Stored for 8+yrs!

Post Wed Jun 19, 2013 9:47 am

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 (MOT), 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.

Post Wed Jun 19, 2013 10:21 am

CHANGE THAT CAMBELT!

and welcome back

Change all the fluids and get her up on a ramp to check the underneath for dodgy brake lines, rubber bits, rust etc.

Don't take her to Kwik Rip, there are known mechanics on the zone (and on temporary absence!) who will do a far better job in your area.

Oh, and we need more photos

Post Wed Jun 19, 2013 10:59 am

Thanks - and yes Kwik fit would be foolhardy desperation and I'm not there yet!

Post Wed Jun 19, 2013 11:10 am

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

Post Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:00 am

As mentioned get a new cambelt on it.

Best to be a kit (connitech from CP4L) which is the belt and tensioner.
Whilst you're there get a new water pump (with metal impeller).
A new tension spring for the cam belt from the dealers wouldn't go a miss.
Some people would recommend new 'D' seals and cam seal on the head.
Flush the engine and rad and then obviously new coolant.
Oil change and oil filter (it said that you can't beat OEM oil filter, from the dealer).
New Fuel filter
Air filter.
Brake fluid
Clutch fluid

That's enough to get you going, there are plenty more things to do. But that would get you up and running relatively smooth so you can enjoy driving whilst working out what else needs fixing..

And definitely get some pics up

Post Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:02 am

Above is all assuming its an M20. Some bits shall very in other engines..

Post Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:18 am

How would I know it's an M20?

Post Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:51 am

Barry BSS325I is based in Surrey and can sort you out.

Pm sent.

Post Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:18 am

Here you go.. This should help

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Engines

Post Sat Jun 22, 2013 4:36 pm

Being totally original surely u would want to go down a good BMW Dealer to preserve the FBMWSH

You will be wanting BMW Inspection II Service, brake fluid, coolant, air filter, fuel filter, cambelt etc

Post Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:20 pm

pony wrote:Being totally original surely u would want to go down a good BMW Dealer to preserve the FBMWSH
You will be wanting BMW Inspection II Service, brake fluid, coolant, air filter, fuel filter, cambelt etc

I bet that little lot would be the thick end of £1000 from a dealer - IIRC the last Inspection II I paid for at the dealers on an E36 ( mid 2000's ) was around £500 - they will want another £100+ to change the brake fluid, probably the same again for a coolant change and at least £300 for a cambelt change - more if you have the waterpump done at the same time - plus most of the fitterz at your average BMW dealership now are only interested in changing oil on 320d's as quick as they can and fixing stuff you have to plug in.

The only non-standard stuff they do on an inspection II that doesnt normally get done DIY or by a normal garage is change the diff & gearbox oil - apart from that you're paying for a whole load of "checking" and not a lot of actual "doing"

A main dealer service won't add £1000 to the value of the car IMO - if you can't DIY it get an Indy specialist or a local zoner on the case - you can still use genuine/OEM parts, evidence the work has been done by receipts for your history folder and it will be MUCH cheaper

Post Sat Jun 22, 2013 9:50 pm

All points taken - Ta

Post Tue Jun 25, 2013 7:23 pm

Took the now unstored car via low loader (photos to follow) to an E30zone member advised bmw indy garage (to keep service history - service stamp) and hey presto! passed the MOT!!!
Also it was 8.5 years stored not 8yrs. So, so far so good - will get full service tomorrow which may well pull up some problems, and then cam belt change. But so far so good.