first bmw project need help!

[1994 325i]

hi, new to site and bmw's in general honestly dont know too much about them, picked up a good deal on one that needed some work, its a 1994 bmw 325i has 265000 kms

things wrong

exhaust leak
front pass sway bar end link broke
trans will sometimes slip when cold(hoping from old or low fluid)
will adventually need brakes
and springs
not even sure what type of suspension it is yet just got car today lol
sunroof wont open
dash comp screen is messed up
broken hood open latch
few other things

problem i have now is
today like an idiot i washed engine like i have always done in my cars but not thinkin bmws are little more advanced with electronics now car runs like crap, at low speeds it surges and rough idles, sometimes will start going good then back to hesitation, when going 100kms+ it seems fine just runs crappy when under 100, hoping it runs better tomorrow after sitting overnight?

[1994 325i]

cars seems to be running ok today, ill know better when i go for ride to see if its still hesitating but for now its not idiling rough lesson learned about car washing thats for sure

[Manolito]

1) exhaust leak
Usually not a big concern unless the exhaust is rotted out or badly bent. Exhaust is easy to remove/replace.

2) front pass sway bar end link broke
Hmmm This is common on old 5 series but rare on e36s. This car may have had a rough life, but then, you said you got a deal on it.... The link is an easy repair, but look for other bent components under there. Buy yourself some nice strong ramps.

3) trans will sometimes slip when cold(hoping from old or low fluid)
I presume this is an automatic? BMW said the fluid was permanent. Not true. This car is way overdue for a tranny fluid change. Hopefully that will improve things. On the other hand, if the car has been abused, at that mileage, it may well be due for a complete rebuild. My e36 automatic gets fresh fluid every 60-80k miles. It is on its third batch of fluid, and it always feels better with fresh fluid.

4) will adventually need brakes
I got the brakes on both my e36s at BimmerZone.com as a kit for a great price. The Mexican-made Brembo rotors rust like crazy but they stay flat and work well. The first set of PBR Delux pads are great but the ones I put on the second e36 squeak first thing in the morning. Annoying. PBR must have changed something. Both sets keep the wheels nice and clean. I have AXXIS Delux Plus pads on my e46 and my Volvo and they are great in every regard.

and springs
Why? Is it lowered?

not even sure what type of suspension it is yet just got car today lol
Stock suspension on these cars is great. Go back to it if you can. Factory sport suspension is tougher on your body but does not really hold the road any better. Lowered is OK for the track but not for a daily driver.

sunroof wont open
Probably not worth fixing, but buy a copy of "101 Projects for your e36" for instructions on how to repair it if you want to. If it won't budge at all, you have a problem. You need to crack it to pull back the inner cover to get to the motor drive. Did someone glue it shut to stop a leak?

dash comp screen is messed up
Computer screen? If it is just dark, there are four bulbs screwed in to the top of the computer/clock. About $6 each. Stick your finger up through the hole beneath it and snap out the computer. A putty knife working around the outside helps snap it out..

The DME (engine computer) is in a shallow compartment in the firewall in front of the passenger. DO NOT GET IT WET. If it is wet, take it out, open it up, let it dry, and cross your fingers.

[1994 325i]

thanks for the detailed reply!


-so far i've fixed the hole in exhaust, it was small holes in the resonators,
-the trans will be getting flush soo as i can
-sunroof iam pretty sure is a broken cable, motor is fine
-comp screen has light just not readable kinda like a broken calculator
-thankfully its running fine since the stupid incident of washing
-front sway bar link is just the ball part has come out of socket so will be replaced
- and i dont think its lowered but springs seem little bouncy are these cars usually not so stiff factory? or is mine maybe worn, just seems easy to push car up and down doesn't bounce on bumps too bad or anything while driving......

[Manolito]

It should be easy to move the car up an down about an inch at the bumper. If you can easily move it more than that, I suspect that you are due for some struts and shocks. The broken link will make the front feel softer than normal because it allows the springs to work independently when normally they have to work together.

If there is oil leaking from within the struts or shocks, replace them ASAP.

Replace the bumpers on the strut shafts. They get brittle and crack after a decade. Examine the rear top shock mounts for cracks.

Struts are very easy to do on an e36, but as always, be very careful when using a spring compressor. Spring compressors hurt a lot of people. Use a good spring compressor and use the safety clips/chains.

[1994 325i]

went out to check further and ya i did notice fluid had leaked from front pass side,

just wondering when replacing comp screen, i see theres diff models with diff buttons, mine looks like the basic model but does it matter to cars options also

if my car is a 94 auto has sunroof fog lights etc do i need to find replacment from same car with same options? or if its same button layout will it work?

just not sure on what parts are swapable for other models years.......


thanks in advance

[Manolito]

One of the nice things about e36s is that parts are, for the most part, quite interchangeable across all 8 production years.

The way to check is to go to realoem.com and check the part number for your car and for the donor car. Also, junk yards have books where they can look this up.

If you HAD trashed the DME, that would have been a very specific part number that varies by model year, transmission, and differential. Most other parts are pretty universal.