Hey Guys! I got a new E30. It has 62000 Original Miles.
I was wondering what kind of maintenance I should do to it. The last time the timing belt was changed 10 years ago according to the car fax so thats on the top of my list
Things to fix on the car
Oil leak - urgent - where is it coming from?
Oil change - the engine oil light on the check panel would come on sometimes and other times it would be off. It does not come on the instrument cluster.
Brake fluid - when I go around corners the brake fluid light would flicker on and off - is that urgent?
Timing belt/belts - urgent
Alternator swap - I happen to have a new alternator on standby.
Tires
Brakes and rotors - rear squeaky noise when reversing
Two dents on passenger side
Back seat rip
Obc lightbar
Electrical issue - the instrument cluster, glovebox and headlights pulsate, doing a very subtle flicker. What is the cause of this?
Driver side valence light - as seen in photos it has some oxidation or something does it need to be replaced or can it be repaired?
Cracking bushings - is this very urgent or can it wait?
Since I am going to change the timing belt - I plan on getting the ireland engineering black silicone hoses. Is it really worth it or are my rubber hoses okay?
Another thing im worried about is if I have the skill for a timing belt change. I know how to change the brakes/rotors on the car and do the whole cooling system/removal etc. When I tried to change the timing belt on this car, the fan wouldn't come off. Im not sure what to do because if I move the wrench it makes a squeaky noise.
Besides the maintenance plans listed above, is there anything else that would be urgent? Preventive maintenance type thing.
My ultimate goal is to drive this car back to Toronto from San Jose California in September 2017.
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Regarding the water pump/fan, I tried to remove the fan by unbolting one of the four bolts that hold the face of the waterpump on and after I removed it, I used the 32mm wrench to try and remove the fan. But when I turn the fan, the water pump makes a squeaky noise and turns too
Last edited by Siebenthal; 03-22-2017 at 03:08 PM.
Beautiful car, congrats.
I can tell you that brake fluid light flickering on corners just means it's low or the clear plastic thing that goes into the reservoir to hold the sensor is missing. That's been my experience.
'92 318i Cabrio- Alpine White
FYI, if you're unaware, the 32mm but for the fan is a reverse thread so in this case, righty loosey, lefty tighty. Put the water pump bolts back in. Get your 32mm wrench on the nut and you're going to be turning the wrench clockwise, if you're standing at the front of the car. Put some pressure on the belt, and that should be enough to hold it, unless someone before you really tightened that 32mm nut. When you put it back on, you don't need to tighten it very much at all, as it spins in the opposite direction. I get it hand tight, then give it just a nudge with the 32mm wrench.
1986 325 ~Elsa~
Alpenweiss
Need a photographer, come visit my site: http://estoguy.wix.com/unique-perspectives
"The future is uncertain and the end is always near."
I'm new to the e30 game but I don't think I've ever seen that interior color before. Very nice, super jelly! How much did you find it for if you don't mind.
Sig by Compactive - Photo by 1013MM
Very nice! Does the automatic top work?
Yes, timing belt should be priority one as it's 6years overdue! You are in borrowed time, I wouldn't drive the car until it's replaced. Do the water pump and the accessory belts at the same time.
Also I'd throw a valve adjustment to you list.
The rest of the stuff you can get to it as you go.
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough"
-Mario Andretti.
_____________________
River City Bimmers Chapter
2002///M3 Coupe, Steel Gray Metallic on black leather, three pedals.
2005 X3 3.0i ZPP, Black Sapphire on Terracotta.
1991 E30 325ic, AW, Black leather, Black top, three pedals.
Hey Guys!
I bought the car for 4700 dollars. The lady was asking 5500 at first, and this guy offered her 6000 dollars for it. When I went to yosemite (mariposa) to look at the car, she really didnt want to sell it. But she said that she wanted to sell it to someone that would take care of it and she trusted me with the car. There is an oil leak (I believe its coming from the valve cover gasket) and the suspension is cracked up but besides that its pretty good.
The seller had a receipt where she changed the top 1 year ago for 975 dollars.
When I gave her the cash she started crying because she really loved the car. She sold it because she was behind on car payments and shes a single mum with three kids.
The automatic top does not work and I will try to diagnose the issue but worst case, I will convert it to manual.
Someone offered me 10 000 dollars for the car the other day when I was at school and I was really tempted to sell it but for some reason, when I drive this car, I feel some sort of connection to it. Every time I drive it the mileage goes up and I feel guilty. Its currently at 63400 (been about 2 weeks since ive owned it) and god I love this car.
I feel guilty for driving it because part of me wishes to have someone garage it and protect it but the other part of me wants to take it out on the road and drive it because that's where the car wants to be.
I consider it a privilege to be 18 and driving something so beautiful. It also has other original things like the leather folder that contains the manual, cd instructions and cassette that discusses the bmw warranties/audio system. original floor mats and documentation. Its all there.
Last edited by Siebenthal; 03-26-2017 at 04:16 PM.
Looks good..!!
Personally I wouldn't let the number of miles hold me back from enjoying the driving though.
A low number is nice and of course it has value, but best perform proper maintenance and keep record of it.
To many that's of higher value than what the mileage counter is trying to tell about the condition the car is supposed to be in.
Enjoy!
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