89 Beemer Questions - BMW Forum

CuriousMustangGuy · 02-26-2005, 11:11 PM

Hello everyone, I am in the process of buying an 89 325I and I know jack shit about BMW's. I can tell you anything about mustangs that you would like to know. Basically it's this, I'm looking for a beater but I came across this nice looking car and the guy wanted 3,200 for it. He says it has 80K on an engine swap, the paint job was only a year old and he also replaced the tranny. I talked him down to 2,700. I took it for a drive today and it drives good needs an alignment and the only thing that I seen is that in park it idles kind of irratically but not to drastic. Are these cars worth it and do you think that is a fair price? Clue me into the lingo of the Beemer all these E's and numbers i don't understand. The car looks real sharp on the outside, it really doesn't look like anything from the 80's. And hopefully soon I'll be part of the family.

wcleafs · 02-27-2005, 01:47 AM

to the forum, BMWs are great cars and not to difficult to maintain if your auto savvy. Not sure where you are from so cant comment on the price. Got any photos?
My experience with my first BMW is that the engines are damn near bullet proof if you treat them well, my 320i (E21) handles like a dream and fun to drive on some twisty roads. I had an old 68 cougar (rich mans Mustang at the time) and she weighted a ton compared to my 320 and handled like she weighed that much too.

A good service manual will help you through the majority of your problems

As for lingo, first off a Beemer is a BMW motorbike while a Bimmer is the four wheeled variety. The numbers you will have to ask someone with a bit more BMW history knowledge, the old 320s were E21s

good luck on the purchase

CuriousMustangGuy · 02-27-2005, 08:37 AM

HAHA! thanks. I'm on the East Coast of North Carolina and if everything checks out with the mechanic on monday then I'll get some photos of her up after I buy it. I pretty much do all the work myself, I'm guessing the first thing I should do is get a Haynes manual.

'89 635 csi · 02-27-2005, 08:49 AM

Save your money on the Haynes and buy the Bentley!

CuriousMustangGuy · 02-27-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by '89 635 csi@Feb 27 2005, 09:49 AM
Save your money on the Haynes and buy the Bentley!

[snapback]300280[/snapback]

What's the difference?

spiff325is · 02-27-2005, 12:07 PM

you should read over some of the stickies that are up so you can be up to date on the end of the badging.

2700 sounds nice, and if the car is a "3__iS", then you will definetly have a good deal.

witeshark · 02-27-2005, 12:12 PM

My E30 325i is wonderful. Makes me happy even when I have to drive among morons from hell. If the inspection turns out good, it should be just great. Is the timing belt recent? Valve adjustment?

Fuggly · 02-27-2005, 04:02 PM

check out the Haynes manual online and get the bentley manual too

SynSyx · 02-27-2005, 10:09 PM

regarding the E numbers, they are BMW's classification for the different chassis. unfortuneately i only know the 3 series numbers, which are:

E30 - first 3 series, i think from years '86(?) -> '91
325, 325e, 325i, 325is, 325i convertible, m3
E36 - years '92 -> '96/7(?)
325i, 325i conv, m3, 325is(?)
E46 - newest 3 series, years '98 -> '05

'06 3 series' will have a new E__ chassis code, not sure what it is yet

hope that helps!

Gomerino · 02-27-2005, 10:46 PM

start here:

http://www.bmw-forums.com/forum/inde...howtopic=29008

spiff325is · 02-28-2005, 11:27 AM

thanks G, good link to that thread.

Mustangguy, definetly click that link, it has lots of useful info, and also read over the "COnsidering buying an E30" thread.

CuriousMustangGuy · 02-28-2005, 09:58 PM

Thanks guys for the info, it'll help. I tried to get the car to a mechanic for a compression test today but I got off work to late for them to take me. I'll try again tomrow. Can't wait I want this beotch in my driveway!

Kowalski · 03-01-2005, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CuriousMustangGuy@Feb 28 2005, 08:58 PM
Thanks guys for the info, it'll help. I tried to get the car to a mechanic for a compression test today but I got off work to late for them to take me. I'll try again tomrow. Can't wait I want this beotch in my driveway!

[snapback]301459[/snapback]

just buy a compression test from lordco and return it after.

CuriousMustangGuy · 03-03-2005, 07:05 AM

Compression test checked out! 120 in all 6 cylinders. Just a few minor things, slight oil leak, slight transmission leak, an needs a tune up (distributor cap/roater, oil change power steering fluid) Nothing major, so on my lunch break today I'll go to da bank and ask for some money!