Maintenance Advice: Newbie Here

[BMWReb]

I don't have an owner's manual yet, but I do want to begin putting together a routine for maintenance for the E30 I just purchased. It is an 89 325i Vert. I would like to learn from your experiences and expertise with these cars.

What oil and oil filter do you recommend?
What automatic trans fluid do you recommend?
What coolant do you recommend?
What brake fluid do you recommend?


Any other recommendations you would car to share would be welcome!
I live in southern Louisiana .... warm to hot climate most of the year.

Thank you!

 

[Doughnut]

G-day, welcome to the forums!

I'll start by saying replace those rubber bushes, or at least check on there condition, all e30's iv'e seen that have been newly bought from a seller have worn subframe bushes control arm bushes etc...

My 2 cents...
Peace.

 

[Big Daddy]

Welcome to the board!

I use Mahle or Mann oil filters they are both German and used by BMW. I use only BMW coolant, synthetic oils, Mobil 1 in the engine and Redline in the trans and diff. Considering the age of your car (I do not know the mileage) I would use regular Dino oil, Chevron for example and Chevron ATF. Get a good quality brake fluid, I personally use ATE Super Blue.

 

[echothreezero]

There is a bit of a difference of opinion on oil. There is the "once on mineral, stick to mineral" school that beleive that if you run a car for 15years on mineral and then switch to synthetic you'll get leaks. There is some truth in this,but if you buy a correct-grade oil, then synthetic is fine. I run mineral in my car and change it often.

The other school is the "synthetic is better". Now that there are newer multi-grade synthetics designed for old cars this is true, but it didn't used to be.

Most also recommend BMW coolant for many reasons - foremost being it is formulated for the metals present in the BMW motors. I use the best quality concentrate I can find, because I don't have a BMW dealer closer than 250kms, but the BMW original stuff is actually cheaper.

As well as all your fluids, filters (air, oil, fuel) and rubbers you should change your cambelt and belt tensioner, and check the condition of your front cam seal and waterpump at the same time. Its a good time to do your coolant now too as you have to drain it to change the belt anyway.

As Doughnut says, rubbers are only needed if they are worn, but I've yet to buy an e30 with good motor and gearbox mounts. Often Control Arm, trailing arm, sway bar and rear subframe bushes are gone too.

Also, the driveshaft centre hanger bearing may be worn, but no need to pull it out to look unless you are getting noise and vibration.

 

[BMWReb]

Regular Oil: Your recommendations

I just acquired an 89 BMW 325i with 106K miles. The car is in good shape, but I have no idea if the vehicle has had synthetic oil or "regular/mineral." My local shop uses Pennzoil, and I have always used the Pennzoil High Mileage oil for older cars. Should I consider this oil? In south Louisiana, we usually use 10W30 all year long.
I just want to make sure I do the right thing with this car. The BMW dealer I use is an hour away, so I am hoping a local oil change place may be able to handle my needs.

Thanks for your advice!

(Edit: This thread was merged as this question was asked in the first post. Big Daddy)

 

[echothreezero]

Pennzoil is fine. I use Pennzoil mineral 10w40 or 15w50. Temperature ranges here from 4-5deg to 35deg Celsius. (40-95 fahrenheit)

 

[E30m42cab]

I use Mobil 1 5W50, Mann Filters, Pentosin Brake Fluid...
Buying an E30 usually means doing alot of bushings... sub frame, rear control arm, differential, front control arm, ball joints... if they're worn, replace them. Your rear shock mounts should be inspected (super easy to do), and your M20 engine could use a valve job every 50K kms. Engine and tranny mounts... Replace your timing belt, tensioner, and water pump, and coolant.

Basically what everyone else said... you'll have fun tinkering with these cars

 

[gpiron]

Welcome, BMWreb from Lafayette, I live a few miles from your home town. Can not help you much on your issue- mine still gets the BMW pampering - when I bought, I included the maintenance package. Good luck with your new toy!