Hey! Just purchased by first Bmw

[eLano325]

At 20 years old you go through, what 'adults' could call a phase. I believe I have just begun a life time phase.

My first car was a Mistubishi eclipse and that did the job for almost exactly a year (Tomorrow) Until I decided it was time for something awesome.

I found a 1986 325es with 116,000mi on craigslist for $500. That's not a typo, $500. Yes..it needs work.

It's white and the person who owned was still in high school so there were some dings which I am not worried about. The struts and tie rods weren't anything I would brag about either. Wiring is funky but otherwise the motor runs beautifully. Still plan on doing a tune up.

Thing is, i'm more of an 'entry-level' mechanic. I plan on making this car last a very long time and becoming the town's bad ass car on the streets.

I would love to hear any advice to tune up my princess. Tip and tricks, easy fixes, and effective ways of tuning (Among things like where to start)

Glad to finally be part of the BMW family. Thank you guys.

Oh by the way, her name is erika.

[brettski]

Welcome to the Werkz. It sounds like you have a rough diamond and your ready to start polishing it. Have fun and post plenty of pictures as you work. You probably want to start with all the fluids, the first thing you'll probably find (if its an auto) is that there is no transmission oil dipstick. BMW's way of saying STFO of here, at least until the gear box fails. The manufacturer of the gearbox has recommended to me that the oil should be changed, so hunt around for some model specific details on doing this, or getting someone else to do it for you.