Hello

[Laura-4-Lyfe]

Hello everyone,

I just purchased an '85 325E. She is in rough shape but I hope to change this. This is my first BMW project and I am looking forward to it. I have to tow the car from Columbus to Detroit tomorrow. Wish me luck and here is a picture.

Any info on major problems for this year and series of BMW would be very appreciated.

Have fun

 

[///M SPEED]

Welcome to the board Shawn. The E30's are great project cars and a blast to drive. You will fine you will be wanting more BMW's.....

 

[Big Daddy]

My 2nd BMW was an e30, love them! Welcome to the board!

 

[Laura-4-Lyfe]

Thank you for the welcome.

 

[Tom]

Congrats and welcome aboard.

 

[E30m42cab]

That was my first car, a 325e, and my second car (a 325es), both '86's. If it's your project car, one of the first things you'll want to do is your timing belt and water pump. Do these at the same time as it's pretty much the same job as far as labour goes. if you're doing one, you should do the other while you're in there. The second thing that'll probably need doing is a valve job. Most of the 325e's I encounter sound like deisels because the valves are so fluttery. The most fun you'll have is getting rid of rust. 20 years of winter kick the crap out of E30s. Other than the usual electrical glitches, it's a pretty standard E30... Drive it forever, if it doesn't rust out first. I had a really bad problem with oil burning on my second 325e... valve seals, and piston rings (what piston rings?). OH! Subframe mounts are probably cracked all to hell, and bushings all over the place are probably worn out. Other than that.... nothing to worry about
Chip the thing (Turner MS did a great job with their chip)and let 'er fly. I LOVE E30's, I still drive one in the summer (1991 318i cab), and I just picked up an '88 325i for my girlfriend after she wrecked her Ford Escort.

Have fun with it!

 

[codex57]

aboard! She actually doesn't look to be in that bad condition. Have fun!

 

[Laura-4-Lyfe]

Lots of good information.

Thanks, the water pump and timing belt are near the top of my list. I have to bend new brake lines and fuel lines first. They are just a leaky rusted mess. I HATE RUST!

Thank you for the welcome codex75 and Tom! I am already having fun and I have only taken the interior apart so far. Some dumb rodent decided the dash would make a good house/bathroom and I am trying to get rid of the smell.