Something I'm getting

[SnakeEyeSS]

I have been looking for these for a long time, maybe close to a year? maybe 8 months, don't remember exactly, but I had given up on them. I saw a picture of them, and went searching again via google & MSN seach. Once again, I must say goggle is great, but when you REALLY need to find something, nothing beats MSN Search (search.msn.com) for its searching power. one the first page was a link to an E30 M3 site about a guy who could get the M3 version of this part. I contacted the guy, and come to find out, I can't find any in the U.S. because I believe they were never sold or bought here!

 

So this guy is going to import me some, BRAND NEW, via BMW AutoGroup in Germany!!!!! If he's telling me the real list price(which seems to be about right for a BMW M-Technic part), he may only be making a dollar or two!!!! I think that is VERY nice, if you ask me, doing a stranger a favor like that. Gotta love the BMW loyalist circle!

 

For any of you who have searched for an extremely rare part, you know how I'm feeling right now!!!!

 

Why? My car is not one of the uber-rare U.S. M-Technic's(they were only convertibles), but the 87 325is does have a few ///M parts:

M-Technic springs

M-Technic steering wheel

and the airdam/rear spoiler were made by M Technic, I believe.

 

So I want another M-Tech part!

 

They aren't the most "flashy" things:

here is a pic of my stock ones, just black shiny plastic with two ribs:

click here for pic

 

Here another 3 series that already has them(if your a BMW E30 fan, check out everything that guy has done to his car, very nice!!! www. striclyeta.com ):

[The SPEEDY]

It's great when people help you out like that. Nice little upgrade also

[MadFish]

Nice!!

 

Once I get my car sold, Im going to try and find a 88-90 E30 325iX. It'ld make a fun little toy.

[SnakeEyeSS]

why exactly are you wanting to sell your E46?

A guy posted a week ago on Roadfly E30 boards and is selling his 2002 325Ci because it "dosen't feel as good as an E30", he wants more of a driver's car.

 

If you haven't researched the iX, the 4WD saps a lot of juice, and the repairs run on the same bill category as an E30 M3. Plus they weigh more, so they don't handle quite as good, etc etc. But if that's what you want, go for it!!! E30's are great cars, and 4WD does have it's benefits.

 

 

There is a guy who's sister has an 90ish 325iX who has almost every Dinan goodie made. His response is for the money, if you want sheer power, forced induction is the better route. check out www.roadfly.org and go to the E30 message boards for more info.

[MadFish]

I dont want the car payment anymore. I have other things that are more important to me right now then the BMW. I can get another one down the road. But, right now the $400 a month would really help with other things that I need more and have better justification for.

 

Im looking at the ix for the all-wheel drive. Cause I had a hell of a time this winter with the E46. The car just couldnt handle the snow, even with some aggressive snow tires. It just couldnt cut it. So, it got parked for 2 months. If I could afford a E30 M3 I'ld get that instead. But, I'll only have about $3-4000 to spend on a E30. I was going to get a S-10 Xtreme, but I like. I guess I just cant go from a full-size Chevy to a baby truck. But, E46 to E30 shouldnt be to hard

[SnakeEyeSS]

I dont want the car payment anymore. I have other things that are more important to me right now then the BMW. I can get another one down the road. But, right now the $400 a month would really help with other things that I need more and have better justification for.

 

Im looking at the ix for the all-wheel drive. Cause I had a hell of a time this winter with the E46. The car just couldnt handle the snow, even with some aggressive snow tires. It just couldnt cut it. So, it got parked for 2 months. If I could afford a E30 M3 I'ld get that instead. But, I'll only have about $3-4000 to spend on a E30. I was going to get a S-10 Xtreme, but I like. I guess I just cant go from a full-size Chevy to a baby truck. But, E46 to E30 shouldnt be to hard

Have you driven one yet? tell me the differences you notice. I haven't driven an E46, but I've driven an E36, and my car feels much more into/attached to the road than my brother E36.

 

Plus, the E30 is more of a driver's car. The newer ones are more luxury oriented, but the E30 delievered it's purpose. Well, at least the "is" does. Our iC is a little soft. Of course, that was IT'S prupose.

 

If you can find a 325is in good shape, test drive one of those too. I've read articles where BMW Tech's talk about going over 40 down mountain roads in an E30 2WD w/ snow's with not much of a problem.

[MadFish]

No, I havent had the chance to drive one yet. There arent many for sale around me. So, Im going to have to buy one from outside the Kansas City metro area.

 

I have driven a E36, E36 M3 and a E46 M3, as well as my car. The best one yet was the E46 M3. The E46 is more of a luxury car. Althought, mine isnt. It doesnt have half the stuff you find on other E46's. No power seats, no leather, no sunroof. Its as bare-bones of a E46 as you could get. Which actually makes it better. Since its lighter without all the extra luxury crap on it.

[SnakeEyeSS]

No, I havent had the chance to drive one yet. There arent many for sale around me. So, Im going to have to buy one from outside the Kansas City metro area.

 

I have driven a E36, E36 M3 and a E46 M3, as well as my car. The best one yet was the E46 M3. The E46 is more of a luxury car. Althought, mine isnt. It doesnt have half the stuff you find on other E46's. No power seats, no leather, no sunroof. Its as bare-bones of a E46 as you could get. Which actually makes it better. Since its lighter without all the extra luxury crap on it.

About 35 minutes NORTH of tulsa there is a red 1990 325is 5 speed for sale. I looked at it today. It needs a few things, but I doubt you will find an E30 that doesn't unless someone like me owns it

 

It is red, black leather interior

It has a super dark tint

The leather is in EXCELLENT condition, one of the best E30 leather interior's I've seen, EVER

169,700 miles

5 speed

BRAND new A/C system according to the owner

Paint is in great shape, glossy, no oxidation

 

 

This is what it needs, luckly all this would be fixed by the same shop:

 

The front driver's side fender is "loose", needs to be properlly attached. It may be missing a bolt or somthing, I'm not sure.

 

It sas had a rear hit accident, below the passenger tailing it slightly buckeled, but not very noticeable. There is surface rust, but nothing bad. The passenger rear Quarter has a dent that needs to be pulled. probably a MAX job of around $500

 

It is missing the 88-up iS front lip spoiler, around 100 new, another 60 painted. I didn't drive it, but is supposed to be in great shape "well cared for"(but that can mean anything.

 

They want 3,450, but If you talked them down, and got the dent pulled, a used rear bumper(around 250-300 total for the bumper, painted.) if it needs to be painted, and the fender secured(anywhere from 1 buck for a bolt, to 400 to a new fender, and painted), then you would have possible a very nice E30

for around 4,000

 

----------------

If it runs and drives great as they claim, and I were looking for an E30, I'd talked them down to three K or less, and get everything fixed.

 

It's on Autotrader, just do a search from your area for 200 miles or less, for a 1990 BMW. price range between 3,300 and 3,600 it should pull up, the city its in is called "oolagah".

[MadFish]

Is it this car

 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...or=&cardist=184

 

To bad there arent any pics of it. But, it'll probably be sold by the time my car finally sells. If it isnt, I might come down and check it out.

[SnakeEyeSS]

that's it!

 

oh, BTW, the "LN coopers" are only on the FRONT........

[SnakeEyeSS]

Some tips, by me(you might want to save these):

 

remember on E30's:

Valve's need to be adjusted every 15K, or one year

Timing Belt replacements every 60K, or 4-5 years(depends on who you talk too)

 

If you look a a car and the owner dosen't know about either of these maintaince routines, and you buy it, then IMMEDIATELY have these done.

 

Spark Plugs, stick to exactly what BMW recommends(only 97 cents a piece), many, many times people have trouble with a different kind. Replace them every two years.

 

ONLY use BMW anti-freeze, it's blue in color, most anything else(besides Zerex G-05, which is orangish, water colored) will oxidize the aluminum head, because it contains phosphates. yeah, prestone says "aluminum safe", thats a load of BULL, a few guys have confirmed to that with a 500+ head repair bill. but, "fatal" oxidation is rare,(takes many years) so don't let this scare you away from a car unless it's got a history.

 

a new OEM Mahle air filter flows better than a new K&N. People have done tests.

 

Spark Plug wires can last 150K or more. when you replace, don't buy anything other than BMW exact replacements, made by BMW or a BMW specific company, unless you know EXACTLY what you are doing.

 

If it's "shimmys", then you need to have it aligned, need the wheels rebalenced, have a bent wheel(very common around here), or need new front suspension parts, or all of these. common E30 problem

 

Redline Fluids for the trans and rear diff. NUFF SAID

 

Don't gett fooled into buying a code reader or "service light" resetter. You can do this yourself in 1 minutes with 1 dollar of copper speaker wire.

 

 

Yeah, these cars are quirky, but that's half the fun. and it all pays off during the drive.

[MadFish]

I've been reading up on E30's. So, I know a little about them. But, sooner or later Im going to get a job working as a tech in a European shop/dealership. So, Im sure I can figure everything out then.

 

I already have a scanner. It'll work on all OBD1 cars and some OBD2 cars. Dont use it much, since we dont have any cars it'll work on anymore. Last one it worked on was my truck.

 

Im not sure what LN Coopers look like. But, I've seen some wheel on E30's I really like. So, I'ld probably be changing them anyway. With out a car payment I have more mod money, sort of. Im moving out of Kansas City. So, mods would be slow going for awhile.

[SnakeEyeSS]

which kind of scanner? the one for the underhood prt that costs $500 ior more, is BMW specific, and give's you real time RPM, feul mixture data, etc?

 

or the code scanner?

 

lol, these cars don't even USE code scanners for faults. on the 88-91's you just turn the key and stomp the gas three times. On my 87, I just turn the key.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Im not sure what LN Coopers look like. But, I've seen some wheel on E30's I really like. So, I'ld probably be changing them anyway. With out a car payment I have more mod money, sort of. Im moving out of Kansas City. So, mods would be slow going for awhile.

LOL, Cooper is a TIRE,

 

LN= "like new" in car selling ad language

 

On E30's you need around a et35 for 14", or et25 for anything larger. for over 14", you can get away with et20-27, depending on the wheel size. Anything else requires HUBCENTRIC spacers. nothing else will work correctly(sometimes hubcentric's don't even work right). You will also needs rings & longer bolts to make an incorrect offset wheels work, plan on spending a minimun of $55.

 

and FYI, only about 5-10 types of aftermarket wheels in the entire world that will fit an e30 without spacers, and is larger than 14" exist. And you can only buy about half of those styles in the U.S.

 

The list of wheels that will bolt on and fit by themselves are:

Kosei (K1 racing)

Ronal(about 5 wheel styles)

Abrahams Motorsport wheels(fake Alpina's)

Borbet (Type H)

and another wheel or two I forgot

 

 

Alpina, Hartge, and AC Schnitizer also made wheels that fit, but real ones will cost you between 600-1,300 (that's nto a typo) used for a set

[MadFish]

LOL, Cooper is a TIRE,

 

LN= "like new" in car selling ad language

Ok, I feel stupid now. I should have known that. Oh, well.