E30 Zone

I'm planning on "nipping" down to the NEC for the Autosport Show next month and I intend on taking the BMW. Apart from the obvious things, is there anything else I should be checking or replacing? Relays? Electrical thingys?

I'd like the 800mile trip to be pretty pain free like it has been the last times!

the petrol gauge every 10 mins



check all fluids,oil,screen wash,coolant,tyre wear/pressure. spare wheel tyre tread/pressure.

take a jack, wheel brace, spare oil, large bottle of water and a FUEL CAN !


best of luck

The car should take it in its stride unless there are any outstanding problems that you are aware of.

If you really need some piece of mind, some warm clothes & blanket/extra coat, drinking water, some food and an RAC card are all you should need in addition to the usual checks (oil level, water level, washer bottle level, tire pressures/condition etc)

My car's making a round trip to England before the end of the year; 900miles each way. She's a 320 too, a touring, and I'm not worried in the least.

Of course, those are a fool's last words...

Spare fuel pump - heard of a few packing in (not just on the b20s) if that goes it puts the ball on the roof - might be worth taking a spare.

Apologies as now Ive posted this and if you dont take one youll probably feel your tempted fate....

It was the fuel pump relay that used to have a mind of it's own on my 190 16v, that still didn't stop it going on some long drives though!

I'll get a new one and stick it in the boot methinks.

Apart from a rough idle the wee car runs perfectly so I don't see why it won't make it, best to be sure though!

I would agree with johnt - always take a spare fuel pump anywhere you go!!

You shouldn't need the full assembly, just the pump insert so is not too expensive but yea that's the only showstopper I've heard of on an E30. Equally take a toolkit that will enable you to fit one

Were off to Scotland next week in an 80's BMW! We planned this trip in September it was not snowy then. Not worried though.

Well folks may be pleased (or not surprised in the least) that the wee car never missed a beat, averaged a shade over 26mpg on the way down with the strong headwinds and loads of surafce water and 30 odd on the way back at speeds that "weren't" between 80-90mph, because that would be bad and breaking the law. It's amazing the difference weather can make to economy!
Anyway though for my £450 I seem to have bought quite a good little car!

I passed a goldish "A" plate 320i somewhere on the M6 in Lancashire in the morning, wasn't anyone on here was it? Looked a nice one, got a flash and a nod of him too.

we went from here to Aberdeen over new year (1100 mile round trip) in our 318is, fully laden, and it performed fantastically.

To the fuel pump I would also add to check the condition of your throttle cable as a snap is a real pain. That at least is a cheap spare to carry

bpowell555 wrote:To the fuel pump I would also add to check the condition of your throttle cable as a snap is a real pain. That at least is a cheap spare to carry

bit late