E30 Zone

Hi there,

I recently acquired a 1990 'G' Reg 3dr 316i Coupe. It is in reasonably good condition bodywork wise and the engine seems to still be running pretty well.

It's done 180k, which sounds like a lot, but it has got full service history and still pulls and sounds nice... Can I expect a few more years out of the old girl yet?

I think the colour is right, Bronzebeige Metallic, someone told me on here...

I think I want to drop a bit maybe 35-40mm and put some dark grey BBS or Alpina reps on her, give her a bit of road presence.

I have a couple of things need changing for the MOT, apparently there is a leak in the petrol tank and powersteering joint? Has anyone heard of these problems? These sound like the hardest bit's to fix as there are a couple of break pipes and a rear bearing aswell, which I can cope with. Powersteering however is a new game to me.

Anyway here are the pics, tell me what you think!







I'll try and get some more up but she's in the garage at the mo!

You have come to the right place mate..... E30s are easy to work on and a great car to learn on... Ive been here a little more then a year and im half way though a full resto...

Didnt know the first thing about them before I cam here, there is plenty of experts on here and all are willing to help.

Mike

You can definitely expect many more miles out of your E30 so long as you keep it serviced.

looks tidy unusual colour, but looks good on an E30

bronzitbeige is a marmite colour, some like it, some dont.

i love bronzitbeige, one of my fav's.

good luck, and welcome to the fold

Fuel tank leaks often come from around where the filler neck rubber hose joins the tank. Usually rusts around that area. Only solution is a replacement tank. Brand new from GSF you're looking at about £160. A decent second hand one is usually in the £35-£50 region. Bit of a fanny job due to lots needing removing to get the tank out like exhaust, prop, heat shields. Also worth replacing the brake hard pipes that swoop just above the tank whilst it is out.

Alpina reps look alright, but they are poo as the car will feel crap in the ride dept, they are very vulnerable to kerb rash and aren't the strongest either. Usually they are multi fit and need spigot rings otherwise it'll shake like a shitting dog at 50mph+.

Power steering joint is most likely the steering column UJ setup. £15 for a decent second hand one will see you right. If the rack has any problems like leaks just replace with a second hand one.

Oh and welcome, bronzit rocks

One of my fave colours for an E30 to
Dont belittle the rear bearing too,they can be a nightmare to do as can the main front to rear brake pipe aswell if thats the one that needs doing.

Bronzit Beige.... the new black

S

bigwinn wrote:Bronzit Beige.... the new black

S

Another Bronzit thread

Eibach springs work very well for a 35mm or so drop
Rear brake pipes ( the metal ones that run along the trailing arms ) are about a tenner a pop from the dealers for the genuine article.

Look forward to seeing some more pics

Thanks for all the replies!


It looks pretty clean around the petrol cap neck area but I'm not sure I haven't been underneath it yet...

Replacement tank might have to be the solution, I was more hoping it would be something simplier like cracked hoses or something....

Good news that the powersteering should be cheap, is it a reasonably easy job?

What wheels do you recommend then? What about some nice standard e30 BBS? Then I could spray them a nice colour....

Also I think the rear arches have been replaced in the past they look ok but they have a slight bit of surface rust on them, would you recommend having a go at patching them up myself? Or would you get it done pro?

Thanks again

Thanks for all the replies!


It looks pretty clean around the petrol cap neck area but I'm not sure I haven't been underneath it yet...

Replacement tank might have to be the solution, I was more hoping it would be something simplier like cracked hoses or something....

Good news that the powersteering should be cheap, is it a reasonably easy job?

What wheels do you recommend then? What about some nice standard e30 BBS? Then I could spray them a nice colour....

Also I think the rear arches have been replaced in the past they look ok but they have a slight bit of surface rust on them, would you recommend having a go at patching them up myself? Or would you get it done pro?

Thanks again

Sorry that was me on a friends PC

get the bearing sorted if I were you, was told that if it went on my 318 touring I would wreck the diff if the rear bearing failed and locked the rear.

As for the wheels bbs 15's and leave them oem. Best look by far

Hmm I was thinking maybe some lenzo BSX's or something?

How wide are the standard BBS?

BBS's would look great on your car... they would realy suit it

MooZ wrote:Hmm I was thinking maybe some lenzo BSX's or something?

How wide are the standard BBS?

Have 205 55 15's all round on my touring on bbs's.

Makes me happy everytime I see them.

Looks the same as mine - bronzit is one of the best colours imo. Get a fogligth blanking plate or a pair of fog lights fitted.

15 BBS or MIMs are the nicest. Alpine reps are way too common for that car. Do a search for bronzit in photo gallery and you will be able to see what looks best.

Welcome to the zone.

Thanks man, yeah there is a set of MIMS for sale in the for sale section atm! I'm really tempted with those! I want something a bit different than the standard BBS as much as I like them I've been driving a MK2 Golf around with BBS on for the past few years and I came to the darkside for a change ;)!!

Heres mine on a set of MIMs - obviously a little lower than yours but I still think they'd look good on yours. Are the ones you have seen the ones on an E21?? Dark grey?

Listening to you guys talking about the Bronzit E30's brings back memories. The thing is this nice but unusual colour really pops with a blue sky and bright sun light on perfect summers day!...Drop the e30 to 60ml..will look fantastic with some dished alloys!

Looks very clean

Jindmahi wrote:The thing is this nice but unusual colour really pops with a blue sky and bright sun light on perfect summers day!...

Like This :

if you need any body parts give me a shout i have got one the same colour