E30 Buying

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   Hi Felix, 

If all the guages work on your SI Board, i would not bother to change it to fix the service lights. If you take it to Hartlake you can get the old battery removed and a new one fitted saving you pounds.Ask to speak to phil on 01474 326626. Had mine done on my 635 6 months ago along with some electronics fixed and is like new now.
Good luck with the new car.
Welcome to BMW ownership

Edited by Sohlman

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Sohlman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Coupe Chairman Joined: 19-August-2003 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 1259	Topic: E30 Buying Posted: 29-September-2003 at 09:25
	Hi Felix, If all the guages work on your SI Board, i would not bother to change it to fix the service lights. If you take it to Hartlake you can get the old battery removed and a new one fitted saving you pounds.Ask to speak to phil on 01474 326626. Had mine done on my 635 6 months ago along with some electronics fixed and is like new now. Good luck with the new car. Welcome to BMW ownership Edited by Sohlman

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Kevin_E30_318iS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 14-December-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 883	Posted: 28-September-2003 at 22:53
	Hello Felix, You should invest in the Bentley manual for the E30. It's an excellent reference and will answer alot of your questions. There is a Haynes manual available, but it's not as good. The Haynes covers the M40 engine which the Beltley doesn't, but unless your'e going to do some work on the engine yourself it shouldn't matter. I got mine on Amazon.com. Regards,
	Kevin_1990_318iS

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 25-September-2003 at 18:36
	If this sensor wire isn't replaced will that cause my 'braking lining' light to be lit all the time. I have heard talk about the 'SI' board were would I look for it.

Rob 75tii Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28-June-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 21	Posted: 25-September-2003 at 13:32
	Engines good but watch for topend clatter, Simply repacing tapets generaly does not cure them and you have to change out Rockers/Tappets and Cam if your unfortunate) and belive me it adds up(Asuming its a M40 engine, the old M10 was bullet proof), timing belt is a home replacement job(Around two hours taking your time if your any way handy), only single overhead cam after all. Watch out for power steering leaks from both the pump and the Rack(Seems to be their achiles heel). Like said before look around, millions of them about, id keep looking till I found a real cracker. And dont pay over the odds, some folks looking for silly money for them. Rob

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 24-September-2003 at 22:26
	Will this put the brakelining light out?? Q. Is it easy to replace dash bulbs? P.S Nice car

paul325i Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 23-January-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 666	Posted: 24-September-2003 at 22:06
	Yep there should be a pad sensor located just on the edge of the pad, but these are rarely replaced. GSF or main dealer will do you one if you want it, just clips into the pad. If you don't then just leave it, or tie the wires together.
	Visit My BMW Got an E30? Visit The E30 Zone

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 24-September-2003 at 21:31
	The wire that hangs down is a connector to which 'something' connects to it???

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 24-September-2003 at 21:29
	1989 Felix

Peter Fenwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484	Posted: 24-September-2003 at 13:02
	On my E36 there is a wire that connects to the back of the inside pad on the N/S front wheel. It is not actually part of the pad, it just clips onto it.
	Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

Andyboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Banned User Joined: 04-June-2003 Status: Offline Points: 707	Posted: 24-September-2003 at 12:33
	Timing belts changed every 20'000, and they are not DIY. In fact, only BMW dealers or specialists with the proper tool for belt tensioning should do them. What year is it?

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 23-September-2003 at 23:03
	Hi guys, I bough the car for �200. Put a new set of plugs in and an air filter and its going well. Body work will cost �50. I have had a look at the brake pads and there is no wire connected to the pads but on the N/S wheel there is a wire connector coming down the inner guard but I can't find any thing from the pads to connect it to?? Any ideas

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 23-September-2003 at 10:28
	Again many thanks. I will let you know how I get on.

Kevin_E30_318iS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 14-December-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 883	Posted: 23-September-2003 at 09:58
	The brake pad warning light could be due to a faulty brake pad sensor if the pads themselves are in good shape. Same problem on my own car. If your car is a 316i, the it has the M40 engine and the timing belt should be changed regularly. Check with a BMW garage, but I think it's 24,000 miles or every 3 years. The M40 engines need the cam belts changed regularly. Sounds like it should be changed in the car. You should take this into account when negotiating the price. Inspection lights are extinguished by a special service light reset tool. Most garages have them. If the lights don't go out after being reset, then the batteries in the Service Indicator(SI) board are probably gone. These are rechargable batteries that last 7-8 years, and the solution is to replace the SI board with a reconditioned one or buy the proper spec batteries and replace them yourself.
	Kevin_1990_318iS

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 22-September-2003 at 19:36
	I have had the car inspected by a very good mechanic, and he has given me the thumbs up. I just have to negotiate the price!! The other thing I noticed about the car is the brake lining light is on all the time but the pads seem to be in good order. Any help The other thing is the oil and inspection light is lit any tips on how to put the light out as I will be getting my mechanic to do a full service. One more thing how often do you need to change the timing belt. This car has 43000 on the current one. Any help is greatfully received.

Bharat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 14	Posted: 22-September-2003 at 15:27
	As has been mentioned, check for proper service history. I bought a G reg 316 2 weeks ago (for temporary emergency use), with 122k miles. It had been serviced by BMW until 1998, and since then, it was owned by the guy, who I bought it from. He said his brother is a mechanic, so he did not bother taking it to BMW. It had a brand new MOT. 2 days (and 5 miles) after I bought the car, I noticed some leakage underneath the car. It turned out to be a faulty steering rack ! I decided to get the car fully/properly serviced by BMW - found the brake discs and pads needed replacement too. Car purchased for �600 - cost of repairs/service : another �600 !!! Now the car is in really good shape, and I will be selling it on in a week or so, but I learnt my lesson about checking carefully, and not just relying on MOT or a few papers/invoices. All the best... Edited by Bharat

Kevin_E30_318iS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 14-December-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 883	Posted: 22-September-2003 at 12:36
	The 316i is the slowest of the lot, but isn't bad. It's the cheapest to tax and insure, although it wasn't fun handing over EUR372 for a years road tax last Friday :(
	Kevin_1990_318iS

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 22-September-2003 at 08:39
	Guys/girls Thanks for the advice. Felix

kbannon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508	Posted: 21-September-2003 at 23:48
	There are plenty of good cheap low mileage cars around so don't settle for just anything. If those pieces of rust are visible then I would bet that there is more that aren't visible. Crawl under the car if necessary. As you say look for oil around engine & on ground under it (can you see the sellers driveway?). Always listen to the engine when starting it from cold and be aware of any unusual noises. If there is any, walk away. Check the coolant for the presence of oil & check the oil filler cap for any whitish residues. If there is any, don't walk away, run. There may be loads of receipts as you say. Does one mention a timing belt? A replacement will cost 200-300 quid which I assume would be better off in your pocket than a mechanics. If you aren't sure about checking the mechanics of the car then bring along a mechanic. It is worth paying someone a few quid to help prevent your buying a dud. Is there any extras with this car (alloys, electrics, etc.)? Are you limiting yourself to the 316i? If not then I would recommend the 318is or 325i (or else the M3 ).
	Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual

felix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21-September-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 12	Posted: 21-September-2003 at 20:27
	It a 316i 4 door saloon. I know that there is a lot of receipts for the car 133000 mls on the clock but looks in good order. There is a small bit of rust on the N/S wheel arch but it only surface rust. It also has a couple of small rust bubbles on the N/S door but nothing I would be concerned about. anything around the engine I should look for i.e oil leaks etc. It has 2 months MOT left. Felix

Kevin_E30_318iS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 14-December-2002 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 883	Posted: 21-September-2003 at 20:26
	One thing you should check for is a service history, and verify that the timing belt has been changed as per schedule. 133,000 miles is not big mileage providing the car has been properly cared for. There shouldn't really be any rust on a good car, except maybe some on the rear wheel arches. Items like BBS cross-spoke alloys and fog lights are expensive to buy, so a car with these is a bonus, but the most important thing is to get a good car with a service history. You can always upgrade stuff later.
	Kevin_1990_318iS