BMW 325i convertible E30

HISTORY SPECIFICATIONS GUIDELINES BASIC MAINTENANCE RESET SERVICE LEDs KNOWN PROBLEMS COST BOOKS MODELS
Feel free to send me an email : fredbrossaud@wanadoo.fr
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 00/15

HISTORY

Revealed in Frankfurt Motor Show in 1985, production started in march 1986 with 325i, followed in july 1986 with 320i. In september 1987, both versions were fitted with catalytic converter. That was only in july 1990 that a 318i fitted with 4 cylinders engine will appear. In the meantime, a handmade version, the M3 convertible will be produced from may 1988 to june 1991. badge 325i convertible 325i convertible 320i convertible 320i convertible 318i convertible M3 convertible M3 convertible M3 convertible year 03/86 - 08/87 08/87 - 01/93 07/86 - 08/87 08/87 - 01/93 07/90 - 04/93 05/88 - 06/89 10/88 - 06/89 03/90 - 06/91 capacity 2494 cmcm3 CAT 1990 cmcm3 CAT 1796 cm3 CAT 2302 cmcm3 CAT 2302 cm3 CAT max power 171 hp / 126 kW 170 hp / 125 kW 129 hp / 95 kW 129 hp / 95 kW 113 hp / 83 kW 200 hp / 147 kW 195 ch / 143 kW 215 hp / 158 kW 786 Production 24706
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 01/15

SPECIFICATIONS

badge model code engine max. power max. torque gearbox brakes 325i convertible BB11 B25Mcc with CAT in line 6 cylinders, 12 valves 170 hp (125 kW) at 5,800 rpm 163.73 lb ft at 4,300 rpm 5 speed manual (Getrag 260/5) front : ventilated discs rear : solid discs standard : 195/65 VR 14 optional on HARTGE wheels : 205/50 ZR 16 front 225/45 ZR 16 rear 22.4 mpg 1,310 kg
tires overrall fuel consumption kerb weight

Getrag 260/5 gearbox

Ratio 5 Reverse Final drive 3.83 2.20 1.40 1.00 0.81 3.46 3.4.96 8.64 13.57 19.00 23.46 5.49 Theoretical speed in mph (RPM) 9.92 14.89 19.85 24.81 17.28 25.91 34.55 43.19 27.15 40.72 54.30 67.87 38.01 57.01 76.01 95.02 46.92 70.38 93.85 117.31 10.98 16.48 21.97 27.46
6000 29.77 51.83 81.44 114.02 140.77 32.95
7000 34.73 60.47 95.02 133.03 164.23 38.45
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001
Original alloy wheel Size PCD offset Bore diameter Bolt 6 x x 100 ET 35 57.2 mm 12 x 150
Performance figures Maximum speed Standing-1000 m 0-50 km/h 0-80 km/h 0-100 km/h 0-120 km/h 80-120 km/h in 4th gear Sources : Donnes constructeur 134 mph 29.5 s 3.0 s 5.7 s 8.7 s 11.8 s 9.8 s
My car has the frame number 1920160. This car was first registered march the 13rd 1987.
Retailed price for 1987 model year :

181,800 FF 33,000 USD

based on 1USD=5.50FF
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 03/15

GUIDELINES

Sale value of these kind of cars is quite low now and it's getting more and more difficult to find a 325i convertible in good original condition with all papers. Many cars have often been modified or repaired with no genuines parts. E30 convertible was slightly restyled in 1991 : only rear lights and bumpers were changed.
Rear lights large rear lights before 12/90 small rear lights after 01/91
Front fog lights rectangular fog lights before 12/90 rounded fog lights after 01/91
Side moldings with chrome insert before 12/90

black after 01/91

Bumpers chrome bumpers before 12/90 classic lights before 09/87
plastic bumpers after 01/91

Front lights

ellipsoid lights after 10/87

Gas hood opener

one on each side after 04/89
only one on the left before 04/89
Be careful with some people trying to sell the car "loaded" with just original equipment. Cars were afctory fitted with many equipements : q Fog lights q Sport seats q Mtechnic I steering wheel q Leather seats

q q q q q

ABS Power steering 4 power windows Power mirrors 14" alloy wheels
Instrument cluster is very clear to read. Unfortunately, the econometer is really useless ; it would have been better to have an oil pressure gaudge.

325i convertible can be found from 35.000 to 55.000 FRF : first price is for cars with less than 200,000 km (on the meter.), with worn interior and unknown past wherease the other price is for a car with less than 100,000 km, in like new condition.
Manufacturer plate is located up to the right front light. You should carefully check numbers with the one stamped under the windshield. The other stamped figure is the bodyshell number.
Checking cylinder head bolts
M20 B25 engines produced before half-89 were equipped with hex-head cylinder bolts which are prone to break that lead to significant damage on the engine. They must be replaced by Torx-head bolts available at any BMW dealer. To check the bolt, just remove the oil filler cap and have a look inside the hole.

I like - I dont' like

Beautiful design Very comfortable seats Very reliable car Exceptionnal road handling Wrong gearbox ratios No alarm if you leave car with lights on
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 05/15

BASIC MAINTENANCE

325i is easy to maintain. It is mandatory to have the revue technique ETAI (very complete) and manuel HAYNES (more didactic) before beginning. The best book is the service manual BENTLEY : it's the best book to help you maintaining your car. Indications below make only supplement of these handbooks. Don't forget to buy BMW MOBILE TRADITION CD Part Catalogue too. You will get all parts numbers and drawings. You can also buy E30 workshop manual in 3 microfiches. Always buy parts from well known brands (like PURFLUX, BOSCH, VALEO, CHAMPION.) or genuine BMW parts to avoid troubles.
Engine oil change + filter
Use semi-synthetic oil or 100% synthetic oil. Change oil every 3,100 mi or max 4,600 mi. 325i have a service indicator to reset like others BMW. A 17 mm wrench will be necessary as well as an oil filter wrench.The oil filter is located under the exhaust manifold, on the right of the engine.

Spark plugs

Always use Bosch W8LCR. Change spark plugs one at a time to not mix up spark plugs wires.

Air filter

Change the air filter by removing the spring clips around the air filter box.

Clutch and brake fluid

Brake fluid absorbs moisture that makes him lose its efficiency and involves internal corrosion of the brake system. It must be replaced every 2 years or 25,000 mi. It is better to use a DOT 5 fluid having a higher boiling point.
325i uses an hydraulic clutch which uses the same brake fluid reservoir. Bleeder valve is located on the slave cylinder on the left side of the gearbox.
Due to internal shape of break fluid reservoir, it's better to start bleeding clutch circuit. It will avoid trapping dirty fluid in some area of the brake fluid reservoir. Manual bleeding is easy with 2 persons : one under the car and the other pumping on the pedal. The bleeding order is : right-rear, left-rear, right-front, left-front, clutch. Having an ABS system, one should pump on the pedal at least ten times before seeing clean brake fluid. Wipe carefully brake fluid which is very corrosive on painted surface. Plan to use two cans of 0.5l brake fluid.

Engine coolant

Engine coolant must be replaced every 2 years or 25,000 mi to avoid a clogged radiator or an engine overheat.

Plastic panel trim

The best way to clean them is to use plain water, soap and a toothbrush. After, they look like new ; it's almost incredible. It's better than any other chemical product.

Soft top

Soft top is fragile and expensive to replace. Rear plastic window tends to become white and dull. A good maintenance will increase its lifetime. Here is the sum up of the 325i user's manual : q Do not park car on direct sunlight, q Do not clean car in automatic car wash, q Do not fold up top when moist, q Remove immediately birds drops with small brush, q Clean rear plastic window with soft cloth only. The most important is to fold the top carefully, especially the plastic window. Putting a towel on the window will prevent it to get scratches when both plastic parts will touch each other. It's better to protect the soft top with a waterproof product at least once a year, but be careful to not drop it on the rear plastic window. For it, it's better to use BMW cleaner (BMW part #665) to clean and polish rear window.

Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 07/15

RESET SERVICE LEDs

Like many other BMW, 325i is fitted with service indicator LED. It tells the driver whether an oil-service or inspection is to be done. It is not mandatory to have the BMW reset tool to clear the LED.
Unscrew engine harness close to the oil stick Plug a fuse protected wire between ground and this plug. Switch ignition key to "ON" for 5 seconds to reset an oil-service and about 10 seconds to reset an inspection.
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 08/15

KNOWN PROBLEMS

325i convertible is very reliable and you will not have much problems even with an old car. You can easily reach high mileage (300,000 km) without major troubles. Anyway, be prepared to have some little annoying problems. Front exhaust pipe is prone to breake : Exhaust system is very eavy and there is only the geabox bracket assembly to hold it. Front pipe is not available as spare part, you will have to replace the complete CAT converter or find someone to repair the pipe.
Chrome part around windshield get rust : You will have to replace it, you can even replace it by a black one.
Water leaks between top and windows: Replace rubber seal around soft top, check windows alignment.
Service LEDs non working : Service LEDs are using NiCd batteries inside the instrument cluster. These batteries last maximum 10 years. Replace them.
Tacho sometimes not working : Remove the instrument cluster, get the SI board and make a new welding for each component.
Shif boot is prone get a hole on the left side : Reverse is really on the left of the gearbox and the boot get punched between the shift lever and the shift console.
Water leaks inside hood: Check rubber around antenna, check gasket around rear lights.
Cylinder head are prone to break : It's better to replace hex head bolt (which are prone to break) by torx head bolt. From mid-89, all M20 engines were fitted with torx bolt.
Many short circuits or non working accessories : a convertible car is prone to get water leaks and moisture in it. Do not hesitate to clean harness connector , switches and knob. Use a special product or a glass cleaning product with a toothbrush.

BMW 325i convertible

Soft top handle is prone to break : It's mandatory to pull hard to open both latches and the handle break. In fact, it's not really the handle but the plastic part around it.
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 10/15
If you wish to buy this kind of vehicle, here are some figures :

Purchase Registration fee (average price in France) Insurance (1/3rd)
from 35 to 55,000 F 1,066 FF 1,800 FF based on 1USD=5.50FF
from 6.3k to 10k USD 193 USD 327 USD
All prices are Sale taxe included (VAT - 19,6% in France). These are average prices in several shops.
Oil filter Front brake pads Timing belt + tensionner (parts and labour) Catalytic converter Rear exhaust
Purflux LS171 Valo L81 by BMW dealer BOSAL BOSAL based on 1USD=5.50FF

69 FF 520 FF

12 USD 94 USD
1,100 FF 200 USD 5,475 FF 995 USD 1,514 FF 275 USD
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 11/15
BMW srie 3 notice d'utilisation BMW part # 622 fr Out of print
BMW Srie 3 essence depuis 1983 Revue Technique Automobile n448 E.T.A.I. ISBN 2-7268-4486-3
Very complete, very technical Difficult for a beginner Essential for any heavy technical intervention
BMW essence Srie 3 & 5 Manuel d'entretien et rparation auto n3291 HAYNES ISBN 1-85960-291-6
A little confused because covers too many different cars
BMW 3-series 1984-1990 Service manual ROBERT BENTLEY ISBN 0-8376-0325-0
Very complete, very didactic Many pictures Absolutely essential
BMW 3 Serie The Complete Story James Taylor CROWOODS ISBN 1-86126-317-1
Many details Specifications, production figures Covers E21, E30 and E36
BMW 3 Serie A collector's guide Jeremy Walton MRP ISBN 0-947981-68-3
Many details Specification Covers E21 and E30
BMW Personenwagen seit 1952 Typenkompa Walter Zeichner MOTOR BUCH VERLAG ISBN 3-613-01873-X
All BMW since 1952 Specification, production figures Absolutely essential
Essential BMW Roadsters & cabriolets The cars and their story from 328 to Z3 Eberhard Kittler BAY VIEW BOOKS ISBN 1-870979-77-X
History of BMW convertible Specification, production, frame numbers Many pictures
BMW Schlegelmich / Lehbrink / von Osterroth KONEMANN ISBN 3-8290-0657-8 -
Studies about each important car of the company. Lot of pictures.
BMW MOBILE TRADITION CD BMW part # 315 -
Parts catalogue Absolutely essential
Microfiches MANUEL DE REPARATION E30 BMW part # 562 fr
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 14/15

MODELS

Scale 1:43 - ref 1166
Developped and designed by Frederic BROSSAUD - september the 9th 2001 15/15

Essential BMW Roadsters & cabriolets The cars and their story from 328 to Z3 Eberhard Kittler BAY VIEW BOOKS ISBN 1-870979-77-X
Historique des BMW cabriolet Caractristiques, production Nombreuses photos
BMW Schlegelmich / Lehbrink / von Osterroth KONEMANN ISBN 3-8290-0657-8 -
Etude de tous les modles importants de la marque. Trs nombreuses photos.
BMW MOBILE TRADITION CD pice BMW n 315 -
Catalogue des pices Absolument indispensable
Microfiches MANUEL DE REPARATION E30 pice BMW n 562 fr
Conception & Ralisation Frdric BROSSAUD - 9 septembre 2001 14/15

MINIATURES

Echelle 1:43 - ref 1166
Conception & Ralisation Frdric BROSSAUD - 9 septembre 2001 15/15