E30 : Most common problem!

[lempeng7]

Hi All Sifu...I will get my dream E30 soon.So, due to that, I want to know your advise regarding E30. What will be the most common problem for E30 that I should pay more attention when I get my car? AFYI, the engine still in standard condition and I don't know much about the history of the car.Owner said, the car in very good condition....Thank you..........

 

[pussy]

please elaborate more about which model, year, and condition of the car..

then we can pin-point the do's and don't..

regards.

 

[Strider]

E30, everything are most common problem. Engine, body, interior, ICE, suspension, everything. WHY, the latest one already almost 20 years old. Either it need repair or it need upgrading. hi...hi... anyway, welcome to the E30 club

 

[lempeng7]

Sorry for less elaborate about the car...
Based on information given by the owner:
Model : 318
Year mfg : 1990/1991
Condition : exterior - No problem ( looks normal)
Interior - all ok. No tear, leather seat, dashboard still ok.
Engine - Not sure but when test running the engine, sounds norrmal.

 

[Strider]

Hi All Sifu...

I will get my dream E30 soon.
So, due to that, I want to know your advise regarding E30. What will be the most common problem for E30 that I should pay more attention when I get my car? A
FYI, the engine still in standard condition and I don't know much about the history of the car.
Owner said, the car in very good condition....

Thank you..........

Meaning that you are in the process of acquiring one. If that the case, the best thing to do is bring it to any independant mechanic that deal with bmw and let him do the diagnosis and inspection. From there, you will know how much is needed if there is any repair. In fact today i did bring one of my office mate to my mechanic cause he bought a used e36 for inspection.
Anyway, good luck to you.

 

[pussy]

E30, everything are most common problem. Engine, body, interior, ICE, suspension, everything. WHY, the latest one already almost 20 years old. Either it need repair or it need upgrading. hi...hi... anyway, welcome to the E30 club

yes, very true... e30 has 'common' problems, like 'WHY CANNOT START'
BLAH, BLAH...

but, it's sure nice to drive and whack kaw-kaw...:top:

like kev' said.. drive the e30, you will discover it's soul..:love:

 

[lempeng7]

Haiyooo....feel scary lah mcm nih...
Plan to drive this E30 to go to work...

 

[rockonla]

one thing man, the drive is a dream. i would look for leakage in the engine, steering and any rust or accident damage. try to dig up old threads in the forum, this would be helpful for u in the future. sure there's issues here and there but then again its a 17 year old car. you can fix it up slowly and ul love it for the character it brings with it (this car got soul!). i have a friend who had a M40 E30 since new in his family and he still drives it daily today and he swore that the car is pretty much bullet proof!. i love driving mine and im sure u will love driving urs too. welcome to the e30 ownership. :top:

 

[lempeng7]

Thank you rockonla, such a nice advise..

Can't wait my day to have the car..If I have trouble with the car..surely I will try to get an advise from sifus here...
Anything, I will inform you all later when I get my car...

 

[hotfoo36]

Hi lempang7, nice to hear that your are going to get a E30 soon. I just get mine a month ago, it's a 1983 model 320i 2 doors, I drive for 1 month without doing any repair yet. Common problem I face is that minor rust need to fix, car shaking when idle (probably too low idle rpm or the ICV), long shaft making some "cangkerik" sound (I think this is quite a common problem for E30), cold start not stable (probably due to the chock). At first, feel like very difficult to drive the E30 around, but I start to love it now. Everytime there is a problem pops up (happen once very hard to start, at first tought is the battery weak, but actually is the learning of how to start my car, haha, there is a soul inside it as what pussy said, and once the car suddenly like riding a horse in the middle of the road, stop by and check inside the engine, make a few "magic" touch and the car become normal again, haha!), you found that you are one step closer to your car and slowly build up your love to the car. Remember, people learn from every problem they encounter, if no problem, means no learning. If you manage to cover this, you are ready to get a E30 as well as drive a E30. Haha, write so long this time, sorry.

 

[Jules]

Haiyooo....feel scary lah mcm nih...
Plan to drive this E30 to go to work...

I drive my almost stock 323i which 25 years 7 months old DAILY to work.......and can still tau pau a few cars altho I lost to Mr Bundy's E36 Coupe ( 328 engined? ) just yesterday in a straight road acceleration...

Its an old car, there will be things to change and you learn at same time BUT then once changed - you have some peace of mind for a while.

Enjoy this special car-owner journey......cos it will be less with other cars.:top:

 

[evilnickwong]

Don't skimp on the maintenance and you'll enjoy every moment of ownership. My '91 318i M40 is my daily driver too.

 

[pussy]

There was even a story, but it's true, that a e30 saved one of our members here in a very bad accident, even it was a write-off, he was not even injured.. imagine 120kph into a concrete barrier..

it's a safe car in those and these days..

 

[nevets]

There was even a story, but it's true, that a e30 saved one of our members here in a very bad accident, even it was a write-off, he was not even injured.. imagine 120kph into a concrete barrier..

it's a safe car in those and these days..

eh...this sounds very familiar le....

 

[gOdspEed]

Remember, people learn from every problem they encounter, if no problem, means no learning. If you manage to cover this, you are ready to get a E30 as well as drive a E30. Haha, write so long this time, sorry.

:top:......i conquer
.........owning an e30 demands passion & patience......

 

[ejfong]

welcome to e30 ownership!
i had mine Feb '08, 1990/91 318i , once u get used to it, its a lovely ride, and like all they've mentioned, she's an old girl that needs fixing n maintenance..but the reward is priceless...
my old girl's getting new paint job as we speak... ;p
join BMW TT in ur area and seek various opinions ,and based on ur budget slowly do it up
the journey begins...
cheers!

 

[lempeng7]

Thank you so much to all Sifus...
Really appreciate your advise...now just calculating my day to get an E30..

Just a questions, what would be the best engine oil for E30 if I plan to use semi-syn oil...
Any recommended Workshop for Bimmer/E30 area Nilai or nearer to Nilai?

Thank you....

 

[Jules]

Thank you so much to all Sifus...
Really appreciate your advise...now just calculating my day to get an E30..

Just a questions, what would be the best engine oil for E30 if I plan to use semi-syn oil...
Any recommended Workshop for Bimmer/E30 area Nilai or nearer to Nilai?

Thank you....

ur car no racing car.....I use normal mineral and just change regular lor. Anything more is wasting imho.

My tip.....Just dun tekan in early morning until engine fully warmed up probably give a longer life to engine.....btw, I dun esdorse warm up while stationary also - just drive slowly first 2km....

Nilai? Not my area....

 

[pussy]

Nilai..

there is one at senawang.. the old road after the flyover down.. Sam, they call him.. Hitech wheels..

 

[SimpleSoul]

Hotfoo36,

Please change the timing belt at least