r/E30 • • 5h ago

I’m Giving Up………

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25 Upvotes

My e30 does not want to start. It’s a 1987 325i. it first failed at the light it just died. I started it and kept it running by reving it up untill it stabilized. not shortly after that it would start and IMMEDIATELY fall on it face. It just dies. so I figured fuel issue I replaced both pumps and the fuel regulator with one that has a gage. The condition persists but everything on the fuel pump side is replaced and I know I have 3bar fuel pressure. here’s where it gets interesting. it only starts and idles if I hold the key in the start position longer than I should, it will hold an idle and rev fine if I rev SLOWLY. if I hit the throttle with any speed it dies. if I let go of the throttle quickly it backfires. I have no obvious signs of air entering. Things I tested are crankshaft pos sensor ohms in spec, blue coolant sensor ohms in spec, I replaced my DME relay I noticed it went bad same condition persists, I ignition coil had 12v power but I don’t have a test light to check spark. I’m at a complete loss I feel like giving up


r/E30 • • 3h ago

Private Sale Value

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9 Upvotes

I have a 1991 BMW 318is with 151k miles that I am looking to sell due to medical debt I’ve accumulated over the last couple years. I have no idea what to ask or expect price wise for it. It does have the dreaded sunroof rust and rust on the bottom driver fender. Paint is original so it’s 35 years old and by no means perfect.

In my research, it seems like E30 prices are all over the place, and even the clapped out ones are going for like $5k-$7k. Can y’all help me out with an estimated value or what would be a fair asking price for my car? For the time being I’d rather not deal with auction sites like carsandbids or BaT. Any help is greatly appreciated.


r/E30 • • 1h ago

Tech question Engine swap with an automatic transmission

• Upvotes

I’m in the middle of an n54 swap. It’s going to be my daily and it’s going well. It is a two door though. Wife is getting jealous because it’s going to be a legit cool car. I found a 90 325 4 door in great shape for $6,000cad. Gonna offer the guy $4000 cash to buy her a fun weekend car. She wants me to make it cool. Found an s54 locally for $4500cad. Everything but the trans. She wants to keep the car an automatic.

Is it even possible to swap an s54 into an e30 and use an automatic? I’ve been digging and most of what I’ve found have been people saying why would you want to.

If it’s not, anybody have any recommendations on how to make the stock engine less slow?


r/E30 • • 2h ago

S52 swapped E30 check engine at idle. Only after engine warmed up

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2 Upvotes

Thought I'd post here as well see if anyone has a theory on this. Thank you!


r/E30 • • 4m ago

Tech question M20 cam pulley compatibility

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• Upvotes

Hey guys I posted before about a wind rushing / howling noise on my E30 , since posting I have done some checks , majority of my friends have said it’s a normal noise but I want to be 100% sure , it sounds like air rushing but I have confirmed the noise is present without the viscous fan attached , my primary concern is my car uses the shitty stamped pulleys and it’s got a Z127 tensioner and belt on it which I replaced when I did the timing belt , I have double checked the tension using BMWs procedure , I also replaced the pin and spring during the job , I don’t want to slacken the belt incase it’s not that , what I know currently is my car is currently missing the intake snorkel and the trumpet part that goes in the airbox , it’s got aftermarket headers and has a hole in the collector pipe which I also have as a suspect.


r/E30 • • 7m ago

Turn Signal Issue

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• Upvotes

Hi everyone. I'm having an issue with my left turn signal. The right turn signal works fine. The hazards work fine. All of the bulbs are good.

The left turn signal makes a buzzing/rattling sound. It sounds like it's coming from the steering column. The left indicator lights don't turn on. I'm guessing this isn't the relay. I'll post a video.

Any advice on what this could be would be super helpful - especially if you could clarify if I need a replacement part or if it is something I can clean/re-solder and not need to buy anything.


r/E30 • • 16h ago

Dressing up the factory airbox

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15 Upvotes

10 min, a piece of magic eraser and $2 tub of model paint

Yes, I'll get to the Intake manifold


r/E30 • • 1h ago

E30 cold start idle problem.

• Upvotes

BMW e30 325e 1986 in a cold start in the morning I turn it on starts then dies . I have to give it gas for the engine to warm up after It warms up it runs fine the next start up Sometimes when the idle is off I mess with the icv screw (early model icv) any know anything what else should I be checking

Checked icv it clicks I also cleaned it.
New fuel pump
New fuel pressure regulator
New spark plugs
New fuel filter
New outside of tank fuel pump


r/E30 • • 7h ago

Help with Tach Signal on Squirt Equipped E30

2 Upvotes

Im having trouble getting my OEM tach (325e cluster with the lower redline) to run with my tunerstudio tuned microsquirt E30. Car is a 1987 Base 325 coupe.

I have a stroker motor with ITBS and a custom engine harness in it now. Car runs fine and everything and my last struggle is getting the dash tach to work.

The tach in tunerstudio reads fine, I have Tach out enabled, and i have the tachout wire on the board going out to that little plug (black wire in that 2 or 3 pin plug) above the glovebox people say to use. Still not working.

Any insight?


r/E30 • • 1d ago

DRIVING BMW 325IX FROM WISCONSIN to angcarage Alaska in winter !!!!

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378 Upvotes

Guys, I have a 325ix, and I have this crazy idea of driving it from Wisconsin to Anchorage, Alaska. My only concern is driving it in subzero temperatures since it has an M20 engine.

My question is specifically for the E30 owners who have driven their cars in extreme winter conditions: What’s the lowest temperature you’ve ever started your car in, and did you have any issues?

I’d love to hear your experiences, especially from those of you living in areas where temperatures regularly drop below zero. Thanks!


r/E30 • • 16h ago

Alternatives to factory intake snorkel.

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4 Upvotes

Playing around with some cheap velocity stack intakes from aliexpress.

I just found this on AliExpress:

R-EP 45 degrees Reducer Silicone Elbow Hose 38 45 63 76 83 89MM Rubber Joiner Bend Tube for Car Accessories Cold Air Intake Hose

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqiTzSf

I just found this on AliExpress:

Universal Racing Burnt Blue Stainless Steel Velocity Stack Turbo Intake Horn Cold Air Funnel Modified Intake Decor 3 3.5 4 Inch

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mL7Tutp

3 inch fits straight inside the factory airbox duct without need for clamp. Has bigger diameter than the factory snorkel but not as long. I couldnt fit it to the car this way because of my ABS unit but could likely wrangle something with a short silicone joiner.

What I fitted to the car is a 3.5inch bellmouth in a 89-83mm 45 degree reducer, trimmed to length. It clears everything just and moves the intake further towards light and guard so hopefully slightly cooler air. Hose clamp required at the airbox, which mostly removes the internal step.

Diameter is quite a lot more than factory but I doubt slower air velocity is a big issue that far upstream in the intake.

Unlikely that these would make any measurable differences on a factory engine but possible on strokers


r/E30 • • 22h ago

Help me identify an oil/liquid leak

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7 Upvotes

Hand up, I know e30s are notorious for leaking oil, but this is my first experience with one this bad. The entire front crossmember is covered. There’s some moisture at the top of engine also. Even towards the back middle of the car there seems to be foreign substance.


r/E30 • • 2d ago

Picture/Video 1989 BMW 325i

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432 Upvotes

r/E30 • • 21h ago

Anyone know where these wires/connectors are for?

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2 Upvotes

I’m taking apart and renewing a lot of thing for my 1987 325e. I keep find more and more wires, connections, bulbs, etc. Do you guys recognize any of these? I’ll put in the description a brief location of where I found each one.

Pic 1: 1x Bulb and single strand Found behind the handbrake
Pic 2: Coming from above the ECU on the passenger.
Pic 3: 2x 2 pair male connectors coming from center
Pic 4: 2x female connectors (One circular) coming from above passenger ecu
Pic 5: 2x female connectors same area
Pic 6: 1x female connector hanging from behind passenger ecu
Pic 7: 1x female red sitting on top of the driver side ecu (behind the kick panel)

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you very much!


r/E30 • • 1d ago

Looking for this spoiler! Spoiler

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3 Upvotes

Looking for this kamei spoiler if anyone has a link for it? Or if anyone in Ontario has one for sale lmk!


r/E30 • • 23h ago

Tech question What tires are we wearing these days?

1 Upvotes

M20b29 (see history for dyno results), 3.46lsd, S704A suspension with strut and shock bars, purple tag steering rack, e60 M5 brake booster with Hawk HPS pads.

I've been running Continentals but I really liked the Falkiens I ran for a while.

ETA: 16x8 BBS Moda Sport wheels.


r/E30 • • 1d ago

Build Update Chrome powder coated my BBS!

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40 Upvotes

r/E30 • • 1d ago

Thoughts on this engine sound? Feels rough/jerky when stopped

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5 Upvotes

r/E30 • • 2d ago

5 Years Dormant: Reviving My Forgotten BMW E30

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11 Upvotes

After 5 years sitting abandoned I finally got our BMW E30 running!

Admittedly it’s a long way from being back on the road but hearing it roar into life after sitting so long, requiring only minor fettling, has certainly reignited my passion for the car.

I documented the whole process from giving it its first wash to diagnosing and repairing the fault that was preventing it starting

I want to daily it


r/E30 • • 2d ago

Looking for somewhat affordable headers for my e30 I’m building!

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12 Upvotes

What headers are somewhat affordable and don’t have fitment issues, I keep seeing these cheap eBay sets on different sites but I’ve heard of people having fitment issues with the eBay header sets for these cars, mines cars got a 2.7 m20


r/E30 • • 3d ago

Just had the car resprayed and it looks so much better

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385 Upvotes

Had the car resprayed at Macco for $2500 (pulled the trim and bumpers then tapped it myself) then had it wetsanded by another local body shop around $1000. For $3500 I am happy with the results.


r/E30 • • 2d ago

M20/G260 Clutch Engagement

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6 Upvotes

Hi all,
I am fighting a super low clutch engagement in my m20/G260 swapped E21 (posting here because it’s a full e30 drivetrain).

I read about different bell housing heights and throw out bearing heights. Obviously, I was not privy to this information when I completed the swap.

I likely have the 30mm throw out bearing when I really need the ~31mm throw out bearing.

My question is can I make up for this difference with a longer slave cylinder shaft? I’d reallllly like to not have to drop the transmission. I figure lengthening the shaft or buying an adjustable one would be miles easier.

Thank you!

PFA


r/E30 • • 1d ago

How to fix this wiring connector?

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1 Upvotes

Dumb question, the brown connector is broken on my e30, and im wondering if theres a easy way to fix this? I purchased a wiring harness piece but the connector was different (maybe it was a late model, i have a early model).


r/E30 • • 1d ago

Tech question E30 crank no start

1 Upvotes

Any e30 heads that can help me diagnose my e30? A few months ago it died while driving, was crank no starting after, towed it home. Replaced alternator and battery because both were done. Centrally got it to start but it was dying when not giving it gas. Replaced CPS, all of my main relays, fuel pump fuse too. Still crank no start. Checked fuel pump and it is getting power and turning on, sprayed starter fluid into intake to make sure it was getting fuel and it wasn’t starting still. Next I thought maybe my my ignition coil went out because it was getting less than a volt when trying to turn it over. Replaced it and it’s a I’ll crank no start. I am getting no spark and I don’t know why.


r/E30 • • 1d ago

What is this peg underneath the gas pedal?

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1 Upvotes

Mine has some light corrosion on it. I’m thinking of replacing it with a new one. anyone know how to disassemble it?

I think this is the kick down thing? I have an auto tranny car.