325i Sport - fitting A/C + ABS fault

[Stu_B]

Hi,

I'm a new member, don't actually have an E30 but looking at buying one from a friend soon, I'm currently something of a VW fanatic.

The car in question is a 325i Sport, I think it's an '89 model, would that make it an m-tech 2? It has the larger boot spoiler if that's any indication?

Anyway - the car is in good condition but I have a few questions:

1. How much work is it to retro-fit air conditioning to the car? I know it adds weight, takes power, slows you down etc but I like a/c and wouldn't mind a bit of work to fit it is the parts were available from another model. I know some of these cars had a/c to begin with so presumably the parts are interchangeable? I'm a fairly decent DIY mechanic so would do the work myself.

2. The car has ABS but it doesn't work, no faults indicated on the dash or the little control panel thingy near the rear view mirror as far as I know.
What are the common things to check - ABS sensors, relays, fuses etc? Could anyone point me in the right direction on common ABS faults?

Oh, also - what's the difference between a 325i and a Sport model? I know the Sport has an LSD, different body kit maybe? Anything else, different gear ratio's perhaps? I presume the engine is the same as a standard 325i?

Thanks in advance for any help, really like the E30 and I'm currently trying to justify buying it as I already have a few other cars, none of which I want to part with to make space!

Cheers
Stu

[sam325is]

the 325 you are looking at will be a M-Tech 2. A/C retrofit is not something i am familiar with however i havge compltley removed and reassembled mine before.

yes they are interchangeable, you need to get all the A/C parts (evaporator,condensor,compressor,reciver drier(with pressure switch), and all pipes/wires) you need to take your whole heating box out and replace it with an A/C version as the A/C version has the evaporator inside. this then has 2 pipes on the end of it that go under the dashboard and come out in the the engine bay(drivers side)..... that is probly the worst bit. you will then need to remove the front valance to make life easy to fit the condensor(radiator looking thing in front of thr actual radiator) then mount the compressor to the enging block via a bracket. you will have a circular plate underneath your washer bottle this will need cutting out for the reciever/drier to fit into(buy a new one of these).

that is basically it, it gets alot more deatiled than that, but i hope it gives you the general idea.Then you have all the wiring to do to get it working which someone else will have to help you with as i dont have a clue and had to get a point in the right direction on that myself.

yea 325 sports have a close ratio gearbox and what you have mentioned above, also other little refinements like rear view mirrors with map lights on etc

[Brianmoooore]

ABS: The panel by the mirror doesn't have anything to do with the ABS - the warning light for ABS failure SHOULD be in the line of warning lights along the lower edge of the instrument cluster.
The light should come on with ignition, as a test, and then go out and stay out when the engine is started.
If you don't have a light there, it has probably been removed to hide an ABS fault and avoid failing an MOT.
First thing to do is to remove the cluster and see if the bulb is there. It's not a bulb that twists into the cluster like most of the rest, but a seperate holder on flying leads which just pushes into the back.
If there's no bulb there, or a blown one, fit one and see what it does. In most cases you'll find it comes on with ignition, goes out with engine start, and then comes back on again when the car moves.
This indicates a problem with one of the wheel sensors.

[Stu_B]

Excellent - just the sort of replies I was looking for, much appreciated.

It sounds like fitting A/C is possible then, if a bit tricky. Did lower spec E30's come with the same A/C system so I could raid something like a 316/318/320 for all the bits if I found one with A/C factory fitted?

I assume there would be an extra wiring loom missing from the non-A/C car which would be required, plus different heating/ventilation controls to operate the extra functions?

Regarding the ABS - I will check the bulb first then as that seems the first port of call, fingers crossed the bulb is just blown/missing and the rest of the system works ok... you can live in hope!

On another point, not really a technical one though - does anyone have a similar car insured on classic insurance, and if so could they recommend a company to try for a quote?

[sam325is]

you need the A/C switch to go on the dash controls, it has 2 buttons. you would need to get the R134a gas conversion kit or make sure that the A/C system you buy already has the conversion done as the old gas is no longer used (R12)

[Brianmoooore]

There's quit a bit of wiring loom, etc., involved in fitting aircon, including the wiring to the electric fan, etc. Nothing too difficult, but more than a five minute job.
Biggest problem will be finding an aircon equipped donor in the UK. They're not exactly common.
There are two different aircon setups available on E30s - a factory fitted one that looks exactly the same as a standard E30 inside, except for the extra switch, and a dealer retrofitted version, which has a slatted grill in the storage tray in front of the front ashtray.

[Simon13]

I have both aircon setups! factory and dealer fit. The dealer fit one is poo compared to a factory install, aren't i lucky

Aircon is a dash out job and alot of work and money to get it all going

[old_skool]

I have both aircon setups! factory and dealer fit. The dealer fit one is poo compared to a factory install, aren't i lucky

Aircon is a dash out job and alot of work and money to get it all going

Lucky begger!

Sell me the Factory version

On topic. Welcome to the E30Zone, you will find none finer a place to reside if you own an E30.

[Simon13]

I may well sell the factory setup but i'm not sure as i still may fit it into my alpina, i'm not decided yet!

[Stu_B]

Thanks for the replies and the welcome

Some great info so far, much appreciated. I know about the R12 and R134a gas, I got the A/C system in my Mk2 Golf GTI converted for the newer gas and it works a treat. Also, good point about the different factory and dealer fit systems, something else to look out for.

As for donor A/C parts, looks like I'll have to try and source them if and when the time comes and I buy the car, still not decided whether to get the car yet but I am very tempted... just can't bear to get rid of another other cars...