BMW E30 enthusiasts?

[Hyaenidae]

23 hours ago, MrCat said:

 

Found one archive.. Yay..!!!! 

1

Congratulations  

As for porting, you'll have to copy paste posts one by one... or you can screenshot the 4 pages and post 'em here (or in a separate thread, like this:

[MrCat]

So, the car was running fine with NO excess smoke, cold start issues, timing chain noises etc.. However, I always felt that the idle wasn’t spot-on.

I decided to address the famous ‘mess under the intake’. This is what the E30 community had named the German over-engineering effort under the intake manifold on the M42 engine. They decided to go nuts with coolant lines and vacuum hoses and added a throttle body heater which is completely useless in warm weather. 

This basically involved:

** Remove coolant lines which goes to throttle body heater plate
** Remove excess vacuum lines and add a couple of direct connections. 1.) Valve cover to throttle body. 2.) ICV to intake boot
** Add new coolant bypass from cylinder head to the plastic coolant distributing thingy on the side of the block
** Replace two short fuel lines under the intakes, the high pressure line was leaking a bit
** Replace all the gaskets and vacuum lines
** Clean everything (ICV, TB, manifolds, plastic bits, connectors, etc...)

Parts list below, ordered from the local dealer:

· Intake boot >> 13711734385
· Hose clamp (L12-15), fuel line >> 07129952104 (4 of these)
· Vacuum hose from FPR (3.5X1.8) >> 11727545323
· Gasket – throttle housing >> 13541743261
· Hex nut with plate - throttle housing >> 07129900681 / 07129904553 (4 of these)
· Air hose (to ICV) >> 13411721971
· Gasket – upper intake manifold >> 11611717761
· Gasket – lower intake manifold >> 11611734684 
· Hex nut with plate (AM7 ZNNIV SI) >> 07129905541 (8 of these)
· Coolant Hose (this is from E36 M42, used for coolant by-pass) >> 11531247398

Some of the parts:



Lower intake manifold removed:



The ‘”mess under the intake”:





Unfortunately I forgot to take any pictures while putting things back together. With new hoses and gaskets, the car idles perfectly now. Perhaps it’s all in my head, but feels like throttle response is sharper.!! 

 

[fiat fan]

On 1/16/2019 at 10:28 PM, MrCat said:

 

Ha Ha..

I think the E30 is in a very unique position which helps to drive prices up globally.  80`s/90`s mechanical simplicity, sedan practicality – yet compact, rear drive, ~1100kg weight - this combination IS quite rare.  Add independent rear suspension to the mix and I simply don’t know of any other mainstream car/model which is similar. The C class comes close, but that`s a heavier car in general.

Yeah, the E30 M3 is a different beast.. Racing pedigree, homologation production run, proper German over-engineering, etc... They dont` make em anymore, so the only way for the prices to go is 'up'..  

 

I feel like buying E34 or E30 for use in SL. But I wont be using it all that much. Hmmm

[MrCat]

6 hours ago, fiat fan said:

I feel like buying E34 or E30 for use in SL. But I wont be using it all that much. Hmmm

 

I reckon E34 is a better package for local conditions. More roomier and comfortable, equally as fun to drive. 

 

[MrCat]

Just a couple of pics of the engine bay, as it was when bought, against as it stands now after some degreasing, detailing, installing air box back on and the vacuum hose/intake work.

Before:



After:

[MrCat]

Hello All,

Another quick update some drive-line related upgrades on the E30 which is well worth the effort IMHO.

In 2017, I decided to refresh the gearbox and driveline to reduce slack and to make the car a bit more responsive. 

A lightweight flywheel is the most prominent upgrade here. A single-mass flywheel went in, only weighing 3KG. Compared to the 12KG dual-mass original flywheel, this makes the engine rev much quicker hits peak torque instantly. Plus, downshift rev matches are a joy with brisk throttle response. Only negative is that the flywheel rattles a bit when idling.

Also, the gear shifter got rebuilt with a short-shifter from a BMW Z3 for improved shifter feel and precision. 
Finally, upgraded polyurethane engine mounts and upgraded gearbox mounts helps with reduced driveline twist under acceleration. 

Here`s some of the parts (OEM BMW part numbers noted) that went in:

Parts List - Gear Box related:

• Gearbox output shaft seal (Genuine BMW) – 23121205342
• Crank seal (rear, Genuine BMW ) – 11142249533
• Gearbox Shift Rod Seal - 23121282394
• Getrag gearbox Drain Filler Plug M24x1.5 mm - 23117527440

Parts List - Shifter rebuild:

• Garagistic E30 delrin shifter bushing kit >> round shifter bushings (x2), OEM shifter cup, delrin rear carrier bushing, and bitch clip
• Garagistic Shifter boot – 25111220204
• Z3 1.9 shifter (short shifter conversion) - 25117527252

Parts List  - Clutch/Flywheel:

• Clutch release fork lever (Genuine BMW) > 21511204229 
• Spring clip (Genuine BMW) >> 21511204327
• M20 (320i) Flywheel Hex bolt (M12X1.5X28), 8 of these (Genuine BMW) >> 11227805885
• M42 pilot bearing (Grooved ball bearing), 15X32X10  (Genuine BMW) >> 11211720310
• Clutch Fork Pivot Pin (Genuine BMW) – 21511223328
• Lightweight Flywheel from RHD engineering
• BMW M20 (320i) clutch kit:
• Pressure Plate
• Clutch Disc
• Thrust Bearing

Parts List - Drive-line/Shaft:

• Propshaft Joint Flex-disc (OEM) - 26111225624
• Centering sleeve bearing for Flex-disc (Genuine BMW) >>26117526611

Mounts : 

• Engine Mounts (green polyurethane – x2)
• Upgraded and re-engineered Gearbox mounts (x2)

 

Edited January 24, 2019 by MrCat

[MrCat]

Pictures or it didn't happen yea?    

Lightweight Chrome-Molly Flywheel weighing in at 3KG:

 

Re-engineered transmission mounts (Genuine E21 mounts with an aluminium casing):

 

SACHS clutch kit:

 

Revshift polyurethane engine mounts:

Shifter rebuild :

More drive-line + clutch bits:

 

 

 

[pug306xsi]

At last some interesting stuff on AL.

[MrCat]

On 1/26/2019 at 1:08 AM, pug306xsi said:

At last some interesting stuff on AL.

This was quite a different place when I joined about 13 years ago.!  Alfa GTV projects, Greenpath drags, some dude building crazy DIY BBQ machines..  All sorts of epic stuff..!!!

It`s more like a Q&A forum now, i guess times have changed.!  Not much grease monkey content which we all love to see   

 

Edited January 27, 2019 by MrCat

[pug306xsi]

On 1/27/2019 at 2:56 PM, MrCat said:

This was quite a different place when I joined about 13 years ago.!  Alfa GTV projects, Greenpath drags, some dude building crazy DIY BBQ machines..  All sorts of epic stuff..!!!

It`s more like a Q&A forum now, i guess times have changed.!  Not much grease monkey content which we all love to see   

 

Yes also most notable stuff - 
 

Project R

Project E34

 

and random jokers who came along.....

[MrCat]

Hello..!

Found some pics taken at a BMW meet where my car met it`s twin.! Same color (''brilliantrot") 318is, but the other car is a slick top (i.e. no sunroof)

 

 

 

 

 

[MrCat]

I know it`s not E30 related, but cant help but post these other Bavarian beauties i`ve captured during the same meet.... 

2002 Trubo, most probably a genuine car..

 

The best condition E34 i`ve seen in my life. This one is a 535is, presented like it just rolled out of the factory.. 

Timeless E34 interior...

 

E24 635csi - 6 series coupe also known as the Shark Nose

 

E28 M5 replica - done up just like a genuine M5

 

 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2019 by MrCat

[MrCat]

Hello All, 

Was browsing though some photos in my E30 project 'folder', so thought of updating this thread. 

I always wanted to upgrade the stock 14 inch wheels/rims. The factory alloys` specs were:  14 inch by  6inch,  +30mm  offset, 4x100 pcd, 57.1 centre bore. The tires, at 195/65 R14, were too narrow for my liking and the car was very tail happy in the wet when driven hard.  It was difficult to put the power down when the road is slippery, wheel-spin on 3rd gear is fun at times, but not so great on public roads with traffic around. 

Rear driven cars usually run lower offsets, so perfect fitting wheels are not easy to find for the E30.   4X100 PCD, lower offset with 57.1mm center bore is a rare combination and good quality wheels (specially European styles) are quite rare and expensive in the international market.  I did NOT want to modify the hubs or run any sort of wheel adapter.

I kept browsing through local classifieds for months, finally found a set of period correct wheels made by Racing Dynamics in Italy (a BMW performance parts supplier).  Wheel specs are : 16 inch by 7.5 inch,  -25 offset, weight: 8.5kg each. 

 

Here are the wheels before they got professionally powder coated: 

 

Paint stripped and primer on : 

 

During the powder coating process:

 

Paint cured and baked :

 

Final product: 

 

On a side note, I also got the engine Valve Cover painted in matte black:

 

Wheels test fitted with new tires: 205/50 R16 - (without center caps on):

 

 

 

 

[MrCat]

Found a couple of pics of my little YEEE 30 taken at the car park at a BMW Agent.  Look at the generation gap and the size difference.          

• Light blue - E46 M3
• Dark Blue – F20 1 series, most probably a 120i
• White – Current model 5 series
• Light blue in the far end – Most probably an E92 coupe (325i).

--------------------

--------------------

 

[amsandun]

12 minutes ago, MrCat said:

Found a couple of pics of my little YEEE 30 taken at the car park at a BMW Agent.  Look at the generation gap and the size difference.          

• Light blue - E46 M3
• Dark Blue – F20 1 series, most probably a 120i
• White – Current model 5 series
• Light blue in the far end – Most probably an E92 coupe (325i).

--------------------

--------------------

 

ha ha..?good vibes for the morning..

[MrCat]

7 minutes ago, amsandun said:

ha ha..?good vibes for the morning..

 

Ha ha nothing like a good BMW lineup eh..?   Have a great day..!!

 

 

[fiat fan]

3 hours ago, MrCat said:

Found a couple of pics of my little YEEE 30 taken at the car park at a BMW Agent.  Look at the generation gap and the size difference.          

• Light blue - E46 M3
• Dark Blue – F20 1 series, most probably a 120i
• White – Current model 5 series
• Light blue in the far end – Most probably an E92 coupe (325i).

--------------------

--------------------

 

They all look fab. But that E30 just blasts everything else away. The e46 M3 is also very tasty. The rest urrghh not that striking. Pretty thats for sure,but nothing to go nuts over.

I strongly believe cars made before 2010 was better. Specially 80s, 90s and eaarly 2000's.

 

Mordern cars might be more reliable,small pampering details, tech infested,safer and better daily cars. But nothing can beat those oldies. Gimme buttons over screens anyday!

[MrCat]

46 minutes ago, fiat fan said:

They all look fab. But that E30 just blasts everything else away. The e46 M3 is also very tasty. The rest urrghh not that striking. Pretty thats for sure,but nothing to go nuts over.

I strongly believe cars made before 2010 was better. Specially 80s, 90s and eaarly 2000's.

 

Mordern cars might be more reliable,small pampering details, tech infested,safer and better daily cars. But nothing can beat those oldies. Gimme buttons over screens anyday!

අම්මට හුඩු .!!    I just found my long lost twin!

?? 

Haven’t met many people who had the same feeling towards cars (not only BMW`s but in general as well).

I drive car made in 2018 daily, the thing can brake by itself, tries to keep within the lane, supremely quiet and comfortable, accelerates like anything, etc…...

I have also driven a few BMW models: E36`s, E46`s, E90`s, few modern ones (440i, 120i, 320i etc…). Also other stuff from Golf Gti`s to WRX`s to Audi A4`s..

But my GOD the E30 is so much more engaging and fun at legal speed limits! I`ve driven a 320HP BMW 440i to its limits, honestly felt a bit ‘meh’ in comparison (power, safety and comfort is a completely different story here but..). The airiness of the cabin, knowing exactly what the 4 wheels are doing, feeling the steering linkage doing its thing, hearing the brake booster hissing when the pedal is pressed, the engine being lethargic as soon as its started then coming to life slowly. Any of this can hardly be experienced in a newer car. !

 

[fiat fan]

On 7/25/2019 at 12:56 AM, MrCat said:

අම්මට හුඩු .!!    I just found my long lost twin!

?? 

Haven’t met many people who had the same feeling towards cars (not only BMW`s but in general as well).

I drive car made in 2018 daily, the thing can brake by itself, tries to keep within the lane, supremely quiet and comfortable, accelerates like anything, etc…...

I have also driven a few BMW models: E36`s, E46`s, E90`s, few modern ones (440i, 120i, 320i etc…). Also other stuff from Golf Gti`s to WRX`s to Audi A4`s..

But my GOD the E30 is so much more engaging and fun at legal speed limits! I`ve driven a 320HP BMW 440i to its limits, honestly felt a bit ‘meh’ in comparison (power, safety and comfort is a completely different story here but..). The airiness of the cabin, knowing exactly what the 4 wheels are doing, feeling the steering linkage doing its thing, hearing the brake booster hissing when the pedal is pressed, the engine being lethargic as soon as its started then coming to life slowly. Any of this can hardly be experienced in a newer car. !

 

 Amen ?

[fiat fan]

Any updates mate?

[MrCat]

On 12/21/2019 at 3:07 PM, fiat fan said:

Any updates mate?

Hey!

The car has been relaxing in the garage, under a car cover. Probably driven less than 1500km`s this year ? Haven`t done much to it this year either. The battery died (age + being idle + me putting it on an 8AMP charge and forgetting about it for a day).. So got the battery replaced last week.. Why BMW decided to use a big ass 650CCA battery for a car with hardly any electronics and a little 4 cylinder engine is beyond me, but decided to replace with a cheaper/smaller 450CCA battery instead. 

I do sometimes feel like selling this an getting a newer Golf GTi (wife could drive, practical, usable on a  daily basis, track-able, etc..). But then again, i`ll most probably never find an E30 in this condition for any amount of reasonable money in 10 years time  ?

I did realize that there are quite a few upgrades/work (already done) which I haven't noted here, so will put those up when i get time. 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2019 by MrCat

[MrCat]

Hello.!

Just an update on a suspension revamp job done a couple of years ago. Wanted to replace all worn out suspension bits, so decided to start with springs and shocks. Didn’t want to go with coilovers due to the complexities around getting them welded to the spindle tubes for the front. A complete assembly with the spindle specifically designed for the E30, such as the KW suspensions kit (https://www.kwsuspensions.net/bmw_e30), is hideously expensive at around 2400 USD. As for the rear, the E30 rear end is NOT designed for coilovers so the spring and shock needs to be separate. 

This is not a full-on track/race car anyway, so wanted to find a good aftermarket replacement for standard equipment. After a lot of research, decided to go with the following: 

•    H&R sports springs part number 29664-1 (USD 242 - https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3677-hr-sport-spring-set-e30/)
•    Bilstein B8 Performance Plus Front Strut Insert – Part No P36-0335 / 34-003350 (51mm for 318is)
•    Bilstein B8 Performance Plus Rear Shock – Part No. B36-2027 / 24-020275

The H&R Sports springs` are supposed to drop the ride height by about 35mm. As standard, E30`s sits a bit high at the front compared to rear (or at least that`s how it looks). So the only thing I missed is replacing the front drop-hats (top of strut assembly) with E90 drop hats for a further 10-15mm (approx) drop. I don’t know what I was thinking back then, but completely forgot about this until after everything was installed. 

 

Bilstein B8 shocks:

 

H&R sports springs:

 

New wheel bearings (front):

 

ATE brake rotors, pads and brake wear sensor:

 

Front strut assembly, ‘before’:

 

Front strut assembly, ‘after’. Professionally painted and installed with new strut housing, strut mount, wheel bearings etc.. :

 

Front strut assembly, installed:

 

Brake rotor installed:

 

Additional parts that went in: front strut mounts, rear strut mounts, rear stabilizer bar end-links, bump stops:

 

The car`s chassis/suspension is almost well sorted now. What is left do is to drop the rear axle and replace all the bushes/rubber bits in there.  Sub-frame bushes, differential bushes, trailing arm bushes etc... Waiting to sort-out an LSD differential do it all in one go. 

 

 

Edited January 3, 2020 by MrCat

[AVANTE]

6 minutes ago, MrCat said:

Brake rotor installed:

 

This is a fabulous looking disc :0

[MrCat]

9 minutes ago, □AVANTE□ said:

This is a fabulous looking disc :0

They are made by a German manufacturer named ATE. Called 'ATE Power Disc'.  Manufacturer says it`s got the following advantages, but I suspect it`s mostly cosmetic as well.  

* apparently the groves repel water in wet conditions to maintain brake performance in the wet

* the grooves helps detect wear over time

* no need to clean before installation due to the heat resistant coating that stops corrosion

[AVANTE]

On 1/3/2020 at 12:17 PM, MrCat said:

They are made by a German manufacturer named ATE. Called 'ATE Power Disc'.  Manufacturer says it`s got the following advantages, but I suspect it`s mostly cosmetic as well.  

* apparently the groves repel water in wet conditions to maintain brake performance in the wet

* the grooves helps detect wear over time

* no need to clean before installation due to the heat resistant coating that stops corrosion

These are the same reasons for the existence of any kind of grooves. Either way, sweet! Is your car a 318i?