Adams 325i Diary

[Adams-Sideways]

thanks for the info matey, mite just stick with a standard one as a quick fix then

[capri_rob]

Resetting the valve clearances can definately improve performance as can having the injectors ultrasonically cleaned.

Search "injectortune" on here - there is a guy that will refurb them and has a good reputation.

If you're not sure about doing the valve clearances ( to do it properly a lot of it is down to "feel" rather than just nuts and bolts stuff ) you might want to ask an experienced zoner to have a look - looking at your location I'd try Simon13, BSS325i or B7 - they can all probably do M20 valve clearances with their eyes shut. I did mine using the wiki page and it was slightly better than before but I still think it should have been better.

Make sure you order a new rocker gasket first.

Nice work on this so far

[Adams-Sideways]

Thanks for the advice mate, il order up a gasket soon and give it a crack im fairly confident with that kind of work as i have done similar work on a few of my other cars before, but i know exactly what you mean about the "feel" of it, need to get it just right

Very interested in getting the injectors refurbed as the injector cleaner doesnt appear to have made any difference to be honest, not that i really expected it too

On a sadder note, ive just been to my old garage to borrow there 2 poster for the morning to have a better look under the car and can now confirm a few things

>> Rust on sills will fail mot and will need patching or complete new sills.
>> Rear arm bushes are all knackered and should fail mot.
>> Diff is leaking.
>> 2 Wheel bearings are shagged.
>> Need a new shackle for the anti roll bar, front drivers side.
>> Bleed nipple snapped off, rear passenger side.
>> Brake fluid needs changing badly.
>> Shocks are all knackered, not too worried about this as new shocks and springs were on the cards regardless.
>> Oil leaks everywhere

Soooo. . . . long road ahead of me not gonna be easy on a student loan either but il do my best, i dont wanna get rid of it cos i love this car to bits

Thanks for all your help so far!

Ad

[sunnyr83]

Ah sh1t, stick at it mate, you've done well so far.

[Adams-Sideways]

cheers mate, just a long slog ahead to get it sorted, rear bushes are gonne be the most annoying to do

[capri_rob]

The easiest thing to with the probelms you mentioned to start with Adam is to source a complete rear beam complete with rear disc/ABS equipped trailing arms - if you're lucky you'll get one with rear calipers included which takes care of the snapped bleed nipple problem and you can then bleed the brakes.

The subframe bushes and trailing arm bushes can be easily removed when the beam is off the car - basically you can refurb the whole thing as one unit, and then when its all ready just drop the old one off, bolt the newly refurbed one up and then sell your old one on - a beam and rear disc trailing arm setup should be no more than £100 and then another £60 or so for the bushes.

You should be able to get a standard open 325i diff for under £50 in good working order


A new shackle for the ARB will be pennies secondhand or not much from the dealer, but make sure its definately the shackle thats gone and not the subframe it bolts to thats rotten - this is fairly common.

A good used subframe should be under £50 if needed

Front wheel bearings are £50 a side from ECP but you need to buy the dust shield and cap from BMW which is an extra few quid - if its the rear bearings that have gone these are a bitch to change yourself.

I've actually got a fair bit of the parts you need but am a good way from you but there are plenty of southern zoners who will be able to supply secondhand bits if you need them

Its all fairly standard E30 issues by the sound of it - keep at it

[Duke137]

Wise words from Rob ^^^^

ARB Shackles are about £4 from the stealer. But check condition of the subframe, I had the same problem and when I first got my IS and it turned out to be a rotten mounting point on the subframe. A good subframe can be had for like £15 second hand.

I have just cleaned a spare subframe up with cleaner and a wire knot brush on my angle grinder, welded a small square over a badly pitted area and primed it and coated in black enamel paint that I had in the garage. Looks like brand new for a couple of hours work. This is bolting into one of my project cars and then I'll clean up the one I remove.

The only pain in the arse you have is the welding tbh as quite often you start discovering there is more and more more that requires attention.... The joys of E30 ownership

Your enthusiasm is good though mate, at the end of the day you could be paying £300 per month finance on a characterless degenerate shitbox, I know which I would rather have!

Good thread, I am watching this one

[Adams-Sideways]

Wise words from Rob ^^^^

Your enthusiasm is good though mate, at the end of the day you could be paying £300 per month finance on a characterless degenerate shitbox, I know which I would rather have!

Good thread, I am watching this one

Lol cheers matey this cheered me up a lot. Thanks to you both for the kind of replies that make this site brilliant. really helpful and made me think that it shudnt be too bad! Got some pm's from people already offering parts which is brilliant and will try get this all sorted asap.

As for the welding and patching, who knows! Im reluctant as the 4 doors dont hold their value even tho i think they look beautiful! But i would like to get it all done. Maybe go the whole hog repair all the bodywork and get a respray

Thanks for the replys, watch this space for more updates

Ad

[Adams-Sideways]

Well this has been getting the love it needed and is on its way to passing the mot now

But i spotted this on ebay and have won it. On my way to pick it up now from kent. Will post more when i get back. Think i got a bargain

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

[e30redness]

I was watching this one........good luck.........don't give up on the moredoor......its an E30 with moredoors

[e30redness]

If you do give her up.......I'm up for the shadowline trim. Just missed out on some on fleabay!
TC

[capri_rob]

Well this has been getting the love it needed and is on its way to passing the mot now

But i spotted this on ebay and have won it. On my way to pick it up now from kent. Will post more when i get back. Think i got a bargain

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Looks like a good buy but he appears to have fitted the wrong "New" springs

[Adams-Sideways]

Cheers guys, yeh the 4 door will get the attention it needs and fixed up but then i will sell it as it is surplus to requirments now it got me into e30's tho so its done its job

Words cant explain how chuffed i am with the new car, picked it up earlier and drove it the hour and a half home with no issues. Very comfy ride, sills are perfect, wheel arches perfect, cant find any rust! Full leather, loadsa history. First owner had it for 24 years and kept it garages the whole time

I know it looks like its riding soo high so i checked the springs and they are the right ones, god knows why its sitting so high. Lowering springs will be first on the list of things to do anyway

Loadsa pics and full story tommorow

Night!

[Adams-Sideways]

Pics up, please check the new thread and tell me what you think

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 99#2167399