M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

GENERAL => Off-topic discussion => Topic started by: seeohngee on October 10, 2009, 12:14:41 AM

Title: My first e30/m42
Post by: seeohngee on October 10, 2009, 12:14:41 AM
Hey guys and gals,

I just recently bought an e30 and it's a 91 318is(very excited)! This is my first car that I actually own and would like to keep up to par. I have always been interested in cars (especially bmw) but never really got to work on one so I don't know much of the builds of a car in details, but I'm here wanting and willing to learn everything about my car. I want to actually get dirty and do most of the work myself and not take it to a mechanic, so I'm going to need a lot of help and will ask a lot of questions. I hope you guys/gals don't mind. I have my flame suit on just in case:)

A little info about the car
Currently 216xxx miles

-All work have been done by the original owner at 208xxx miles-
new bushings
all new hoses
wiring
coolant flush all new upper and lower gaskets
complete tune-up
rebuilt calipers
new rotors and pads

I'm not sure what I need to worry about next or when I should change certain things.

I've been searching the forums and can't seem to find a thread on how to keep the car in tip top shape, and what kind of maintenance need to be done first or at certain mileage.

If someone know a link, that would help me out a lot.

I just want to say thanks ahead of time to everyone on here for that is willing to help me with my car! :D
Title: My first e30/m42
Post by: sand_m4n on October 10, 2009, 10:14:00 AM
Hey welcome to the boards and congrats on getting your first Bmw :cool:
As far as maintenence and general projects are concercened i would recomend buying this book by Wayne http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/BOOK/POR_BOOK_101pro_pg3.htm (http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/BOOK/POR_BOOK_101pro_pg3.htm)
While not an exact repair manual like haynes or chilton Wayne does a very thorugh job explaining in laymans terms step by step what you are suposed to do to fix what ever problem you have. This book can help you with just about any thing and so i would def recomend spending the 22 bucks for the book its worth every penny. If you can do just one of the repairs mentioned in the book and not have to take it to the dealership then You just Tripled the amount of money you could be saving :eek: