Finally bought an e30

[peter321]

I just drove a mini van for the last 9 months so getting into this thing has been more than a dream come true. Ive been looking to get into one ever since I saw one 4 or 5 years ago. Its a 1991 lazurblau 325i coupe. Heres a couple pics i took.

DSC_0013 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0014 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0015 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0019 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0020 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0021 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0027 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0027 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0012 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0013 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0014 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0015 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0017 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0018 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

My step dad had his friend look at it and he said it could use a new muffler, and its missing the power steering casing.

Just driving it today I noticed the gas tank needle was fidgety which kinda freaked me out. Is that common? Cause for concern?

Its got a glass sunroof which I thought was cool. It gets stuck a lot though and its really hard to tell when its full closed. I think there may have been a leak, or he didn't properly close it.

The brake lining light is on. Just looking through the manual real quick it said it could just be the pads but should this be number 1 on my list? or the other two above?

How rare is that machine that resets the oil change service light? Two guys I talked to didn't have it. Would every bmw shop have one and is there any way to do it myself?

Its an auto which was disappointing. I make decent money in the summer so Im probably just gonna swap it then.

Back bumper is cracked. PO said his grandpa backed into it. Im guessing I have to replace the whole thing?

Sorry for all the rambling and questions. Im looking to get this thing into as best condition as possible but its going to be a learning process as I don't know much about cars. Bentley manual is on its way though:)

[rd400racer]

I think it looks great...I really like the blue.

I wish I could help with your questions but I'm fairly new to E30's myself. Now E36's, that's another story. I know too much about them!! (that's why I got an E30).


Only advice I can give is to straighten out that front license...it's driving me crazy!


All joking aside, that's a very nice machine you picked up.

[squidmaster]

Beautiful! One of the best BMW colors ever.

You don't need no stinkin' machine to reset the SIL (service indicator light).

http://www.beckerelectronics.com/BMW/servicelightreset.html

Have fun!

[jhaurimn]

That glass sunroof you got is super rare. (if its oem) Not to mention the color of the car is pretty uncommon as well.

Give it some love and it will clean up very nice! And straighten that front license plate :p

[Eufonik]

Love the color of the color! For me, I rarely see that here in the Bay Area. Btw, I went to swap the sun roof from my 87 to the 88 because of better condition. The 88 I just bought last Friday, also had a problem sliding all the way down in the fully open position, but tilted just fine. Through the swap from the 87 to the 88, I figured quite a few things that can help with a friend. What problem are you having with your sunroof? I may be able to shoot you some tips in getting to function again! Lmk!


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[Eufonik]

Beautiful! One of the best BMW colors ever.

You don't need no stinkin' machine to reset the SIL (service indicator light).

http://www.beckerelectronics.com/BMW/servicelightreset.html

Have fun!

My friend was telling me about that! As soon as I tune up the car. I'm gonna give that a shot! Thank you sir!


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[Verdurous]

Nice car! That glass sun roof is a good find, I'd like to get one someday.

[peter321]

Beautiful! One of the best BMW colors ever.

You don't need no stinkin' machine to reset the SIL (service indicator light).

http://www.beckerelectronics.com/BMW/servicelightreset.html

Have fun!

Thats awesome, it annoys me so much to see all these red lights knowing theres nothing wrong.

That glass sunroof you got is super rare. (if its oem) Not to mention the color of the car is pretty uncommon as well.

Give it some love and it will clean up very nice! And straighten that front license plate :p

Ill straighten it out but if you see its only connected with one bolt, which I think is for the international plates. The two holes that line up don't have anything to screw into and I can't get behind it because its inside the bumper. And of course I bought it from a guy in PA so he didn't need a front plate.

Love the color of the color! For me, I rarely see that here in the Bay Area. Btw, I went to swap the sun roof from my 87 to the 88 because of better condition. The 88 I just bought last Friday, also had a problem sliding all the way down in the fully open position, but tilted just fine. Through the swap from the 87 to the 88, I figured quite a few things that can help with a friend. What problem are you having with your sunroof? I may be able to shoot you some tips in getting to function again! Lmk!


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I am PMing you right now!

[peter321]

I also forgot to mention that my seats are really messed up and they are killing me! I am on the hunt for tan sport seats but I am interested in any kind/color that are close to me. Must be in good working condition

[ante30]

nice color

[peter321]

Having trouble with my shade blocker. Should it be on the top or bottom?

Driver side

DSC_0028 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

Passenger side

DSC_0027 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0031 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

DSC_0035 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

[blunttech]

nice score .. Looks like maybe just the center section of trim is cracked. Hard to tell from the pics though. Make it the best you can and worry about the 5 speed once its dialed in

[KIRIEIW]

cant believe noone answer OP's questions
Check your break pads, you dont want them to be super low and distroy your rotors yet. Could just be a open in the circuit.

Your gas gauge is doing that because 1. Theres corrosion on the ground screw on the gauge cluster (Fuel gauge ground of course). Or worst case you need a new fuel level sensor.

I think your biggest concern should be your pads and timing belt at this point. Also removal of front license plate ;)
Good luck OP

[Lodsin]

cant believe noone answer OP's questions
Check your break pads, you dont want them to be super low and distroy your rotors yet. Could just be a open in the circuit.

Your gas gauge is doing that because 1. Theres corrosion on the ground screw on the gauge cluster (Fuel gauge ground of course). Or worst case you need a new fuel level sensor.

I think your biggest concern should be your pads and timing belt at this point. Also removal of front license plate ;)
Good luck OP

Cant believe you read that paragraph to see his issues.

Could just be the brake sensors, maybe previous owner didn't replace them -will give you "Brake Lining" light. As mentioned, worth the time to check out your "breaks". Gas gauge's being sporadic is fairly common, fill her up and track with your odometer. (keep a small tank with you on this experiment)

Timing belt is always first on m20's, unless you want your next task to be an engine rebuild.

If the glass moon roof is the same as all others mechanically, they can easily get off track or be in a different spot on their own tracks L/R. Not sure about that shade blocker, as I've only had metal... T_T

[peter321]

cant believe noone answer OP's questions
Check your break pads, you dont want them to be super low and distroy your rotors yet. Could just be a open in the circuit.

Your gas gauge is doing that because 1. Theres corrosion on the ground screw on the gauge cluster (Fuel gauge ground of course). Or worst case you need a new fuel level sensor.

I think your biggest concern should be your pads and timing belt at this point. Also removal of front license plate ;)
Good luck OP

Yeah Im thinking brakes will be my next thing to tackle. The gas gauge has been ok since I said that, idk if its more likely to do that when Im low.

As for the timing belt, PO had it done 4k miles ago with receipts.

Cant believe you read that paragraph to see his issues.

Could just be the brake sensors, maybe previous owner didn't replace them -will give you "Brake Lining" light. As mentioned, worth the time to check out your "breaks". Gas gauge's being sporadic is fairly common, fill her up and track with your odometer. (keep a small tank with you on this experiment)

Timing belt is always first on m20's, unless you want your next task to be an engine rebuild.

If the glass moon roof is the same as all others mechanically, they can easily get off track or be in a different spot on their own tracks L/R. Not sure about that shade blocker, as I've only had metal... T_T

Its been raining all day today and its been leaking slightly. Im hoping its not too big of a deal.


I got new seats!

Before:

DSC_0020 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

After:

DSC_0013 by peternicholls1, on Flickr

They completely changed the feel of the car. Maybe its just because I don't have to use a pillow anymore.

The driver side seat has a lot of trouble going up and down, but its at least in a good position for driving. For a while I was worried the passenger seat wouldn't stay up with normal pressure but it just took a little bit to lock in.

Anyone have a tan bench for sale?

Or wanna trade for my blue one?

Anyone interested in my comfort seats? They're pretty fucked up, but may be an easy fix for someone who knows what they're doing. Id be happy to take pictures/videos for anyone serious about buying.