Got my first car - 1987 325

[SeanH]

Here are a few pics of the car currently: (I'll soon have a website with all the pictures I took)

These were all taken AFTER we spent about 4-5 hours cleaning it - before pictures will be on the website later.

Yep, that's one clean engine!

Anyways, the car is absolutely awesome. I'm loving it. Prior to us purchasing it, around $2000 worth of work had been done on the engine, a bunch of things - timing belt being one of them. That was about 4 months ago. The engine is AMAZING! However, the car is far from perfect. One major drawback is the fact that it is no longer original BMW paint, and instead was painted by the pervious owners students, in college. His car musta been pretty bad if he was willing to let his students paint it... :blink: With the student's paint job came a few drips, seen is various spots of the car. Definately something I can get over. Another, cloth. Not as bad as the paint job, but I love the recaro seats, so, I have my eye open for a whole set of black interior. There's a few cracks in the dashboard too.. :banghead Also, when we first got the car, it was pretty dang dirty. The exterior had water spots all over it, and still sort of has it - and the interior was a MESS! I have some before and after shots of the interior on my mini website, I should have taken more before -> after shots, but didn't think about it at the time.

I've already looked into numerous ideas that I had after getting the car - one that was already mentioned was looking into getting leather sport interior.

Here are some of my ideas - also included with each one are any questions I may have:

1. Performance chip!
- I have read A LOT about the performance chip in the eta engine. I can't wait to get it. I'm looking mainly at getting the Conforti chip, giving this car an awesome boost in power. I was going to buy from Turner Motorsports, where my dad got his for his 1988 325is back in 88 (it was silver too, dang, I would have given anything for that car now!)

2. New boot and shift knob
- The current boot is ripped and the knob seems really "oldish". I knows its classic, but I wouldn't mind getting an E36 style knob. (I can keep the old one )
- The boot is ripped because to go in reverse, I have to move the knob all the way to the left. I think this has to do with the poor linkage - or whatever you call it. I don't know the exact terms. I do know that the stick is very loose, and I'd love to fix this - move to 5 for more on this...

3. New sunroof crank
- The black plastic knob on the end of it keep falling off, really annoying.

4. I'd love to look into putting a nicer OBC in there
- The one currently in there keeps flickering, and I'd like to have AVG MPG and stuff anyway.
- My question with this is, does the 325 have all the needed wires to USE the nicer OBC? I did find the OBC Hardness, OBC Module, and OBC display on ebay. Would I need all that to upgrade from a clock to the nicer OBC?
Will I need something like that? Or can I just buy a nicer OBC and plug it in and I'm all set?

5. Maybe look into a short shifer
- Short shift would be awesome. My dad has it in his 95 E36 M3, it is awesome for autocrosses, that's for sure!
- One other reason to get it would be because the linkage is loose anyway, or would extra work be involved to fix that also? I'm not sure on this.. :confused
- Where would I find an OEM short shift kit?

6. Sound system - radio
- Holy crap!! The sound is HORRIBLE!!! Only 4 speaker system? Sorry, I'd love to have eight, what do I do about it? I think my first priority is to fix the headunit - my dad thinks the volume control has a short in it, because any time you change the volume, all the speakers crackle, and not even all of them work, I have to keep bumping the volume control until it seems like the front speakers are finally working. I'm a little confused here, but I did find this on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2426887202
I may look into getting a whole new system anyway.
- Basically, what's the best way to changce a stock 4 speaker system into a pretty well sounding 8 speaker system?

7. Replace roundels
- This should be higher on the list, one of the first things I'll do. Front and back are cracking and all the roundels on the wheels are faded.

8. Fix turn signal switch so that it turns off - ON ITS OWN
- Ah, it bugs me. I could get used to it, but the question it, how hard is it to fix? I did find this on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2427451848
Would putting that in fix it? But, how hard would it be to install?

9. New emergency brake boot
- I'm looking to get a boot that matches the boot for the shifter

10. Find better place for CD Player controller
- The previous owner installed a JVC 6 CD Player. It uses the FMS radio band, and the headunit receives the music on a certain frequency. It's not bad by any means, but I think I'll look into something a bit more effective in the future - For now I want to find a better spot for it. It currently comes out from the right sidde of the steering column and it velcroed to te dashboard right before the dials. It's hard to see when you're driving, but where else could I possibly put it?

I think that's it for the interior - now for the exterior...

11. Front air dam
- Either way, I will be getting a front air dam. I found one here off of an 87 325is - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2427492462
However, I'd like to have the whole car look level, ya know? I'm not fond of the look where the air dam gets lower than the rest of the car, and I think that air dam does just that. So, what would I get to make the car look level???
- Also, would fog lights work in this? If so, what would I get? I don't think there are any included.

12. Rear apron
- That rear end looks REALLY naked. What should I look into getting to fix that?

13. Maybe a dual muffler, or whatever its called...
- Something that would look nice as it pokes out from under the rear ground effects and helps add a much more powerful sound to it. It's no where near loud right now.

14. Front clear turn signals!
- Where do I find these?!? Where would I find these? I found this on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2427492462
But it says only 88-91, meaning plastic bumpers, correct? I think I did find some are Turner Motorspot, however.

15. Reded tail lights
- Something I'd love to find. Where can I find these? Or, has everyone been doing them on their own? if so, how would I go about doing that?

16. Maybe some new rubber trim?
- I found that I could buy all new rubber trim for the car, everything's really faded right now, and I know it would look aweosme with all new trim. Maybe even some new - not to faded - mirrors? But, is it worth the money? Also, this would only happen if I stayed with the stock bumpers.

17. Long time from now - Look into getting some new windows, somewhat tinted
- The current windows have a very nice subtle tint to them, its great for when its sitting outside! However, the windows themselves have lots of scratches on them, and some new windows would look great.


I think that's it. I bet there were more ideas that I had that I just didn't add. Some things that will NEED to be done no matter what include:
1. New brake pads - maybe new rotors. Not sure on this one either.

I thought there'd be more there too, but, as I said, the car itself is in GREAT working order, it's amazing. Oh, and I never mentioned that it has 159,600 miles.


Now, for the big time questions. I have noticed a few things when driving it around the first few days:

1. When accelerating, I sometimes notice a very feint lag, VERY feint, but it is VERY there. I'm not sure what its from, lately I've noticed it a bit more then when I first started driving.
Could it be possible that the car already has the chip and that maybe the previous owner wasn't using 91 octane gas? I hope not, cause I want more power!
If that's not it, which I hope it isn't, what else could be causing this?

2. It seems to have a hard time starting, not a big deal yet, just something I noticed.


I think the first thing I'll be attacking with be the chip and short shift kit, as well as a new boot and knob. I'd like to find an air dam for a reasonable cost too.


I probably have more questions, but I think I'll give those that are reading this a rest now. Basically, I'd love some help figuring out what to get mechanically, and help finding some cosmetic parts as well.

Yes, I'm new, and YES I have lots to learn, but that's why I'm here. My dad is into BMW's and now he's gotten me into them too. I don't think I'll ever drive anything else!

 

[Tom]

Very nice...the car looks very well maintained, congrats buddy.

 

[Sean0629]

Sounds like a great car (of course, it's a BMW). Let us know what you do with it. Also, I'm interested especially in what you do in regards to a performance chip. I'd like to know what chip you choose and if you notice much increase in power.

You mentioned a lag when accelerating. My 88 325 was doing the same thing (may still be doing it, is in the shop supposedly getting fixed). I think the problem was the air flow meter. You might want to check that out. Someone responded to a previous post with a pretty detailed explanation of the AFM and how to check it. I think the subject was "losing power" or "losing revs." You might want to check it out.

Enjoy your car!

 

[SeanH]

Thanks.

Yeah, someone on another forum said that that may have been the problem. I'll find that thread. I'm just going around and posting the same thing on various E30 forums. I'd like to do most of the work myself. I'm by no means a car expert, but my dad sort of is, so he may be able to help.

Sean, , I am planning on buying my chip from Turner Motorsports. It supposedly raises the stock 121hp to 141 and the stock 170 torque to 190? Or, something like that. It'll require Premium gas, which is fine with me, cause I love to accelerate.

I'll let you know how the chip upgrade goes. However, I do have one quick question about the chip, does it get rid of the rev limiter all together? Cause I sometimes cannot hear the engine, and I do hit the limiter at times, since first gear is so short and all.

Tried lookin for the Air Flow Meter thread, but nothings coming up (using various search strings)

 

[junglestylz]

Most chips just raise the redline. I believe that Conforti actually did the programming for Turners chips. So you should be very pleased with it. Whatever you do, be wary of cheap chips. They will f*ck up your car something fierce.

 

[Sean0629]

The post I was referring to (regarding the AFM) was posted before this forum moved/switched to a new system. I think all the old posts were lost.

 

[Ben]

i also have a 1988 325 (beautiful car) and i get that lagging too but only when its cold, theres no problems when its warm. one more thing, DO NOT use regular gas (maybe its just with my car) my dad convinced me one time to run regular, and the thing ran like shit until i used premium a couple times. now im using plus and it seems to be doing ok. what kind are you using?
ben

 

[ODDferkOUT]

OMG... I'm so jealous, that's the exact 325 I set out looking for when I got mine. Haha, but I'm still happy I have mine. Nice!

 

[SeanH]

Yeah, the car is a blast to drive, today I drove thru a few courts (in a neighborhood, the round "dead ends") while creating my own little autocross. These parts of the neighborhood were under construction. The rear end in this is so easy to break lose, it's not funny.

OK, well, the brakes seem to be really bothering me, so I'll be fixing that first. A vibrating/throbbing felt during a soft stop would mean the rotors are probably warped, right? And, I may need some new brake pads too. What do you all suggest for replacements? Nothing too expensive, basically, best bang for the buck. And, how about rear brakes? how do I test those out, other than checking the wear on the brake pad?

Also, the next thing I need to fix is the lagging during accelation. It's only noticeable when inside the car, and if you are feeling for it, but it is definately there and it becoming a little bit more obvious as time goes on. Can anyone point me to a site that covers the air flow meter??

Once I get these things fixed, I'll do the simple things like roundels on hood and trunk and some new wheel roundels, but the hardest part is keeping an eye out for parts I may want in the meantime so I don't miss out on a deal!

 

[rjp325i]

To begin with, enjoy the car it looks great in the pix. As for the radio static in the speakers, this is common. The easiest solution is to change out the head unit but short of that remove the head unit . Place it on end and remove the volume control knob and spray electronic contact cleaner on the shaft and let it sit overnight so the cleaner runs down the shaft. Then reinstall the radio. This worked on my '89. I then installed Infinity speakers 5.25 front and 6.5 rear. This alone substantially improved the sound at minimal cost.

I installed the Conforti chip from Turner Motorsport and I am very pleased. The engine no longer had the flat spots especially from a dead stop before the engine warmed up thoroughly. The engine runs smoother all the time and fuel economy improved as well. Use a can of BG 44K in your gas to remove the carbon buildup at the valves. It is similar to pure Techron but is very highly concentrated to do its job. It is not cheap ( about $20) but it works. The Conforti/Turner chip is currently priced at $199 and is warranteed for life. No one knows BMW engine management systems as well as Jim Conforti and Wil Turner would not use and market them if they were not the best. In the event you didn't know, Wil Turner is a very accomplished player in BMW racing.

There are several good short shift kits on the market. One of the best is made by UUC Motorwerks (www.UUCMotorwerks.com).

Investigate the better catalogs on-line or get hard copies. Two such catalogs with decent prices are www.bavauto.com) and [url]www.bmpdesign.com. Remember there are differences in electronics and other important items so have the date of assembly ready when ordering parts. One such item to remember is that up to Apr 1989 assembly the cylinder head bolts were hex heads. At that time Torx type bolts were phased in on all "i" engines. This is an worthwhile upgrade with all early "i" engines and modified "e" engines. Apparently tops of bolts would break off, lodge or wedge beneath a camshaft lobe resulting in serious damage.

Yes, the American 5 mph bumpers were installed up thru the 1988 model year and then the 2.5 mph bumpers were installed on all but the E30 convertibles. The E30 convertibles changed later. If you pick up used air dam etc make sure you acquire the RIGHT clips and brackets for your model.

 

[rjp325i]

I forgot to mention brakes and suspension in my previous post so here goes. You were looking for biggest bang for the buck. Here goes what I did. BMW are not very thick so do not cut them, they are cheap to replace. If they are warped they have heat damage and cutting them will just increase the likelyhood they will warp even quicker. I purchased a set of ATE power discs (grooved) for the front which cost $40 each and PBR Metalmaster pads for $32 front and about $30 for the rears. Use stock rear rotors they are ok and are about $35 each. I then installed braided stainless steel brake lines I got from Turner Motorsport. I flushed the system with ATE Super Blue Racing Fluid and refilled the master. The 4 ss hoses are easy to replace. The inboard rear lines are more difficult. A lift makes it easy if you can get one and use a crowfoot wrench to acces the nuts. It took only 20 minutes on my car but 2 hours when someone else tried it on theirs without crowfoot wrenches.
I installed Eibach front and rear sway bars in the center hole of the bars. You can always adjust it stiffer for the autocross. There are heavier bars but these are ideal for my 2 dr sedan. An alternative because your car is heavier are the ones from Suspension Techniques. I installed Bilsteins all around with new convertible shock mounts and strut bearings. You can also use E46 convertible mounts. They are beefier and are a direct fit for all E30s. I also installed H&Rs all around. You do not need adjustible camber plates for a drop of 1-1.25 inches. The slight change is beneficial and will not adversely affect tire wear. For better high speed handling install offset control arm bushings (1988 E30 M3). While at it check the control arms and ball joints (why take things apart twice). A front strut brace from Eibach I used but you can choose whatever. These braces are more important on a convertible than on a sedan for structural rigidity. You may even want to consider one for the rear since it's a ic. Good luck and enjoy.