skubez 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 Hi All Well, I have been driving my E30 around now for several weeks and am quite pleased with my purchase, except for a couple of things which I would like to rectify. 1) I want to upgrade the brakes on my E30 318i. I am unsure (only cos I'm too lazy to take a look at the moment) of what the car has in its current setup, all I know is that I have to plan well ahead before I stop currently. I have been thinking of getting some rotors and callipers off another car (either BMW or other) and upgrade this way. Can anyone advise me on how much of a task this would be?? 2) The car doesn't have power steering, and I realise I should probably have just bought a car with it already in - but I didn't. Could I install a power steering unit (pump and additional equipment) from another BMW 318i or similar car? What are the challenges involved here? I am not having a problem with the steering at the moment, but later on I would like upgrade the springs which would make it a harder still. At the moment, I am just thinking about these things. If it all works out to be too much of a hassle, or far too expensive, I will probably see if someone wants to swap the E30 for a Toyota Starlet or something. Cheers all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest hizza bizza Report post Posted March 18, 2004 brake upgrade on a 318i aye........... Sure you don't just need some new pads? Or possibly the discs machined? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skubez 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 Does it have discs all round? The pedal is very spongy! I have been thinking of naming it SpongeBob! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest hizza bizza Report post Posted March 18, 2004 bah, I love that cartoon haha. What year is it?, Mine has discs all round Spongey you say, have you tired bleeding the brakes? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grant 4 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 Spongey you say, have you tired bleeding the brakes? Yup, get the brakes bled, you may have an air bubble in hoses somewhere. Also change the brake fluid, it does deteriorate over time (it absorbs moisture) and it should be changed every year or so.BMW brakes are generally pretty good for everyday driving, and should be more than sufficient for a 318i. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gus 5 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 try maybe new pads and discs....even if you have rear drums brakes can be made pretty sweet.....andrews mum 318 had everything done and the brakes feel brilliant...much better than mine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skubez 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 Alright then, I will bleed and replace the brake fluid, and then if the pedal feels alright will look at replacing the pads. Any ideas on the power steering? Where is a good place to buy some used BMW parts? I wouldn't mind taking a look at getting some other parts for the car also, my drivers door needs a new hinge I think, and my ciggy lighter doesn't work - only a problem when I need to plug my phone in Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bumpstop325 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 the steering rack is a big job. you need: pump (well der) new crank pully thing (cant think at the mo) for 3 belts hoses power steering rack??? (anybody comfirm this???) i havnt done but i recon it will be a big job. remove engine???? replace steering rack, put engine back in simple..........will be done in half (yeah right) i think its better to buy a e30 with it in. Are you sure you dont have power steering? or you could top up the resivour(sp) with ATM fluid not power steering fluid. (this is a common mistake) also 5sp manual gearboxes use ATM fluid ATM= Automatic Transmission(for people who dont know). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speakeasy 0 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 never under any circumstance machine e30 discs. it will only end in heartache. if you think they could do with a machineing i.e. vibration through the wheel under braking, just replace them. if you machine them the problem will go away for a week then come back with a vengance. the bmw specialist i saw was 'amused' that id had the disc's done... ...why is it i always have to learn from experience... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gus 5 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 a smaller wheel helps...but if you actually dont have power steering...probably wouldnt recommend it!.....there should be a power steering fluid reservoir in the engine bay...off the top of my head it is dark green/brown cylinder sorta thing and says AF on the lid...not 100% sure though.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grant 4 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 never under any circumstance machine e30 discs. Yes, very good call.The discs are designed to wear with the pads, and should be replaced not machined when they get worn. If you machine them, you will put them out of their tolerance, and they will not disperse the heat generated from the friction properly, and this can be dangerous. Having good braking is pretty important, and can save your life, so don't skimp or take the cheap way out. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gus 5 Report post Posted March 18, 2004 agreed...all it does is post phone having to buy new discs...and they probably wont stop as well anyway.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speedye30 Report post Posted March 19, 2004 What a load of old rubbish! Who said the rotors can't be machined? So long as you stick to specification, and the person doing the job is competent, no problem. But don't take my word for it: This is straight out of the Bentley Manual (Bible). If they are warped, or worn irregularly they should be replaced. Ventilated rotors: Min thickness after machining: 20.4mm Wear limit: 20.0mm Thickness tolerance (diff between any two measurements) 0.02mm Axial runout: 0.05mm (off car) 0.2mm (on car) If after machining they do not adhere to these specs, replace. Rotors should always be machined in pairs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest hizza bizza Report post Posted March 19, 2004 yeah I got all my discs machined about 6 months ago and they are sweet as. LIke speedy said aslong as the place your getting them done at knows their stuff its all gravy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grant 4 Report post Posted March 19, 2004 You should notice that I said they should not be machined once they are worn i.e. therefore putting them out of tolerance. Yes ...maybe I should have qualified my replace vs machining comment a bit better, but it read pretty clearly to me. I have seen people machine discs that are pretty well knackered, and this is just stupid in my eyes. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmccormack 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2004 Alright then, I will bleed and replace the brake fluid, and then if the pedal feels alright will look at replacing the pads. Any ideas on the power steering? Where is a good place to buy some used BMW parts? I wouldn't mind taking a look at getting some other parts for the car also, my drivers door needs a new hinge I think, and my ciggy lighter doesn't work - only a problem when I need to plug my phone in I think I have most ,if not all of the parts for PS conversion , you dont need to remove the engine but it is quite a big job.An e36 rack is better if you can find one.I am also wreaking 2 e30 so I can help with the other parts too Cheers Graeme Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speedye30 Report post Posted March 19, 2004 I have heard that the steering rack is bit of a weak link on e30s. My pal's M325i with 215 (miles!) on the clock, just had to get a new rack. It ate about half a bottle of ATF a day before he finally had it fixed! Anyway, hey Graeme, how come the e36 rack is better? Does it give faster steering? Is it lighter? More robust? details please... If it give faster steering... I will be keen to change mine... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gus 5 Report post Posted March 19, 2004 yeah the e36 m3 rack is pretty common...there heaps of write ups on the web.....helps cure the e30s SO SLOW steering....although mines better with the wheel now Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmccormack 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2004 (edited) I have heard that the steering rack is bit of a weak link on e30s. My pal's M325i with 215 (miles!) on the clock, just had to get a new rack. It ate about half a bottle of ATF a day before he finally had it fixed! Anyway, hey Graeme, how come the e36 rack is better? Does it give faster steering? Is it lighter? More robust? details please... If it give faster steering... I will be keen to change mine... The e36 rack has a faster ratio (M3 e36 faster still),is lighter (aluminium housing) & less prone to leakage.2 small spacers (for between the rack & x-member) & an adapter plate (for the steering shaft) need to be made .Check out http://www.e30zone.co.uk/techne36rack.asp Edited March 19, 2004 by gmccormack Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skubez 0 Report post Posted April 17, 2004 I think I have most ,if not all of the parts for PS conversion , you dont need to remove the engine but it is quite a big job.An e36 rack is better if you can find one.I am also wreaking 2 e30 so I can help with the other parts too Cheers Graeme Hey Graeme, can you let me know if these parts are still available? How much would the parts cost for this?Do you sell parts normally? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
