Possibly purchasing an E30, known issues?

*There are differences between the 325e and 325i engines. Although both models have engines from the BMW M20 family, the 325e has more displacement than the 325i (2.7L vs. 2.5L), but less horsepower (121 vs 167). The 325e's stroker motor gives it the larger torque output, it has a higher torque rating than the 325i (170 vs 164). The "e" has a low 4800 RPM redline but basically a flat powerband and a tall 2.93 diff (2.79 earlier models) to help increased gas mileage. The sportier 325i has a shorter 3.73 diff ratio (4.10 in automatics) and a higher revving engine (redline at 6700 RPM). Compared to the 325e, the 325i has a hotter cam, dual valve springs, larger valves, larger intake manifold, larger throttle body, larger exhaust manifolds, dual pipe exhaust system.

I must say that I <3 the eta engine for a DD, or a cruiser. It has usable torque, even off of idle. But fun, it is not. I still carved up some mountain roads in mine.

So Tomoyer, which one do you like driving in the snow? The 325ix, or the 330xi? I had an ix and drive a 330xi, and boy do I miss my ix in the snow!

Truthfully, the 1989 325ix is much more fun and goes better in the snow than the 325xi or 330xi. My 1991 318is is also a fun car to drive in the snow with 4 Blizzaks on it.

So i ended up buying the car for a OK price. The owner told me it was a 2.7L with a I head. Redline starts around 4250k then ends at 5k I typed in the VIN on real OEM and it states its a 325i 2.5L. Is there any visual differences between the 2.7 and the 2.5? I will post pictures tomorrow.

Hard to describe the differences, they are subtle. Check the casting number on the head, underneath the intake manifold. I can't remember where the ones on the block are, but that will tell you.

An I head swap should be revving to the I redline at 6250 if I remember right? I would sort that car quickly. Sounds like a half-finished swap. Post pics, and look at the number on the DME in the top of the glovebox.

Originally Posted by bimminge46

So i ended up buying the car for a great price. The owner told me it was a 2.7L with a I head. Redline starts around 4250k then ends at 5k I typed in the VIN on real OEM and it states its a 325i 2.5L. Is there any visual differences between the 2.7 and the 2.5? I will post pictures tomorrow.

Check passenger side where the filter is at. 2.7l will not have a oil cooler.

Also, can check the water pump pulley. Check the diameter of the pulley.

Originally Posted by lcoleman

Hard to describe the differences, they are subtle. Check the casting number on the head, underneath the intake manifold. I can't remember where the ones on the block are, but that will tell you.

An I head swap should be revving to the I redline at 6250 if I remember right? I would sort that car quickly. Sounds like a half-finished swap. Post pics, and look at the number on the DME in the top of the glovebox.

The tach says only 5k so I wouldn't be able to tell if it goes over 6k. RealOEM says 325i 2.5L, I will check those areas. thanks

Originally Posted by TrippinBimmer

Check passenger side where the filter is at. 2.7l will not have a oil cooler.

Also, can check the water pump pulley. Check the diameter of the pulley.

He said it had a oil cooler. I will check tomorrow for that thanks.

I believe the rev limit is due to the long stroke of the 2.7, not the head.

Originally Posted by Pierce1

I believe the rev limit is due to the long stroke of the 2.7, not the head.

False info. It's due to having single valve springs. When high rev the valves will float. I did a I head swap and can rev 6.75k no problem.

Takes some pics of the motor and I can tell u

^Exactly. To further complicate things, if he swapped the head and DME but left the eta coding plug in the cluster, it will indicate 5K rpms when you're actually doing 6500 or whatever.

Read head and block castings, and the part # on the DME.

The oil cooler doesn't do much, but it's not a bad thing to have.

Originally Posted by lcoleman

^Exactly. To further complicate things, if he swapped the head and DME but left the eta coding plug in the cluster, it will indicate 5K rpms when you're actually doing 6500 or whatever.

Read head and block castings, and the part # on the DME.

The oil cooler doesn't do much, but it's not a bad thing to have.

There is a oil cooler below the radiator. I noticed the radiator is leaking coolant. hopefully its just a hose or drain plug o-ring. Its also leaking oil from the front of the head. The wiring seems half ass. I'll post pictures here soon. Going to get a new battery.

Trying to figure out why they ran the small blue hose from the fuel rail

Ok, that's probably just an i. You'll have to find the casting number on the block to know if the bottom end is 2.5 or 2.7.

Other than the added-on fuse beside the brake booster, the wiring looks unmolested at a glance. I'd figure out where that wire leads to.

Those 3 blue hoses do not look like anything from the factory that I've ever seen. I would find out where those go ASAP, especially the one that's just open.

Originally Posted by lcoleman

Ok, that's probably just an i. You'll have to find the casting number on the block to know if the bottom end is 2.5 or 2.7.

Other than the added-on fuse beside the brake booster, the wiring looks unmolested at a glance. I'd figure out where that wire leads to.

Those 3 blue hoses do not look like anything from the factory that I've ever seen. I would find out where those go ASAP, especially the one that's just open.

I'm hoping its still stock. (325i) Where is the casting located on the block? The double temp sensor on the radiator is also cut. (wires) I believe that is for the AC correct? or is that a aux fan sensor? I will try and figure out what those blue hoses are for. I want to rip them off and make it factory but it's hard because I don't have a diagram for the car. I hope the oil and coolant leak are an easy/cheap fix. I want to have this thing running top in the summer. Thanks for all your help.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1758288
Mirror and light are your friend here. Don't forget to check which DME you have, although I'm betting you have the i one.

Honestly, my guess is that you have the original 2.5 and an eta cluster...which probably means the car has way more than 130K miles. At least, I'm 90% sure that's an i head. And having the oil cooler...

The radiator may be a two-plug replacement. Some cars have two plugs, some have one. I can't remember what the 2nd one if for, A/C fan sounds right. Does the A/C work, by some miracle?

Just follow the hoses and post where they end at. Or, if you can't describe it, post a pic.

You have a I (2.5) intake manifold. Now dme number would be nice now

you have a 1988 seta e30 with a plastic bumper swap (essentially a late model and the last to the ETA). very desirable to us DD guys without having to settle for diving board cars. They were quite rare out here in California.

"In order to meet federal emissions standards in it's final year of production, the '88 325 receives a 325i cylinder head, exhaust system, and engine management control with self-diagnostic capabilities (Motronic 1.1) as well as special pistons, (lowering compression slightly to 8.8:1), a slightly larger intake manifold and a revised valve cover. These changes bump up the eta's power rating slightly (to 127) and a 6000 RPM tachometer is fitted. The cooling system is overhauled and the expansion tank is shifted to the driver side. A new oil dipstick and fuel cap are used, and the fuel tank is enlarged to 16.5 gallons.

On the inside, the window regulator is redesigned (after 2/88) and the manual power window override is deleted. The external fader switch disappears, the hazard switch is revised and swaps positions with the defrost switch, and the power window circuit breaker is also moved onto the center console. The instrument cluster warning lights are revised with slightly larger lettering and "BRAKE FLUID" replacing "BRAKE". On the rear shelf, the center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) becomes more aerodynamic despite not being exposed to high amounts of drag. The door panels are also revised with the textured ribbing no longer used. 1988 model year cars also received a cosmetic upgrade that include shorter aluminum bumpers, revised front valance with integrated foglights, a lower rear apron, larger rear taillights with horizontally mounted reverse lights, and a lower rear fender line."

Originally Posted by kaboo0m

you have a 1988 seta e30 with a plastic bumper swap (essentially a late model and the last to the ETA). very desirable to us DD guys without having to settle for diving board cars. They were quite rare out here in California.

"In order to meet federal emissions standards in it's final year of production, the '88 325 receives a 325i cylinder head, exhaust system, and engine management control with self-diagnostic capabilities (Motronic 1.1) as well as special pistons, (lowering compression slightly to 8.8:1), a slightly larger intake manifold and a revised valve cover. These changes bump up the eta's power rating slightly (to 127) and a 6000 RPM tachometer is fitted. The cooling system is overhauled and the expansion tank is shifted to the driver side. A new oil dipstick and fuel cap are used, and the fuel tank is enlarged to 16.5 gallons.

On the inside, the window regulator is redesigned (after 2/88) and the manual power window override is deleted. The external fader switch disappears, the hazard switch is revised and swaps positions with the defrost switch, and the power window circuit breaker is also moved onto the center console. The instrument cluster warning lights are revised with slightly larger lettering and "BRAKE FLUID" replacing "BRAKE". On the rear shelf, the center high mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) becomes more aerodynamic despite not being exposed to high amounts of drag. The door panels are also revised with the textured ribbing no longer used. 1988 model year cars also received a cosmetic upgrade that include shorter aluminum bumpers, revised front valance with integrated foglights, a lower rear apron, larger rear taillights with horizontally mounted reverse lights, and a lower rear fender line."

Unless it had a intake Manifold swap and etc. SETA has a different intake Mani.

Originally Posted by TrippinBimmer

Unless it had a intake Manifold swap and etc. SETA has a different intake Mani.

touche. but wouldn't be surprised if they just slapped an I head or exhaust on it since the head was similar to the m20b25 head in many ways but like you mentioned, the DME number would prove a lot