Maintenance Question

[Bishop]

Hey all, i did some searching on here, bf.c, and e30tech and couldn't really find what i was looking for.

I picked up a '90 325i last week, been very well taken care of, and well documented. However, I'm trying to find a definitive list of things to watch, replace, maintain, etc.... for cars that see autox and some track time. Car is stock right now because I want to get a list of maintenance items first, go over the car, then start modding. If anyone has a list, a link, a thought, etc... please chime in so i can add to my list and start modding my car.
Thanks in advance.
- Ben

[Kingb]

You should post this up in a better suiting section like M20 or General Tech

[jlevie]

This probably is the right place for this. Track use is harder on a car than daily driving. So the list of things to replace is greater than that required for a DD in decent condition.

For track use, start by replacing all of the bushings (CABs, RTABs, subframe bushings, motor/trans/differential mounts) control arms, and possibly tie rods. If this is to be mostly a track car, use poly bushings. Also, unless new, replace all coolant hoses, radiator and expansion tank. It goes without saying that a fresh timing belt and water pump would be needed. Replace all of the soft brake lines and rebuild the calipers. SS brake lines are preferred, but the OE lines are fine.

Depending on the mileage on the car, new rear wheel bearings may be desirable and should be done when the subframe is out. In a like manner, a new O2 sensor is needed if the one in the car has 100k on it. Oh yeah, replace all of the fluids. Syntec 20w50 in the engine, Redline MTL in the transmission, and Redline 75w90 (lsd) or Redline 75w90NS (open) in the differential.

I'd also replace the ignition wires, distributor, and rotor. Aged wires may breakdown at high rpm. The rest of the maintenance is a matter of examining the car and replacing iffy parts. included in that category would be power steering hoses, camshaft seal, guibo, etc.

[Bishop]

Thanks for the responses.
I posted here because i'm looking for common things related to racing. So m20 section might not cover suspension bits. General could have worked, but if there are guys with suggestions that only troll the autox section, then they wouldn't see it in general.

[jlevie]

For track use you want the suspension, brakes, and cooling system to be 100%. Hence the list I suggested. I intentionally left off shocks sways, and sway links as I assume you'll be replacing those (along with the springs) soon. And on that subject, the Spec E30 suspension works quite well and is reasonably priced (H&R race springs, Bilstein Sport shocks, and 22/19mm sways).

[Bishop]

focusing on dsp scca autox, and probably some bmw cca schools, is the spec e30 suspension decent, I was going to save for coilovers

[!kid]

Redline MTL in the transmission, and Redline 75w90 (lsd) or Redline 75w90NS (open) in the differential.

i know its not for the motor but ..


i work at an engine building shop and we do repairs on cylinder heads. when ever we get heads in from teams that are sponserd by redline. there heads are all staind with that oil it just made me question the quility of there product.

[AlarmedBread]

Spec e30 suspension blows chunks for autox, if you do not plan to race spec e30, spend the extra few hundred on gc's at least.

I would get a set of spare rocker arms, that way you can change them at the track if needed. If you can refresh the head, even better, get new valve springs. May sound like overkill, but I always have spare rockers. Usually I end up selling them and not needing them. :)

[Bishop]

Thanks for the tip. I'm just gettin really anxious to spend some money