"Hermann" (hermann)
06/01/2015 at 10:55 • Filed to: E30
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"Hermann" (hermann)
06/01/2015 at 10:55 • Filed to: E30 | 0
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Suppose a friend of an Oppo has dug into the garage of someone selling part of their collection, and found a Manual 1987 BMW 325i, US-Spec.
There’s a catch, as always. The car hasn’t moved since 1999. The owner died in 2000 and no one wanted that car, so it actually ran when parked (not CL “ran when parked”, actual ran when parked). How screwed is that car? What is probably broken?
Pic credit to Wikipedia. It looks pretty much like that. Same wheels and bumper.
Chteelers
> Hermann
06/01/2015 at 11:07 |
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Had a 92 325i for a couple years a while ago. The waterpump plastic impeller is an issue, good idea to change to metal aftermarket replacement. The timing belt can be an issue, so might be good to change that. Neither is too expensive, you can do both for $50 parts and a few hours. I found the front suspension bushings were all pretty wimpy, and tended to wear quickly. Grab the wheels and give them good tugs to check for movement. The rear upper shock mounts can crack the body sheetmetal so inspect for cracks. I’ve heard issues of leaking head gaskets from others, though I never had that problem, but inspect for those leaks. Overall, I found the car to be generally very reliable. Normal wear/tear for older car type stuff, but nothing really major.
Skamanda
> Hermann
06/01/2015 at 11:09 |
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If it hasn’t been started since 1999, pretty much all the fluids are dead, and the belts are probably pretty well shot, too. Beyond that? For a decent price, why not?
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Hermann
> Chteelers
06/01/2015 at 11:15 |
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Whoa. Nice rundown! Thanks!
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Hermann
06/01/2015 at 11:21 |
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That’s a nice-looking car. You might need to replace some seals.
How much?
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Hermann
06/01/2015 at 11:21 |
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Every hose, the tires, maybe some shorts in the electrics depending on what nested in it, and every fluid will have to be changed several times before attempting to start it. Other than that, it’s kind of a crap shoot. Nothing major should break as long as you’re careful and pay attention.
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Hermann
> Skamanda
06/01/2015 at 11:34 |
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Yeah, that’s sure.
Not only are E30s extremely rare over here, but the price is pretty great.
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Hermann
> Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/01/2015 at 11:40 |
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Well, the car in question is pretty much a barn find, so it’s not really like in that picture. It was stored in a dry garage, so no rust or mold.
Also, it’s in Brazil, so price might not be relevant. And E30s were never officially imported, so they’re a kind of an unicorn. Very few exist. But to put in perspective, a decent E39 540i is around $18k USD, which is around the same price an E30 318i costs when it shows up for sale here (if in good shape). The 325i is half of that. So, excellent price, even if it’s broken.
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Hermann
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
06/01/2015 at 11:42 |
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We’re digging for the new fluid and belt for a first start after all these years. Haven’t thought about the hoses. Will have to check that.
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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Hermann
06/01/2015 at 11:43 |
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You mentioned US-spec, didn’t you? Where will you drive it?
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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Hermann
06/01/2015 at 11:45 |
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Alot of them tend to dry out. I’d be expecting some vacuum leaks.
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Hermann
> Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/01/2015 at 11:53 |
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Yeah, the BMWs imported here were mostly coming from the US. Same for the E36, most E36 M3s here have the US engine.
It’s not mine. I have enough of a BMW pickle in my hand already. My best friend is acquiring it, and since he convinced me to buy the E34 I’m convincing him to get this E30.
iSureWilll
> Hermann
06/01/2015 at 11:53 |
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It would be, but the 1992 325i (not incl convertible) is an e36 which has the twin cam m50 motor, not the m20 the 1987 has.
You’ll definitely want to change the timing belt/water pump. If the belt breaks after sitting for 10+ years, you’ll have some piston/head damage.
Like others said, all hoses and fluids will need replaced. Plugs will probably need replaced. Everything else is probably good.
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Hermann
> iSureWilll
06/01/2015 at 12:00 |
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I thought the E30 had the same engine from 87 onwards. Thanks!
Apparently the timing belt seems to be one of the biggest issues, really.
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Hermann
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
06/01/2015 at 12:01 |
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Yeah, makes sense.
I’ve never had to deal with a car that’s been sitting for so long.
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iSureWilll
> Hermann
06/01/2015 at 14:39 |
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The e30 had essentially the same m20b25/b27 from 1987 until 1991. In 1992 there was only 1 e30 and that was the vert, which most are 318s with the m42 4 cyl. The m50 started in 1992 (in the 3 series).
The timing belt isn't really that bad of a job. I've done several of them and you can easily get it done in a weekend. Most likely done in less than one day.