DIY on e30?

[chili e30]

this post facelift picture metal bumper sportlight different tailgiht also smaller.if wanna use facelift bodykit a lot of things need to modified.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/3062/1901/32653450002_large.jpg

this is facelift.

http://www.automobile-sportive.com/guide/bmw/325ise30/325is-e30-ouverture.jpg

don't worry just buy facelift model no rust,motronic engine like fabian said if 1800cc m40 less problem easy to take care.my e30 m40 i went to may drive 1st day melaka-kl-bentong-gua musang-cameron a total 600km distance & i travel back with another 200km without any problem so what you think about it?

 

[2wenty6]

So facelifted models have plastic bumpers? And is it model year 1987 and up? So I should just consider those made after 1987?
One more thing I've noticed is that bigger capacity models are mostly 1983, 1984 model year. Why is that?

And about BMW's engine reliability, I've had good experience even with the s52. Drove the piss out of it, ~22,000 km in about half a year, never left me stranded even once

 

[mizhan]

So facelifted models have plastic bumpers? And is it model year 1987 and up? So I should just consider those made after 1987?
One more thing I've noticed is that bigger capacity models are mostly 1983, 1984 model year. Why is that?

post 87, the official importers believed our market only requires the 318i.. hence they skipped the 320i and 325i. they were just plain lazy to plan the marketing and aftersales support for multiple variants if you ask me.

 

[chili e30]

yes facelift is plastic bumper year 87 & above,you should take 87 & above model unless you want to rebuilt the car.most of the pre facelift is brought in with bigger cc don't know why maybe dealer can tell it.facelift model mostly is less cc maybe cheap road tax,save fuel & less maintenance.2000cc & above example change plug 6 pcs & 2000cc below change plug 4 pcs even engine oil need more than 4 litter but the 1800cc only need 4 litter maybe this why so many 1800cc over here.

 

[2wenty6]

Okay..I guess just the 100ish horses for me then

How is the seat-of-the-pants feel for the a 318 m40 manual in comparison with say..a 7th gen civic? I have a friend with a 318 but its in very neglected condition and not running at the moment so I'm asking here to see how does a properly maintained m40 does pulling power wise.

Once again, thanks a bunch for entertaining all my questions

 

[fabianyee]

post facelift is 88 onwards... and post facelift are mainly 318i because it's local CKD and 318i was the only official model sold locally... facelifted 320i and 325i would be grey imports....

don't expect too much from a 8 valve SOHC 1.8 with 20 year old technology... but it can get to 180kph without much issues as i remember it. There was once I drove from USJ to Jalan Raja Laut under 10 mins.. at 5AM.. Wasn't too shabby too going up Genting with the E36 328i and E46 325i (this was some 8 years ago)..

 

[evilnickwong]

The M40 has no seat-of-the-pants feel. Well, I guess it's only fun from 4000rpm onwards lol.

Can't compare to a Civic since my M40 is the only car I've ever had.

 

[2wenty6]

Fabian, you mean you could keep up with an e36 328?
Eh but I read somewhere that you have some interesting power mods (don't remember if its you or another person). Is that the reason?

I'm more a b-road junkie than a top speed whore one of the biggest reason I want an e30 is that I've heard good things about the fun factor in the twisties, that, and the really sexy retro look :top:

 

[kgb]

Okay..I guess just the 100ish horses for me then

How is the seat-of-the-pants feel for the a 318 m40 manual in comparison with say..a 7th gen civic? I have a friend with a 318 but its in very neglected condition and not running at the moment so I'm asking here to see how does a properly maintained m40 does pulling power wise.

Once again, thanks a bunch for entertaining all my questions

can't compare to civic, never owned one.

Last Saturday, was my first time that i've test driven e30. it was also first time that I sat inside e30 and it performed well above my expectations. I think, you can definitely have some fun with this car. Engine has enough pulling power to keep me smiling.

Well worth it.

 

[chili e30]

Fabian, you mean you could keep up with an e36 328?
Eh but I read somewhere that you have some interesting power mods (don't remember if its you or another person). Is that the reason?

I'm more a b-road junkie than a top speed whore one of the biggest reason I want an e30 is that I've heard good things about the fun factor in the twisties, that, and the really sexy retro look :top:

fabian mean 8 year ago before he transplant m42 engine,my m40 can go 180kph at highway anytime some more i am using 16 inch rim.

 

[fabianyee]

E30 318i can't keep up with the E30 328i on straight but can catch up on B roads cos the E30 is lighter and more agile and also the manual gearbox vs the autobox in the E36 328i...

 

[2wenty6]

What about this car?
http://www.mudah.my/Bmw+E30+2+pintu+87-6554951.htm
Looks like plastic bumper to me, and claimed to be 1987 model 323.

When checking out/test driving an e30, what are the things that I should take note of and/or check to make sure its condition? Is it common to have more experienced fellow bmwcm members to tag along to help check the car out?

 

[fabianyee]

pre-facelift chassis but using MTEC 2 bodykit.
from the description, it's originally a 323i engine but converted to 325i engine..

 

[kombat_kanan]

just some thoughts to ponder if you decide to bring your own parts to a mechanic. let's just say something go wrong after 2-3 days of the works, be it parts defect or labour faults. then you have a problem.

2 solutions:
- your mechanic will claim parts are faulty. if you cite a well known mechanic to the spare parts supplier, then yes, they might admit and replace your parts. but still you have to pay for the re-labouring.
- you fight by claiming that the root cause is labour faulty. then good luck!

 

[kgb]

Fellows, was thinking to change engine oil and oil filter on my newly bought e30 by tomorrow. Can anyone recommend any oil for an old e30 engine with over 400K on the clock?

Thanks.

 

[chili e30]

Fellows, was thinking to change engine oil and oil filter on my newly bought e30 by tomorrow. Can anyone recommend any oil for an old e30 engine with over 400K on the clock?

Thanks.

try castrol semi syhthetic 10/40,it take good care of my engine, till now my car still not yet overhaul before.

 

[fabianyee]

any semi syn with viscosity xxW-50 or even mineral oil with similar rating.
Observe the drained oil, if it's thick and black. it may have starting to sludge. So observe the oil about 3000km into the next oil change or just change it at 3000km for a few times to let the oil clean your engine...
Anyway, has any form of overhaul been done on the engine previously? At that mileage, the camshaft lobs may have started to wear off and u'll have a persistent tick tick lifter noise... If no lifter noise, then it's still in good health.

 

[kgb]

any semi syn with viscosity xxW-50 or even mineral oil with similar rating.
Observe the drained oil, if it's thick and black. it may have starting to sludge. So observe the oil about 3000km into the next oil change or just change it at 3000km for a few times to let the oil clean your engine...
Anyway, has any form of overhaul been done on the engine previously? At that mileage, the camshaft lobs may have started to wear off and u'll have a persistent tick tick lifter noise... If no lifter noise, then it's still in good health.

Thanks for advice, will get semi syn as advised.

Yeah, my oil is definitely black and i expect some sludge.

Also, as fabianyee mentioned, i do have that ticking sound. As you said, camshaft must be worn out.

My question: how much longer can i drive with such camshaft? any does and don't with worn out cam shaft?
What is cost of replacing one? Does it effect Fuel Consumption a lot? Is it a must replace kind of item or can do without.

Thanks.

 

[evilnickwong]

I'm using 10w-40 semi-syn on my M40 as well, although I might try a 5w-40 in the next oil change and see how it goes.

My M40 camshaft is worn abit as well, so it also has the annoying noise, but apparently it's fairly common on this engine and I'm not intending to replace it or anything. I'm sure it affects FC and performance since the valve lift and duration probably aren't up to spec anymore, but new camshaft is quite pricey I'm sure lol.

 

[fabianyee]

the ticking can be caused by either the hydraulic lifter or the camshaft. If intermittent noise, it could be just the lifters need replacing, but persistent noise can be the camshaft...

I got a fren who bought a new replacement M40 camshaft for RM500+ from the part dealer.. Not sure if it's stock clearance price or that's the normal price... RM500+ for a part which can last at least 200,000kms isn't what i wud call expensive...