New to me 29k mile E30

[mjposner]

Plugs and Air Filter ordered, will install immediately. Will do diff and manual tranny flkuids next month when I have access to lift. Will also check brakes. I will do TB and Water Pump thereafter.

[MR E30 325is]

You should start a detailed build thread in the project forum.

I think it would be really helpful to the community for someone to document what a super low mileage E30 is like (i.e. all the rubber bits, how it runs, stuff like that) to give any other members who are looking at paying a premium for a low mileage car a good estimate of what they might have to deal with.

[squidmaster]

^ That's a great idea

and yes, please don't let it seem like I am trying to talk you OUT of any preventative maintenance! It's never a BAD idea!

[mjposner]

What about valve adjustment?

[squidmaster]

Valve clearance is something you can check without needing to do too much work. Just replace the valve cover gasket when you're done. Pretty good idea to do, especially if that gasket hasn't been replaced in a while.

[nrubenstein]

Car was driven about 1,000 miles per year, based on service records. Timing belt was done in 2012. Car was stored covered in a/C storage unit.

The "two year old" timing belt that I found in mine was cracking. I just replaced that timing belt earlier this year, and the belt I pulled (6 years old / 10,000 miles) looked perfect.

[JRKOUPE]

TB is good insurance...........buuuuut it does not appear to HAVE to get done here......

[dubdub]

I bought a low mile ix, thinking I'd be set to drive with little issue, but the reality was very different. Essentially I had to replace every hose or piece of rubber on the car. Rubber has lines, intake, coolant, engine and shock mounts. Age is a problem, no matter how it was stored.

Good luck. A little work up front will set you up for years of good driving.

[e30strokr]

Yeah, you're thinking of the interval in more modern cars like your subaru, Jesse. For whatever reason, timing belts for cars in the 80s just don't last that long. The interval for the Porsche 944 is the same way.

unless you use a Gates timing belt (Kevlar).... but I still will be worried...

[Stanley Rockafella]

any pics yet?

[mjposner]

29k mile E30 build

So I have had the car a month, and it has had no issues. To-date I have done the following:

1. Sold the hardtop ($1,500) and the Windscreen ($400)

2. Removed US Style front plate and installed a European/German long plate

3. Replace air filter (was very clean, based on service history was original factory filter).

4. Replace spark plugs (car had very good plugs, all worn as expected, based on service history these were the original plugs).

Going forward I will replace differential and transmission fluids and install a new fuel filter.

Debating on tires/wheels. Tires are old (but in perfect condition), and will need to be replaced, but 14" options are tough.

Timing Belt will be done this year as well.

[JRKOUPE]

tires looking perfect are only good for car shows....or collectors.

if over 5 yrs old get NEW ones.

195 65 14???????


federal makes a decent decent tire 4 u.


15's will be waaay easier

[reelizmpro]

Very nice. Keep it original .

[mjposner]

Yes 195/65R 14. I had my tire guy inspect, he said they were fine for now (meaning safe for around town). No summer tires left in that size, looking at 195/60 or 205/65 as replacements.

[MrBurgundy]

Ferderal makes a 205 65 14.