Skizzer goes all yuppie on us: E30 320i

[cort16]

My guess is the surging is a vacuum leak. Probably some bit of old crisply plastic or rubber thats heat cycling. Spray some brake cleaner around the inlet parts when it'd doing it and see if it smooths out.

Hopefully the wobble is just the balance weights falling off the wheels but newer (as in 90's) BMW's suffer from the dreaded 56mph shimmy that;s normally the upper control arms but can be a bit of pain to get rid of.

 

[320touring]

Luckily e30s are McPherson strut at the front so no upper control arms to worry about, just topmounts:)

 

New bottom arms/lollipops and dampers are cheap if needed

[Spottedlaurel]

That's very nice, get those minor issues sorted and you'll have a really enjoyable, useable thing. All the better for being that colour combo too.

[Skizzer]

8 hours ago, wuvvum said:

I wonder if the tracking might be out?  When I temporarily swapped the nearside front wheel on the 75 for one with a 5% lower profile, it'd dive for the kerb at every opportunity.

Agreed, that was my original assumption and it’s probably still true.  It’s still on the list.

[egg]

e30. Probably the only German car I'd actually want to own (yes, I am a narrow minded dummkopf)

12/10 Skizzer.

[Vince70]

You really need to buy this low mileage lovely old E36 for a full set of beige  goldness on the drive.

It even has black bumpers and hubcaps so is full of win, if only I didn’t already have 3 sitting on the drive.

I missed the boat for cheap E30s now and had the chance of buying a late base spec tourer with only 60000 on the clock for £500 about 6 years ago in lovely condition but the seller couldn’t hold on to it for a few days fo me to go and pick it up and it was the one that got away for me as they don’t come up like that anymore.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F323840023804

 

[Skizzer]

Windscreen wiper functionality has been restored on the E30 thanks to a new Wisch-Wasch  control relay (yes that’s really what it’s called) from eBay.

It came in the most packaging ever: waterproof plastic wrap around a box

which contained a jiffy bag

in which was a carboard egg box type thing all taped up

inside which was a bundle made out of sponges

enclosing the relay.

It took eight times as long to unwrap as it did to fit.  But it was certainly not damaged in transit, and works.

[Skizzer]

On 6/18/2019 at 10:44 PM, EssDeeWon said:

These also have that cool bonnet opening don't they.  The front raises up and the bonnet tilts back  (not the way it looks like its going to go)

 

On 6/18/2019 at 10:47 PM, Split_Pin said:

The 1/36 Corgi model also correctly replicates the bonnet action!

Hot bonnet action action:

Stage 1 - ah, looks like it’s rear hinged...

Stage 2 - ...surprise! It isn’t.

[danthecapriman]

Yeah but you’d have moaned if it turned up smashed! Can’t blame the guy for making absolutely sure!

[Skizzer]

3 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Yeah but you’d have moaned if it turned up smashed! Can’t blame the guy for making absolutely sure!

Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining! Just entertained by the pass-the-parcel / matrioshka doll experience. I left very good feedback.

And I’ll use the sponges, too.

[320touring]

Good stuff this is back to wiping properly:)

[danthecapriman]

3 minutes ago, Skizzer said:

Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining! Just entertained by the pass-the-parcel / matrioshka doll experience. I left very good feedback.

And I’ll use the sponges, too.

I’ve had a few off eBay with the worlds supply of tape holding it all together. I suspect they only did it to piss me off and slow me down as much as possible getting into it! I’ve never had sponges though!

[paulplom]

I bought some ready mix sand and cement from screw fix. It came in a box which was in a bag and the cement was in a bucket.

[chaseracer]

9 hours ago, Skizzer said:

 

Hot bonnet action action:

Stage 1 - ah, looks like it’s rear hinged...

Stage 2 - ...surprise! It isn’t.

My old Saab 96 had a similar arrangement, but covered the front of the car even more!  Sadly I have no photos of this wonder, but here's a library pic taken earlier... ?

[Tenmil Socket]

10 hours ago, Skizzer said:

Windscreen wiper functionality has been restored on the E30 thanks to a new Wisch-Wasch  control relay (yes that’s really what it’s called) from eBay.

It came in the most packaging ever: waterproof plastic wrap around a box

which contained a jiffy bag

in which was a carboard egg box type thing all taped up

inside which was a bundle made out of sponges

enclosing the relay.

It took eight times as long to unwrap as it did to fit.  But it was certainly not damaged in transit, and works.

Gee wiz, that's some wrapping alright... !

[Skizzer]

Only a very brief visit to the shed this weekend, but long enough to tighten up the fan belt on the E30, which was squealing rather loudly when cold.

It’s a very easy job: loosen a 13mm locknut, then wind the toothed 19mm adjusting bolt along its track. Really neat design.

 

At the other end, I am happy to report that the original bootlid toolkit is all present and correct:

There are a couple of empty slots - I thought one was for a locking wheelnut key - but the gaps are for a manual winder kit in case the electric windows and sunroof fail. Mine has manual versions of both, so wouldn’t have had those tools fitted. Happy days.

[HMC]

Good to see in Munich they prepared for unglaublich electrical failures!

[Skizzer]

11 minutes ago, HMC said:

Good to see in Munich they prepared for unglaublich electrical failures!

This being West Germany in 1982, I imagine it’s only so you can still get your car park ticket at the barrier in the event of a Soviet electromagnetic pulse weapon attack.

[mat_the_cat]

On 7/7/2019 at 10:06 PM, Skizzer said:

It’s a very easy job: loosen a 13mm locknut, then wind the toothed 19mm adjusting bolt along its track. Really neat design.

It's the same arrangement on my LT, which works very well - one spanner to tension, the other to lock position. It's a great shame that for the first few years of ownership, I did not notice the toothed wheel, and resorted to levering the alternator with a pry bar, whilst lying on my back and trying to tighten the bolt with my other hand

[GBJ]

Idle pulsing is probably air leaks or the slide valve.

 

https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.php/Jetronic has some good information.

 

[Skizzer]

One of these tyres is not like the others...

There was a 2cm difference in the diameters of the two front wheels.

Unsurprisingly, getting rid of this completely random selection of ancient part-worns and replacing them with four new and balanced Uniroyal Rainexperts has cured the vibrations and made the (unpowered) steering much lighter at manoeuvring speeds.

Shout out to Tyreman Sam for any Swansea/Gower shiters - good guy, recommended. 

 

You may also spot Mrs 320Touring’s Clio 172 in the background, but that’s another story.

[danthecapriman]

I’m always amazed at the difference new tyres make to a car. I had three very old tyres, all with different amounts of tread and one newish tyre on the Volvo when I first got it. All four were also different brands.

Then I got a full set of five new Goodyear’s fitted and it completely transformed the way it drives. Miles more grip and it just feels quieter and smoother than before. It was like night and day!

[seacow]

Loving this thread.  Ive had my e30 for 8 years now and she turns 30 later this year.  Great driving experience and I dont drive it enough but smile all the way when I do - even though its the 316i

[seacow]

On 7/7/2019 at 9:06 PM, Skizzer said:

Only a very brief visit to the shed this weekend, but long enough to tighten up the fan belt on the E30, which was squealing rather loudly when cold.

It’s a very easy job: loosen a 13mm locknut, then wind the toothed 19mm adjusting bolt along its track. Really neat design.

 

At the other end, I am happy to report that the original bootlid toolkit is all present and correct:

There are a couple of empty slots - I thought one was for a locking wheelnut key - but the gaps are for a manual winder kit in case the electric windows and sunroof fail. Mine has manual versions of both, so wouldn’t have had those tools fitted. Happy days.

Mine has the same gaps it the tool kit so i think you have full set as intended!

 

I have a pair of rear wheel bearings for this if you ever need - I was opptomistic but was really a job too far for me so got it done - had them festering too long to take them back!!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

D

Thought I'd hijack this thread for a couple of updates on our doppelgänger .

The 7 year layup seems to have caused the complete exhaust to have given up after a few hundred miles back on the road, blowing like a bastard and a scary £400 quote off a usually reliable place- need to look around .

on the positive side , it's on a classic agreed value policy as from today at £105, this is so daughter can put last nights roffle win 406 Coupe as everyday car.

Our toolkit has the same gaps too even though it has electric windows.