Re: Wanted E30 Purchasing Advice

[Randy Walters <RandyWal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 Another Randy <rema@domain.elided> writes:

>I am now actively looking for my first BMW. I am looking for a 89 or 90 325iS.
>I would like to know if there is a conclusive method to determine if a 325
>is in fact an iS. I looked at one "325iS", but it had no power options,
>cloth seats, no rear spoiler and a very shallow front spoiler and no OBC.
>The wheels were not the  star or crossed wheels. Are there any codes in the
>VIN relating to a 325iS? Or should I just be looking for the things that
>were missing on the car I looked at?

 Thats either not a 325is,  or he downgraded just about everything on it <G>


>If I do find a true 325iS what things should I look out for specifically? I
>have been reading this list for a few weeks and realize the timing chain is
>something that should have been replaced at regular intervals. Are there
>any other things to look out for?   Thanks in advance for your help.
>Randy,  Future 325is owner

 I did a bunch of research on the E30 325is when i was looking for my
own first BMW a few months ago.  With the help of the web and a few 
helpful E30 gurus on the mailing lists i learned a lot about these cars.   
I found mine in the very first hour after i officially started my search 
(i actually found it at 6:am Saturday morning on the web).  A few days 
later it was parked in my garage and my bank account was empty :-) 

 I feel that the '89 is the best year as it has the better Motronics,  the 
newer style small body-colored bumpers, elipsoid headlights, and it's
the last year before they got the airbag steering wheel.   The '90 lost
the elipsoids and came with an airbag but otherwise the car is virtually
unchanged from the 89.   Apparently the airbag wheel can be replaced
with a normal steering wheel pretty easily so that's not a big deal.  It
has a timing belt (not a chain) and should be replaced every 50K or so
along with the tensioner and water pump while you're in there :-) 


Here's a list of what came on the E30 325is as far as i know:

Limited Slip Differential (3.71 ratio)
Stiffer Shorter Springs 
Stiffer Shocks (Boge on my 89)
14x6.5 BBS Cross-spoke Wheels with 195/65-14 tires
Deep Front Air Dam (w/body colored plastic chin spoiler)
Rear body-colored Decklid Spoiler
Bolstered Leather Sport Seats
3-Spoke M Technic Steering Wheel
Trip Computer (aka OBC)
Premium Stereo (w/surface mounted rear speakers)
Electric Sunroof
Central Locking
Power Mirrors
Cruise Control

 The past 3 weekends i've installed new rear subframe bushings (fun!),
new rear differential cover and mount, adjustable trailing arm bushings, 
M3 springs,  Bilstein Sport shocks, adjustable front strut mounts, a 22mm 
Racing Dynamics adjustable front swaybar,  Ferodo brake pads and new 
rotors all around with new brake fluid, and now i'm just waiting for my new 
15x7 wheels with 225/50 Dunlop SP8000 tires.  Next up:  new control arms
and eccentric bushings,  clutch kit, a new guibo, and maybe a new driveshaft.  
I'm really learning a lot about this car !!  

 Randy Walters 
 89 325is (120K)
 85 Golf GTi (260K)
 86 Jetta GLi (230K)






 

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