I've been a member here for a few weeks now mostly using the search feature to answer most of my questions. I tried posting on ClubM42 but that place is DEAD. Anyway, most of my automotive experience is coming from RWD volvos so my first E30 is a completely different animal. I was looking for an M42 powered E30 for about 6 months until I came across this rough example. The price was right, the mileage was low (138k) and it came with a folder full of service history. I wanted a 4 cyl because the roads around here reward agility over straight line HP. Besides I have a lot more fun in the twisties.
The day I got it 2 weeks ago. Don't be fooled. The paint is toast. I'll be painting it white real soon.
The interior was even worse.
First thing was first, dropped the pan, tightened all the loose screws with thread locker.
Bottom side of cyl #1 up close and personal.
Fixed a leak in the radiator overflow tank
Removed the intake to clean out all the oily deposits and fix some vacuum leaks.
I completely eliminated the mother of all vacuum leaks. This mess was the TB heater system hiding under my intake. Good riddance.
16 valve PAWAHHHH!!!! lol
Just for comparison sake, The first 2 intake runners have been cleaned, the rear 2 have yet to be cleaned.
Buttoned everything up and topped it off with a little paint job. I think I have to to the valve cover now.
While I was at it, I did a little online shopping.
The tires that came on the steel wheels have a lot of life left in them but I really hate hub caps so I figured what hell, you don't see a lot of BMWs rolling on silver steelies. Before and after action. Besides I live in the ghetto. I want to fit in ;)
Bye bye loose ball joints.
Hello offset bushings.
New passenger side engine mount made a world of difference in noise and vibration.
Craigslist strikes again.
Falken Azenis FTW! With 195/60 tires my speedometer is 10% off according to GPS. And I love! Makes my 4.1 diff act more like a 4.27. seriously good deal too.
More spray painting action. Its nice having 2 sets of wheels and an impact wrench. Steelies for the highway cruise, bottle caps for the local twisties. Love it!
Earlier last weekend, I finally had a chance to take the car for a spin out in the hills. OMG! Between the new control arms and the Azenis its a completely different animal. With the 4.1 diff acceleration is more than I could ask. The Azenis tires stick like nothing I've ever driven before. They more than make up for the lack of LSD. I don't think I'll ever find the limit of this tire on a public road. Love it.
Got to love Marin.
Now that the front end was sorted, I was getting concerned about the clunk from the rear end whenever I shift. I suspect the its coming from the diff mount. I can move the diff up and down with one hand.
Today I went a little shopping spree at the JY (1/2 sale all weekend at PickApart) and I found this diff cover on an 85 318.
I think this solid M3 bushing is brand new. Cost me $12 already pressed :D
Other JY goodies about to go onto the car is this Volvo 940 turbo 2 speed Efan to replace both the clutch fan and the aux fan. Just need to trim the shoroud a bit otherwise its a perfect fit.
The hood insulation mat from an ETA because the 318 didn't come with one. Yes its in my JY bitch neon.
And a dirty old back seat with no rips. Before...
After cleaning. Its still has a few more days to dry in my back yard.
And that was just the first 2 weeks.
The day I got it 2 weeks ago. Don't be fooled. The paint is toast. I'll be painting it white real soon.
The interior was even worse.
First thing was first, dropped the pan, tightened all the loose screws with thread locker.
Bottom side of cyl #1 up close and personal.
Fixed a leak in the radiator overflow tank
Removed the intake to clean out all the oily deposits and fix some vacuum leaks.
I completely eliminated the mother of all vacuum leaks. This mess was the TB heater system hiding under my intake. Good riddance.
16 valve PAWAHHHH!!!! lol
Just for comparison sake, The first 2 intake runners have been cleaned, the rear 2 have yet to be cleaned.
Buttoned everything up and topped it off with a little paint job. I think I have to to the valve cover now.
While I was at it, I did a little online shopping.
The tires that came on the steel wheels have a lot of life left in them but I really hate hub caps so I figured what hell, you don't see a lot of BMWs rolling on silver steelies. Before and after action. Besides I live in the ghetto. I want to fit in ;)
Bye bye loose ball joints.
Hello offset bushings.
New passenger side engine mount made a world of difference in noise and vibration.
Craigslist strikes again.
Falken Azenis FTW! With 195/60 tires my speedometer is 10% off according to GPS. And I love! Makes my 4.1 diff act more like a 4.27. seriously good deal too.
More spray painting action. Its nice having 2 sets of wheels and an impact wrench. Steelies for the highway cruise, bottle caps for the local twisties. Love it!
Earlier last weekend, I finally had a chance to take the car for a spin out in the hills. OMG! Between the new control arms and the Azenis its a completely different animal. With the 4.1 diff acceleration is more than I could ask. The Azenis tires stick like nothing I've ever driven before. They more than make up for the lack of LSD. I don't think I'll ever find the limit of this tire on a public road. Love it.
Got to love Marin.
Now that the front end was sorted, I was getting concerned about the clunk from the rear end whenever I shift. I suspect the its coming from the diff mount. I can move the diff up and down with one hand.
Today I went a little shopping spree at the JY (1/2 sale all weekend at PickApart) and I found this diff cover on an 85 318.
I think this solid M3 bushing is brand new. Cost me $12 already pressed :D
Other JY goodies about to go onto the car is this Volvo 940 turbo 2 speed Efan to replace both the clutch fan and the aux fan. Just need to trim the shoroud a bit otherwise its a perfect fit.
The hood insulation mat from an ETA because the 318 didn't come with one. Yes its in my JY bitch neon.
And a dirty old back seat with no rips. Before...
After cleaning. Its still has a few more days to dry in my back yard.
And that was just the first 2 weeks.
What's the secret?
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