Purchsed E30, what should i do first.
- Thread starter nyintheca
- Start date
Well if your doing basic work and since you got the car for $1000, I am assuming its a bit rough, basic tune up would be..
Spark Plugs
Replace all fuel lines under hood
Replace alternator bushings
Replace all vacum lines under the hood
All coolant hoses replaced
New motor mounts
New transmission mounts
Replace rear shock-absorber bushings
Replace front control arm bushings
Replaced all shifter linkage components
Replaced the guibo (rubber flex disk in driveline)
Things to check for that usualy break.
Water leak in trunk (usualy tail light gasket)
If its manual your shifter brushings
Check your gauges they are prone to go out
Idle Control Valve
Spark Plugs
Replace all fuel lines under hood
Replace alternator bushings
Replace all vacum lines under the hood
All coolant hoses replaced
New motor mounts
New transmission mounts
Replace rear shock-absorber bushings
Replace front control arm bushings
Replaced all shifter linkage components
Replaced the guibo (rubber flex disk in driveline)
Things to check for that usualy break.
Water leak in trunk (usualy tail light gasket)
If its manual your shifter brushings
Check your gauges they are prone to go out
Idle Control Valve
Oh yes, timingbelt for sure. I think its every 60k but yeah thats a definate need to do. I dont know on regular e30s, but on my m3 I can put a timeing chain from a v12 on it. Does anyone know if a chain will work on a regular e30? I think you are supposed to replace them every 60k if im not mistakin. Also you can save an assload of money if you do it yourself. The belt is about $30 or something, I think my mech said it would be upwards of 1500 in labor, and hes pretty cheap compared to a BMW dealer.
WHAT THE HELL?? $1500 to change the timing belt????? DAMN!!! like equate said its about $30 for the belt, and while your at it, change the timing belt tensioner (about $30) and also the water pump ($45), distributor cap, rotor, plug wires, oil pan gasket (if it needs it, but you may have to lift the engine up about 5 inches or so to get to it). Valve cover gasket if it needs it, all belts, and other stuff that looks broken. i cant think of anything else right now..........
Yeah, well to change the belt you pretty much have to take the whole engine apart. So its tons in labor. My mech is in the in middle of decently priced and high priced range, he does a good job and I dont have to much of a choice, either go to him, a dealer, or some crappy napa/jiffly lube POS place.
Exactly. You do not need to do anything anywhere near "taking the whole engine apart." It's a pretty straightforward job in a six cylinder e30. It helps if you remove the hood and the radiator just to have more room - other than that, not a big deal. An excellent independent BMW-only mechanic quoted me somewhere around $160 all inclusive for the job, using BMW parts (and that's replacing everything noted above except the water pump and the oil pan gasket).
Now, the e30 M3 does not have a belt - it has a chain. Replacing the chain would be a more involved repair, and I guess it could run $1500. However, replacing the belt on a six cylinder is much more straigtforward and not anywhere near that costly.
Now, the e30 M3 does not have a belt - it has a chain. Replacing the chain would be a more involved repair, and I guess it could run $1500. However, replacing the belt on a six cylinder is much more straigtforward and not anywhere near that costly.
Yeah I know the m3 has the chain but I was told the belt on my 325i was 1000-1500 to change out. It has 135k on it with the original belt, should be changed out. But I am selling the car soon so... Maybe ill change it out myself for a little fun and if I **** up its not a big deal because I got a m3 
equate said:
Yeah I know the m3 has the chain but I was told the belt on my 325i was 1000-1500 to change out. It has 135k on it with the original belt, should be changed out. But I am selling the car soon so... Maybe ill change it out myself for a little fun and if I **** up its not a big deal because I got a m3
For the new e30 owner, get a recommendation for an independent BMW mech from someone that has a standing relationship with that mechanic. BMW dealer shops are way over priced! Start be replacing all the hoses and belts as needed, and get your mechanic to make a list of things to work on as you have the money. Focus on the mechanical first, so the car will run forever. Enjoy.