94 325is

[1FST ZR-1]

Hi all first post. My wife and I just bought a blk/blk 94 325is 5Spd with 134k on it. What an amazing car it is just sweet cant imagine what a new one would be like. The overall condition is about 8/10 everything works and drives like new, no rattles or strange noises. My question is with this many miles are there things that I should do or check that would be known issues for BMWs, any help would be great and I will up load some pics asap. Thanks.

[BeachBunny]

Originally posted by 1FST ZR-1@May 14 2005, 10:00 AM
Hi all first post. My wife and I just bought a blk/blk 94 325is 5Spd with 134k on it. What an amazing car it is just sweet cant imagine what a new one would be like. The overall condition is about 8/10 everything works and drives like new, no rattles or strange noises. My question is with this many miles are there things that I should do or check that would be known issues for BMWs, any help would be great and I will up load some pics asap. Thanks.

[snapback]344492[/snapback]

.... THAT CAR HAS 134K MILES ON IT?!?!?!? WOW! It looks AMAZING!!!!!!!

When I got my car it had the same amount of miles on it and my mechanic told me that after about 100k the radiator and (something else that I forgot) usually needs to be replaced. Your car looks like someone took great care of it. I'm betting that there's already a new radiator in there? How much did you pay for it, if you don't mind me asking?

[1FST ZR-1]

Originally posted by BeachBunny+May 14 2005, 12:32 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BeachBunny @ May 14 2005, 12:32 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-1FST ZR-1@May 14 2005, 10:00 AM
Hi all first post. My wife and I just bought a blk/blk 94 325is 5Spd with 134k on it. What an amazing car it is just sweet cant imagine what a new one would be like. The overall condition is about 8/10 everything works and drives like new, no rattles or strange noises. My question is with this many miles are there things that I should do or check that would be known issues for BMWs, any help would be great and I will up load some pics asap. Thanks.

[snapback]344492[/snapback]

.... THAT CAR HAS 134K MILES ON IT?!?!?!? WOW! It looks AMAZING!!!!!!!

When I got my car it had the same amount of miles on it and my mechanic told me that after about 100k the radiator and (something else that I forgot) usually needs to be replaced. Your car looks like someone took great care of it. I'm betting that there's already a new radiator in there? How much did you pay for it, if you don't mind me asking?

[snapback]344494[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]
Thanks for the props. I will snap a few pics of the engine compartment and interior as soon as my wife gets back. The seller was asking 8k for it and I got it for 7.5k, and you are right it does have a new radiator on it plus a few other items that I think were just preventative maint. I am going to start with a header and cai for it, is there a well known tuner for recalabrating the computer or how is that done, with a chip? Sorry for all the questions I am kind of Jazzed. I have not felt like this Since I bought the ZR-1 2 years ago.

[NESS]

Yea I cant imagine what a new E36 must have felt like either. I have one just like yours with about as many miles and its so fun to drive. Mine just had the clutch replaced before I bought it and Im pretty sure it needs an 02 sensor so watch for that they usually go out at 100k.

[zlac109]

Originally posted by 1FST ZR-1@May 14 2005, 11:00 AM
Hi all first post. My wife and I just bought a blk/blk 94 325is 5Spd with 134k on it. What an amazing car it is just sweet cant imagine what a new one would be like. The overall condition is about 8/10 everything works and drives like new, no rattles or strange noises. My question is with this many miles are there things that I should do or check that would be known issues for BMWs, any help would be great and I will up load some pics asap. Thanks.

[snapback]344492[/snapback]

Well, first of all congratulations on the car and wellcome to this forum.

Let me say, the ride lloks amazing. Things to look at?

wel, given that the radiator is replaced, just give it a normal service, all the filters, spark plugs and the oil, check all the levels and put it up on a ramp and look for any sort of leaks. However judging from the condition on the pics it should be fine.

As the other gus said, O2 sensor, i whould check the computer for any error codes too and do to a mechanic to check/reset the values.

Other than that, just replace any light bulb that might be broken.

Agin wellcome and enjoy your ride

[zlac109]

Originally posted by 1FST ZR-1+May 14 2005, 01:48 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(1FST ZR-1 @ May 14 2005, 01:48 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>

.... THAT CAR HAS 134K MILES ON IT?!?!?!? WOW! It looks AMAZING!!!!!!!

When I got my car it had the same amount of miles on it and my mechanic told me that after about 100k the radiator and (something else that I forgot) usually needs to be replaced. Your car looks like someone took great care of it. I'm betting that there's already a new radiator in there? How much did you pay for it, if you don't mind me asking?

[snapback]344494[/snapback]

Thanks for the props. I will snap a few pics of the engine compartment and interior as soon as my wife gets back. The seller was asking 8k for it and I got it for 7.5k, and you are right it does have a new radiator on it plus a few other items that I think were just preventative maint. I am going to start with a header and cai for it, is there a well known tuner for recalabrating the computer or how is that done, with a chip? Sorry for all the questions I am kind of Jazzed. I have not felt like this Since I bought the ZR-1 2 years ago.

[snapback]344526[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]

Man ask all the questions you want, that's what the place is for and be as jazzed as you like she's a great ride, you have reason to

[jshearer]

Congrats on the car, I have the same thing 1994 325is and love it. Things to do......check your maintenance records and do an inspection. Not a normal one but a BMW one check this link to find out what I am talking about.
http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/ind...?showtopic=673
Take it to a BMW specialist mechanic and you will save a good deal over the dealer. Just call around or visit a couple of places and you will find a good/honest/trustworthy one.

Look around this forum many people have asked the same questions you are probably thinking. you can learn a great deal from just reading through older posts. You are still welcome to ask away though and we will do our best to help.


Upgrades you asked about:

you have to chip the car. The best chip you can buy is the Conforti chip from turnermotorsport.com. I put it in mine and there is a big difference. The intake can be a good idea as well as an exhaust. It really depends on what you want from the car. The thing to do is do some research and kinda plan out now what you want to do while you have the car. Then put in order of importance. I did the chip first because it is the biggest gains for your money, but if you are going ot be doing a bunch of stuff it is better to wait. There are places that will custome program a chip for you and all your specific mods.

There are 2 types of intake a "engine bay" one that is sealed off but still resides mainly in the bay, and a longer pipe that goes down and behind your fog light. There are ups and downs to both, but the gains from both are so similar that it is personal preference as to what you want.
check out
www.ecisbmw.com
www.turnermotorsport.com
www.activeautowerke.com
www.bavauto.com
www.cosmosracing.com
I am about ot buy an ECIS intake in the next week and think that it looks great form what my research.

As for headers they will not do much on our cars and you should rethink that.
Let us know if you have any other questions.

[Delmarco]

Check records. and do your basic AutoZone servicing.
Look for simple stuff you could DIY:
-Replace cabin Microfilter.
-Oil/ Coolant flush (you do not have to replace the radiator....thats bull)
-Check moldings and engine trim for wear.
-Check tires/brakes for wear.
-Ignition switch.

[loftygoals]

Your car looks great! I've got a 94 325i that I have driven the hell out of for the past 6 years. Over the life of the car my unscheduled maintenance issues have been:

Radiator @ 120k
Fuel pump @150k
Shocks @ 170k
Fan clutch & thermostat housing @ 185k
Rear wheel bearing @ 195k

The previous owner of your car did a great job updating it. With the new wheels, painted side skirts, and the addition of the side markers, your car looks much newer than a 94.

As for upgrades, I would definitely consider an ECU chip. Both Dinan and Conforti produce great software. Other easy bolt-ons would include a CAI and a Cat-Back setup. I love the Conforti CAI I just installed on my M3. It looks, sounds, and performs great.

If you have a manual, you might consider a lightweight flywheel and an M3 clutch. This isn't exactly a cheap and easy DIY type project. Despite the expense, it well worth it because it will go a long way in improving throttle response, getting more HP to the rear wheels, and increasing clutch holding power.

-bj

[Delmarco]

yeah you got the best car in your hood!

[1FST ZR-1]

Wow thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice!!! Great forum. When I ran the carfax on it I think it was a 1 owner car and it seems like it was taken care of very well. The undercariage and engine bay are very clean all the fluids look new, it is very tight in the steering and so far no leaks on the garage floor . The only gripe is that it has some kind of overspray on the hood and I am having to really work it hard with the clay bar but it is all coming off and oh my god does it look good, I will have to do the entire car now.
From the replys it sounds like there is quite a bit that can be done to up the perfomance level . I had looked at S/C it but its not a 50 state legal kit so I will do the cai, chip, lightweight flywheel and M3 clutch for starters also it has a new oem cat back and muffler, are there any decent mufflers to look into, the seller decided to paint the muffler and tips black with a rattle can so I would like to replace it asap. Thanks again for all the ideas and help, awesome site.

[jshearer]

go to turnermotorsport.com, m3motorwerks.com, or activeautowerke.com and look at the mufflers there. I personally like the aa or uuc ones. There are so many things that you can do to the car but alot of them are going to be minimal. I have not seen any data on a flywheel and clutch other than in someones mind. They are an expensive mod also. I am doing the when it brakes replace it with better of rmy clutch and such. There is no reason to do it earlier IMO. If you want speed and power there are other things to do first and you can do that later if you still want to.

[loftygoals]

Originally posted by jshearer@May 15 2005, 10:13 AM
I have not seen any data on a flywheel and clutch other than in someones mind. They are an expensive mod also.

[snapback]344686[/snapback]

jshearer is both right and wrong.

Yes, it is an expensive mod. I would wait to do it until your clutch needs to be replaced. The M3 clutch is almost the same price as the standard 325 clutch, but the flywheel will run you $500-$700. The installation of the flywheel won't increase the labor by more than an hour over just a clutch replacement.

Where I disagree with jshearer is that there is real world data for the performance gains. I have seen numerous dyno tests indicating HP gains in both 1st and 2nd gear. There is an on going debate about possible torque loss, though. I think the biggest improvement with the flywheel is drivability--the clutch engages quicker and RMP matching between shifts is fast and easier with the more responsive flywheel. With the new flywheel, my car has gone from feeling like a sports car to feeling like a race car.

UCC has some nice article(s) on the issue:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/how_...wheel_works.htm
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/ther...torque_loss.htm
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/LWF_DRAG_TEST.pdf

Personally, I went with AA's flywheel over UCC's because AA's isn’t as light. 12lb is supposedly the "magic" weight that prevents most chatter and all stalling with the factory software.

-bj

[Zig]

Great car ....

I just got the same with 117,000 on it but in a little worse mechanical condition...

But you should check the tensioner on the belts...

the car has three, one on the AC belt,

one on the top above the altinator and the third under and to the left of the altinator....

I lost one of them on the road in northern OK and it was not fun to get it replaced.

at the same time I had to redo a year old raditor since the seam split uner too much pressure when I lost the belts at 80 mph...

take care
zig