New Owner - 1989 325is

[turbotuner20v]

1989 BMW 325is

5spd, power windows and sunroof, everything seems to work well.

Only issues are the odometer is broken (reads 210,000 vs. ~220,000), the seats are pretty torn up, and the speakers crackle.

Mechanically it seems very sound, the only issue appears to be a rotten center resonator/cat? that will soon be replaced w/ a straight pipe or an aftermarket cat.

What do you guys think? Any advice? I'm a BMW noob, but decent with a wrench if people point me in the right direction.

[Bimmerista]

Congrats!

You actually bought one of the best years on the e30. Do you have any plans with it? Make sure you get the timing belt, water pump, & drive belts replaced soon (unless they have been done recently).

[sirsteezo]

niiice!

just replace the entire exhaust system.

[Court M3]

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to R3v.

[Dave]

Congrats!

You actually bought one of the best years on the e30. Do you have any plans with it? Make sure you get the timing belt, water pump, & drive belts replaced soon (unless they have been done recently).

From the pictures, it looks like its been a long time since those hoses have been off, so I'd hazard a guess that the timing belt may be due. THIS IS CRITICAL - search around here for what happens when you snap a timing belt - it isn't pretty.

Basically, at that age/mileage, I'd check everything rubber on the car and see if it needs replacing - hoses, belts, suspension bushings, motor and transmission mounts, etc. Also check your tie rods and control arm ball joints for play. Wheel bearings also would be good to check. If you have access to a lift, you can do all of this pretty quickly.

Get a Bentley manual (about $30-40) as it will be your best friend in learning about the car. Do not get a Haynes or Chilton - they are inferior.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

[AWDE30]

Good BMW to start with.

[skota]

Very cool car, after the mech./maintenance stuff is done, I'd drop it and start looking for some sport seats. Nice color too, welcome.

From your username I'd guess your an Audi guy too?

[turbotuner20v]

Very cool car, after the mech./maintenance stuff is done, I'd drop it and start looking for some sport seats. Nice color too, welcome.

From your username I'd guess your an Audi guy too?

I think it has the leather sport seats, but they're cracked so they have covers on them. It's really well bolstered. How much does recovering usually cost? Cheaper to buy another set?

I used to have a 462whp 2001 GTI 1.8t I built.

Right now I've got an '08 G35 6MT sedan and the E30 now.

[Jand3rson]

Welcome! We have an incredible wealth of information, you just have to read, read, read, read and search! Chances are, any question you've got has already been asked, answered and beaten to death. And don your nomex, because the flames can get pretty high around here sometimes. But if we don't scare you off, we hope you'll stick around. Great looking car!

Josh

[skota]

I think it has the leather sport seats, but they're cracked so they have covers on them. It's really well bolstered. How much does recovering usually cost? Cheaper to buy another set?

I used to have a 462whp 2001 GTI 1.8t I built.

Right now I've got an '08 G35 6MT sedan and the E30 now.

My best advise would be to buy another set if they're cracked, unless you know someone in the business.

462hp GTI. WOW, what are your plans for the e30?

[turbotuner20v]

My best advise would be to buy another set if they're cracked, unless you know someone in the business.

462hp GTI. WOW, what are your plans for the e30?

nothing too crazy... I just want a fun weekend/track car. For now I'm just going to go through the car step by step and freshen things up.

Here's a few pics of the GTI:

[delphini]

nice car i like the color..... tidy up that engine bay a bit though .

[turbotuner20v]

nice car i like the color..... tidy up that engine bay a bit though .

Yea, it just got a 5 min. spray the night before... it needs to be detailed inside and under the hood.

[808AWD325xi]

looks good :)

[///M42 sport]

Nice, i'm in KC, MO too.

heres my timing belt writeup from a while ago.

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1889