Thanks for all prior help - My E30 is a 1990, 70,000 original car one prior owner convertible in white - pics before storage on site somewhere (new to all this so still learning site) Bought for £16,500 in 1992 from one owner with 9,000 on clock. In 2004 decided to take off road as it was too good to sell for 'nowt', so stored it. Recently dug it out garage and good to read on classic car websites it's considered 'good affordable' car to keep and run.
Got the car started after new (bosch) fuel pump and battery. Started first time! All very exciting! Sounds very good but bit precarious to drive as I'm used to driving the Touran!
One window goes down but not up - I see from wiki that I need to clean connections so this is minor.
I'll get full service prior to MOT - maybe Kwik Fit, as in London small good garages that are prepared to help are thin on ground. Any suggestions as to what may be needed to be safe or what could be faulty after 8yrs - brake fluid/coolant I know should be changed. Any pipes that should be renewed? Worried about expensive things like power steering etc. I've started so I'll finish! Any help/suggestions would be gratefully received.
Convertible - Stored for 8+ years - what's needed?
Moderator: martauto
-
Hunchkipper
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 30
- Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Kingston Upon Thames
-
Topblag
- Old Skooler

- Posts: 7095
- Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Fife - You got a problem with that ?
Full service, including cambelt would be my suggestion. Also bleed brake system and change fluid.
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
-
beemerbird
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 8620
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk
Where in London are you? Someone may have a better suggestion than
Kwik Fit 
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is
-
jimbom30cab
- Tech 1 freak
- Posts: 7631
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: in the garage
yer i would get it to someone who knows about old BMWs
If i were you i would also put new brakes, discs and pads on, to be on the safe side
be good to see some pics on here if you can
did it really start first time after 8 years !!! Amazing !!
If i were you i would also put new brakes, discs and pads on, to be on the safe side
be good to see some pics on here if you can
did it really start first time after 8 years !!! Amazing !!
-
beemerbird
- Married to the E30 Zone

- Posts: 8620
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Suffolk
New fuel filter, too. My old car was off the road for a number of years, without petrol in the tank, which caused some internal petrol tank corrosion. This is very rare, but worth watching out for.
Small jobs like changing this can be done easily and save you a few quid on mechanics labour.
Small jobs like changing this can be done easily and save you a few quid on mechanics labour.
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is
-
Hunchkipper
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 30
- Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Kingston Upon Thames
Yes started first time - like imagined it might in the Woody Allen film with VW beetle in a cave after 500yrs (Sleepers) Prior to this it wouldn't start with new battery but after help from folk on this site I managed to fit new fuel pump (£125 bosch - which included the whole unit so no soldering - got from carparts4less) With part fitted started first time and sounds just like it did.
All comments are of help and hopefully someone BMW garage or facility near Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2QW will help - rather than KWIK FIT which I wish I'd never mentioned.
Will post photos asap
All comments are of help and hopefully someone BMW garage or facility near Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2QW will help - rather than KWIK FIT which I wish I'd never mentioned.
Will post photos asap
-
Grrrmachine
- E30 Zone Wiki / Team Member

- Posts: 8043
- Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:00 pm
- Location: Warsaw, Poland
Don't drive it at all until you've replaced the cam belt. After 8 years dry storing it will be perished and could let go at any moment. When that happens you'll bend your valves and be looking for a whole new engine.
When doing the belt, do the water pump and a coolant flush at the same time. Change all your filters and fluids.
From there, start looking at all rubber components. Make sure your coolant hoses aren't cracked or perished, and also check the intake hoses. In the wheel arches, check the brake flexi hoses, including the two above the rear beam (behind the petrol tank). Most importantly, put new tyres on it - even if yours have plenty of tread, 8 year old rubber will have dried out to the consistency of Lego, and won't offer anywhere near the sort of grip required for a tail-happy monster like an E30.
If all that's ok, start taking it for gentle drives, let it warm up properly, and then thrash the pants off it
When doing the belt, do the water pump and a coolant flush at the same time. Change all your filters and fluids.
From there, start looking at all rubber components. Make sure your coolant hoses aren't cracked or perished, and also check the intake hoses. In the wheel arches, check the brake flexi hoses, including the two above the rear beam (behind the petrol tank). Most importantly, put new tyres on it - even if yours have plenty of tread, 8 year old rubber will have dried out to the consistency of Lego, and won't offer anywhere near the sort of grip required for a tail-happy monster like an E30.
If all that's ok, start taking it for gentle drives, let it warm up properly, and then thrash the pants off it
'89 325i Touring | Touring Resto Thread | In-Dash Screen install
-
Hunchkipper
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 30
- Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Kingston Upon Thames
THANKS - I'M IN KINGSTON UPON THAMES IF ANY GOOD BMW MECHANIC IS ROUND THE CORNER
-
Hunchkipper
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 30
- Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Kingston Upon Thames
THANKS - I'M IN KINGSTON UPON THAMES IF ANY GOOD BMW MECHANIC IS ROUND THE CORNER
-
pukar
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 2225
- Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:00 pm
-
Hunchkipper
- E30 Zone Newbie

- Posts: 30
- Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2013 11:00 pm
- Location: Kingston Upon Thames
Thanks - already made contact and will hopefully meet Sunday

