87' 325e BMW-help!

[schneider252]

Hey I am new to the forums, i guess i should say a little about myself..
I live in Pittsbugh PA and I'm 14 right now, my mom drives a 87' 325e BMW. It runs fairly well but she doesnt take good care of it. I am hoping this will be my car in the future and I currently want to fix it up and get it ready so i can mod it. I know alot about computers and I can build one and very easily. I have heard that computers and cars have the same basic consept so it should be a little easier for me to learn about cars. I have a couple of questions...

first off,

The car is Maunual and a couple mounths ago the sick shift broke off! so right now she drives it broken and 1/2 shorter! lol.......well i want to replace it. How do i do that? What kind of shifter should i get, does it matter? I know how to detach the leather ( i just tried it) but i dont know how to disconnect the shifter

second,

I know about wiring inside of a computer but what about a car..Right now the radio doesnt work and the RPM meater dosnt work. I think I wont beable to fix the radio but can i fix the RPM meater fairly easily?

third,

The key broke off while still running in the car, so if u loose the keys while driving u cant turn the car off! What do i have to do to take the broken piece out? Then i could just buy a new key.

Thanks guys for the help! I am a beginner but i can learn very easy. I would like to order the stickshift buy the end of today, know any good US sites i can get if off of?

peace

[Aether]

While I can't answer a single question you have, being new to the scene as well, I live a couple hours southwest of Pittsburgh and I have a 1987 325e. Nice to know there are other people out here. Everyone esle seems to be from the west coast.

Bavarian Autosport has a pretty gargantuan selection of replacement parts, you might check there.

[DeathMetal]

wow - i dont think you could possibly get more annoying and pain-in-the-ass-to fix problems with your car. I, too , am at a loss as far as your questions are concerned. I'm sure there are very easy fixes for the shifter and the Tach - I just don't know what they are - LOL.

Your broken key problem will most likely require you to replace the entire ignition lock - I don't think there is a way to remove the key. My friend has a 1982 320i (e21) with the same problem. He doesnt even use the keys anymore. He operates the ignition with a DIME.

[Aether]

So anytime you see an unlocked E21 320i parked, and no one's looking...

[schneider252]

thanks peeps, to make my question a little more easy...

I want to replace the shifter
What kind should i get (does it matter)
How do i take out the old one
How do i put in the new one
Is there a risk in messing up the gears or anything?


thanks!


also the shift boost is broken,
I found one on that site (thanks for the site!)
It should work fine...after i know how to install the shifter i think that should be easy

[DeathMetal]

Originally posted by Aether@Mar 14 2004, 02:57 PM
So anytime you see an unlocked E21 320i parked, and no one's looking...

lol- trust me - there is at least 1000 miles on the odometer that various joyriders (myself included) put on that car without my friend's knowlege.

[schneider252]

[viali8]

as far as the key breaking off in the ignition just call the local locksmith. they can do it no problem. probably will cost u 60 bucks but it is worth it. the same thing happened to my brother when he was at school. my dad and i took the 4and a half ride to help him out. we finally just called the local locksmith and they were able to do it. good luck. viali8

[broketiltuesday]

To fix the shifter, pull off the leather gaitor then pull out the thick rubber o-ring heat/sound insulation. Then get under the car. Look for the gearbox housing then follow the link rods back up towards the passenger cabin.

You should see a join where a rod running the length of the car connects to another rod that goes up into the cabin. To get at this you might have to remove the prop shaft cover. I had to replace a bearing that went under here. At the join of the two rods, you need to remove a c-shaped retaining clip, then you can detach the vertical rod which is your shifter.

You can get another shifter from a bmw dealer, i don't know what the part code is but someone here will. Otherwise, well, there's only one gear shifter in the car so they can't really order in the wrong bit!

I think that's right, I might have forgotten a couple of small details but nothing major. Um if you've not worked on a car before and are serious about fixing this yourself (it's pretty easy just can be a bit awkard and dirty) support the car properly with ramps or axle stands!

['85 318i]

and go buy a service manual, it will help out alot. i bought the haynes manual, its pretty good. is there a better one out there?

[schneider252]

thank man that helped me out alot!!!
I am new at this and its gonna be hard but i know someone on my street that is really into cars. He knoes everything about volvos but i think he can help me out a little with my BMW. I'll just print out what ya told me and go over it with him!


Im done reading about Ricer Burners in those super street mags! on the the real stuff!

[schneider252]

Would these parts work???
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp


shifter-------------- 220 823

boost-------------- SB BMW


just type those in the search engine


btw after i take out the shifter, how do i take the boost off? does it just slip off??

[Aether]

Well if you selected your specific year and model, then they're only going to show you parts that will work. That's the beauty of Bavarian Autosport's site.

[schneider252]

I love it!

[Fox]

1. Buy the shift lever at the dealership. It will save you more and its a "performance part". Go ask for the shift lever to a 2.5 liter bmw Z4. This is the part that will work and its shorter for a shorter and less sloppy shifter. And no you have no chance of messing up gears.

2. To remove the leather boot just pinch the sides in and pry up.

3. To fix the tachometer replace fuse 21. I forget how many volts it is.