Im 14 and just bought my 1st 2 door E30. Pics here.

[2doorE30Luke]

The delivery of my 1986 320i was today, gave the car a decent look over. Surprisingly the car is very solid for being sat on a vegetable patch for years. Only spots of rust from which i can see are the rear arches, and there is a small hole on the battery tray. Boot floor, suspension turrets etc are solid. Looks a lot better after a wash. A picture of it follows:

https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/ ... e=58B33D54

Hope to here from people soon!

[ah]

Weldone, thank god another early one still being kept alive.

[2doorE30Luke]

Yes, if it didn't get bought it would probably be on the vegetable patch 10 years from now.

[magpie]

pacer bait

[2doorE30Luke]

Don't know what that means sorry.

[2doorE30Luke]

Im looking for a full service kit.
Such as:
-Oil and filter
-Air filter
-Fuel filter
-Spark plugs
Also I'm looking for:
-Timing belt kit
-Disc and pads all round.

Where would be the best place to buy everything, without spending an arm and a leg.

[darkchild]

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk

Stick to the OE / Premium manufacturers and you'll be fine.

[Speedtouch]

Don't know what that means sorry.

Beware of the notorious pacerpete on here - he's got a bit of a reputation when it comes to persuing his 'prey', though I think it's just his Aussie sense of humour...

Your chromey is looking a whole lot better already - any more pics?

[Brianmoooore]

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk

Stick to the OE / Premium manufacturers and you'll be fine.

There's an 'art' to buying from this company. On the home page you'll see discount codes for spending totals of 50, 75 and 100GBP, so to get the maximum benefit, you have to place separate orders of these amounts exactly, or slightly over.
For example, if your proposed order comes to 185 GBP, place one order for 100GBP or just over, another one for 75GBP, and a third one for the remainder, which you can usually find another discount code for if you search.

[2doorE30Luke]

Speedtouch- No more pics as of yet. It started raining today as i was cleaning the interior. Sadly i had to pack away. Will update you with pictures as soon as i get chance.

Brianmoooore,Darkchild- Thank you for the website details and tips on how to save money. Will have a gander round the site and see the prices. Many thanks, Luke.

(Will update later)

[2doorE30Luke]

Does anyone know where i can find a detailed tutorial on how to do the timing belt. Would be much appreciated.

[darkchild]

There is one in the Wiki:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... elt_Change

[TriggerFish]

There's an 'art' to buying from this company.

They're usually on Quidco and/or TopCashBack too. Usually a low rate, but it all adds up. I saved £5-£10 on a clutch this way IIRC.

[2doorE30Luke]

Darkchild- My engine is different to that, the distributor on mine mounts down the side of the engine. Whereas on this the distributor mounts on the cam.

Triggerfish- Many thanks, will help me save money to put into the E30.

[Brianmoooore]

That will be the earlier version of the engine. Same basic engine, but very different (and much more primitive) management system.
A point to note with this engine is that the toothed pulley half way down the engine must be 'timed' as well as the cam pulley and crank pulley.
It leaves a bit to be desired, but the Haynes manual 1948 with a maroon cover would be worth investing in, although it doesn't cover your engine.
I think it's an orange covered Haynes manual that covers your engine in detail.

[ross_jsy]

It leaves a bit to be desired, but the Haynes manual 1948 with a maroon cover would be worth investing in

Great Scott! What foresight of the chaps at Haynes must have had to write that

Welcome Luke, I can't think of an easier engine to do the timing belt on than an m20, great way to learn some spannering skills.

If Pete offers you any Werthers say no

[2doorE30Luke]

Thank you for the info, will consider everything said. On pricing, what would a 1986 320i Coupe, manual be worth. If i got an mot, did the belt, got the rust spots all painted up, and made it in very good condition. Its does 61k original miles and is very solid. LOts of service history and never been written off.

[2doorE30Luke]

Where would i be likely to find some metric tyres, (200 60 HR365) at a reasonable price.

[darkchild]

reasonable price.

If such tyres are manufactured, I doubt the price will be reasonable! Metric tyres are often rubbish (ancient technology) and expensive as they tend to be produced in the occasional batch. Not a great combination! Are the bottletops currently on it metric? A very rare E30 wheel if they are. A cheaper option would be to buy some 14" ones and decent tyres instead.

As for value? 2 doors is a big bonus as it the low miles and history. Originality counts at the higher end of the market and yours will needs some bodywork and paint by the sounds of it but lets be honest, the vast majority of remaining E30s have seen a bodyshop or 10 by now. You see mint, low mileage 2 door 320i examples on eBay and Car and Classic for anything from £4K-£7K. What they actually sell for is another story. Either way, its a good base project as an investment. It being a 2 door model hugely increases it's desirability. Things like original dealer plates, key rings, stickers, tax disc holder etc. all get the enthusiasts salivating!

[2doorE30Luke]

Yes the tires are metric. Very cracked and one has an egg in. Is it rare for them to come with ABS or is that something they all have, as my dad was very surprised when i said its got ABS. Im hoping to make it near mint, or in very good condition.

[darkchild]

Reasonably rare for a 320i of that vintage to have ABS. Most have drums on the rear but I assume yours has discs.

Re. the wheels. If you want to keep the OE bottletop look, a set of 14" ones (cheap enough) and a set of decent 14" tyres is the way forward and will be a cheaper overall proposition than purchasing a set of inferior metrics (assuming someone has a stock of metrics in the first place!)

[2doorE30Luke]

Yes it has disc's on the rear. What tyres would fit on to them, will have a look round tonight at tyre prices.

[Speedtouch]

Strange; only 323i models of that vintage and 1988-on facelift 320i/325i models came with rear discs as standard.

ABS would have been a very expensive optional extra back then.

[darkchild]

Yes it has disc's on the rear. What tyres would fit on to them, will have a look round tonight at tyre prices.

195/65R14 is the most common size for 14" wheels. Other sizes also fit (winter tyres etc.)

[darkchild]

Strange; only 323i models of that vintage and 1988-on facelift 320i/325i models came with rear discs as standard.

My '89 320i hasn't.

I think ABS was standard on late 320i SE saloons though.

Drums FTW!

[2doorE30Luke]

Is it possible if i take the VIN number into BMW they can tell me the specs and details on it, could be pretty helpful.

[blazed]

You can put your VIN into this site to get your original build spec.
http://bmwfans.info/vin/

[2doorE30Luke]

Is there a way if i i take the VIN to find out all the optional extras its got.

[Speedtouch]

Yes, try the site blazed posted up first, then your local BMW dealer if further info is required.

You can also enter in the last 7 digits of the VIN into RealOEM:

http://www.realoem.com/

[2doorE30Luke]

Many thanks. It's had all its services at the same BMW garage. Will definitely take the VIN and get the spec of it. Many thanks Luke.

[aimlessrock]

Luke if you need a set of bottle tops i have a spare set in my stash that are in good nick ..would rather them go to a good home than sit gathering dust in my garage.

PM me.

[2doorE30Luke]

I have messaged you. Many thanks, Luke.