A car that brings back good memories, with boosted spirits. My '88 325is

[brett_duenas]

Some updates found in post #4, picks up again in post #72 (page 5)
General discussion throughout the thread

This thread will be used mainly to post pictures and document my ownership of this car. I bought it from a used car-lot in Everett, WA 6 days ago (04-21-2014) from a guy who had just got the car from his dad's long-time next-door neighbor who was the original owner and passed away.

My first car was an e30 (pictured below) that I bought in Germany. Like most men I have always wanted it back.

I used this link to get the original manufacturers options list and to find out her true birthday.

Production Date: 1987.12.14
Color: Bronzit-Beige Metallic (139)
2 door coupe
AutoTragic
112,394 original miles

Options:

• S209A SPERRDIFFERENTIAL 25% (Differential Lock 25% 3.73)
• S226A SPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG (Sports Suspension Settings)
• S281A LM-RAD 6-1/2 X 14 (BMW LA Wheel, Chrome-Plated/Round Spoke)
• S324A FRONT-UND HECKSPOILER (Front and Rear Spoiler)
• S401A SCHIEBE-HEBEDACH, ELEKTRISCH (Lift-up-and-slide-back Sunroof, Electric)
• S410A FENSTERHEBER, ELEKTRISCH VORN (Window Lifts, Electric, Front)
• S481A SPORTSITZE FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER (Sports Seats)
• S530A KLIMAANLAGE (Air Conditioning)
• S540A GESCHWINDIGKEITSREGELUNG (Cruise Control)
• S551A BORDCOMPUTER II MIT FERNBEDIENUNG (On-Board Computer II with Remote Control)
• S562A KARTENLESELEUCHTE (Reading Light)
• S657A BMW SOUND SYSTEM (Sound System)
• S708A M SPORT-LEDERLENKRAD II (M Sports Steering Wheel, Leather)

My previous vehicles:

1. 100% Euro 1990 BMW 320i - Calypsorot ...yes, drum brakes
   
   
   
2. 2006 BMW 325i - Alpine White (Lara)
   
   
   
3. 2009 Honda CBR600RR - Originally Red, Pearl White and Pearl Blue (Limited Edition)
   
   
   
4. 2012 VW Golf R - Tornado Red (Layla)
   

[brett_duenas]

Routine Maintenance Performed:

• Water Pump @ 112,475
• Intake Air Filter @ 113,000
• Fuel Filter @ 113,000
• Diff Fluid @ 113,125
• Fuel Injector Refresh @ 113,125
• Distributor cap and rotor @ 113,200
• Spark Plugs @ 113,285
• R134a Conversion - Condenser/Dryer/TXV/O-Rings @ 114,045
• Valve Adjustment @ 114,580 (22 July 2014)
• Front control arms (Lemförder), FCABs (Powerflex Poly) and tie rods (Lemförder) @ 122,197
• Wheel alignment @ 122,240 (27 April 2015)
• Valve Adjustment @ 125,380 (03 July 2015)

[brett_duenas]

Random pictures:







OEM suspension height


CAtuned coilover suspension height

[brett_duenas]

04-27-2014
First things first, water pump and timing belt! Thanks for the DIY
Foggy lens...






I then noticed that one of the adjuster screws for the driver-side headlight was broken and causing the light to point downwards. I had some outlet spacers (for houses) laying around and made a quick fix for the time being...



05-14-2014
So 3 weeks into ownership the car began to develop rough idle and gasping symptoms which mostly happened after being warmed up/driven and eventually threw a CEL. Did some research about extracting codes but having a 153 DME I wasn't able to do the stomp test. Damn.

Thinking about all the intake leak issues I've read about, I checked the rubber boot thoroughly and found multiple hair-lines cracks which I sealed with RTV (until I buy a new boot). Still bucked and choked when warm... I checked the plugs and found #4 and #6 to be fuel soaked so I picked up some cheap-o Autolite's and threw them in. Checked the distributor, rotor and wires; they checked out. It ran better when it wasn't acting up but the plugs weren't the solution. I took the ICV off and cleaned it with carb cleaner, reinstalled. No dice, same problem except the symptoms occurred sporadically now, not only when warm. Temp sensor (blue connector) checked out, TPS checked out, I re-bled my cooling system thinking it would help, nothing.

Just when I was about to throw a grenade at it, I disconnected the injector harness (under the intake manifold) to find corrosion on the pins. THIS had to be the problem. I picked up some electrical contact cleaner when I was at Lowes (killed two birds with one stone), came back and cleaned the connection... instant awesomeness.

[Bizzyboy904]

Really clean bay,! did you clean it or was it bought this way? Also nice pictures what cam are you using (please don't say Iphone)

[brett_duenas]

Thanks, pretty much bought it that way... it still needs more cleaning though. Pictures were taken with a Canon T2i and 10-22mm lens.

[efficient]

Real clean car.

[brett_duenas]

Sold my R!
Goodbye VW.

[RUFFLZ]

dayumn.
hard to come by oem leather in that good of shape, nice come up opie

[brett_duenas]

did a little thread organizing. also added pics/links of my previous vehicles to the OP :)

edit: just got my title in the mail! Free and clear!

[brett_duenas]

Got the garage cleaned up a little bit!

[Codym42]

Wow looks clean and fully optioned!! Nice score.

Oh, and your old calypso car looks beautiful!

[brett_duenas]

Thanks! Ive been looking for a while now and im in the middle of selling my house and moving to MI so I knew it was now or never, as far as finding a clean e30 for a decent price (we all know about the overabundance of rust buckets in the mid-west/east coast). The calypso was my first love. I was absolutely heartbroken when I lost it (long story) and even more-so when I saw it wrecked and being hauled away on a flatbed. Now that Ive got my paws on another one, I feel complete. Like another member said, "Dream Realized."

A pic of my current house (pending sale!).

[e30Brah]

What's the story behind the calypso?

[brett_duenas]

Hello from Michigan!