E30 in storage

[jb1]

Taken the motor off the road and stuck it in storage, under a cover and in a barn. Not sure how long but probably a few years down the line I plan on restoring the last few bits of rust and respray.

[hennabm]

So long as the storage is dry it will last. If not then it will be a complete rot box after a few years. Also make sure that you don't get any were beasties making a home and a meal of your car. If possible put it on a battery feed to maintain the SI board otherwise it will drain and then need replacing.

[Brianmoooore]

If possible put it on a battery feed to maintain the SI board otherwise it will drain and then need replacing.

It shouldn't hurt a NiCd battery if it does go flat IF it is in good condition. It will slowly recharge when the main battery is reconnected.
If the board has lithium batteries, the board can be removed and the DIP link removed (if it has one) or the little wire link under where the pins should be can be cut.

[aimlessrock]

do not leave the hand brake on and open the windows a little to stop moisture building up in the interior.

[jb1]

The battery is disconnected but I might connect up and turn over the car every once in a while and check that it isn't starting deteriorate inside.

[aimlessrock]

what model btw?

[Brianmoooore]

The battery is disconnected but I might connect up and turn over the car every once in a while and check that it isn't starting deteriorate inside.

That won't preserve the SI board batteries if they are the lithium type. They start to tun down when the car battery is disconnected, and are not rechargeable, so don't recover when the main battery is reconnected again.
The current drain is small, so they will last a few years in total without the battery connected, but if you do this for several months every year, they will die eventually.

[minesapint]

The battery is disconnected but I might connect up and turn over the car every once in a while and check that it isn't starting deteriorate inside.

Probably the worse thing you could do in my opinion.
Best to remove the spark plugs and put a small quantity of engine oil into the cylinders, then crank the engine to wipe the bores with it. When the car is eventually started it needs to be thoroughly warmed through, engine, gearbox, differential etc, and this can only really be done by running it. Otherwise leave it be.
If you keep starting it you'll also need a complete new exhaust when you come to start using it again, as you'll fill the exhaust with condensate with each start up, as it will never get hot enough to evaporate out.
There are many other things which need attention for a good "lay up", where it's stored being a big one!

[jb1]

All good advice, some interesting points to take on board.

It's a 325i.

[satvir]

If it's worth anything, my 325i cabby has been garaged since 2012. Only driven to mechanics to get some work done, MOT centre then home. Otherwise in 4 yrs its hardly moved.

Major service before I parked it up (2012). Oil change, Air, oil, fuel filters, plugs, coolant, water pump, timing belt and pulley.

It’s been under a car cover, handbrake down, wheel chocked up, and all 4 windows partially down. My battery is disconnected, I start her up once a week, usually let it run for an hour and turn all the lights on and heating on etc once the car is warm. I turn all lights, heating etc off a few minutes before turning the engine off.

When it hasn’t been on axle stands, I used to open the garage doors and rock it about back and forth a few times.

Fuel wise I’ve just kept the level at under a quarter way, and when the light comes on, I’d top up with 5litres of fresh unleaded. A 12v tyre inflator comes in handy too when car is parked up for a while.

The above has worked for me over the last 4years.

[aimlessrock]

remember cam belts are not only mileage but time sensitive..

[satvir]

remember cam belts are not only mileage but time sensitive..

Thanks, i'm fully aware the belt is 4 yrs old, as is my oil and filters etc. Service item have been brought. But wasn't sure about the belt.

The belt is every 60k or how many years?! The 60k will never come before the yrs for me.

[jb1]

If it comes down to it, where it is stored has enough space to drive it around a little should it need. My belt should good for a while as it was changed last year, but how often in time should it be changed?

[greg124]

I have changed mine at 5 year intervals