'89 BMW 320i Touring

Tue Oct 01, 2019 8:30 pm

Hi All,

Picked up this 1989 320i Touring the other day. It's my first E30 and I'm really pleased with it so far. Overall the car is in pretty good shape and is relatively low mileage (obviously this can be a good thing or a bad thing!). It runs and drives great - Hopefully you can see some pictures I got of the car somewhere on this thread.

There's a few things I've picked out up to now that I think will need some attention and wondered what everyone's thoughts are on these.

1. Timing Belt Change - Car is on c.97K miles and has had two timing belt changes up to now. The most recent one was done in 2008 when the car had around 50K miles on the clock. I know how important timing belt changes are on the M20 engines with the valves and pistons having the potential to collide if the opportunity arises. Obviously this really needs attention ASAP and I plan to change the timing belt, water pump and radiator hoses as soon as I get the chance but just wondering how cautious I need to be in the meantime?

2. Passenger Side Scuttle Rust Spot - This is a pretty small rust spot on the car, I'd estimate the full width of it to be around 25mm with the worst spot being in the central 10mm. I'm not sure what people recommend in relation to this, should I add some new metal here or would simply removing the rust and filling it do the job? I plan to grab some photos of this when I can.

3. Sunroof Rust Spots - I'm aware of the issues these Sunroofs can bring to E30's and I'm pleased to say the sunroof on mine is in pretty good shape and looks to be fairly solid throughout. There are a couple of small rust spots on the surface which I'm hoping to remove soon too.

4. There seems to be a small blow on the exhaust (appears to be mid section) and this part of the exhaust is fairly corroded on the outside too so I plan to change this over the winter.

I think that's most of the things on my list for the time being, the interior is in pretty good condition but I'm sure there'll be plenty more odd jobs!

Thanks Guys

Tue Oct 01, 2019 10:05 pm

Hello and welcome. Lovely clean example

Wed Oct 02, 2019 5:55 am

Thanks a lot!

Wed Oct 02, 2019 6:56 am

Welcome. Nice touring

Wed Oct 02, 2019 2:43 pm

Hi, very nice looking car you have there!

Wed Oct 02, 2019 5:38 pm

Thanks guys!

Wed Oct 02, 2019 5:38 pm

Thanks guys!

Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:46 pm

Welcome to the zone mate, clean looking car you have there,
sorry for the delay, not been well.

Mart.

Thu Oct 03, 2019 5:38 pm

Thanks Mart! That's no problem at all, hope you're well again

Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:40 pm

WOW Looks great! I've just been passed down one of these that hasn't moved in like 10 years. gonna give it a look over tomorrow. hopefully its as clean as what you've got!

Wed Dec 11, 2019 2:45 pm

CaptainLouis wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 10, 2019 5:40 pm
WOW Looks great! I've just been passed down one of these that hasn't moved in like 10 years. gonna give it a look over tomorrow. hopefully its as clean as what you've got!

Welcome to the zone as well mate

Add a load of pics when you can please.

Mart.