Messages

1

For Sale / absolutely mint M42 vert for sale in NorCal

« on: April 17, 2012, 03:24:11 PM »

deposit received! sale pending!

2

For Sale / absolutely mint M42 vert for sale in NorCal

« on: February 23, 2012, 12:28:31 PM »

everything you need to know is here

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CDUyNShUcCJNlhIobVui80g3TzR94IG7RTIBPmcg5gM/edit

thanks for looking. please contact me via the email address in the document if you're interested.

3

General Topics / e30 m3 springs..

« on: April 07, 2009, 06:15:39 PM »

i have some pix search out my cabrio

4

General Topics / New Exhaust Finally...

« on: March 16, 2009, 09:40:52 PM »

nice sound. i wanna magnaflow on my e30 too... i have one on my 280TE and it sounds hot.

5

General Topics / did u choose the m42 or did it choose u?

« on: March 01, 2009, 04:06:12 PM »

I chose it because 10 years ago an M42 cabrio was substantially lower retail than a 6 cyl, and insurance was also notably less expensive. Combine that with the low option package [something I like], better fuel economy, and much more lively of an engine than the 6 and for me it was a winner.

I think the M42 is one of the best powerplants to come out of bmw during the era [other than the S14]

6

General Topics / What Are You Going to Buy for Your E30 to Start Off Spring?

« on: March 01, 2009, 03:29:54 AM »

mine is only driven when the weather is nice. the cabrio is gonna get a light massaging under the hood in the name of preventative maintenance.

7

General Topics / E36 radio gurus? I have a hell of a mess from the PO

« on: February 22, 2009, 03:23:07 PM »

oh my that's ugly. i have horrible distaste for this kind of work. good luck. get yourself an OEM wiring diagram, a meter, some masking tape and a sharpie and start knockin those out one by one.

8

General Topics / $1000 to throw at my cabrio for underhood preventive maint -- what to do?

« on: February 20, 2009, 12:04:09 PM »

the suspension was rebuilt last summer [springs, shocks]
I do need to do my LCAs though and get an alignment

I dont want to use the whole grand, ya know

9

General Topics / $1000 to throw at my cabrio for underhood preventive maint -- what to do?

« on: February 19, 2009, 02:52:53 AM »

Timing chain tensioner: 11-31-1-743-187-M40

MarkD 93 octane chip

coolant flush and change

timing chain tensioner done 10k ago
chip being considered, markd at top of list

coolant flush, added to list. thanks.

10

General Topics / $1000 to throw at my cabrio for underhood preventive maint -- what to do?

« on: February 17, 2009, 12:21:03 PM »

well, AC is a *cost* priority, but it's not a maintenance priority. I can't imagine it'd go over $500-600 for a full tilt leakdown, repair and chargeup.

I won't be doing a COP conversion, as this engine is and always will be stockish.

11

General Topics / $1000 to throw at my cabrio for underhood preventive maint -- what to do?

« on: February 16, 2009, 08:48:58 PM »

so, I had a small windfall -- I decided to budget a chunk towards some preventive maintenance on my cabrio.

she's got 130k on her, and has been so reliable, not much has been done over 25K in 10 years.

things I've got on the list:

AC inspection and charge [this might take a majority of my budget!]
plugs
wires
air and fuel filters
belts
any hoses that seem due

other things i've considered:

eliminating 'that mess under the intake'
finally having that giant stock muffler removed, maybe a full custom catback?
a chip!

thoughts?

12

General Topics / In progress E30 FAQ (buyers guide, tips, mods, everything)

« on: February 16, 2009, 08:12:58 PM »

I will chime in on the cabriolet market price and say that it's 0-50% higher than an iS of comparable condition. For prospect cabriolet purchasers, the condition of the top and presence of the hardtop should be a big bargaining tool. A nice car with a crappy top is worth $1000 less than one with a nice nice top, and a nice car with an oem hardtop can fetch $1000 more if the owner is aware of the value of the hardtop itself.
 
Also note that ALL cabrios leak water. Most of 'em from the top of the doors where they meet the top. This is normal, but make sure that this has not allowed the carpets to soak.

Get in the car, close it all up and take a nice, long sniff. If it even hints of funk, get down there and inspect the carpets for moisture.

13

M42 Buyer's Guide / M42 or M20B25

« on: December 12, 2008, 01:23:23 PM »

or get the best of all worlds and find yourself an E30 M42 5-speed cabrio

14

Exterior / What do you use in the winter?

« on: November 22, 2008, 02:28:31 PM »

And they are well worth it if you don't live in some pansy-assed place like Oregon.

Ironically there are a shit-tonne of drivers here in Portland that put on the studs in Oct and leave em on til April. Pisses me off to no end... noisy, ruins the roads... pansies.

I've never needed anything more than an A/S or M/S here.

15

General Topics / Bmw manuals online

« on: November 22, 2008, 01:56:53 AM »

Was there ever a separate OWNER'S manual for the '91 318i/is?  I'd love to be able to get ahold of one of those.

owners manuals pop up on ebay all the time. in fact, your dealer should be able to order you one.
 
here ya go
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-BMW-3-series-325i-318i-Owners-Manual-Set-w-Case_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQitemZ370108864585QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature
 
furthermore, if you just want the book, I'll split the cost with ya as I want the case and other stuff. I already have a book.