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Newbie with 325i SE

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:04 pm
by blondboy84
Hi
so, after having different type of cars:
Honda Civic (basically go-cart, lowered 50mil)
Honda Accord Coupe (engine swap to an import from Japan)
Golf mk3 GTI
Corrado 1,8 16v
Audi A6 2,5tdi Quattro
and some company cars (back in home country)

So the car. Well it's my first bmw, first RWD.

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known faults so far: rear arch massively corroded
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I dunno how is this thing called
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Rust patches on sunroof
have to change steering rack
some bushes front and rear
and closer to spring full respray, cause the color is faded and scratches from keys/nails all over both sides of car from front wing till rear light... :cry:

some positive things, engine so far seems pulling awesome (knock on wood) although will do full service e.g. spark plugs filters, valve cover seal
recently fitted new exhaust
no rust underneath
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near future plans

change steering rack (waiting in mailbox)
poly bushes (have to find which ones)
sort out rusted rear arch and that bit near bumper
idea of lowering by some 40mil (maybe apex kit, or some cheaper coil overs) I will see, cause it all adds up

and install ICE

my goodie bag :D
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alpine+ Kenwood
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well, that's about it
so far...

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:52 pm
by blondboy84
Original drivers seat was broken, so buckets are in 8)
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Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:02 pm
by Rav335uk
Welcome. :cool:

Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:28 pm
by Speedtouch
Welcome to the Zone! :)

I once had a 1988 325iSE - great car.

And, you can always liven them up quite nicely with a chip. winkeye

Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:17 pm
by blondboy84
Rav335uk wrote:Welcome. :cool:
thanks

read about yours' rocket :D and recent work...
Speedtouch wrote:Welcome to the Zone! :)

I once had a 1988 325iSE - great car.

And, you can always liven them up quite nicely with a chip. winkeye
how much torque you can gain from it? I don't think that more than 25-30Nm is possible.

IMO, in power case - engine rebuild, so all ponies, which escaped in these 22 years would come back to stable :D and then maybe chip to straighten torque line, so there are no downs, just diagonal up :cool:
But honestly, I don't know where all this (can't call it project) is going :D
had two projects in my life, both were Hondas:

civic
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and Accord coupe 95'
2,2vtec 200Nm
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still thinking about different styles, right now I like this one
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maybe something like that, but I am not sure that I will try to get mtec
also, really don't have the space to do the job, just at my friends

I will see where it goes, will I get bmw disease or not :roll:

Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:29 pm
by Duke137
BMW disease LOL

Welcome 8)

Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:38 pm
by blondboy84
Duke137 wrote:BMW disease LOL

Welcome 8)
It's like: it's not what you drive, it's what drives you :D

:o: as English is just my 3rd language and I don't know it excellent, that is why I didn't know how to describe it. (I don't know a lot of sayings, etc.) Problem with fwd - there is no reason to get from car more than 230Nm, Straight line is not fun. bmw is different, even though mine is stock, I got it sideways so easy :cool:

Would those alloys look ok on e30 :rolleyes:

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Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:12 pm
by Speedtouch
The chips I sell give the following gains:

EcoTorq M20B25 Mild; 7-11bhp gain, significantly enhances the torque for driveability/improved fuel economy (expect at least an extra 2-3mpg average) and eliminates flat spots, also a 6900rpm rev limit. An ideal blend for daily motoring, also works well with automatics.

M20B25 Wild; 8-15bhp gain, up to 192bhp if combined with 268/268 cam, BBTB and six-branch as per Alpina C2 2.5 spec, 7000rpm rev limit. Best suited for fast road/track day use. Alternatively, a 6500rpm rev limit can be specified.

I personally tested the Mild in my 325iSE, and it dramatically improves the torque, reducing the 0-60mph time from the standard 7.5-8 seconds to a little under 7 seconds, and gave an indicated 140 mph flat out, yet would easily return 30 mpg when driven gently.

Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:20 pm
by Duke137
Plenty on here have BMW disease mate! Fit whatever wheels you want to YOUR car 8)

Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:59 pm
by Rav335uk
blondboy84 wrote:
Rav335uk wrote:Welcome. :cool:
thanks

read about yours' rocket :D and recent work...
Thanks, more to come yet :D

Re:

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 9:57 pm
by blondboy84
so...
today changed broken steering rack (fingers crossed that it was that leaky part)

and I am looking for coilovers.

who knows something about JOM coils?
Maybe something else?
your suggestions?

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:23 pm
by blondboy84
New wheels:
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It's now my BMW jeep. Ok, it got a bit lower, but still...
Now I will need to lower car by I dunno 60/40 or 40/30 and proper tyres...

Any advice on that?

Re:

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:33 pm
by Speedtouch
With those rubber band tyres, 60/40 would suit it, but you'll be at risk of cracking the sump.

So, I would go with 40/40 or 40/30, or maybe just fit a set of -15mm Sport springs.

Re:

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:52 pm
by Nobby_N
8O

Re:

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:10 pm
by Meatballs82
Hi mate,

I have a set of 30mm Eibach springs available in the parts for sale section.

Your other order will be with you Wednesday :cool:

Re:

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 10:44 pm
by blondboy84
Nobby_N wrote:8O
Whaaaaat? :roll:
Speedtouch wrote:With those rubber band tyres, 60/40 would suit it, but you'll be at risk of cracking the sump.

So, I would go with 40/40 or 40/30, or maybe just fit a set of -15mm Sport springs.
Agree

gap from tyre to arch is 8cm, with proper tyres would be 2 cm less.

40/40 or 40/30 will be still too high at least with these tyres on.
it's just 60/40 and shocks

As in future tyres will be changed, I am thinking about RPM:
Gaz coils
Sump guard
Uprated top mounts

strut braces.

now speedometer lies - on motorway instead of 70 is 62 at the same revs.
as I drive it 1-2 times a week, not concerned about fuel economy - fakk the fuel economy.

Re:

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:16 am
by blondboy84
Meatballs82 wrote:Hi mate,

I have a set of 30mm Eibach springs available in the parts for sale section.

Your other order will be with you Wednesday :cool:
If car gets lowered by 30mm, I can still be ok with stock shocks?

Re:

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:50 am
by Speedtouch
Yes, stock shocks should be OK with up to 40mm lowering springs.

Re:

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 7:29 am
by Meatballs82
blondboy84 wrote:
Meatballs82 wrote:Hi mate,

I have a set of 30mm Eibach springs available in the parts for sale section.

Your other order will be with you Wednesday :cool:
If car gets lowered by 30mm, I can still be ok with stock shocks?
I have these springs on standard shocks and the ride is spot on :D

Re:

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 8:04 pm
by blondboy84
some goodies came yesterday :)
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Some arrived today from Eurocarparts
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Next week is going to be busy

thanks to Matt (btw still thinking about lowering or coilover set - had one GAZ GHA coilover offer from zoner)

looks ok :)

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Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:21 pm
by blondboy84
In last few (three) days did some stuff :D
poly bushes full kit
Eibach lowering springs
Changed propshafts' coupling, gearbox mounts, gearbox seals, diff oil, new rear discs, pads.
Sounds like not much done, but omg, to get of that rear beam, and then install new bushes :evil:


I have just a few photos

changed some bushes in front + lowered springs
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got out rear beam to change bushes
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final result (so far)
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Re:

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:44 pm
by Rav335uk
Good progress :cool:

Re:

Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 1:39 am
by mcbonio
Great progress blondboy, was nice to meet you the other day. You got that skid pan fitted yet?? :)

Re:

Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2012 5:42 am
by blondboy84
mcbonio wrote:Great progress blondboy, was nice to meet you the other day. You got that skid pan fitted yet?? :)
Yeah. Had a long chat and a tea too, thanks.

no, I didn't have time for that yet. Maybe on monday or thursday. Still a lot to do. Oil changes, timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, rocker cover gasket and strut brace, and I.C.E.

Re:

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 7:12 pm
by Craggy73
Hi, Good to see another E30 owner in Warrington. What else have you been doing since your last post?

Re:

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 2:21 pm
by blondboy84
Craggy73 wrote:Hi, Good to see another E30 owner in Warrington. What else have you been doing since your last post?
hmm, another: who else is here? :)

not much
just fitted Magnum back box

it was too cold outside and I don't have a decent place, where to work on car

in near future:
timing belt etc
IS aftermarket front lip
gaz rear shocks
shadowline
alarm

Re:

Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:49 pm
by blondboy84
so the near future is here

I need some advice:

I'll be changing
Alternator belt, timing belt, water pump, will flush radiator, spark plugs, valve cover gasket, rear shocks.
What else should I change, buy?
Distributor cap, rotor?
for rear shocks top mounts from e46m3, anything else I should worry about?
will be adjusting valve clearances.

So, any advice?

Cheers

Re:

Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 10:49 am
by Speedtouch
Good idea to check the dizzy cap and rotor arm; most E30s I've bought have still had the manky 20+ year old originals!

Re:

Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 12:28 pm
by blondboy84
what's about crank sensor?
and that spring for timing belt tensioner?

Re:

Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 12:35 pm
by Speedtouch
If the engine still runs OK, then the crank sensor is fine - it is just a coil of wire (inductive loop), so not much to go wrong with it.

But yes, a new cambelt tensioner is a good idea if you are changing the belt.

If you are buying a new water pump from BMW, take the old one back as they give you a discount of about £20 for it, even if it's a non-BMW part. :wink:

Re:

Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 10:21 pm
by blondboy84
Speedtouch wrote:If the engine still runs OK, then the crank sensor is fine - it is just a coil of wire (inductive loop), so not much to go wrong with it.

But yes, a new cambelt tensioner is a good idea if you are changing the belt.

If you are buying a new water pump from BMW, take the old one back as they give you a discount of about £20 for it, even if it's a non-BMW part. :wink:
I have everything
thermostat too

that cambelt tensioner I have it too, but still have to get that spring for it. I read that it's recommended to change it too