Support for E30 from BMW

[Dr Firefly]

How much stock do BMW have left for E30s? I was reading an article saying that the last full chassis/shell was sold 2 years ago, which I found quite a surprise - I'd always thought they'd have all gone by the mid-90s at the latest?

So does that mean there'll be brand new gearboxes, diffs, engines sat there in storage somewhere? Would love to get hold of a brand-new engine, gearbox and drivetrain as a long-term project

Cheers, Ian

[iDreamBeemer]

From what I have picked up, you can still get some parts new direct from BMW (its just not cheap). Dont know if you can get 100% of parts to build up to a new one but you can defo get some bits.

Try speaking to stuartgallfant [spell!] as he works in a dealer! and I am sure you can get a steer as to what bits they still do or no longer do...

[Jhonno]

You can get more than 'some new parts' from my experience, most things are still available

[iDreamBeemer]

most things are still available

including a nice shiney new engine...?

I knew that parts are possible but can you walk up to the stealer parts section and order a new lump?

[powelly]

Didn`t BMW recently build a 2002 or something out of there stock of parts still held, at dealers and in there main warehouse.

[powelly]

Yup, here it is

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-B ... ructed.htm

[iDreamBeemer]

that is cool, but it does read they could only source 90%.....

now I say 'only'....!

and does not mention what the 'now' price is....i.e how much would it have cost joe bloggs to have gone and ordered one in parts!

[Loony]

My insurance company said they could not get a shell from BMW 3 years ago when mine was t-boned.I was able to get any parts i wanted from the dealer for my 318is though and some parts were even on the shelf.

[Andyboy]

You can still buy an incredible amount of stuff from BMW. Their parts warehouses are enormous and they are still reconditioning M20 engines. You can't buy a shell, but just about everythiong is still available - BMW, Porsche and Mercedes are very good for this sort of thing and support cars up to 30 years old. Ford are the worst along with Fiat/Alfa and VW Audi aren't too good either.
If Ford had thought about storing all the panel presses for the Escorts, Capris and Cortinas they'd be making a fortune. BMW kept everything they could and Mobile Tradition is a multi million Euro business.

2 years ago I bought a chrome strip for a 1971 3.0S saloon and a door check strap for a 3.0CSL. Both with the dealers within 3 days. Rumour has it that they are restocking on S14 complete engines - not new but completely rebuilt with a factory warranty. Porsche have been buying up old 928 units for the same reason.

[JimmyC]

most things are still available

including a nice shiney new engine...?

I knew that parts are possible but can you walk up to the stealer parts section and order a new lump?

Yep they stock brand new engines, not cheap but not massively more than a proper rebuild

[miniblob]

most things are still available

including a nice shiney new engine...?

Ring your local (or any!) dealers and ask!!!!

Give them your chassis number and ask for a price!!!

And let us know!!!!

[Dr Firefly]

most things are still available

including a nice shiney new engine...?

Ring your local (or any!) dealers and ask!!!!

Give them your chassis number and ask for a price!!!

And let us know!!!!

I'll do that tomorrow - the parts department'll be closed by now.

I liked that story about the old 2002 - says they're building an old E12 528 now too? I wonder how long till they do an E30?

I know they do new diffs for about £800, but I never thought of asking for a whole engine before - I'd assume they'll only do a short engine without all the ancillaries

Can you imagine if you turn up at a BMW dealers and ask for a brand new M20 engine with all the ancillaries to be fitted? I bet you'd be charged £10k minimum. I'd love to see the look on their faces too - they're all such snobs these days... whenever I go to my closest one to buy a new part they always say, "Oh, an E30? I don't know if we still do that part." And then the look of surprise when they look on the computer and realise that they're the franchised dealer for a decent company, and sheepishly tell you it'll be in tomorrow.

Funny story actually - my dad went in last year dressed in gardening clothes to get a temperature sensor fixed on his 2001 E46 330d (all the extras) the other day. And the guy at the front desk, said "I don't think we support old 2nd-hand cars like that. Where did you buy it?" So my dad said in a really loud voice (you know the hushed poncey up-there-own-arse quietness in some BMW dealers, so it really carried well - everyone could hear) "I bought it brand new from you you f$%king cnuts! Are you're telling me that a car that I bought 5 years ago and wrote a cheque for £40,000 for is now "not supported"? I'm sure some of these potential buyers here would like to know about that?" Suddenly a manager magically appeared and organised it being repaired within 10 min - at no charge of course....

[Dr Firefly]

Obviously not saying all dealers are bad, just that particular one. I've had some very good service from other ones. Just before anyone who works in one gets insulted

[Dr Firefly]

most things are still available

including a nice shiney new engine...?

I knew that parts are possible but can you walk up to the stealer parts section and order a new lump?

Yep they stock brand new engines, not cheap but not massively more than a proper rebuild

Anyway, went off at a tangent. Think it's great that BMW support 20 year old cars to the extent that they do. Can you really go and order a new lump? That's amazing. Just from an ordinary dealers?

Thinking of the possibilities - how about a brand new E28 M5 engine (don't know the actual engine designation - the one with 24v instead of the regular 12v?) Wonder what kind of price that would be...

[jmc330i]

Can you imagine if you turn up at a BMW dealers and ask for a brand new M20 engine with all the ancillaries to be fitted? I bet you'd be charged £10k minimum.

As a bit of a joke I asked for the price of a new S50 (E36 M3) engine a couple years back, was about £9k for a short engine.

Would be interesting to know how much a 'new' M20 would be.

[Simon13]

i know a guy who worked for a main dealer and he bought a brand new M20 about 2 years ago for his motorsport cab.

just the bare engine as such. He sold this car last summer it hadn't even covered 3000miles!

[Andyboy]

They are about £2300.

A really good used engine is £250.

BMW don't sell very many...............

[march109]

They are about £2300.

A really good used engine is £250.

BMW don't sell very many...............

Give it a few years when E30's are proper classics and they will, people will be queueing up to take out the non original engines we're all shoe horning in to them and restore them back to original spec.

[dazleeds]

my local reckons you could still get an e30 2 door shell 3 or 4 yrs ago

but the saddest part is it would have only cost 995 plus vat

[Simon13]

Problem is most M20 2.5's are worn now and a bit tired. Most need a top end freshen up at the least.

The days of buying good strong ones seem to be drying up very quickly!

[M3Macao]

I ordered a r/h rear tail light lense and a fusebox cover from my local BMW dealer last week. Picked them up yesterday and found id been given 2 f/b covers!

I was told by the parts dept that the e30 had been virtually droped from their database as its getting too old now.

Though with a bit of searching they did come up with the goods.

[ivqii]

I have NEVER had any problem whatsoever in getting a part from Woods in Bournemouth - 3 days max

[baboon5151]

my main dealer are very good,ive had no probs getting any part.only have to wait a couple of days unless comeing from germany.

[jmc330i]

I was told by the parts dept that the e30 had been virtually droped from their database as its getting too old now.

Probably means they cant be arsed to deal with you cause you have an old car.
Ive ordered some very odd bits for my Sport from my local dealer and unless they have to come from Germany, its been 3 working days.

[kam-325i]

I have no problems with Rybrook in Shrewsbury or Benhams in Wolves. every item i have asked for so far has been available in 2-3 days max.

[Brianmoooore]

I've never yet been told by my excellant local dealer (Westerly) that any obscure part I've wanted for an E30 is no longer available., and 95% has been delivered within 48 hours. Always get first class, courteous service.
Anyone getting less than this should complain to BMW GB.

[M3Macao]

I was told by the parts dept that the e30 had been virtually droped from their database as its getting too old now.

Probably means they cant be arsed to deal with you cause you have an old car.
Ive ordered some very odd bits for my Sport from my local dealer and unless they have to come from Germany, its been 3 working days.

I have to agree with you there..he did have a "cant be arsed" look on his face, though they always do!

To be fair though i ordered the parts on thursday and they arrived monday morning.

[DaveD]

I have had no problems with Sytners in sheffield ...they look it up on the computer and it arrives 3 days later...they never mention its age..there was a guy in last time buying parts for a very early e21 and had no troubles either

[Ritchie]

My dealer is usually very good (Aberdeen) One guy even came out to see the OBC in my car when i ordered the backing light for the display.

[Morat]

BMW in Malton (north yorks) are great. Happy to help, and more than willing to look up parts for you. They don't have the E30 on their latest computers but they've still got a machine they can use to look up my chassis number. I've been in for some piddling little parts (intake air hose, expansion tank cap) and they have em in 48hrs and smile.

Try that in a Fiat dealer, I've been to several and never left one without wanting to torch the place.

[Andyboy]

I used Bridgedgate (now Stratstone in Chesterfield, very good indeed. When I lived in Hamburg I had literally just bought the SpEvo from Pete but it was missing the 'Sport Evolution 1990' dash plaque. I went into the German dealer and asked about this plaque - he contacted the factory who gave him a number for the parts warehouse manager at Garching (Herbert Gremmer) who, after recieving a faxed copy of the logbook from the Hamburg dealer, dug out a new plaque and sent it to said dealer.

There again, The Ford dealer near Hamburg airport located an 'unobtainable' header tank for a Series 1 Escort RS Turbo.

But it's only when you own a lesser make of car that you realise how outstanding BMW's parts organisation is. A lot of parts are being remanufactured but I've noticed that new E30 wings aren't as good a fit as the original - either the presses are shagged out or they are buying them in from Veng but eiother way it shows a commitment.

[Brianmoooore]

They don't have the E30 on their latest computers .

Strange! I thought the new ETK went right back to and including the 700 and Isseta bubblecar.

[mrLEE30]

even here in Bahrain, effectively a small sand bar in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf, i went to local dealers for a top front rubber seal for my cabby when i replaced the roof,... one moment sir, checked the computer, identified the part, went ''out back'' came back in 5 mins with the part.

also ordered parts such a interior trim for my Tech 1 sport - in the dealer in 48 hours

Never been told a part is not obtainable

mrlee

[Pal318is]

I've never encountered any problems getting ANY E30 parts from my dealers - Elms of Bedford-bar once...Always happy to help and order stuff up. The only thing I wasn't able to get was some mudflaps (the type that fit over se skirts)


Gutted my mate's left, he was a proper top gut, who shared the e30 passion

But i've become quite friendly with the new girl there

Pal

[DaveGT]

Didn't have any problems getting the clips I needed to fit some tec 1 side skirts to my cab, a lot of the bits were listed on their system as discontinued but BMW in Northampton placed and order anyway saying that 90% of the time there will still be some stock items on the shelf, true enough 3 days later I got all the bits I needed and the guy at the sales counter seemed genuinely interested in the car!