new to the BMW

[Robinson67]

Hello everyone,

I just bought a 1991 325i e36 m50 with 96,000 km on it.
It is an import from japan that is left hand drive.

I am looking for any tips anyone can give me about matainence, new parts, engine mods (cold air, plugs, chips).

Also the engine has a really bad gas smell in it my gas gauge does not drop but i can always smell fuel really strong right around the intake manifold and filter housing. i cant find it but if anyone knows what it is plz help me out.

The car sat in a garage for two years after it was imported back in 2006 it was only driven as a daily driver for six months by the previous owner. so if there is anything i should look for that may have cracked that would also be a big help.

*(i cannot get pictures of it to upload onto the page)*

[Big Evil]

Fuel lines and o-rings to the injectors get old and crack. They may be due for a replacement. Cold air intake - the car has one (don't screw with it). Dual exhaust with headers - the car has it. Chipping, never a bad idea when you go with someone reputable and can show a provable track record (BAV, Pelican etc.). Cat back exhaust if you want a different sound out of the car but get something designed for beemer otherwise you can actually lose power (big pipes, fart cans etc, pure crap power losers unless you change the heads, valves, intake, maybe forced induction). Replace your fuel filter, air filter, oil, coolant. Check it for cracks in the rubber elbow from the MAF to the throttle body, check for vac leaks and of course raw fuel on the engine under the covers, you don't want a fire. Are you sure it's a 91? I didn't think there were any E36 bodies out there until 92 (check the sticker on the driver door frame for a build date). But then again maybe it was early out in Japan..............

[Robinson67]

yea its a 1991
i got one of those car fax things that checks the vin.
the thing describes it as: 03/1991 E36 325i sedan M50 Europe/LHD/Auto

thx big evil

[Big Evil]

Huh, cool. Good luck with it.