325i cab questions

[Steviec]

Im looing at an E30 (pre facelift) cab this morning, but I have been told that it has a power steering leak on the rack, is this a big/expensive job to get sorted?
The guy is asking Ԛ£2k for the car in met blue on an F plate with full leather, obc, cruisecontrol ect + service history.

Is there anything in perticular I need to look for? (It has a new roof).

[Brianmoooore]

Exchange replacement power racks are about Ԛ£160, IIRC, or you can get one from a scrappy, of course.
Steering fluid should be red, and there should be no liguid inside the end bellows of the steering rack. Be sure to thoroughly flush out the contaminated fluid from your car before you fit the new rack.
Nothing really specific to look out for when buying, other than the usual things like rust and odd noises and anything else that can be found to use for price bargaining.

[Steviec]

Thanks for that, its nothing too tragic then.

It sounds like a good car, but I guess ill have to wait and see.

[orangecurry]

stand back and look down the side of the car from way behind the boot

look for any ripple in the bodywork over each rear wheel arch

as is being talked about on another thread(!) cabs are not as rigid as a tin-top... they are strengthened in the sills, behind the rear seats, and across the front behind the dash

BUT if they are involved in a shunt they will tend to twist more easily (even though they remain strong)

Also stick your hand under each wheel arch and check the distance from the arch to the wheel - it doesn't matter what the distance is, but make sure it is the SAME distance on both sides at the rear

I have actually seen a twisted cab, so I'm not making this up.

A general tip for checking for crash damage is to look how all the panels line up - BMW do a good job of this at the factory.

A way to tell if front wings have been replaced is to check the seam filler (which is painted) between the scuttle and the wing - easy - just open the bonnet and look in the top corner; there should be ONE nice factory-painted line of panel sealant

good luck

[ausbmwboy]

could someone tell me why you check the distance from the wheel arch to the wheel, both sides rear?

if it is different does this mean your body is bent?

[Zayyan]

if it is different does this mean your body is bent?

Yes.

[mrLEE30]

or youre parked on a slope!

or one spring has broken

or one tyre different from other

or one shock leaking

etc etc etc

best way is to check the panel alignment, then have a friend drive the car while you follow in another, let them drive in a straight line, you follow behind and look down each side of the car, it should be straight and not crabbing, if all good tell them to really floor it through the gears and look for bad smoking, white not so good, a little black is ok, lots of black not so ok.

[orangecurry]

or youre parked on a slope!

or one spring has broken

or one tyre different from other

or one shock leaking

etc etc etc

best way is to check the panel alignment, then have a friend drive the car while you follow in another, let them drive in a straight line, you follow behind and look down each side of the car, it should be straight and not crabbing, if all good tell them to really floor it through the gears and look for bad smoking, white not so good, a little black is ok, lots of black not so ok.

good advice, but I kinda hoped you wouldn't park on a slope

however a shock leak will make no difference to static height - it could be a poor spring, but this isn't very likely; also unlikely to have different profile tyres!

which is why I said look at the panels as did your good self

ps the actual bent cab I saw rode perfectly, drove like an angel, and we even put in some new rear springs to be absolutely sure - no difference.

The decider was when I put my hard-top on it... it didn't fit properly. It would line up at the back OR the front... not both

We put the hard-top back on my car; fits perfectly.

[mrLEE30]

or you could have a fat bird in the passenger seat!!!

teehee

that would bring me to advice on how to sell a bent cab....pull a large un and bring her to the sell!!!


mrlee

[orangecurry]

now THAT'S good thinking

and the bonus is you can leave her with the new owner...........

[Cabrio]

The BMWCC do a buyers guide for the E30 Cab...

All parts are available, new and used

The leak can sometimes be trivial...seals are available and used racks can be got for less than Ԛ£100..but yours can be repaired...just make sure not a sign of other service neglect

Depends where you are but can recommend good spare parts suppliers throughout UK

[Steviec]

I got the car, it seems to have been a looked after car, there are lots of receipts and service stamps.
Who are BMWCC?

[Cabrio]

The BMW Car Club...in the UK the recognised members club

They have an E30 register and a convertible register that will give valuable advice and information

You will save your membership fee with savings etc

Do you want the office number or details how to get application form!

[E30Mark]

The BMW Car Club...in the UK the recognised members club

They have an E30 register and a convertible register that will give valuable advice and information

You will save your membership fee with savings etc

Do you want the office number or details how to get application form!

Thought I'd stick my nose i here, as I'm the BMWCC E30 registrar !!! got no particular advice to give at this moment in time, but good luck with the E30 Cab search. The car in question sounds like a nice car, good specification plus a new hood! steering rack isn't a complicated thing to replace....

[Steviec]

The BMW Car Club...in the UK the recognised members club

They have an E30 register and a convertible register that will give valuable advice and information

You will save your membership fee with savings etc

Do you want the office number or details how to get application form!

Details of how to get an application for would be great, or even a web site addy if they have one. It may not be till payday, but ill definately be joining.

Thanks for the help.

P.S. I bought the car just before crimbo (a pressie to myself and the best pressie I got!) and pics can be seen here: http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=24538

[E30Mark]

http://www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/

The E30 register is run by Ron Parish, a very nice chap. Some more details here :- http://www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/rm/e30.asp

Nice cab by the way

[Cabrio]

Hi

Hope you had a chance to look at the website

If you want an application form you can contact the office or email your address and will happily send you one in the post

goodluck

[Cabrio]

Re the colour there should be a sticker on the suspension turret under the bonnet...also the paint code will tell you..if that fails BMW will tell you from chassis no...from the photo looks like Royal Blue...which is a great colour...got one myself that colour...will be selling it in the summer though