1985 325e manual trans shroud?? ignition??

[spacemarshall]

on july 4 i got a 84 733i and the auto trans failed on me in 3 days - i was lucky enough to sell it for a loss of only $50 and today i got a great deal on a 85 325i with manual transmission.

its got lots of little things that need fixing but major annoyance is what seller called vibrating transmission shroud??? there is a bad vibe sound coming from the transmission area when starts up and idles - but it shifts great and motor/trans run great together. not sure what this is or how to fix it.

also although it started right up when i test drove it - in super hot az weather after i gave it a hard test drive it didnt turn over a few times for seller when he was driving it back to my house.

eventually it started up and after they left it started and drove into my garage. seller said never had any ignition probs till that moment

a/c seems to blow but not cold

any tips appreciated.

[darkhorse737]

never saw a tranny shroud before...

vibrating shroud you are referring to might be a heat shield of the CAT or exhaust pipe or muffler.

IGNITION probs: if the owner sez he never had any probs-that subtly tells me that he hasn't done any maintenance on the ignition system either. SO... as a new owner, a good way to start ownership is to create a history of your own.

change plugs and coils. cap & rotor(when possible), and have the coil checked for integrity.

change ALL fluids... even when the previous owner sez he just changed 'em.

A/C... u can search the forums.

[pinnaclebass]

i bought my 85e in arizona. if u are talking about a rattling of something in the transmission. when the clutch is not depressed. but then when u depress the clutch in and dont hear it anymore. than that sounds like what was up with my car. and actually im having to get the fly wheel new clutch maybe used transmission and reference sensors 2 of them put in the car to combat that situation. cause the other day the car would not even start. thought all was well but something else had to come about. hopefully this is it cause this car is starting to be more money than anything. BUT its still fun to drive! and now its my only car since i sold the 5 series a week ago