does anybody know common e30 issues?

joe325i · 06-12-2012, 07:34 AM

Im going to look at a 88 325 and was wondering what besides the obvious I should look for. Thanks

whoosh · 06-12-2012, 08:08 AM

Timing belt & water pump service are critical on these cars. If not done within the last 3yrs/30k, you will want to do so immediately. Vacuum leaks also plague these cars, and will cause erratic idle and hard start problems.

Other than that, it's the normal used car stuff. Rust, tires, brakes, glass condition, etc. They are great cars to drive - I have an '88 iX for winter use.

More info here

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/

jopa489 · 06-12-2012, 09:53 AM

There are several guys at YuppieRacing who know the E30 extremely well. You could ask there.

PSEE · 06-12-2012, 12:37 PM

yer posting on the wrong forum bud

moderators?

joe325i · 06-12-2012, 02:19 PM

^didnt know where to post it considering its E90 POST! but just as I thought someone here would have insight to the matter at hand. Thanks you two guys. If you can't contribute shut up look on to something else, or go buy a vw and join vw vortex.

an3ony · 06-12-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe325i

^didnt know where to post it considering its E90 POST! but just as I thought someone here would have insight to the matter at hand. Thanks you two guys. If you can't contribute shut up look on to something else, or go buy a vw and join vw vortex.

Hey Joe, I dont think he was being mean about your post, e9x (as i'm sure you already know) is the model designation for the later model 3 series.

To answer your question, big +1 on the waterpump, also, the timing chain tensioner and the guiderails they run on. Other than that, fantastic cars, i've had several e30s from my first 325e to my favorite 318is.

Good luck!

PSEE · 06-13-2012, 12:17 PM

bimmerpost

any number of other generic BMW forums out there...

as the guy above notes, this is the E90 forum

being nasty is one SURE way to get help from forum members

hmmcolor · 06-13-2012, 07:57 PM

I have a friend who is on his third engine. I know the first one had head gasket problem and then a cracked head. The second one was mysteriously leaking coolant into the oil, which I assume was another head problem. So, there's that.

06-12-2012, 07:34 AM	#1
joe325i Private 5 Rep 55 Posts Drives: sedona rot 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: western mass iTrader: (0)	does anybody know common e30 issues? Im going to look at a 88 325 and was wondering what besides the obvious I should look for. Thanks
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06-12-2012, 08:08 AM	#2
whoosh Higher than you 8 Rep 294 Posts Drives: M235i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Timing belt & water pump service are critical on these cars. If not done within the last 3yrs/30k, you will want to do so immediately. Vacuum leaks also plague these cars, and will cause erratic idle and hard start problems. Other than that, it's the normal used car stuff. Rust, tires, brakes, glass condition, etc. They are great cars to drive - I have an '88 iX for winter use. More info here http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/
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06-12-2012, 09:53 AM	#3
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	There are several guys at YuppieRacing who know the E30 extremely well. You could ask there. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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06-12-2012, 12:37 PM	#4
PSEE First Lieutenant 12 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 2009 335d Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: BMW, MA iTrader: (0)	yer posting on the wrong forum bud moderators?
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06-12-2012, 02:19 PM	#5
joe325i Private 5 Rep 55 Posts Drives: sedona rot 135i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: western mass iTrader: (0)	^didnt know where to post it considering its E90 POST! but just as I thought someone here would have insight to the matter at hand. Thanks you two guys. If you can't contribute shut up look on to something else, or go buy a vw and join vw vortex.
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06-13-2012, 12:17 PM	#7
PSEE First Lieutenant 12 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 2009 335d Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: BMW, MA iTrader: (0)	bimmerpost any number of other generic BMW forums out there... as the guy above notes, this is the E90 forum being nasty is one SURE way to get help from forum members
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06-13-2012, 07:57 PM	#8
hmmcolor Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 259 Posts Drives: E90 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	I have a friend who is on his third engine. I know the first one had head gasket problem and then a cracked head. The second one was mysteriously leaking coolant into the oil, which I assume was another head problem. So, there's that. __________________ 2000 Dodge Dakota 4.7 2007 335i 6MT
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