Need info on 1989 BMW 325i 5SPD
Registered User
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 318
From: Los Gatos, CA
Car Info: 05 Audi S4... trying to mod the driver!!!
being a past (but not e30) bmw owner, I can tell you that these are great cars. It really depends on what you are using it for. If you want a day to day commuter, this will do the job in style but parts and labor will be more expensive than a honda or toyota. If you want an autox, track, canyon carver, maybe even drift car, then this is a great rwd car to have. The motors will go for about 200k+ as long as it has been reasonably cared for. This motor also has a timing belt and not a chain so careful with that. If you do change the belt, do the waterpump and t-stat at the same time because it is right there. The 89 325i might be the best year for that e30. Careful--the 325i does not have a limited slip rear diff. The 325is does. Of course, that changed in 90 or 91 when they did away with the 325is and had a "sport" package on the 325i. Many people with the e30 325i swap the e30 M3 rear limited slip (4.10 I think) in as it decreases top speed and increases acceleration over the stock 325i or 325is diff. Make sure to do regular coolant changes/coolant system checks (inspect-change hoses etc) on these cars because overheating = head death. There are some electonic gizmos (small computer board in the dashboard called SI board I think) that fail and will be a small pain in the *** or wallet to deal with. There are some other members here that have this car or have had this car (I think 02BlackWRXhas or had one)Edit--see above!.
Good forums:
www.roadfly.com
www.bimmerforums.com
www.bmwe30.net
lndbrusr
Good forums:
www.roadfly.com
www.bimmerforums.com
www.bmwe30.net
lndbrusr
Last edited by lndbrusr; Nov 30, 2005 at 11:32 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 52
From: just call me sisyphus...
Car Info: 2002 wrb wrx waggie
http://www.e30tech.com/forum/
i'm a mod there- i've had my '89 325is for just over two years now, so pm if you wanna bounce any more questions off me.
i'm a mod there- i've had my '89 325is for just over two years now, so pm if you wanna bounce any more questions off me.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,402
From: Bay Area
Car Info: 02 WRX wagon=dead; rollin' in a Craptastic Camry!
I owned an '89 325iX, which was a complete POS. However, many of the problems were directly related to the awd system. These cars have a good reputation.
Stuff that was not related to the awd system:
Engine rebuild at 34K under warranty.
Needed a new ECU at 80K miles.
Multiple oil leaks from engine.
Lots of electrical gremlins.
Stuff that was not related to the awd system:
Engine rebuild at 34K under warranty.
Needed a new ECU at 80K miles.
Multiple oil leaks from engine.
Lots of electrical gremlins.
the artist formerly known as mcdrama
iTrader: (23)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,428
From: Santa Cruz Mountains, CA.
Car Info: WRBP 2015 WRX Premium/CVT
I am dreaming of a 2001 BMW M-Coupe Roadster. But those are a bit expensive so I may just go with a Z3 M roadster since those are damn fun too. 
