[yeaJBL]

Anyone know of the problems an E30/E36 3 series might have? looking to get one soon and I want to know what to avoid or what to look for

[kevin@bavarianx]

Check the cooling system(water pump should be metal propeller not plastic, thermostat housing should be aluminum, and check the hoses and radiator for cracks)
Engine belts
Rear shock mounts and towers
Rear subframe
Worn Tie rods
Lower control arm bushings
Rear control arm bushings
Blown shocks and struts
Worn sway bar links
Leaky valve cover gasket(oil in the spark plugs)
O2 sensiors
And window regulators and motors

O the joy of owning an E36 haha

Going to be a track car or DD?

[yeaJBL]

Thank you! very helpful list.
DD, I'm actually leaning toward an E30 I found for a pretty good deal, would that list be relevant for an E30?

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by yeaJBL

Thank you! very helpful list.
DD, I'm actually leaning toward an E30 I found for a pretty good deal, would that list be relevant for an E30?

Nope, most of those issues are E36.

My E30 list:
Steering Rack seals - 120K miles
Antenna mast - every 18 months
Seatback recline return (gas) spring - 2-door models
Check for recall on the heater core
Original radio will be replaced by now, or need it
Check for cracked T-stat housing
Check fuel hoses
Check age on timing belt
squeaky drive belts and pullies
cosmoline residue on valve cover
lots of broken plastic pieces (especially under the hood)
Missing battery box cover fasteners
Worn shifter mechanism bushings (replace with Z3 short shift kit)
Gauges not working, check for bad ground for gauge cluster/cracked service computer board
CBS service lights not operating - bad batteries or cracked board
Clock readout bad
Rust underneath battery box in right rear fender