E30 Zone Wiki - User contributions [en]

B6 3.5S

2010-11-05T08:26:09Z

89.241.198.125: Undo revision 14018 by 91.201.66.144 (Talk)

The B6S 3.5 is based on the homologation special M3 E30 with the BMW 3.5 litre straight six engine replacing the OEM four cylinder unit..

The original high revving four cylinder is replaced by the splendid big straight six which many argue is the best in the world both in terms of performance and smoothness. The standard 3 was available with a 2.5 litre version, so replacing it with the big block 3.5 litre was not too difficult. The bigger engine adds about 118kgs to the overall weight of the M3 and most of that over the front wheels but stiffer front springs and another 60bhp more than compensate.

The result according to official figures when it was new was a top speed up from 146mph to almost 160mph and a vastly reduced 0 - 100mph time, down from circa 20 seconds to just 14.5 seconds.

On the road this translates into what you would expect - a performance better than the standard M3 without the revs required of a 16 valve four. In fact the acceleration becomes deceptive because of the greater torque and low down power delivery. For those who want the excitement a semi-racing power unit will be unenthusiastic about the changes; those who love the sheer urge but find all those revs and gear swapping tiresome will be taken by the Alpina solution.

The Alpina B6S was one of the most relaxing high-speed devices you could find in its day (and possibly still is) with the extra low down torque making progress in heavy traffic a lot easier. There's the added bonus of a much more mellifluous exhaust note; music to the ears when compared with the four cylinder's rather common rasp.

[[Image:B635S.jpg]]

Basic M40 Servicing

2010-10-28T22:23:38Z

89.241.198.125:

M40 Engine - Basic Servicing.

Just got your first 4 pot e30?!

Don’t know when it was last serviced?

Scared of the Spanner?!

This guide was made for you!

The m40 engine is actually a really pleasant engine to work on, provided you follow these basic rules…

Respect it (bolts are more likely to shear if you hit the spanner with a sledge hammer!)
Stay calm and take your time.
Don’t get distracted. Keep Children, pets and nagging wives/husbands well away.

To make your m40 purr like a kitty at idle, roar like a lion through the rev range, and scream like Steve Tyler at the limiter you'll need…

* Coolant Change
5L of Coolant (mix it 60/40 water/antifreeze)

* Flat blade screw driver (for releasing coolant pipes)

* 10mm socket (for thermostat housing)

* Large Flat Blade screw driver for releasing bleed screw

* Oil Change

* 5L of engine oil (5w-40, 10w-40 or 10w-50 as recommended by Simon aka oilman)

* GENUINE Fram oil filter (has all the non return valves etc, and worth the money)

* 17mm socket + wrench (for sump plug)

* Spark Plug Change

* 4x Spark Plugs, preferably NGK brand (NGK BPR6ES)

* Masking tape + pen

* 19mm Spark plug tool

Overview of an m40

Do the coolant first…

RHS=Right Hand Side
LHS=Left Hand Side (sitting in driver’s seat)

IMPORTANT!!!! MAKE SURE THE CAR AND COOLANT ARE COLD BEFORE OPENING THE CAP ON THE EXPANSION TANK OR DRAINING COOLANT!!!!!!!

****Disconnect Battery****

1.Loosen off and remove the cap on the header tank (at LHS of radiator)

Check the tank and cap for ‘mayo’ which is a sign that oil is mixing with the coolant (not good). Move the heater temp control to fully cold to prevent air locks in the heater matrix

Also check that the bottom is yellow and rated at 140.If not go to the dealer and get one. (they were subject to a recall years ago as the originals weren’t up to the job)

2.Undo bottom hose from radiator at RHS of the car, let coolant drain (catch it in a bucket and dispose of properly)

3.Undo the 3x 10mm bolts on the thermostat housing (at the front of the engine, in front of the distributor cap) (may need to remove small fuel hose to access one of the top bolts)

4.Remove thermostat, and check its ok (should be closed if cold) If in doubt an new one is £9.99 from GSF/ECP. Bolt housing back together.

5.Insert hose into header tank (at LHS of Radiator) and flush system until water is running clear.

6.Remove top hose (LHS) from radiator and flush through with hose until clear

7.Replace the thermostat, and reattach all hoses

8.Pour the coolant into the header tank (at LHS of radiator) SLOWLY and give it time to settle. (should take about 4.5l to get to cold level marker)

9.Set the heaters to full (HOT and no. 4 fan setting, open all vents) and start car.

10.Let car idle for 5-10mins keeping an eye on the temp gauge

11.Open the bleed screw (next to the expansion tank cap) WATCH OUT FOR THE COOLANT SPRAYING!!!! (use a cloth to cover it!)

12.Repeat bleeding until all air is out and only water comes out when bleed screw is opened. Top up if required.

13.Get a cup of coffee and relax for 20 mins

Oil change is easy...

****Wear latex gloves to save your skin****

1.Switch car off (oil should be warm so as much comes out as possible)

2.Go underneath car with 17mm socket and loosen the sump plug (make sure you have something to catch the oil!!!)

3.Remove oil filler cap and let car drain for 10mins.(can check how much is left using the dipstick)

4.Replace sump plug and tighten (but not too much)

5.Remove oil filter, (on RHS of block beneath exhaust)

6.Fit new oil filter (smear rubber seal on top with fresh oil to ensure good seal)

7.Remove oil filler cap (on top of engine) and fill SLOWLY with about 4.5l of oil (use dipstick to check level regularly)

8.Replace oil filler cap and start engine, allow to idle for 10 mins.

9. Check oil level again after leaving to stand for 10 minutes, check for leaks at the sump plug and filter, correct as required.

Spark plugs...

IMPORTANT!!!!! DISCONNECT BATTERY BEFORE WORKING ON ELECTRONICS!!!!

1.Remove the Spark plug leads ONE AT A TIME and (using masking tape + pen) number them 1-4.

2. Remove the Distributor cap and check the condition of the Rotor arm and Cap (replace as required).

3. Inspect the leads for any sign of breakages/cracking.

4. remove the spark plugs ONE AT A TIME using the 19mm spark plug puller (may need an extension for plug 4 (nearest the windscreen)

Inspect the plug for signs of the car running rich (black soot), flooding (plug is immaculate as petrol washes it). Car running lean (Light brown/sand colour

5. Put in new spark plugs (put them in by hand until tight then ‘nip’ them a bit tighter with the puller) and refit leads

6. start the car and go for a well earned cruise

This article is copy write to E30zone and must not be replicated without prior permission. Written and photographed by Neil Purdom

[[Category:Servicing ]]

Steering Wheels

2010-10-28T09:50:39Z

89.241.198.125:

{{stub}}

The E30 was sold with a variety of steering wheels across the range, including Tech1 and Tech2 variants...

=== Three-Spoke ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_three spoke_02.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Three Spoke]]
This wheel came Standard on SE models, Its three-spoke design was the basis for the Tech wheels, the Racing Dynamics wheel and the Nardi Blackline.

=== Four-Spoke ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_four spoke_06.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Four Spoke]]
The "poverty-spec" four-spoke wheel. It housed four buttons, one on each spoke, to operate the horn. The design of it is very similar to that of the steering wheel found in the basic-spec BMW E12. This was the standard wheel for all basic spec e30s .

=== Tech 1 ===

Three spoke.
Originally in pre-facelift E30. Early Facelift E30 were equipped with it, too. Change to Tech 2 were mid 1988.

The Tech 1 came in 2 sizes: 385mm and 370mm. The smaller one usually came only with the M3. Both versions will fit all non-Airbag E30.

=== Tech 2 ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_tech2_15.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Tech 2]]
Successor to the older Tech-1, the [[Tech_2|Tech-2]] wheel is also three-spoke. It came in two types, but only the smaller one was originally mounted at the E30. The large version came with E34 only, but it will fit E30 too.

Diameters are: 370mm and 385mm

=== Racing Dynamics ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_racing dynamics_01.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Racing Dynamics]]
Wheel for the E30 made by the Italian tuning company [[Racing Dynamics]]

=== Alpina (Momo) ===

(please update with information about the Momo Alpina wheel)

=== Hartge ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_hartge_04.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Hartge]]
Wheel used in the Hartge versions of the E30.

=== Nardi Blackline ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_nardi blackline_01.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Blackline]]
(please update with information about the Nardi wheel)

Steering Wheels

2010-10-27T10:12:44Z

89.241.198.125:

{{stub}}

The E30 was sold with a variety of steering wheels across the range, including Tech1 and Tech2 variants..

=== Three-Spoke ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_threespoke_02.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Three Spoke]]
This wheel came Standard on SE models, Its three-spoke design was the basis for the Tech wheels, the Racing Dynamics wheel and the Nardi Blackline.

=== Four-Spoke ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_fourspoke_06.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Four Spoke]]
The "poverty-spec" four-spoke wheel. It housed four buttons, one on each spoke, to operate the horn. The design of it is very similar to that of the steering wheel found in the basic-spec BMW E12. This was the standard wheel for all basic spec e30s .

=== Tech 1 ===

Three spoke.
Originally in pre-facelift E30. Early Facelift E30 were equipped with it, too. Change to Tech 2 were mid 1988.

The Tech 1 came in 2 sizes: 385mm and 370mm. The smaller one usually came only with the M3. Both versions will fit all non-Airbag E30.

=== Tech 2 ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_tech2_15.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Tech 2]]
Successor to the older Tech-1, the [[Tech_2|Tech-2]] wheel is also three-spoke. It came in two types, but only the smaller one was originally mounted at the E30. The large version came with E34 only, but it will fit E30 too.

Diameters are: 370mm and 385mm

=== Racing Dynamics ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_racingdynamics_01.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Racing Dynamics]]
Wheel for the E30 made by the Italian tuning company [[Racing Dynamics]]

=== Alpina (Momo) ===

(please update with information about the Momo Alpina wheel)

=== Hartge ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_hartge_04.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Hartge]]
Wheel used in the Hartge versions of the E30.

=== Nardi Blackline ===
[[Image:Steering_wheel_nardiblackline_01.jpg‎|thumb|80px|right|Blackline]]
(please update with information about the Nardi wheel)

Talk:Steering Wheels

2010-10-27T10:11:53Z

89.241.198.125: Replacing page with 'hi.'

hi.