E30 Zone

I've decided to sort the cambelt (and timing which I suspect is out) on my 88 cabby (325i). So a list of parts I intend to buy:

alternator belt 11 51 1 706 710
power steering belt 32 42 1 706 825
water pump 11 51 9 070 759 £88 exchange
water pump gasket 11 51 1 722 677
timing belt 11 31 1 713 361 £35.79
timing belt tensioner 11 31 1 711 153 £63.81
camshaft seal and o-ring £12.10
camshaft o ring £2.93
label 11 31 1 739 073
thermostat 11 53 1 713 040

Timing belt tensioner £63.81!!! Is this really necessary??

eurocarparts?

couldn't find it on eurocarparts and realoem are also quoting silly money

Or use GSF

i must be a muppet but couldn't find it on GSF either

I heard that the proper BMW tensioners last for ages and are much better quality than aftermarket - no direct experience myself though !

To be honest i would only use OEM parts on the engine and other major components.

doesn't anyone think £60 is a little steep for a tensioner?

Its not cheap and when you look at it, it'll wind you up more than you are now, have a search for piston rings on the forums, I can't remember the cost but sometimes with cars you come to a point when you have to choose, OEM or pattent.
I'll admit I've had OEM fail (not BMW) but had a few pattent parts give way and have vowed never again. I've got a non OEM pump belt as BMW gave me the wrong one but I carry a spare until I get over to a garage I would buy from.

I'm just weird.


and poor.
But always get where I'm going.

Get a conti-tech timing belt kit from ECP. Same as BMW.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... 2e870&TBLK

Tensioner £15 here and its Luk which are good.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... b9c33&TENP

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... =contitech

The kit i get from GSF costs me £25 for belt and tensionor £15 for the water pump which includes gasket

A thermostat is around £15 from the dealers and around £5 from GSF