New to me 1990 325i Convertible... BEEPING~!? - United Bimmer Community

**retrokitty** · 07-18-2010, 02:02 PM

Hi there,

I've owned a 1984 318i 5-speed since 1991 and still have it. Thought I might needs some parts from it if I bought another E30 so it's just being stored.

I also have, just purchased this week, a 1990 325i automatic convertible. I love the power and don't mind the automatic actually. I bought this one because the body was in decent shape (a few fixable dings but NO rust)... and in my price range. I know it will need a lot of TLC over the next year but I'm up for babying this car.

I knew I'd have to replace the radio and fix some of the electronics... in addition, when I accelerate at a low speed, I get a bit of a shudder below my seat for a few seconds. That said, if I really gun it when taking a corner, I hear a clunk... ACK... Anyway, if someone knows what that might be, I'd appreciate a heads up.

It also makes a bit of a fan whirring sound, like a propeller - faster when I'm going fast, slower when I'm going slow.

All that said, I'm taking it in soon to have that all looked at....

What I really want to know is why I get a random 3-beep warning type sound. And yes, it's random. Stopped or going, full tank or half or close to empty... no warning lights.

I've had the car for 4 days and I went for a long drive yesterday - about 300km... it happened three times during the drive. Just BEEP BEEP BEEP. Then nothing... I just want to know if this might be a niggly annoyance or something of importance.

I know it's sounds silly to ask for diagnosis online... but this might be a regular occurrence in these cars... I don't know. All the warning lights work.

Any ideas?

Big Evil · 07-19-2010, 09:55 AM

All the warning lights work? Functioning normally warning you of problems or just all lit up?

The clunk is most likely the center support bearing on the driveshaft is blown out (fairly common). You'll have to partially drop the exhaust and driveshaft cover to check it.

Not sure about your warning beep, neither of my e30's ever beeped at me.

**retrokitty** · 07-19-2010, 11:01 AM

Hi Big Evil, thanks for the reply.

What you said confirms in a bit more detail what the previous owner had said about the shudder - he didn't mention a clunking when gunning it in a turn but he may not have driven it that way. I know the part is about $80 and labour will be a few hundred. That's not an issue but can you tell me whether there is an urgency for this. What other damage is going on if I drive it in this condition? (I have a few light errands before a trip and can't get it done before that.)

Regarding the lights... The lights light up when I press the test button but none above the mirror or down on the dash stay lit after starting the car. They light when I turn the ignition and then go off. I suppose when I take her in about the bearing, I'll have them run some diagnostics to see what it might be.

Before deciding on this particular car, I test drove half a dozen other e30 convertibles. 318i, 325i, all 5-speed.... and non had the feeling of power that this one does. It just takes off. And they all had a bit of rust somewhere. This one has nothing... So, though there is no radio or clock, the automatic roof is now a manual roof,

, and the leather seats are a bit worn/cracked (but no rips or tears), I'm delighted to have such a beautiful car to restore. I figure with a little TLC and a couple grand, by next summer I'll have a mint car to drive.

I'd like it to be as stock as possible. Might you be able to tell me where I would find out what stereo system came with the car?

**Douglas1338** · 07-19-2010, 05:48 PM

Im doug, new to this forum and new to driving a BMW. I have a 91 325i. i also had the 3 beeps at random it drove me nuts cause i never could figure out what was going on but it dont do it anymore. i wouldnt worry about it i think its just a glitch or something. i dont have and warning lights on no check engine all fluids filled. and also be prepaired to change the driveshaft posibly i had the same problem with mine and i changed the center bairing and i also had a bad u joint that they say is not changeable so i had to get a new one but you can get a used one off of ebay for about 150 and the center beairing is only about 20.

**retrokitty** · 07-19-2010, 07:19 PM

Hi Doug,

Thanks for your reply. I just spoke to a coworker who owns a late 80s 5 series and he had the random beep too. Weird. But he said there was nothing to it as well.

Thanks for the advice on the driveshaft. I'll keep that in mind when I take it in. At least if they say I need one I now won't feel as if I'm getting ripped off.

Big Evil · 07-22-2010, 09:41 AM

The u joints are non serviceable, you just replace the whole shaft. The other option is BAV auto has new driveshafts with serviceable u joints for a couple hundy more.

**retrokitty** · 07-06-2011, 12:39 PM

Hi there. I hope someone sees this message.

I did get some of the car fixed. I'll learn to post a pic in order to show you the wood in the bushings.... :P YIKES!

Anyway... I thought I would mention that the mechanic said that the random beeping is common and that often it's because of the key in the ignition - that the keys are too heavy and it confuses the ignition to think that there is no key in it, or something like that. Since, I have be taking my key off the key chain when it's in the ignition and I've had no beeping. I'm going on a long drive today so that will be more telling.

Also, my car has fat, four-spoke Pirelli wheels which I can't find anywhere on the net. They were an upgrade when the car was made (1990) and are 14" (says the mechanic who went mental for them).

I prefer basket weave and think that those are a bit prettier but my husband like these big fat ones. I'm just wondering which is more appropriate if/when we restore the car to original condition. Any thoughts? I'll try to get a pic of the wheels up too.

**328iC** · 10-09-2011, 11:30 PM

I realize this is an old thread, but I'm a new member to this forum and the thread is new to me.

I'm not sure what options are in the car but the E36 has a reminder that you can set that beeps 3 times at the same minute of every hour. Designed to be a reminder for weather or news that are always at a same time (i.e. AM radio)
I didn't think this was an E30 option, but it's a random chance this may be enabled on the computer or clock? The icon on the E36 looks like a period with several lines to the right of it.