even I couldn't believe it. Also, the AC not only works, but is actually really cold. It's one of the reasons I bought the thing, I've never been in an e30 with a working AC.
First off, does anyone know the part number for that trim piece missing there on the right side below the door but above the rocker panel? I hate missing trim pieces.
Also, are there any DIY/info on fixing a side rear window that won't go back up? I can't find it in the Bentley and every thread I've found on it seems to get no love. If this too, gets no love, I guess I'll tear into it myself and hopefully be able to share something worthwhile.
On to the gritty bits, first thing I'm doing is the timing belt and water pump, especially since the guy who owned it hasn't changed them in three years. It doesn't look too bad, but I'm not the type to take chances. I already ordered the parts from Pelican, and will hopefully get here in time to do it this weekend.
Also, power steering is nearly out, was the issue always the steering rack or might it also be something else? There's some play in the steering wheel (moving laterally side to side, not rotation) and it squeals like a bacon farm. But for the time being, I can totally live with manual steering, I gets bigger muscles and its like a race car, or something.
Also, it looks like the rear main seal is just beginning to leak, there's some oil on the bottom of the bellhousing but it's not dripping. Of the cheaper end E30's I've been looking at, it was the best off (I've seen some things, man). But I supposed it will have to do for now, because...
Finally, the most pressing issue, it failed emissions. I found out after the fact that the guy had it registered in a part of AZ where apparently they don't require emissions(?!). I didn't know this and assumed since it was registered it must have passed emissions (thought it was a state law). I was kind of pissed (mostly at myself) since passing emissions is seemingly always tricky/random, but at least I'll get to learn shit (at least that's what I keep telling myself). I'm currently sorting through the some-odd million emissions threads trying to find a similar situation. If anyone reads this, I'm in Arizona and I only failed on hydrocarbons. I know it's a gas failing to burn issue/misfire. The idle it isn't completely smooth, which makes me think it may be an air/fuel thing if the two are related. I'm gonna check spark plugs and ignition stuff tomorrow when I have time. I'm hoping and praying to whatever deity will help me that it's not the cat or something horrendously budget consuming right now.
Anyway, I hope all that wasn't too long but I like to be thorough :D. I'm glad to be an E30 owner and thank you guys for being such an amazing source of information. Looking forward to contributing in the future.
This is what I got:
(I'll take better pics when time permits)
1992 325i cabrio. AlpineWeissII with Indigo interior and top. Manual transmission of course. The guy originally wanted $3000 and I talked him down to $1500 after rattling off all the stuff I'd have to do to it, which I felt was a fair price and gives me about $800 left to start fixing stuff right off the bat. Also, It's got 196k on the clock and the ODO actually appears to work (for now anyway).
The paint is surprisingly good for having been an AZ car it's whole life. Someone must have loved it at some point. The front seats aren't horrible and the rear seats and side panels were recently redone. The guy I bought the car from referred me to the guy who did it and apparently he still has the material to do the fronts. The dash is absolutely freaking perfect, I'll get a picture of it, because even I couldn't believe it. Also, the AC not only works, but is actually really cold. It's one of the reasons I bought the thing, I've never been in an e30 with a working AC.
First off, does anyone know the part number for that trim piece missing there on the right side below the door but above the rocker panel? I hate missing trim pieces.
Also, are there any DIY/info on fixing a side rear window that won't go back up? I can't find it in the Bentley and every thread I've found on it seems to get no love. If this too, gets no love, I guess I'll tear into it myself and hopefully be able to share something worthwhile.
On to the gritty bits, first thing I'm doing is the timing belt and water pump, especially since the guy who owned it hasn't changed them in three years. It doesn't look too bad, but I'm not the type to take chances. I already ordered the parts from Pelican, and will hopefully get here in time to do it this weekend.
Also, power steering is nearly out, was the issue always the steering rack or might it also be something else? There's some play in the steering wheel (moving laterally side to side, not rotation) and it squeals like a bacon farm. But for the time being, I can totally live with manual steering, I gets bigger muscles and its like a race car, or something.
Also, it looks like the rear main seal is just beginning to leak, there's some oil on the bottom of the bellhousing but it's not dripping. Of the cheaper end E30's I've been looking at, it was the best off (I've seen some things, man). But I supposed it will have to do for now, because...
Finally, the most pressing issue, it failed emissions. I found out after the fact that the guy had it registered in a part of AZ where apparently they don't require emissions(?!). I didn't know this and assumed since it was registered it must have passed emissions (thought it was a state law). I was kind of pissed (mostly at myself) since passing emissions is seemingly always tricky/random, but at least I'll get to learn shit (at least that's what I keep telling myself). I'm currently sorting through the some-odd million emissions threads trying to find a similar situation. If anyone reads this, I'm in Arizona and I only failed on hydrocarbons. I know it's a gas failing to burn issue/misfire. The idle it isn't completely smooth, which makes me think it may be an air/fuel thing if the two are related. I'm gonna check spark plugs and ignition stuff tomorrow when I have time. I'm hoping and praying to whatever deity will help me that it's not the cat or something horrendously budget consuming right now.
Anyway, I hope all that wasn't too long but I like to be thorough :D. I'm glad to be an E30 owner and thank you guys for being such an amazing source of information. Looking forward to contributing in the future.
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