first bmw dont really know what to do with it - United Bimmer Community

**253325is** · 12-07-2007, 05:43 PM

whats up. i just got an 87 325is a few months back and dont really know what to do with it. it's in good shape pretty much everything works and it's faster than all my friends cars. i'd really like to make it faster and make it look real nice you know? i just dont know where to get parts for it and or what to look for first. if anyone has any advice that would be great.

**gldfshkpr** · 12-07-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 253325is

whats up. i just got an 87 325is a few months back... i just dont know where to get parts for it and or what to look for first.

http://www.pelicanparts.com has good info as well as parts.

**Antiburn** · 12-12-2007, 11:03 PM

Do a good tune up on it first, so you know that everything has been replaced, unless you have history of recent maintance.
Ide start with
oil and filter
air filter
spark plugs, wire if necessary
cap and rotor
fuel filter
brakes
suspension
tires
Then while your replacing that stuff Im sure your find a few other things wrong,
start making it perfect before you try making it go faster.
You could always put a chip in it, thats a good start.

**elsabor67** · 12-13-2007, 02:46 AM

FIRST!!!!!! find out when was the timing belt last replaced. Anything over 80000, get it changed. It isn't a walk in the park job, but worth more than a busted belt and blown engine. Regular maintenance help also like antiburn said. Waht I recommend you to do is to think what you want to get out of your car, then look at your funds to spend on those things. Basic mods are easy to do and can net a decent ammount of power. Suspension is equally important when you are adding power cause you want to make sure your car can handle the extra power. Good luck

**denyo77** · 12-13-2007, 12:14 PM

lower it...
do suspension and brakes...
add brembo discs at the very least...better yet, get a whole new brake setup

nick_318is · 12-13-2007, 05:00 PM

Welcome to the e30 club. I second the idea of doing some basic maintenance on the car before other things, it will at the very least give you peace of mind and help keep everything in order. A Car will take good care of you if you take good care of it.

After that on an e30 I would really suggest an engine chip and a better suspension because they look so much better lowered. They have great brakes and I wouldn't worry about upgrading the brake package unless you start to reach the limit at the track after upgrading to a good pad and fluid.

Welcome to the site and show us some pictures of your ride!

**253325is** · 12-18-2007, 07:28 PM

well thanks for all the advice. right after i bought the car i took it in and got all the belts changed and changed the water pump. also the previous owner put brand new tires on it changed out all the brakes along with the spark plugs. i also tested my abs the other day and it still works wich is pretty cool. a cuple weeks ago i changed the oil and oil filter along with a new air filter. i also got a new thermostat and coolant just waiting on the time to change it out. and i've been getting a lot off ebay such as new shift knob, new boot, fog lights, all new emblems, new grill little things like that. i really want to lower it put some nice handling springs on it but waiting for the money for now. i've also been looking into intake and exhaust systems but dont know alot about that stuff. i was thinking about a chip but i was getting lost on where to find one and what to look for in a good one. but for now i'm inlove with my car and it's faster than any civics around ha.

nick_318is · 12-18-2007, 07:43 PM

Hope you had the timing belt changed otherwise you might want to do it if you don't have a record of when it was done last, the m20 has a habit of blowing up if they are on too long (i think over 60k).

For chips this guy is VERY well recommended by others (i have been contemplating getting his 93 mapped chip to compare with my Dinan Chip) http://www.dsylva-tech.ca/.
You might also want to check out Dinan, or Conforti they both make a decent chip. I would stay away from ebay chips though.
H&R Sport springs also do pretty well on the e30.

**253325is** · 12-18-2007, 08:48 PM

yea the previous owner said it was due so that was the first thing i had changed when i took it in. and i dont know anything when it comes to chips. does it matter on the year or the size of the motor or if i were to find one would there be a difference between one for a 325i or 325is... i mean i'm scared to get into chips not knowing what i'm looking for ya know?

nick_318is · 12-18-2007, 09:39 PM

The 325s should all have the same motor so the chip shouldn't matter a whole lot if you find a reputable source they will make sure you get one that will work if you give them the info you know ie year and model and motor. The MarkD chip (the web site above) breaks it down into what mods if any you have done and what octane you want to use. There is one that is for the e30 325i, M20, running 93 octane with a 7k redline with the stock injectors, there is also a 91 octane version with a 6900 redline with stock injectors. Again his chips always come well recommended from others.

**253325is** · 12-18-2007, 10:26 PM

well it seems simple enough. i'm deffenetly looking into his chips. but i did want to get an air intake and a new exhaust system do you think it would be better to chip my car after i do an intake and exhaust? or does it make no difference...

nick_318is · 12-19-2007, 07:54 AM

You will probably see bigger performance gains with the chip then intake and exhaust combined. You really wont see a huge difference with an intake and probably a small change with the exhaust, probably a better noise then anything else. The chip is also probably a bit cheaper then an exhaust. Its all really just a matter of prefrence. If it were my car I would do the chip 1st.

**253325is** · 12-19-2007, 05:34 PM

yea cause i was looking at dinan exhaust systems and there at like 900 bucks. becides my exhaust sounds nice enough to me. i just thought if i chiped it i'd need more air flow and this and that... i dont know ha... but i e-mailed that mark dsylva guy about a chip for my car and i'm waiting for his reply. i'll probably end up chiping it once i get the money. and get a nice bumper sticker saying "v-tech this" ha.

**MTurboPower3** · 12-19-2007, 06:07 PM

1. CHange the suspension
2. Put in a new air intake and exhaust, chip if you want
3. enigne swap, turbo, or supercharger
4. Interior

**GreenTourer** · 01-06-2008, 11:32 AM

All fundamental stuff (cam belt, filters and plugs)
suspension
exhaust, air filter, chip
perhaps bigger brakes
rims (perhaps 16'' BBS split-rims)

Or, just service it, keep it tidy, enjoy.

**Neilsen** · 02-03-2008, 01:39 PM

im also thinking about getting a chip in mine. im feeling sceptical cause they just sound too good to be true. how much more performance and gas milage could i expect to see? i dont really trust what i read on the product descriptions.

**Winter** · 02-03-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 253325is

whats up. i just got an 87 325is a few months back and dont really know what to do with it.

Read sig below for answer.

**iamcreepingdeath** · 02-03-2008, 10:41 PM

WHEELS, TIRES, LOWERED SUSPENSION!! AND AN INTAKE!!

but first of course the maintenance.

**253325is** · 02-05-2008, 09:51 PM

ok well here are my intentions with my car so far... as for now i'm working and saving pay checks while i'm still deciding on if i should keep it stock or not also replacing a LOT in the motor just to keep it running smooth. if i did start moding it i'd do an intake, chip and exhaust for sure... and also thinking some new wheels and tires (17in. deep dish bbs wheels), lower it on H&R springs, sound system and paint. cause other than that the interior is in real good shape and so is the motor. does that kinda sound like a good plan kinda though?