My '87 325i - Updated 03/02/11 - Time to say goodbye

[capri_rob]

This is one of my favourite cars on the zone - just a really nice, honest old thing - love the colour too, it really makes it seem more 'classic' somehow!

Cheers fella

[capri_rob]

Ongoing prep for Sundays Midlands Meet

Sun was shining and I have now definately used all my Autoglym - had to cut the bottle in half to get enough to finish the car - todays top tip


Might use this as new avatar





Like this one - wish next-doors corsa wasn't in shot though



Roll on Sunday

[jamie323i]

Thats a lovely looking chromie,looks loads different since you got it!

Hope mine will look that good when im finished fettling it!

[The_Diddler]

Lovely looking chromie

Will be good to see it in the flesh on Sunday!!!!!!!

[capri_rob]

Lovely looking chromie

Will be good to see it in the flesh on Sunday!!!!!!!

Yep looking forward to putting some faces to names on Sunday ! which moredoor are you bringing ?

[The_Diddler]

Lovely looking chromie

Will be good to see it in the flesh on Sunday!!!!!!!

Yep looking forward to putting some faces to names on Sunday ! which moredoor are you bringing ?

I'll let you guess............................

This one, nearly finished now...



Or this one....................................

[capri_rob]

Thought it was about time I put a sponge over my turd.
Washed and polished the E36 with megs gold class first - just washed the E30 but by the time I got to doing the BBS I was losing the will to live so it will have to do for now.
Rear arches gonna need surgery soon

[euan]

looking good matey

[Ollie_bwoii]

Looking real good rob! Love the bronzit beige!

Still wish I could find an interior like yours! As it is absolutely stunning!

[capri_rob]

Well its getting close to me actually pulling my finger out and doing some work on my car

Just spent the proceeds of my recent Ebay sales stocking up on bits.

So far I've got waiting to be fitted :
Genuine Oil Filter
Genuine Air Filter
Genuine Rocker Cover Gasket ( will be replaced when I do the valve clearances & Spraybar )
Water Pump
Cambelt Tensioner
PAS Belt
Alternator Belt
Blue Temp Sensor
Distributor Cap
Rotor Arm
Fuel Filter
NGK Plugs

Still got to buy a Genuine Cambelt, Oil, Coolant, Rubber fuel hoses for engine bay.

Once all that lot is fitted I'll be doing new disks, pads and brake fluid as soon as I can raise some more cash.

As Im gonna have to do the coolant when I change the water pump is it worth fitting a new thermostat at the same time ? Got no problems with the one thats in so should I replace it or leave it alone ?

Also wondering whether its worth shelling out for a set of new ignition leads as I'm replacing the dizzy cap, rotor arm and plugs - or again is it a case of waiting until they start to fail - no misfires or issues with them at present.

Once all that little lot has been done its onto the trickier stuff ( for me anyway ) - all the suspension bushes need doing ( apart from the "lollipop" ARB bushes at the back which were replaced not long ago ) and I want an Eibach Pro Kit so I can lose the 4x4 look

Then......bodywork

Its never ending.................................

[capri_rob]

Ok small update - this weekend I have tackled the valve clearances thanks to some Technical help from Zoners

Fitted some of the bits from the last post - Oil was filthy black and has now been replaced with some Comma Semi Synthetic 15w40

Crappy unipart oil filter has been replaced with :

This was quite tricky as I took the car for a good run before dropping the oil out - that part was fine but trying to remove the filter from under the exhaust manifold that was hotter than the fires of hell wasn't pleasant !

Out with the old

I've seen worse to be honest

In with the new


Photos don't do these justice - the ones I took off were genuine BMW parts - I have fairly extensive history for the car but nothing to say they have been replaced in 22 Years and 133k miles



rotor arm contact is particularly pitted

New ones easy to fit and car now feels a lot more perkier.

Only realised at the weekend that 1 of the NGK plugs GSF sold me was the wrong one Had to go to local motor factors to get a single plug as it wasn't worth driving all the way to GSF to swap it

I appear to have damaged the rubber boot/bellows which connects the airbox to the throttle body - went out today and the idle was very rough - noticed a 2 inch split by the jubilee clip which when pressed together put the idle back to where it should be so have ordered a new one today together with a Throttle body gasket so I can remove the throttle body and clean it properly as well as removing and cleaning out the TPS.

Still not looking forward to tackling the cambelt and water pump

[capri_rob]

Just spent about 4 hours messing with my car.

Removed the throttle body so I could give it a proper clean out with carb cleaner - took ages to do it but the inside is now spotless with all traces of deposits removed and the action is perfect.
I wanted to clean out the TPS which was the main reason for removal of the throttle body - unfortunately a previous owner appears to have got there first - its been marked at either side and there are signs of it having been split apart - unfortunately it appears that when it was refitted the screws have been threadlocked in place - they just wont't budge and I don't wan to wreck the screw heads up. Can hear the switch clicking when the throttle is just beginning to open so it will have to do for now.
Also blasted the ICV through with carb cleaner - which took a few minutes to sort itself out after startup - had me worried as the idle was all over the place but then it settled down to where it should be.
Then I tackled replacing the fuel hoses and fuel filter in the engine bay. This is definately not as simple as it sounds - the hoses appeared to be practically welded in place they had been on for so long - it took ages of pulling, twisting and a good dollop of strong language to get them off - then pretty much the same again to get the new ones and new hoseclips on ( why do the little sods never keep in one place when you're trying to do them up )

probably doesn't help that my garage is only just big enough for the car leaving very little space to work in

Also replace the air intake boot which I split last weeked - only £16 from the stealers.


Its now running the best I've had since I bought it - but still got stuff to do

If anyone has a couple of 10mm nuts with the built in washer ( the kind that hold the throttle body to the inlet manifold - I think they're the same as the ones that hold the rocker cover on ) and could pop them in the post to me I'd appreciate it - I lost one when putting the throttle body back on - its vanished off the face of the earth. I've sorted it for now with a separate washer and nut but want the proper one if anyone can help me out. PM me for my address.

All thats left under the bonnet to service now is the Cooling system and Cambelt. Then onto brakes, suspension and bodywork

[town325i]

which gsf do you use rob there is one in wolves now which is on the bilston road

[capri_rob]

Didn't know there was one in Wolvo - I got all my recent stuff from the one in Castle Bromwich.

You coming to Cosford on Sunday ?

[DanThe]

Wolves branch is much better to deal with, dont buy filters from BMW btw, they take the p155, GSF every time

[capri_rob]

Only bought the oil filter from the dealers - the air filter is a genuine jobbie bought off Ebay from a Zoner

[capri_rob]

2" Split at the airbox end in the Air Pipe


those little plastic bags full of goodies soon add up - new gasket for throttle body was a mighty 45p. After some initial reservations I'm starting to like the parts people at Sytner Sutton - even though they keep taking money off me


The side you don't see and can't get at properly when its attached to the car - this was part way through the cleaning process - it was thick black with deposits when I started !

[capri_rob]

haven't updated this for a while so to bring up to speed :

MOT passed in january but with several advisories, the worst of which being discs & pads all round needing replacement and braking efficiency not being what it should be.

Also noted NSR top mount just starting to go, and could do with a pair of front tyres.

To be fair the 2 tyres mentioned are the best of what came with the wheels 2 Years ago so havent done too bad - and they're still well above the legal limit.

So - over the last few days have had some nice shiny bits turn up :

Front And Rear Disks, pads and sensors.

Also bought PAS and alternator drivebelts ages ago but not got round to doing them yet

Water pump, Blue temp sensor, Cambelt tensioner and Genuine Cambelt


Genuine E46 M3 Cab rear Top mounts, nuts and Gaskets


And leaving the best bit til last ;



Be interesting to see how they compare with the springs we take off


Need to pick up some coolant and brake fluid then Weather permitting the lot will be going on the car this weekend

[bigredbmw]

i have just bought one the same colour ......... may sell as well

[Ollie_bwoii]

I bet that cost you a pretty packet......

Its going to look and handle fantastic when its all on the car though, so will be well worth the effort.

[capri_rob]

Well me and town325i got to work on the turd today

Started off well - removed the carpet round the sides of the boot to get at the top mounts - I'd never had this out before - revealed the following horrors

Somebody's plated this from underneath - and not very well

NSR Suspension turret - will need plating for next MOT

Dunno whats going on here - not sure what that bolt is through that crunchy bit, and there is a plate which appears to have been tiger-sealed in place - what a bodge

Top mount out

Rear disks definately seen better days

Eibachs Vs 4x4 Truck Springs

Then when we got the springs out we found that the spring mountings on the trailing arms were completely fooked

DanThe sprung to the rescue with a set of newly powder coated trailing arms - Cheers Dan
Me and town325i then headed to GSF to pick up some rear wheel bearings - getting them pressed in on Monday so the arm can be rebuilt for refitting next weekend
Also had to order new backplates and trailing arm bushes from the stealers
Work in progress
Then moved onto the engine bay as we couldn't do any more at the back end until the trailing arms are sorted.

Rad out - found to be fecked New one on order from GSF
New water pump in, Cambelt changed and new tensioner fitted - water pump we took off was a genuine item and not in bad nick but the tensioner was on its way out.
New PAS and alternator belts fitted when all back together and new blue temp sensor fitted.

N/S/F spring out - again quite a difference in height

New disk pad s and sensor on N/S
town325i had the patience of a saint bleeding the brakes

Dropped it back down to make a start on the other side, rolled it back slightly and there was an ominous crunch from underneath - drivers side anti roll bar mounting had parted company with the subframe ( rotten ) so we gave up for the day.

So between now and next saturday I need to order various bolts and bushes and try and source a decent secondhand subframe.

Massive thanks to town325i for today and also thanks to Danthe for the trailing arms

[Rav335uk]

[Alex]

Ouch, thats pretty rotten in there

that bolt is the mounting point for the fuel filer neck iirc, looks like its rotten away some someone had put a massive washer and nut on

good luck rob, it will be worth it when its done

are the top mounts easy to do, mine need doing, ive got some e46 cabby ones for it

[town325i]

im on the stella tonight after today hopefully next weekend will bring better news

[The_Diddler]

Arrrr the joys of E30 ownership

PM sent regards front subframe

The bolt you mentioned seen in one of the pics looks to be around the position of the bracket inside the arch that holds the fuel filler pipe??

[capri_rob]

Top mounts probably the easiest job today - probably the only bit I could have done without help now I've seen how its done TBH.

A few bodges found but to be honest I wasn't expecting it to be all waxoyled and solid. Thankfully as its all hidden under the trim I've got a mate who is gonna plate it all for me - will stick plenty of hammerite on it and should be good to go.

Hopefully will get cash together to get the inner and outer arches replaced later this year

Its never gonna be concourse but as long as I can get it solid and through the next MOT thats good enough for me.

Can tell the difference on the lower springs already even before they've settled - its gonna look the tits

[Ollie_bwoii]

All rot is fixable, so its nothing to worry about.

Will this be ready within 3 weeks then Rob? I really am looking forward to seeing what its like in the flesh.

I put some waxoil over most my suspension parts, keeps any further inevitable corrosion at bay. Obviously if I could have afforded it I would have has stuff powdercoated.

[capri_rob]

im on the stella tonight after today hopefully next weekend will bring better news

Mate you're a fookin legend !

Can't thank you enough for your help today - I don't have your patience with mechanical stuff.

Subframe sorted - Theo325 is gonna get one to me for middle of the week hopefully

Got all the part numbers for the Droplinks/ARB bushes/nuts and bolts and will get the lot ordered on Monday.

Spoke to my mate with the welder and he's gonna plate up all the rot for me when we've done all the other stuff so its all good

I'll probably pick those trailing arms and bearings up tomorrow afternoon if OK with you - will text you tomorrow

[town325i]

yeah any time is fine im going to get that other spring on tomorrow and finish that fiesta off so next weekend i can have a good weekend on your car as i will probably be in the office for a week at work. so all being well it will be done before 3 weeks time

[capri_rob]

Will this be ready within 3 weeks then Rob? I really am looking forward to seeing what its like in the flesh.

If all goes to plan yes - if not I'll see you at the meet anyway either by cadging a lift or I'll be in the E36

[town325i]

funnily enough i had already said this to my missus if i dont get your car done in time i was gonna offer you a lift.

[capri_rob]

Hopefully we've had all our bad luck today mate - although I'm sure I've read on here that trailing arm bushes are a bitch to do

I'm free tomorrow until about 2ish - let me know when you're there and I'll pop round

[town325i]

trailing arm bushes are not a bad job to do even with my home made press for them. its getting the old ones out which is the pain in the arse but that is already sorted as they are bare arms.

[capri_rob]

Is it worth ordering new bolts/nuts for the trailing arm bushes ? If they're anything like the rest of the fookers on the car could be a good idea

[town325i]

would be a good idea Rob