What did you do to your E30 today?

[coldweatherblue]

Those are classic E30 issues that probably everyone on this forum has dealt with at some point.

If you paid a lot for the car as you said, I would assume that the body/mechanicals are at least in decent shape?

Sounds like maybe your car looks nice but wasn't properly maintained and was sold by someone to capitalize on E30s becoming classic. (just speculation).

My car was the same way when I got it. Keeping these cars nice requires someone who is willing to get into fixing the little things that break on E30s over 30 years of use. I'm not talking a to the frame restoration, just things like replacing all the hoses, belts (timing belt especially) electrical components, bushings, suspension wear parts, etc.

Your cluster probably needs to completely rebuilt by bavrest.com. Or you could roll the dice on an Ebay cluster and save $150 but probably end up with another broken cluster.

Also you should start a thread for your car in this forum, post pics and people will help you fix specific issues as this is a separate thread. :)

[Anthead]

hey man, don't despair.



The torque for E30 wheel-bolts (lugnuts) is like 90ft/lbs.



Most road-side tire shops will torque it to 120+ risking stripping your wheel-bolts and also making it impossible to get your wheels off without a ***breaker bar*** which is what you need.



Unfortunately this is a slippery slope and the next job may require a ton of more tools but that's what the E30 is about on a budget.

Thanks for words and advice... I went out yesterday and got a breaker bar but it left everything on hold... I also had to get a new floor jack bc the one I originally bought (on stupid clearance for $3) was basically a little toy and didn't even lift the car high enough for the stands I had [emoji53]

I def bought it to get back into stick driving and tinkering around, and I knew it was going to be more expensive bc it's an older BMW.. but it feels like things are just falling apart haha.. the other day my glovebox wouldn't stay shut, I got frustrated and slammed it closed and there it stayed.i had to unscrew it from the back and break off the latch which was on its last leg. I guess me slamming it either broke off something or loosened it up.

One thing that got me real excited was when I successfully replaced the odometer gears.. except when I popped everything back in I noticed how the odometer is the ONLY thing that works on the cluster. I'm hoping it's just the SI batteries. And of course, from tapping on the cluster for the gas gauge the stupid needle for the tach fell off..

At what point should I cut my losses and start over? Maybe just sell this one and buy another, cheaper E30? Lol


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[Anthead]

find some local people to help mentor you. Ask questions here, and also check out youtube, tons of information there.

We all started out as newbies. Don't feel bad, just chunk it up to growing pains. You'll get there.

Thanks!


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[coldweatherblue]

Damn that is a handsome car. Wheel specs?

Thanks man.

I like to think my car is classy but it started super cheap. Wheel specs are: Vogtland springs, ESM RS reps; 15x7 fronts, 15x8 rear, Yoko S-drive 205/55r15.

Surprisingly I've never seen another car with the same specs although I'm sure they're out there as this is bare-bones e30 aftermarket.

[coldweatherblue]

Attempted to change the oil..after draining old oil I couldn't get the filter off so I had to buy filter pliers..

Yesterday I also failed on the brakes and rotors replacement project... I couldn't get passed the first lug nut.....

hey man, don't despair.

The torque for E30 wheel-bolts (lugnuts) is like 90ft/lbs.

Most road-side tire shops will torque it to 120+ risking stripping your wheel-bolts and also making it impossible to get your wheels off without a ***breaker bar*** which is what you need.

Unfortunately this is a slippery slope and the next job may require a ton of more tools but that's what the E30 is about on a budget.

[TeXJ]

Attempted to change the oil..after draining old oil I couldn't get the filter off so I had to buy filter pliers..

Yesterday I also failed on the brakes and rotors replacement project... I couldn't get passed the first lug nut.....

I bought this car bc I fell in love with it and I wanted to learn to tinker with cars.. I paid to much and already putting more than I wanted to, I feel like a loser


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

find some local people to help mentor you. Ask questions here, and also check out youtube, tons of information there.

We all started out as newbies. Don't feel bad, just chunk it up to growing pains. You'll get there.

[Anthead]

Attempted to change the oil..after draining old oil I couldn't get the filter off so I had to buy filter pliers..

Yesterday I also failed on the brakes and rotors replacement project... I couldn't get passed the first lug nut.....

I bought this car bc I fell in love with it and I wanted to learn to tinker with cars.. I paid to much and already putting more than I wanted to, I feel like a loser


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[Mazdayasna]

Added fog light deletes to the valence i painted. I fucked it up if you're pebbles beach but from 10ft it looks good.

Damn that is a handsome car. Wheel specs?

Unrelated, I bought the wrong clutch for my car and now I've got to wait to sell/return it and get another one. Tried to make it work but it's not happening. This was supposed to be done by the end of August, why can't things ever go smoothly?

[jgilber0]

I fabricated a custom adapter harness and installed a new Pioneer head unit with Bluetooth.

After reversing the polarity on my power splices (rushing of course) I blew fuse 12. Swapping leads and a quick trip to Advance Auto Parts for a 7.5 amp fuse put me back in business.

Then I went for a long cruise with a big smile while I listened to Morph the Cat from Donald Fagen. First Time I have had tunes in this car since buying it over 18 months ago.

[jgilber0]

Added fog light deletes to the valence i painted. I fucked it up if you're pebbles beach but from 10ft it looks good.

Sharp!

[coldweatherblue]

Added fog light deletes to the valence i painted. I fucked it up if you're pebbles beach but from 10ft it looks good.

[majdomo]

Replaced catback exhaust with new (free!!!) Ansa muffler, brackets and rubber hangers. One side of muffler tip was slightly bent in transit, vendor agreed to full refund without sending back. Vice grips and a cloth was all it took to bend it back. Lucked out!

[jgilber0]

Had my local shop swap the O2 sensor. (It was super stuck).

Swapped the OEM premium amp in the trunk. Still having sound issues with pops, static, etc. Next up - new head unit.

[cheffy30]

bought my kid an 85 325e. coupe, black. runs just fine. we're gonna have some fun!

[coldweatherblue]

Today like every day I drove my E30 all around town because it's my only car.

Tomorrow may install my new freshly painted valance that's sitting in the woodshop now but we'll see.. ;)