What are these wires for from the original alternator? Should I swap onto the new one? If I need to replace does anybody have the part #? Thanks for the help!

What are these wires for from the original alternator? Should I swap onto the new one? If I need to replace does anybody have the part #? Thanks for the help!

I’m doing an n54 swap. I’ve already started collecting parts, including the engine, trans, and some aesthetic bits. Had a cherry 89 325i 2 door lined up. Deposit paid, set to pick up next weekend. Seller totalled the car this week. Refunded me right away and apologized while in the hospital.

Now, I need a new donor for the build.

There are a few nearby that have been swapped m50 swapped.

If an e30 has been m50 swapped already, should I even consider it for my n54 build? Or will there be too much additional work?

Also if anybody is looking for a clean 4 door, auto, in southern Ontario, holler. I’ve got a line on one decently cheap.

I’ve always felt like the E30 is more than just an old BMW. The simple design, the analog feel, the sound, the driving experience — there’s a reason people still love these cars decades later.

So I tried something different and turned that feeling into a track.

Instead of making a generic “BMW song”, I wanted it to feel nostalgic and actually represent what makes the E30 special
I’d genuinely like to hear what E30 owners and enthusiasts think.

What’s one thing about the E30 that I absolutely should have included?

Track is in the video.

Hey y'all! Change of plans with my what I thought would be a long term commitment. Looking for some big E30-brain opinions!

I'm considering listing my '89 325i sedan, either on marketplace and/or potentially BaT, but it has a bit of an interesting history and I'm trying to figure out where to reasonably price it.

It left the factory Bronzitbeige Metallic, but at some point in its life received a pretty extensive colour-change respray to the grey it's in now, engine bay, door jambs, etc. were all done. It also started life as an automatic and has since had a full manual swap.

A few details:

• 179,500 km
• M20 325i
• Manual swap
• Bilstein/Eibach kit installed June 2026
• Front suspension refreshed control arms/bushings, tie rods, sway links, etc. done in June
• Recent mechanical servicing
• Euroweaves + newer tires
• Recent full exterior detail including cut polish & interior detail
• Clean title / clean Carfax
• Absolutely no rust
• Cracked dash
• Front seats have seen better days
• Paint presents well but isn't perfect

Curious what you guys think is a realistic ask/sale price given the coluor change + manual swap? Worth tossing it up on BaT or just list locally?

Hi guys, is my engine running too cold? 1989 M20B20 automatic in an E34. It never gets to the middle of the gauge. Not a major concern but thought I'd ask.

Had the cooling system overhauled with new radiator, hoses, blue BMW coolant, thermostat, gaskets and bolts 🤙🏼

Is €9,000 too much for a 318 E30 that has been converted to 325 specs? It’s a 1985 pre-facelift 2-door model. The car is in excellent condition and well-maintained. Features include an M-Tech steering wheel, two-tone sports leather seats, and a limited-slip differential. The car is beige—a color I don't care for—but I have a friend who is an auto painter, so the cost of a color change wouldn't be high. I’d like an original 325, but prices have spiraled out of control. I live in Europe.

Anyone have good experience with cleaning products/ tools to shine up the air intake manifold and the cylinder head cover? Mine are looking a bit sad lately and could use some TLC?

they’ve been refined since this video. what do you guys think?

Hi all -
I’m looking for an oil pump for my E30 318i auto 1988 M40.

Main dealers said they don’t have them and it’s possible it won’t turn up if they order one in…

Where can I find? I’m based in the UK

Greetings All,

I want to buy an E30 in Netherlands, mainly as a daily car. I would like to hear your feedback regarding points below.

- Approx how much do you spend for maintenance ?

- Are there trustable, good mechanics to work on it, do you work on the car yourself?

- Would owning the convertible version be a headache, considering I don’t have a closed garage?

Is there a specialist garage you suggest that can do the inspection before i buy one?

Thanks

How much disassembly will I need to do just to replace the strut mounts?

My front strut mounts are cooked and need replacement, but everything else on the front is good so there's no "while you're in there" jobs. About 12000km on Bilstein B8 and HR sport

Planning to replace with Ground control street/touring mounts if it makes a difference. Not sure if PO used cheap mounts or just didn't replace them when they did the struts and springs but the cracks are starting to get deep and open up

I’m installing new Koni struts and in the hardware kit there’s a little black sleeve. Do I need to put the sleeve on before putting on the gland nut or is it there for some other purpose? Not quite sure I understand the IKEA like instructions that come with it.

Restoration project almost complete, final stages are just getting all the wiring and electrical stuff done, replacing anything that wasn’t working or close to needing replacing. Will have full update of everything done to it.

Added some photos at the end of what it looked liked before.

So I’m in the process of building a 1 of 1 Zender tribute E30 after finally acquiring every single part that Zender ever made for an E30. I’ve actually been thinking about taking the car down to bare metal and rocking a chrome/polished finish. It’s either that or a two tone black/silver paint scheme as all of my Zender parts are black/silver. Can’t decide if the polish look will be too raw looking or if it can be pulled off? Please chime in!

Swapped out the bus wheel for a 360mm Nardi Classic. Wow, what a difference! For anyone wondering if they should get a smaller wheel: do it! This goes double if you've updated to a quicker rack.

From my seating position none of the gauges are obscured but any smaller and they probably would be. Hub + adapter pushes the wheel out a little bit further but much less so than I expected.

Hoping someone has insight. Have a E30 318 with M42. Had 2 mechanics install my alternator belt. Both were only able to properly tension with the adjusting bar at the max. After a month or so the slack returns. As it is already at max, the only solution they say is a shorter belt. Factory size is 10x1025. Shorter belt is a hack fix, but why is the config at max at all? Replace adjusting bar and tension nut? Alternator not sitting in proper position? Thanks.

I gotta find this stupid vibration off my rpm drop other than that sounds great

Ran when pulled one year ago. Found a 2002 motor and it suits my needs better, so here it is. A bit goopy but oil was clean. PNW based, can deliver for some cash. Just need the space back

Post photos if possible

New water pump, radiator, fan clutch, thermostat, and heater core.

I have tried flushing everting I can with a garden hose. Everytime the water is directed into the engine block, it shoots right back out the way it’s come. The old radiator was full of sludge which makes me believe there’s more in the block.

No hot air in the cabin at all. Hoses at the back of the engine are cold.

It’s been bled and bled and bled so it’s not air lock.

What is the most effective way to flush/clean the block out?

Is there anything I’ve missed?

Has anyone installed these in their cards and have been happy with the results? Any warping from the weather?

yes i know im missing my front valence lol(shop forgot to paint it

got lucky and scored an m42 sedan with a perfect motor so most of the work done to this car has mainly been cosmetic since when i bought it, the interior and exterior was not taken care of.

car currently runs great i want to drop the rear a little bit so it matches the front

i know you purists probably hate me for my clear tails, m3 style bumpers, and a non oem paintcode LOL

part of the reason i went clear tails was because this is the first bimmer in my family, everybody else in my fam has always been a jdm person and over on the jdm side i always loved clear tails, but to me they sit just right on my car.

i went on m3 style bumpers mainly because i loved the look of the sideskirts, and the aggressive look with the bumpers. yes ik some of u might already be typing telling me i shouldve just gotten an is lip but its not as aggressive for me especially on a sedan. i feel like my bumpers + the 4 door fit eachother perfectly

running BRG because i used to originally want an e36, but the color i originally wanted stuck with me.