BMW (including E30’s) and some Mercedes drive-shafts particularly of the 80’s-90’s vintage have what are called non-serviceable staked in u-joints. Over-time the grease inside the u-joints drys out, get pasty or otherwise stops performing its job; this causes the u-joint needle bearings to bind. Binding u-joints will cause vibrations to be felt at a...
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From 1989 forward; M20 engines (325i, 325is, 325ix, 325, 325e, 325es) used what were called injector harnesses for the fuel injector connectors. Prior to 1989 M20 engines used individual two prong connectors for each individual injector. There are three main benefits to the later harness, the first benefit is that the later harness has...
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Many months ago I took out a 380 ECU out of my E30, expecting to find a 153 ECU, that I changed with a 173. The Vin sticker on the ECU reads: WBATE5FFHA1716242 It seem that this VIN does not exist? When I search the last 7 digits in realoem/BMW ETK I get an...
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After blowing a coolant hose I had accidentally pulled off the ‘fuel tank breather valve’ off of its nipple on the throttle body plate. The symptoms where: -Check engine code 1222 but only at idle after 10 seconds and would disappear when throttle was given -Uneven idle This is what the breather valve looks...
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It may seem like a battery is a battery is a battery but  there are some critical differences between batteries. There are essentially two types of batteries you can choose from; AGM and Lead batteries. Many new BMW’s like E90 come with AGM batteries, these batteries use a technology called Absorbed glass mat. Without...
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Many people are not aware that there are different types of brake lines, different types of flares (with different unions), different materials that they can be made of, or how to cut, and flare them properly. The most common brake line size for most BMW’s and particularly true for E30’s is 4.75mm with a...
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This guide assumes you are not using the below tool; as the the tool allows for the removal and installation of the rear subframe bushing without needing to drop the rear subframe (but works just as well if you do). E30 Rear Subframe Bushing Tool for Removal and Install Supplementary guide for trailing arm...
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My way is not only faster then most traditional ways, but its also makes the trailing arm bushing come out without much resistance. Things you will need: 30mm socket Bigger C-clamp or PREFERABLY a vise Box cutter KY lube (not required, but if you have it I recommend using it)   First Cut off...
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There are two basic challenges to changing the transmission fluid on the E30 for the DIY’er. The first is to find a 17mm hex (a shallow 17mm at that) to undo the transmission fill and drain plugs. The second challenge is how to actually get new fluid back in because the drain plug is...
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By design E30 shifters are doomed to go sloppy over time because the materials that keep it tight are made out of things like rubber and hard plastic. Here is the no-bullshit way of getting that shifter tight again.   You will need parts 6 and 13 from the dealer. Part 2 from a...
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