Advice?

"Mattbob" (mattbob) 02/21/2014 at 11:27 • Filed to: None

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Oppo, I am going to buy a '93 325i tonight. It could probably use suspension refresh and some normal wear and tear items. Any advice on what to do with this car to make it go well. I'm budgeting around $1100 for parts. car has 130000 miles. Also, I don't want to lower or stance it.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 11:30

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Don't forget to replace pretty much every suspension bushing - or rubber fill them (but that will be a lot firmer than you probably want and is more of a LeMons trick than anything else). You'll be shocked by how much that will tighten up the handling. Also an X brace an e36 is helpful to improve handling dynamics.

Money Hustard > 'Wägen, EPA LOL 02/21/2014 at 11:33

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You'll be shocked

Nice suspension pun.

EL_ULY > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 11:35

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Front lower control arm kit (with rear bushing) from Bavauto

And the most important things for an E36, Cooling system, ALL OF IT!

Radiator

Hoses

Fan Clutch

Water Pump

Thermostat

Reservoir bottle

Fresh Coolant.

Any questions let us know buddy. I've had a 95 M3 and a 92 325i sedan. Arch duke also has a E36.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Money Hustard 02/21/2014 at 11:37

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Totally unintentional but I'll take it, hahaha.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 11:37

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You can get Koni Str.t shocks which is basically an OEM replacement for pretty cheap with a lifetime warranty, if you dont want to lower it go with an OEM spring, polyurethane bushes make a huge difference and check the motor mounts, on a car with that many miles they're probably shot and definitely should be replaced

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 11:50

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SOON.

It's a "Porch-uh" > EL_ULY 02/21/2014 at 11:50

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+1 on the cooling system.

The plastic on these cars gets brittle and will break. It's past the point this usually happens, so it might have had some parts refreshed already. Take a look and see what looks new and what you can poke a hole in with your finger. Water pump, thermostat housing, and the radiator connection points are the most common failure points.

hethoughtofcars > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 11:56

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Also, I don't want to lower or stance it.

On behalf of BMW fans everywhere, I would like to thank you.

EL_ULY > It's a "Porch-uh" 02/21/2014 at 11:57

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exactly sir. The actual fan and fan shroud also get brittle and break off piece by piece

Mattbob > EL_ULY 02/21/2014 at 12:13

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Thank you! this is the advice I need! Changing this shouldn't be too bad, but will save me in the long run.

Mattbob > hethoughtofcars 02/21/2014 at 12:14

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Yeah, I just don't have enough flat brimmed caps (read: zero) to pull off a lowered/stanced e36.

EL_ULY > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 12:18

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yeah dude, don't go into racecar mode yet. Make your car clean and good inside and out.

hethoughtofcars > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 12:18

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An e36 325i is an awesome car. Do you have any pics?

Mattbob > EL_ULY 02/21/2014 at 12:18

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Pelican parts is going to love me.

Mattbob > EL_ULY 02/21/2014 at 12:21

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Racecar mode isn't going to happen. I live in michigan and want to be able to drive this thing on public roads.

EL_ULY > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 12:26

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ohhhhh yes, that place rules!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 14:58

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Don't say 'watch this', ham-fistedly kick the tail out and prang it into a barrier.

I've got all the bits to fix it apart from a wing, and I've bent it back into shape. I just need the time and motivation to finish it. Plenty of other projects in the way.

Great fun though. Nicely balanced chassis. Decent amount of power, although not as frenetic as my Alfa. More like a surge pushing you forwards than a howling animal hurling you along.

Check for rust in the battery tray. It's in the boot to the right hand side under a little cover. It's a doddle to fix as it's not particularly visible, but you'll need an angle-grinder, a hacksaw, a welder, some sheet-steel and paint for afterwards.

Other little quirks are a handbrake cable that runs above the exhaust heatshield, so you need to take some of the exhaust system apart to change them. Also, later cars had 3 lambda sensors, one of which is positioned just-so that you can't undo the drain plug for the coolant system without removing the lambda. Your '93 should be absolutely fine though.

Mattbob > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/21/2014 at 15:22

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Tonight...... You......

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 15:44

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Get an all aluminum radiator.

SOON.

Volvosaurus-Rex > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 15:53

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Get more cash to budget for parts...sell your body, whatever it takes.

Mattbob > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/21/2014 at 18:02

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ok. thats on the list. I just ordered a suspension refresh kit. My wallet hurts at the moment. But the drive home was not great because the rear trailing arm bushings feel like they are gone. It needs suspension. Why all aluminum?

Mattbob > Volvosaurus-Rex 02/21/2014 at 18:03

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I just ordered over my budget in parts in one order. It was more of a guideline.

Mattbob > EL_ULY 02/21/2014 at 18:04

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question, will I notice the engine start to overheat via the thermostat before it wrecks the head or something? I am going to get new cooling, but it might have to wait a month/paycheck.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 18:06

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I've had two factory plastic and aluminum radiators break.

Check your rear springs, they are prone to breaking.

EL_ULY > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 18:15

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if it starts to get hot, a little light comes on at peak hot on the temp gauge. The car will not turn off. It will run until it seizes. If it gets to red once, do expect some damage. My 325i got hot once. My brother said the light turned on then he shut it off immediately . Compression gauge shows 2 and 3 to be ok but not as good as the others (but still ok). Car runs fine but that did cause some minor consumption of coolant. I just top it off every month. If one day I do decide to do the head gasket, that aluminum head will definitely need a head job.

Mattbob > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/21/2014 at 18:19

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wouldn't the car sag with broken springs?

Mattbob > EL_ULY 02/21/2014 at 18:21

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I will keep this in mind. So far in my brief drive home, the gauge stayed in the middle.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 18:25

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Depends on where it breaks, it might only be a few millimeters.

EL_ULY > Mattbob 02/21/2014 at 18:30

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all good buddy :] Any questions with your e36, Lexus, Mercedes, Aston, Lotus, Volvo you let me know :]

Mattbob > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/21/2014 at 18:49

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ok, I will be sure to check when I get a chance.