E30 Touring dampers
Discussion
Hi Guys,
We have a 1988 E30 320 touring that is in great condition, only 70K on the odo.
It seems a little vague and crashy on the front, my daily driver is an 07 car and I am unsure what to expect of 70/80's technology - Should it feel relatively tight?
On the assumption that the dampers are worn, what would be a good replacement? - No plans to alter the ride height and I don't need to enhance the cornering ability!
Thanks,
TH
We have a 1988 E30 320 touring that is in great condition, only 70K on the odo.
It seems a little vague and crashy on the front, my daily driver is an 07 car and I am unsure what to expect of 70/80's technology - Should it feel relatively tight?
On the assumption that the dampers are worn, what would be a good replacement? - No plans to alter the ride height and I don't need to enhance the cornering ability!
Thanks,
TH
The car should feel tight - no doubt about it. If it's crashy over potholes/bad road surfaces then it's probably the bushes rather than the dampers. The car should not wander and feel taut yet supple to your inputs.
Don't bother with proflex polyurethane bushes - for road driving etc etc; the BMW bushes are fine. The dampers are made by Bilstein and you can either buy them from BMW or any other specialist supplier to be honest. If you are able to get under the car alot of the bushes are actually date stamped with the year so you can see how old they are.
I'd have a look at bmminiparts.co.uk too aswell.
BMW cotswold also give discounts on genuine bmw parts - join e30zone for access to the discounts.
PM if you want any more help. I've got two tourings (1991 320i and a 1990 325i).
70k? Sounds good! If you want a 325i engine to put in it - I've got one with a gearbox and propshaft too if you're interested. if you like a 320i you'll love a 325i.....!
Don't bother with proflex polyurethane bushes - for road driving etc etc; the BMW bushes are fine. The dampers are made by Bilstein and you can either buy them from BMW or any other specialist supplier to be honest. If you are able to get under the car alot of the bushes are actually date stamped with the year so you can see how old they are.
I'd have a look at bmminiparts.co.uk too aswell.
BMW cotswold also give discounts on genuine bmw parts - join e30zone for access to the discounts.
PM if you want any more help. I've got two tourings (1991 320i and a 1990 325i).
70k? Sounds good! If you want a 325i engine to put in it - I've got one with a gearbox and propshaft too if you're interested. if you like a 320i you'll love a 325i.....!
Edited by Oi_Oi_Savaloy on Wednesday 11th November 20:44
Also added to say that you can get the individual part numbers if you go to realoem (google it) and tap the details of your car in to the various boxes.
You can then go direct to bmw or specialist with these part numbers and save time.....
E30's are 'classic' BMW so make sure you tick that box first for E30's to appear.
You can then go direct to bmw or specialist with these part numbers and save time.....
E30's are 'classic' BMW so make sure you tick that box first for E30's to appear.
Edited by Oi_Oi_Savaloy on Wednesday 11th November 20:41
That is really helpful, thanks.
We bought ours about 2 years ago from the BMW owners website when it still had a classifieds section. It's (Lach's?) grey and had an almost full BMW history when we got it - The guy we bought it from was the second owner and had only had it for 18 months.
We have got masses of history, even the original purchase invoice for approx £ 18K - The first owner couldn't afford a radio when he bought it! We had the interior cleaned and it looks absolutely amazing - The only problem at the moment is the ride and the headlining has come away a little.
Good to hear that you have 2 - They are great cars and still look 'fresh' to me!
Thanks again.
TH
We bought ours about 2 years ago from the BMW owners website when it still had a classifieds section. It's (Lach's?) grey and had an almost full BMW history when we got it - The guy we bought it from was the second owner and had only had it for 18 months.
We have got masses of history, even the original purchase invoice for approx £ 18K - The first owner couldn't afford a radio when he bought it! We had the interior cleaned and it looks absolutely amazing - The only problem at the moment is the ride and the headlining has come away a little.
Good to hear that you have 2 - They are great cars and still look 'fresh' to me!
Thanks again.
TH
What sort of interior is it? Comfort or sport (proper bolsters) - cloth or leather?
Has it got a/c or heated seats or an OBC (the computer that sits where the clock usually does next to the radio?
If you've got any of these it definitely bumps the value up/much sought after.
They are great cars - absolutely love them. I've spent just shy of £700 having the 325i completely refreshed - every gasket done on the engine plus a full service.
I'm buying a 530d Touring this weekend for the wife and kids so I can keep the 325 for myself. It's great - potential customers don't get worked up about it when I pull up at their place of business (in fact most of the time they love it) and it's great fun to drive - every journey is special and I love walking out to it in the morning before I go to work.
If you haven't already done so - invest £30 in a 'chip' (mild) from e30zone - makes a big difference to the way the car goes below 4,000rpm and also gives better fuel economy too. I've done it on my 320 and really impressed. e30zone is the place for them.
I'm about to do the same on 325i.
Look after her Tin Hat and if you ever sell please would you be kind enough to let me know?
Has it got a/c or heated seats or an OBC (the computer that sits where the clock usually does next to the radio?
If you've got any of these it definitely bumps the value up/much sought after.
They are great cars - absolutely love them. I've spent just shy of £700 having the 325i completely refreshed - every gasket done on the engine plus a full service.
I'm buying a 530d Touring this weekend for the wife and kids so I can keep the 325 for myself. It's great - potential customers don't get worked up about it when I pull up at their place of business (in fact most of the time they love it) and it's great fun to drive - every journey is special and I love walking out to it in the morning before I go to work.
If you haven't already done so - invest £30 in a 'chip' (mild) from e30zone - makes a big difference to the way the car goes below 4,000rpm and also gives better fuel economy too. I've done it on my 320 and really impressed. e30zone is the place for them.
I'm about to do the same on 325i.
Look after her Tin Hat and if you ever sell please would you be kind enough to let me know?
TH
The auto box in a 320i is slow. It's not bad in the 325i apparently but for driver involvement I'd always go for the manual.
On the plus side - if you do come across an engine with an autobox attached you can almost guarantee the engine will be in better condition than a similar one with a manual box - the auto's simply don't want to be revved as much so generally lead a gentler life.
Engine conversions of almost every type of modern BMW engine into an E30 are catalogued (spelling!) on the E30zone. Some are more difficult than others.
The Tourings were built on the 5 series line in a different factory to the saloons and therefore don't rust half as much as them for some reason. check the bottom of your doors and the tailgate.
The auto box in a 320i is slow. It's not bad in the 325i apparently but for driver involvement I'd always go for the manual.
On the plus side - if you do come across an engine with an autobox attached you can almost guarantee the engine will be in better condition than a similar one with a manual box - the auto's simply don't want to be revved as much so generally lead a gentler life.
Engine conversions of almost every type of modern BMW engine into an E30 are catalogued (spelling!) on the E30zone. Some are more difficult than others.
The Tourings were built on the 5 series line in a different factory to the saloons and therefore don't rust half as much as them for some reason. check the bottom of your doors and the tailgate.
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