deedub

First E30 I've seen recently that has adjusted the price. $17.5k looks like the most realistic price on trademe right now.

Not sure if there are any software developers around here... But figured I'd drop some interesting reads on Rust being used in vehicle ECUs (the programming language not the the rust we all dread). Was reading a blog post on a Rust based project and ended up on a blog post from thought works about Rust being used in automotive software. Safety critical code has been dominated by C/C++ for ages. It's refreshing to see Rust is something that could make it's way into automotive software (if you're fan of Rust already then you know why). I don't use Rust in my work but I've dabbled with it over the years for hobby embedded projects. When I have more free time I'm keen to contribute to Deno (which is Rust under the hood)... The name alone should mean it's the right language for cars 😜 Some more interesting reads if there are any other nerds out there: - Volvo software architect interview - Reddit thread - Uni students ECU diagnostics tool from a few years back (haven't looked at the code yet but sounds interesting)

Missed the factory part. Guess they wanna check it wasn't swapped to manual later.

Ha, I noticed that comment as well. You can tell it's manual just by looking at the photo where it shows the gear stick. And you'll find out whether it's manual pretty soon after your first test drive... If they can't tell that's a manual then they probably shouldn't be buying a 34 year old BMW.

Been sitting there for a while now. Haven't seen many of the E30s adjust price. They all seem to be willing to sit and wait.

This one's looks nice: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/325i/listing/4765012644 When I first saw this I thought it was at 153k (but it's miles).

I'd love to have that kit if it's original though...

This thread saved me from going down a rabbit hole. Searched all around and found an E34 M5 thread where someone went into detail about how the pulse generator works. But like OP I found that my wire kit didn't have the cable 6 pulse generator. Thought previous owner had cut it off and hidden the connector away somewhere. Couldn't find it anywhere. What confused things more was my model and year of car on realoem showed the wires with the pulse generator (and I couldn't seem to find anything in the bentley manual about it). So I figured it was missing. After reading this I realise now it never came with my car (1987 E30). Figured I'd revive this in case someone else is searching the web for the same thing.

Price seems a bit steep but then again I have no idea on the E34 market (haven't been following them). I could only find 2 E34 540i/6 on trade me (the other I found is over 300kms, import and looks a little rough compared to the avus blue). Not sure what's a reasonable price (but I'll be following them now). If a good one comes up at the right time I'll be looking to get one. Was thinking of another E30 but E34 seems more practical as a daily (with kids). My wife would rather we get an electric but I'm trying to avoid that (because it'll be my daily and I want to enjoy the car I drive and work on). True. Hadn't actually thought of that.

If I wasn't putting money into my E30 right now I'd be keen as on this. Love the color. Manual as well. Just not the right timing for me... https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/bmw/540i/listing/4864235421

I've been considering a quickjack. Expensive but seems pretty convenient. Why would a trolly jack and jack stands be more beneficial in a confined garage? Quickjack doesn't look like it takes up much space (other than the hydraulic unit needs to go somewhere?).

I've just finished reading through this thread from the start (I'm looking at getting one of these in the next year or so as my daily). Stunned at how you have done all this work as a student. Takes a lot of passion for the project and maturity I didn't have when I was a student. All my spare money went on beers and I wouldn't have had the motivation to do something like this (on the side of study plus part-time work). To have done all as a uni student - mean. Car is sick. Hopefully you now have it off the street and in a private space. Look forward to seeing what comes next.

Replaced the battery and battery tray today in the boot ('87 E30 325i). After lifting out the original tray I noticed a plastic box underneath. Looking up what it is on realoem I found out it's the battery expansion tank. The hose on it wasn't connected to the previous battery and didn't have the elbow connector on the end of the hose either (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=1112-EUR-07_1987_E30_BMW_325i&diagId=61_0684#61211377835). The replacement battery I got is an SLA. From what I understand after some searching is SLA's still vent, just not as frequently (and mostly when overcharged). Does this sound right? Should I order one of the elbow connectors and hook it up to the battery? I guess it's important for a battery in the boot (enclosed and not well vented in there)?

It is possible to remove google from your life (even if you're an android user). But it's not easy. Probably not worth it for most. I don't have a gmail account and when I needed to get apps from the google play store there were ways around having an account (I usually could find open source apps that weren't on the store that did the job for me most the time). I had unlocked my phone and installed lineage OS on it in order to have no gmail account and still have access to the google play store (while still being able to use critical apps like banking through work arounds). I still have an smart phone for being able to do bank transfers etc on the go (need multi factor authentication for banking these days - no way around it). I actually just use a dumb phone now and store my smart phone away until I need it.

Thanks. I noticed quite a few aftermarket parts on Schmiedmann as well. I'll get genuine parts from them and checkout FCP as well.

Nice to see you've started a thread. Ride looks slick. Where have you been getting your parts from?

Nice. I just moved back to Rotorua from Wellington around 5 years ago. Settled in Springfield. For sure, hopefully get to meet someday. Let me know if you're around these ways. Keen to meet and see your ride in person. I'll definitely provide some updates over time. Hoping to get through my upcoming WOF so just sorting some small things myself over next couple weeks. Will leave anything major to the pros.

Thanks mate. I always wanted a tech 1 specifically. A friend's father had one back in the day. I'm based in Rotorua. Don't see many e30s around here though... I think I've come across your e30s while scrolling some other threads. Beautiful cars you have. Eventually I want to get to that standard (the 325i in the Lachssilber 1989 E30 M325i thread is stunning as well).

Appreciate the tips Olaf/Tobias01. I'll prioritise the fuel lines etc. I wouldn't have thought to consider that up front but makes sense on a car this age. And thanks for the heads up with Weitz/schmiedmann. I see Weitz have (or had) a full genuine tech 1 kit. Got a weird issue with the coolant light at the moment that I'll need to dig into. Coolant level is good, can't see any obvious coolant leaks. Temperature gauge sits slightly below the mid line or on it. Saw the coolant level sensor had a big crack running down it so replaced that. But light is still on... So coolant and fuel systems are now at the top of my list. Yea I'm not a fan of the wheels. Don't hate them, but not what I want on it long term. Once I've sorted some other things out I'll move on to suspension and some genuine alpina's for it.

Nice. Yea plan is to go back to full m-tech 1 kit. I will go with the alpina wheels over the original weaves though. One of the members on this forum (also has an m-tech 1) has been sending me links to m-tech 1 kits as he has been coming across them. Definitely want the full tech 1 kit. Would rather prioritise other things first (like suspension) but if a good deal comes up for an m-tech 1 kit then I'll probably jump on that (seeing as how rare they are).

Wondering if anyone has recommendations for service and maintenance around the Bay of Plenty/Waikato area? I live in Rotorua (I have a 1987 E30 325i). I found a shop around here that have experience working on classic cars (looks like they work on a lot of American classics). Took the car into them for its first service under my ownership. I'm pretty happy with their customer service and they were professional compared to shops I've dealt with in the past. I'll likely continue to go back to them seeing as they're in Rotorua. But keen to hear any recommendations for places around these ways. Searched online and found these guys in Tauranga: https://www.shersonautomotive.nz/ - anyone had experience with them? What are the main benefits of going to an independent specialist vs 'general' workshops?

Took these a week or so ago (average quality pics though 😁) after picking it up from getting service and cambelt/water pump replaced. It's so nice to drive. It's been years since I owned a manual. Going to take it out for a run to Taupo and back today.

Sorry for the late reply. I was locked out of my account. I think due to the host/server stuff going on at the moment (saw a recent thread around it). Yea it's the one with the m-tech 2 bumpers. I've decided to leave the exhaust as it passes WOF noise level (just). It's starting to grow on me but probably not what I want for long trips (like you it's pretty loud and drony). Have you had any thoughts about what you'll do for the exhaust?

Hey all. David here. Recently purchased a 1987 E30 M325i (diamant-schwarz). It's been discussed on this forum at one point and was on trade me recently. Used to drive an E30 318i (technically it was my fathers in the 90's and he eventually gave it to me as my first car). Loved E30's ever since. Getting cambelt etc replaced soon and exhaust is a bit loud for my taste so getting that sorted as well. Overall it drives nice. The wheels have grown on me. But will prob replace them at some point. Happy with them for now so not in a rush there. Will gradually restore/lightly mod the car over time. Went through the Lachssilber 1989 E30 M325i thread. Tons of useful info there. And the ride looks slick. Nice decisions made there. Also have a soft spot for the 6th generation Galant VR4. Was the second car I ever owned. Had to get my hands on one of these now cause the prices have been going up on them over recent years and I didn't wanna miss out on either one. Was a throw up between getting the E30 or a mint 1990 VR4. Had to go with the BMW in the end. The E30 M325i is definitely my all time favourite car (VR4 second).