E30 Zone

I was just going through the pics of a 325 dr that i want to buy but just spotted the temp gauge.
Have a look let me know what you think please.

Could be a dodgy temp reading and needing a knock on the dash or it could be cooked.

Looks on the 3/4 mark

most e30's the fan dont kick in till the 3 quarter mark but if thats fooked you can bet its been cooked and its bollocks'ed

town325i wrote:most e30's the fan dont kick in till the 3 quarter mark but if thats fooked you can bet its been cooked and its bollocks'ed

That true? My fan runs from start up until I switch the engine off.....(Facelift 318i)

Crap i dont know what to do now.
I am guessing it was creeping up as the engine was running and it was standing still but like you guys say could be something and nothing.
Just spotted in now what should i do leave alone or what.
Car is supposed to be good did not say anything about any overheating issues.
Its an 88 SE

alexdejonghe wrote:

town325i wrote:most e30's the fan dont kick in till the 3 quarter mark but if thats fooked you can bet its been cooked and its bollocks'ed

That true? My fan runs from start up until I switch the engine off.....(Facelift 318i)

Your fan turns all the time the engine is running yes but its not actually "running" as in pushing volumes of air through the rad until the viscous coupling kicks in when the engine gets hot.

Nogaro325 wrote:Crap i dont know what to do now.
I am guessing it was creeping up as the engine was running and it was standing still but like you guys say could be something and nothing.
Just spotted in now what should i do leave alone or what.

What does the seller say about it ?

Is the car close enough to go and have a look and walk away if its no good ?

Or can you agree with the seller that the deposit is refundable if when you turn up and drive it the car turns out to have cooling system issues ?

I'd ask the seller if there is an issue... See what he says. He might lie, if he does, then return it if possible... ?

Or is it just off a random? i.e not through ebay?

What are you saying Rob is this normal then should i take a chance.
I know my own 325 sits well below halfway when she is on the move .

220 miles away from me,supposed to be getting picked up in the morning as there is no tax just easier to do it this way.
So takeing the sellers word to be honest never clocked the temp issue until now so have not pulled him on it yet.

My temp guage never sits that high! Never....

Might be the gauge - but if it has cooling system issues I wouldn't fancy driving it the 220 miles back to you.

Is it cheap enough to be worth a punt and fix it if it does have issues ?

If its strong money unless its something special I'd be prepared to walk away unless its as simple as a dodgy gauge. None of my E30's have ever got that hot.

yip does not look good this could have been a bad move,such a nice looking car to be honest what a pity.
Then again it might be nothing but i cant afford to take the chance as you guys rekon its not normal.
Yeah its hot but is it not fatal until it hits the red.

Something is not right if that's reading correct temp!!! Fatality or not
But 220 miles is a bit of a gamble!! Unless as Rob said if it's cheap enough??

Just got a reply says it was done the othere day.
Had it running for over an hour to try and charge the battery.
Says the fan cut in and it stayed at halfway as it should so he says.
Stupid letting the car run like that for so long.

Could be a stuck stat, or a knackered viscous - and he's left it running for a while whilst he took the pics and its got hot.

If you hadn't noticed it on that pic would you still have bought it ?

Or you could use it as a bargaining chip to get some money off if the rest of the car is good

Whats cheap for a nice e30 these days.

Nice, left it on tick-over for over an hour- brilliant!!!
How to look after your engine, lesson 1.....
T1T

Yeah thats the thing dont thing its done the engine any favours .
Guess its a case you pays your money you takes your chance.
I am not over the moon about it now to be honest but overall she looks to be a great car.

Wheres the car, one of us could view it for you.

East horsley London way thats all i know.

What do you guys think i gen.

Very clean Unmolested Dolphin grey with the right engine/box/doors combo - GET IT BOUGHT

Well, if it's a solid and tidy car, it's worth a gamble if it's the right money (i.e £5-600). The worst it could be is a cracked head which is not the end of the world - you'll not be damaging the bottom end on one of these in a hurry - take a toolkit and remove the stat, and nurse it home.

Yes this is as andy says , i'd have a monkey in it

Getting her picked up safer that way i guess.
Money is just under £1000 which i guess is not to bad but she needs a new battery and tax.
The chap wont move on his price its only a 2 owner car with full service history and she has just been moted.
Every bill and mot from new i just like it because she is so orginial i am guessing there will be a few issues but then again its not a new car but from the pics she looks good.

Gut instinct is that the guy is being honest, it looks like an unmolested example. I could see the temp gauge reading this level if it was short of some coolant, warm summers day as it appears in the pics and if it was ticking over for that length of time - I agree get it bought.

I think it needs to be alot less that a grand IF the motor is cooked. Saying that its a good colour, correct door and a head and gasket isnt the end of the world. Get it looked at asap.

Take some of this with you

dont know about your cars but mine sits on 1/3 all the time, when its sat still, when i'm in traffic or if i'm doing 80. only one i had over heat was my 318 and it was fook

She is home and all is well.
The motor is as smooth as silk and so quite no sign of any heating issues.
She so orginial i just love it she has all her overmats with all the fixings orginial radio.
She has a rear blind that i never knew it had.
The service history is the best i have ever seen on an e30.
Everything documented from the first orginial owner with orginial bill of sale for 20 grand in 1988 every bill mot amd tax disc.
This is all repeated with the second owner right up to date.
Every key the torch the first aid kit the triangle the full tool kit.
Orginial dealer number plates.
Full owners pack with fully stamped service book.
Its a very complete car all the panals are orginial there are a few issues needs a new batt and there is a bit of rust on the passenger rear arch right at the bottom and a bit on the rear towing eye.
All said and done i like her alot i dont like the steering wheel awful

Looking forward to the custard shots!!

Glad its not overheating, congrats on the new purchase!!!

15" BBS, tech 2 steering wheel. 35mm eibachs and bilstein B4's.

Done!