New Vancouver Island Member

[coastdog]

Just sayin' hi. New Bimmer owner this year - 1990 525i for myself and a 1988 325i for my son (not yet signed up).

[Blackice]

Welcome to the site.

[Mr. Red]

welcome to the forum! more info about the car please!

[phantom]

Hey Thomas, welcome to the board and congratulations on owning your first bimmer. You and you son are off to a good start.

[coastdog]

Sorry, I got called away last night before I could finish the post.
I had been listening to my bimmer-owning friends raving about their rides for so long I went out in September and picked up my very own E34. My son has been working and saving up for his first car. He's fallen in love with our bimmer and with the idea that you CAN buy a quality used vehicle at a reasonable price. Just this last weekend, he picked up an '88 E30 325i. 197k, electric sunroof, cruise control and even heated seats! I'm actually a bit jealous ....

[kyleadkins]

Heya bud, welcome, small world out there huh?!

[jkcma]

Very nice A little more details about the cars please. Any immediate issues you need to deal with right away?

[coastdog]

We're very pleased with both cars. I did do a bunch of preventative stuff on the 525 - rear camber kit, timing belt, belts, hoses, ignition harness, etc. Replaced a faulty light control module. Picked it up from Tyee Imports in Campbell River - a Japan import (LH drive) with only 75000 kms (what do they do with their cars over there..!?!). Interior is near perfect for an 18 year old car (never got driven enough to get dirty), and it drives well. Impressed with the transmission. Shifts smooth and the sport and manual modes are fun. Not really any issues of note at the moment. It needs paint (and about 50 more Hp). I'd love to strap a big 'ol Turbo on it and surprise my 535 friends ...

The 325 we bought privately this past weekend. Nice older guy (like me) with a stable full of Bimmers. Just bought a '95 3-series and was running out of room at his condo. His wife drove a nice loaded '95 525. I believe we're now the third owners of this 325. It's an automatic, 197k on the dial. Once again, a near perfect interior. Repainted sometime in the recent past but no rust showing. Power windows, sunroof, mirrors, heated seats, cruise control and everything works. I still cannot believe this car is 20 years old. Lots of jam in this baby too. I'm starting to think there's something to this loyalty thing with the BMW brand ...

[phantom]

Congrats on your new bimmers and welcome to the site. Both yours and your son's look to be in excellent condition. Nice!

[jkcma]

Originally Posted by coastdog We're very pleased with both cars. I did do a bunch of preventative stuff on the 525 - rear camber kit, timing belt, belts, hoses, ignition harness, etc. Replaced a faulty light control module.

Do you work on the car yourself? or do you know a good local mechanic or euro garage?

[adrian_325]

Originally Posted by coastdog I'm starting to think there's something to this loyalty thing with the BMW brand ...

bmw = great cars = loyablty. you are now part of the club

hi thomas

congrats on your 525i and your son getting his 325i. both off to a great start. looking forward to your son joining us here on the site too.

[coastdog]

I know a couple of mechanics. One guy that I now through work spend time on the racing circuit wrenching 3-series (I don't know where) and has offered to help. One local shop in Campbell River seem to have a good working knowledge of BMW's and have been a big help, also I guy I went to school with has a successful performance shop. He did the timing belt, valves, etc. at a very fair price. Parts and labour for the whole job was hundreds less than what the German "specialty" garage quoted - just to change the timing belt. Buyer beware ..... The only bad experience so far was the suspension place that installed the rear camber kit. Estimate was 3 to 4 hours, but it was more like two days! That little experience sure did a blitzkrieg on my wallet ...... I'd like to find out more about enhancing the performance of my 5'er (M20). Anyone have any advise on the matter? Anyone have experience with Miller Performance in Abbotsford?

[Blackice]

Sounds like you have a some great contacts.

If you want to wake up either one of those cars, I would first look in to a performance chip. Enhanced Automotive Technologies or E.A.T. make the best chips in the industry. Mark D'Sylva, owns the place and does all of the programming. He is a great guy, easy to talk to and he really knows his shit.

Not the worlds cheapest chip @ 229 us, but the best, and you can have things like the RPM limiter changed, if you want. Bang for buck, this will most likely be the best mod you can make. Here is Mark's site http://www.dsylva-tech.ca/ I put one of Marks chips in my 318.... It is like a added one more cylinder. I would highly recommend a EAT chip.

I personally have not dealt with Miller, although I have heard that they are great guys. They make a MAF kit for most bmw's.... It will cost more than a chip and will require some rewiring, the kit comes with a chip as well. Not sure on the price....

Good luck, and keep us up to date with your quest for the perfect pair of Bimmers