325i Auto

[Bruce_Z]

Hi sifus, Got some questions to my recently acquired 87 E30 325i auto (m20b25) approx 200k+ mileage. Hope you guys can help: 1) "Loose" steering - all the bushes have been changed (ctrl arm, ball joints, steering coupling joint) but the steering has a lot of freeplay at rest and feels loose at moderate speeds (i.e. 90 kmh plus), doesnt inspire confidence in high speed driving. What else could need attention? The steering rack? track rods? 2) Engine pickup/performance - engine was "tuned", injector flushed, tappets adjusted. But accelerating the car to the usual speed of 80kmh is laborious and really noisy as I need to rev to 4-5K rpm plus to get going up to 80-90 kmh. Is this normal for this car (w auto)? I hope not! Is this a problem with the auto transmission? This is really annoying me as this car doesnt feel performance at all...(even compared to my humble 320i E90). Any ideas? :dontknow:

 

[nevets]

engine's m50b25....and not m20b25?in an e30? definitely something not right. should not be laborious at all accelerating to100 km h, even for an auto. car should feel like a train pulling off. steering freeplay could be due to steering rack. no sifu myself just speaking from hvg the same engine if its m20b25... hope the rest can help.

 

[mizhan]

bruce, what did ah foo say about the steering and lack of grunt?

 

[boonaroo]

Bruce Z was kind enough to let me ride in his car a few days ago at Ah Foo's place. The engine seems healthy enough, I suspect the lack of grunt has to do with the drivetrain. Its just not "catching" revs.

As for the steering, I doubt it will ever be as tight as an e90. I had the same "complaint" as well when I got mine. quick solution is to get an e36 rack ; )

Fixed that gaping hole in the roof yet?

 

[evilnickwong]

"Loose" steering - all the bushes have been changed (ctrl arm, ball joints, steering coupling joint)

By control arm, I assume you also change the control arm bushes (in the "lollipops") right?
Also, steering coupling joint = the rubber coupling in the middle of the joints? You might also want to check for free play in the 2 U-joints in the steering coupling (the metal pieces).

 

[Bruce_Z]

Its a M20B25...sorry for the typo.Steering wise Im thinking that the rack could be the culprit. Time to source for a remanufactured rack I think....

On the drive train pickup issue so far there has been no further work yet to fix this. I get the feeling that more time needs to be spent on identfying the root cause of this. Ah Foo is kinda vague on this as well...if anyone here has an equivalent 325 with the 4hp22 auto tranny up Ill love to try your car to compare...

Boonnaro, yup I just got the donor sunroof translplanted ....the whole old sunroof was removed and the new one welded in place. There was too much rust in the old unit. Sunroof now working, car now has an bar metal roof with no headliner and a white color top (the new sunroof cover is white)..funny looking with the car being black. So now Ive got one new "action item" - new headliner interior trim and also a body paint respray job...just another day in the E30 ownership life :smokin:

 

[Bruce_Z]

By control arm, I assume you also change the control arm bushes (in the "lollipops") right?
Also, steering coupling joint = the rubber coupling in the middle of the joints? You might also want to check for free play in the 2 U-joints in the steering coupling (the metal pieces).

Hi Bro,

Yup the control arm bushes were changed. But not sure abt the 2 u-joints though...I know the coupling was changed - arent they the same thing?

 

[evilnickwong]

Referring to here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ52&mospid=47273&btnr=32_0419&hg=32&fg=30

Rubber coupling is part #3 (#4 also change at same time if worn)

The U-joints I'm referring to are #1 and #5.

Mine last time had free play in both the joints. This also made a slight clunking noise when going over bumps. After swapping for a used set in better condition, steering felt better already, so it's worth checking.

 

[mizhan]

So now Ive got one new "action item" - new headliner interior trim and also a body paint respray job...just another day in the E30 ownership life :smokin:

if you wish to see an E30 in bare metal, let me know :wink:

 

[Bruce_Z]

Referring to here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AJ52&mospid=47273&btnr=32_0419&hg=32&fg=30

Rubber coupling is part #3 (#4 also change at same time if worn)

The U-joints I'm referring to are #1 and #5.

Mine last time had free play in both the joints. This also made a slight clunking noise when going over bumps. After swapping for a used set in better condition, steering felt better already, so it's worth checking.

Ahh..Im not sure #5 was changed...for the tip. I also think theres some clunking noise coming from the steering (sounds like its coming from the inside the steering column). Gotta have these checked this weekend.

Will also ask aH Foo to take a closer look at that engine...:106:

 

[Bruce_Z]

if you wish to see an E30 in bare metal, let me know :wink:

Bro your car still in bare metal?

 

[mizhan]

yeah.. firewall, floor and trunk took too long. extensive surgery. hope to see green primer on it next week.

 

[Bruce_Z]

Did a little fiddling around the engine bay today to practice my "mygyver" skills...found the following:

- the surrounding of the hoses coming thru frm the firewall into the cabin are exposed. Suspect that air (and noise) from the engine is coming into the cabin. Maybe thats my my aircon air (after cleaning by Naidu) still smells "oily" in the cabin and also why I can hear the engine clatter (clack clack clack....) so clearly.

- My rightside headlights cant be adjusted!!..Seems that the knob to adjust the hieght of the beam is not there...theres like a motor instead...and its not connected. Strange since the left side lights has none...So I cant adjust the beam, need a new right light maybe, since the right beam is sooo damn low.

Just another day in the E30 life...:20:

 

[mizhan]

ha! ha! that's why i cheated all that (and more) by rebuilding one immediately after acquisition! just standby crdit cards and chequebooks

 

[Bruce_Z]

ha! ha! that's why i cheated all that (and more) by rebuilding one immediately after acquisition! just standby crdit cards and chequebooks

Maybe thats the ONLY way...one thing though, will you be able to source all the parts that you need? Parts are pretty scarce in my newbie view...hard to put the car back in its tip top shape,ijunless we can source direct from the UK for example, even ebay is hit and miss. Case in point...the those damn brittle interiror plastic lights at the ceiling, code plugs, fog light switches (!) etc etc........

This E30 appeal is slowly going down the tubes....

 

[virtualmystic]

if you wish to see an E30 in bare metal, let me know :wink:

Hello Mizhan, I would love to met up with you again and see your naked E30. The least I can do is buy you some Teh Tarik. You still have my number? My 325 is down for the moment. Alternator kaput. NO time to do it myself so I am taking it in to a workshop nearby workshop to get it done.

 

[virtualmystic]

Bruce Z, you're welcome to test my M20B25 engined E30 after I get the alternator replaced/overhauled, belts replaced and serviced. Should take a couple of days provoded the pesky workshop opens tomorrow.

 

[boonaroo]

Maybe thats the ONLY way...one thing though, will you be able to source all the parts that you need? Parts are pretty scarce in my newbie view...hard to put the car back in its tip top shape,ijunless we can source direct from the UK for example, even ebay is hit and miss. Case in point...the those damn brittle interiror plastic lights at the ceiling, code plugs, fog light switches (!) etc etc........

This E30 appeal is slowly going down the tubes....

Patience man...an e30 purchase is very seldom a "buy, drive, end of story" scenario.

I suggest you break it down into bite-sized stages or areas of focus starting with the most urgent areas. e.g. engine, drivetrain, suspension. get those sorted first one by one. take your time with it, do research, learn about the area. it will help you troubleshoot in the future.
after that, go into electricals (non engine related) and cosmetics.

to be honest, it will take a while to get it up to where you want it to be. you have a good base, but with anything that's over 20 years old, performance needs some coaxing initially.

lastly, parts are not as scarce as you think they are....jalan ipoh has a whole host of bmw stockists that carry most of what you need. if they don't stock it, they can easily bring it in for you. if you're adventurous, you can try chop shops.

hope this helps.

 

[mizhan]

Maybe thats the ONLY way...one thing though, will you be able to source all the parts that you need? Parts are pretty scarce in my newbie view...hard to put the car back in its tip top shape,ijunless we can source direct from the UK for example, even ebay is hit and miss. Case in point...the those damn brittle interiror plastic lights at the ceiling, code plugs, fog light switches (!) etc etc........

This E30 appeal is slowly going down the tubes....

don't give up bro.. your E30 is worth the effort (and money) restoring. if it is mine, i would go the full distance with a ground-up rebuild, and swap the slushbox for a stickshift :wink:

in addition to what you've already spent, put aside at least RM40k. i'm not kidding. outcome - you'll own a concourse winner that's a joy to drive both gently or hooligan like.

necessary parts are still in abundance, altho may require sourcing from different locations. only stuff i've been unable to obtain are nice-to-have items like a mint dashboard, new engine wiring harness and set of E30 Recaros with blue green stripes :stupid:

items you mentioned can be either sourced at local chop shops or eBay.uk bro.. please don't be disheartened, perhaps it's time we sit over teh tarik :top:

 

[mizhan]

Hello Mizhan, I would love to met up with you again and see your naked E30. The least I can do is buy you some Teh Tarik. You still have my number? My 325 is down for the moment. Alternator kaput. NO time to do it myself so I am taking it in to a workshop nearby workshop to get it done.

drive to subang light industrial area lunchtime today. you'll find the car there, along with its financially-challenged owner.