New e30 owner on the east side...want to meet local owners!

[lylefk]

Hey, so this is my 2nd BMW. Last car was an 05 X3, nice but not so fun...I just picked up a '92 325ic w only 84k on it...it's super clean, I'm really happy with it.

I want to get involved with the local scene, meet new people, get to know the e30's, make connections for parts, knowledge, stuff like that. I noticed a couple of meets coming up, I'll probably make it out to those.

I do want to change out all the timing belt (all of them, actually) and tensioner, water pump, hoses, vacuum lines, plugs and misc ignition stuff, oil change, new tranny fluid, etc. right away. Maybe the thermostat...I just want to make sure the car is reliable, running well and happy.

Normally these are things I would do myself, but I no longer have tools or a place to work on it. Any knowledgable people out there want to help me out, do the above things and just look the car over in general? I'll pay, obviously, you name it! I just can't stomach the shop prices right now...I've put together an order on pelican, now I just need a buddy or two to help out...

Anyway, either way I'm excited to get to know the cars and the crowd...

Thanks,

Lyle

[ejnight]

Is that the white one i say for sale? We are meeting Saturday at Sonic in Vancouver. There will be guys that can help.

[lylefk]

It's silver w a black top and gray leather. Picked it up off CL.

He also has a '01 540i sport w 6/spd for sale that is MINT. It's got high miles (146k), but well cared for...one owner.

I thought about heading down there, but am hesitant to go that far with the orig. water pump and 9 year old belts...maybe I'm being conservative, but I'd rather get it cleaned up before I take any road trips...

There was a white 93 with a black hard top for sale recently...it sold, but I was thinking about buying the hard top for the winters...

[ducatipaso]

welcome to the madness from a fellow cabrio owner :)

[ducatipaso]

There was a white 93 with a black hard top for sale recently...it sold, but I was thinking about buying the hard top for the winters...

decent hardtops are $1000 minumum. there's one on ebay right now that needs some lovin.

[lylefk]

It's local, $1400...his email is...jmschneeman@msn.com it's in great shape if anyone wants one.

I just got a call back from M Cars in Seattle...$635 + tax to do tb and tensioner, water pump, all belts, new radiator hoses and a valve adjustment. I'll also have them do a few other misc things while they're there...I think I can struggle through doing the thermostat, plugs, wires, rotor, cap, coil, oil change, tranny fluid, vacuum lines, alternator and voltage regulator (I've got a bad flicker going on) myself, unless anyone wants to make some cash...I'd rather not have to buy tools, jack, stands, all that stuff...

[daniel]

what is their labor rate there, like $120/hr?

[DarkWing6]

we are probably going to put together a tech day here pretty soon. i'm 99% sure that some guys that are there could easily help you with all of that free of charge. pizza and beer wouldn't hurt though. ;)

somebody find some space and set a day!

[Nicademus]

There are two hardtops on Craigslist right now and one comes with a stand. If I had a cabrio I'd have to have one. (I live in Woodinville by the way :))

[lylefk]

M Cars labor rate is $90/hr, pretty reasonable. They have a 20 year master BMW tech and the guy I spoke with (Jason) seems very...real. Nice guy, genuine, accommodating.

I called 3 places. M car was the cheapest and nicest, Redmond European was also pretty nice but more expensive (they do offer a free loaner car though), and Strictly BMW never even called me back. Nice way to do business lol.

If I didn't need to do these repairs, I'd go get that hardtop. I think the one with the stand is probably the one I found as well.