Just bought my 1st BMW

[xhotandfatx]

Hey guys I just bought my first BMW last Saturday. It is a 1986 325e auto (for the time being). This will also be my first ever project and I am really excited to see where this takes me. I bought it for $800 knowing it didn't run but that is ok with me, since I wanted to learn how to do everything I possibly can on this car. I will post some pics when I am not on my phone. Glad to be here. I've read a ton of threads on here so far and think I'll enjoy myself.

[1SGDHORN]

Welcome. You will find this forum very friendly and helpful. Look forward to the pictures.

[323i E30]

Welcome!

[xhotandfatx]

Thanks for the welcome. I will be able to take some better pictures Sunday so I'll make sure I get those up.

[tomstin]

Let me add my welcome also. First, get a Bentley Manual for the car. Next, everything will take longer and cost more than you thought. I'm living that on my E30 project. Search, search and search some more. Get the basic mechanical and safety stuff under control before cosmetics.

[xhotandfatx]

Bentley manual should be here Monday. 😀

[Müven30]

What do you plan on doing with it?


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[xhotandfatx]

Other than being a daily I'm not sure yet. It's not currently running so that's all I've been doing research on so far.

[denyo77]

In for the pictures!

[xhotandfatx]

My Bentley manual showed up today. Can't wait to get off work and put my nose in it for the weekend. Would it also be helpful to have the original owners manual and the Haynes manual in conjunction with the Bentley one?

[xhotandfatx]

Here are some pics I took the day after I brought it home.








I unhooked the DME and put it in the trunk as I was in the process of cleaning out the car before I took the pics.


Manual crank sunroof which I thought was kind of cool. Opinions on those?











I know the pics aren't that great. I'll take some better ones this weekend. Feel free to ask questions or leave comments.

[323i E30]

Looks like you have some work to do
Good luck and keep us posted!

[Fred39]

Looks like you have some work to do
Good luck and keep us posted!

I was thinking the same. Would love to see before and after photos :-).

[xhotandfatx]

Looks like you have some work to do
Good luck and keep us posted!

Definitely a lot of work to do. First thing is to get it running. Previous owner said all I need to do to get it running is to run the wiring harness to the injectors. We shall see. I will upload some more pics as progress happens.

[Jem8623]

Hi just looking for advice, what do you guys think of an e30 325se with 12 previous owners, should I keep looking or is this worth a punt? Mileage is 120k has service stamps from 91 to 2997

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2007*

[Müven30]

Hi just looking for advice, what do you guys think of an e30 325se with 12 previous owners, should I keep looking or is this worth a punt? Mileage is 120k has service stamps from 91 to 2997

- - - Updated - - -

2007*

There is probably something wrong with it if it had 12 pervious owners. You should test drive it


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[corythomulka]

looks like a great buy man.. just got my own e30 for $500 not running either but shes just needing some love.. good luck with your project man

[xhotandfatx]

With the weather cooling down I hope to get more time on this project. The only things I've done so far are take out the seats, vacuum the interior and wash the outside. Not much at all.

I think at this point I'm in over my head for a few reasons: I have no idea where to start. If you go through the pics and see the wiring debacle then you would understand. I know that is where I should start, but not sure what steps to take to get the Ball rolling. I went ahead and purchased the Bentley book as well as Bosch: Fuel Injection Systems and Bosch: Fuel Injection and Engine Management to see if they would help.
I also don't have any background in any electrical or mechanical work.

The good is that I am willing to learn and do what it takes to get this up and running. I've never completed a project before, so this would be a pretty awesome one to accomplish.

Thanks for your help and advice.

[tomstin]

Damn, and I thought I had a project on my hands! You would probably be better off looking for a wiring harness for the car before trying to deal with that mess of spaghetti. Clearly you have your hands full. Look for little, cheap, successes to keep you interested. Every time I'm about to throw in the towel I find something I can clean or fix to give me a little sense of accomplishment. Good luck and HANG IN THERE!

[bobdavisnpf]

Well you're definitely on the right track recognizing you are in over your head! With decades' off-and-on experience as a hack mechanic, I can promised I'd be over mine too. I'd allocate 1 full-time year getting that hot mess back together: 300 hours' research, 200 hours' work+rework, 400 hours puttering on more do-able side projects, 100 hours' angst & soul-searching, and 1000 hours' procrastination. Good luck, hope you're faster than me, but mostly hope you can stick with it - looks like a trip worth taking!

[skunka]

Let me add to the welcome and the good luck! I purchased my 'project' for $800 and it has been a long time coming!

Please document your progress and enjoy trials and tribulations of working on an e30!

Don't be afraid to ask questions!

[MrGcc]

welcome to the forum mate, car looks pretty cool in its project phase. Keeping it looking like that but lowered will look cool for a little while.

[TheMaven]

Nice car! Looks like you have enough to keep you busy for the next couple years at least

[Bairdogg]

Best of luck, looks like it's got the potential. Not an expert, but it may be worth consideration to just find a new wiring harness from a parts car or the junkyard. Electrical stuff is the worst in my opinion, so I really wouldn't want to be in your spot. Never hesitate to ask for help though, I'm sure there are people around you on the forum that would love to stop by and help you out in their free time, with lots more experience than you or I. I know I've loaned tools that have saved my ass from e30 owners I met on instagram. Good luck man, look forward to seeing some updates.


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[Müven30]

Looks like you got to help me


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