Maintenance Log
This list shows a fairly complete account of everything I have done to this car since purchasing it in 2005. I may have forgotten a few things here & there (like checking fluids & such), but all the important stuff if here! If it wasn't obvious before, it should be now: E30s are big money pits!
- Date
- Description / Details
- Odometer [mi]
- Cost
- 05/29/2011
- Engine Overhaul 2011
- 212,024
- $800
- Replaced timing chain deflector sprocket
- Replaced ALL air/coolant/oil gaskets (except head gasket), coated both sides with Permatex high temperature non-curing gasket sealer
- Replaced both profile gaskets, sealed with Permatex Ultra Black silicone RTV
- Replaced oil pressure regulation valve with updated parts
- Replaced ALL plastic and rubber air/coolant/oil hoses, boots, plugs, unions, elbows, O-rings, pipes
- Replaced and sealed ALL metal O-rings
- New NGK BKR6EK spark plugs
- Replaced oil filler cap
- Replaced coolant expansion tank and cap, tank bracket and coolant drain screw
- Replaced water pump and thermostat
- Replaced intake air filter
- Replaced alternator/water pump V-belt and PS pump V-belt
- Reset ECU / unplugged battery
- Thoroughly cleaned oil pans, timing case, timing case covers, valve cover, oil filter housing, splash guard, skid plate
- 5 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + Mahle filter
- Coolant flush + bleed
- Repaired stripped threads in upper oil pan, timing case, cylinder head
- Replaced missing M8x80 bolt in lower timing case, M6x18 bolts in lower oil pan
- 05/15/2011
- Fuel Injection Electrical System Maintenance
- 211,729
- $0
- Cleaned carbon track on TPS
- Reset ECU / unplugged battery
- Separated LC-1 heater power and analog grounds (analog ground shared with Motronic, heater separate)
- Connected ECU EGO "signal -" to LC-1 analog ground
- Recalibrated LC-1 to have max output of 0.9V at rich condition
- 05/07/2011
- Fixed Fuel Injection Wiring + Other Maintenance
- 211,333
- $40
- Repaired bad connection at fusible link on fuel injection systems main power wire
- Replaced passenger side kick panel cover / speaker grille
- Replaced backlight bulb in headlight switch panel
- 04/11/2011
- Oil Change + Other
- 210,542
- $50
- 5 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + Mahle filter
- Checked other fluids - all OK
- Replaced valve cover breather hose
- 01/17/2011
- Checked Tires
- 208,097
- $0
- Inflated tires to 33 front / 35 rear
- 01/02/2011
- Driveline Fluid Purge, Bled Clutch
- 207,654
- $20
- Bled clutch hydraulics, added ATE Super Blue fluid
- Changed transmission fluid, used 1.3 qt. RedLine fully synthetic MTL
- Changed differential fluid, used RedLine fully synthetic 75W-90 gear oil w/ additive for limited-slip units
- 12/04/2010
- Illuminated Shift Knob, Keyless Entry & General Maintenance
- 206,865
- $325
- Installed OEM M-Technic shift knob & boot
- Installed an Omega Research REC-43T keyless entry system
- Replaced the following light bulbs: HVAC backlights, ash tray lights, OBC key backlight, glove box light, dome lights, all tail lights, trunk lid light, license plate lights
- Checked fluids: added 2 quarts Mobil-1 10W-40 full synthetic, topped-off coolant with 50/50 antifreeze/D.I. water mix
- 11/26/2010
- New Rear View Mirror
- 206,716
- $55
- Installed OEM rear view mirror with map lights
- 11/25/2010
- Rebuilt Driver's Side Door Lock
- 206,680
- $35
- Rebuilt driver's side door lock assembly
- 07/30/2010
- Oil Change + Antenna Replacement + New Shocks
- 202,524
- $600
- 5 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + Mahle filter
- New Hirschmann OEM power antenna
- New Bilstein HD shock absorbers
- 06/16/2010
- Oil + Battery Check
- 200,495
- $50
- 1 quart Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
- Checked battery voltage: 12.4V off, 13.8V running
- 05/21/2010
- Sunroof & Exhaust Maintenance + Tire Check
- 199,663
- $70
- Replaced sunroof guide rails
- Installed Damplifier & thermal pad on sunroof
- Fixed exhaust leaks on downpipe
- Inflated tires to: 31 psi front / 33 psi rear
- 05/16/2010
- General Maintenance
- 194,440
- $50
- Replaced hood ground strap
- Replaced battery negative cable
- Installed Damplifier & thermal pads on hood
- 05/02/2010
- Fuel System Overhaul
- 198,921
- $200
- Installed TRE Performance 255LPH fuel pump
- New fuel filter
- Replaced all soft fuel lines
- Installed Bosch EV6 209 cc/min injectors
- Reset ECU
- 04/18/2010
- Replaced Weatherstripping
- 198,200
- $240
- Replaced hood, trunk & sunroof weatherstripping
- 04/17/2010
- Oil & Tire Check
- 197,960
- $7
- Added 1 quart Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
- Tires inflated to: 32 psi front / 34 psi rear
- 02/06/2010
- New HID Kit
- 195,823
- $60
- New DDM low-profile 35W 4500K kit w/ relay harness
- 02/01/2010
- MAF Converter Rebuild
- 195,730
- $20
- Built converter circuit into EMI-shielded case, update to PICWare 5.3
- 01/30/2010
- Oil Change
- 195,540
- $40
- 4 quarts RedLine 10W-40 full synthetic + 1 quart Rislone + Mahle filter
- 01/23/2010
- Exhaust Maintenance
- 195,141
- $25
- Replaced all rubber exhaust hanger parts
- 01/22/2010
- Checked Tires
- 195,099
- $0
- Tires inflated to: 31 psi front / 33 psi rear
- 12/21/2009
- Cleaned MAF Sensor
- 192,999
- $0
- Cleaned MAF sensor with contact cleaner & Isopropyl alcohol
- 11/28/2009
- Winter Engine Maintenance
- 192,405
- $600
- Replaced all V-belts
- New throttle cable
- New stock Mahle air filter
- New cooling fan clutch
- New stock spark plugs (NGK BKR6EK)
- New ignition coils (Bremi/STI 11859T)
- New ignition coil boots (Bremi 13249A1.8)
- Replaced timing chain tensioner piston
- New Bosch LSU 4.2 WB EGO sensor
- Z3 1.9L "short shift" kit
- Replaced water pump and thermostat (88°C)
- Reset ECU
- 11/23/2009
- Oil Check
- 192,080
- $8
- Added 1 quart of Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
- 10/10/2009
- Oil Check
- 190,036
- $7
- Added 1 quart of Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
- 08/25/2009
- New Catalytic Converter
- 188,520
- $200
- Replaced catalytic converter with CA-legal unit for SMOG test
- Passed SMOG test with wide margin
- 08/21/2009
- Oil Check
- 188,276
- $7
- Added 1 quart of Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
- 08/12/2009
- New Upholstery
- 187,800
- $900
- Reupholstered all seats with micro-suede upholstery kit from Creative Options
- 08/03/2009
- Recalibrated LC-1 Controller
- 187,557
- $0
- Reset WBO2 calibration data & ECU
- 05/29/2009
- New Tires + Alignment
- 185,095
- $350
- Four new Bridgestone Potenza RE950AS tires
- Wheels balanced + alignment @ Custom Alignment of Mountain View, CA
- 05/27/2009
- 13-Button OBC Retrofit
- 185,043
- $80
- Installed E30 13-button OBC
- 05/26/2009
- Oil Change
- 184,996
- $52
- 4 quarts RedLine 10W-40 full synthetic + 1 quart Rislone + Mahle filter
- 04/25/2009
- Checked Fluids
- 183,320
- $0
- Checked all vehicle fluids, all levels OK
- 04/02/2009
- Replaced Front Control Arm Bushings
- 182,092
- $100
- Replaced FCABs with 1996 M3 solid bushings (PN 31-12-9-069-035)
- Suspension alignment
- 03/19/2009
- Bled Brakes
- 181,575
- $0
- Bled brakes, added ATE amber brake fluid
- 03/11/2009
- Suspension & Chassis Overhaul
- 181,535
- $500
- New stock engine mounts
- New stock transmission mounts
- New stock rear trailing arm bushings
- New stock rear subframe mounts
- New stock differential bushing
- New rear wheel bearings
- 03/09/2009
- Weatherstripping & Speakers
- 181,445
- $180
- Replaced door weatherstripping (both sides)
- Installed Hi-Vi 6.5" co-axial speakers in front kick panels
- 03/09/2009
- Oil Check
- 181,445
- $7
- Added 1 quart Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
- 01/10/2009
- Brake Maintenance & Bumper Trim
- 178,848
- $260
- Replaced brake pads: Axxis Ultimate
- Resurfaced rotors
- Bled Brakes
- Installed Euro Bumper Trim
- 10/19/2008
- Oil Change
- 175,133
- $40
- 4 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + 1 quart Rislone + Mahle filter
- 09/16/2008
- Installed Sound Deadening
- 173,750
- $550
- Removed all stock tar damping panels
- Installed Damplifier rubber/aluminum damping material on all interior surfaces & panels
- Installed 1/8" closed cell foam on top of Damplifier
- 08/25/2008
- Replaced LC-1 Control Module
- 172,459
- $0
- LC-1 control module died - replaced under warranty
- 08/24/2008
- Exhaust Maintenance
- 172,401
- $60
- Replaced muffler straps & hangers
- 07/31/2008
- Ignition Maintenance
- 171,258
- $30
- New stock spark plugs (NGK BKR6EK)
- Replaced ignition coils (Bremi/STI 11859T)
- 07/10/2008
- Checked Tire Inflation
- 170,613
- $0
- Tires inflated to: 32 psi front / 34 psi rear
- 07/08/2008
- Misc. Chassis Maintenance
- 170,568
- $50
- Repaired & repainted front "iS" lip
- Reinforced skid plate mounting points
- Replaced transmission & differential fluids with RedLine lubricants
- 07/01/2008
- Replaced Rear Subframe Bushings + Oil Check
- 170,104
- $112
- Replaced old polyurethane subframe mounts with new poly ones
- Added 2 quarts of Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic
- 06/30/2008
- Installed Differential
- 170,092
- $200
- Installed used 4.10 small-case LSD
- 05/24/2008
- Replaced Oxygen Sensor + Misc.
- 169,115
- $70
- Replaced Bosch LSU 4.2 WB EGO Sensor
- Checked battery water level and removed corrosion from posts
- 03/01/2008
- Rebuilt Vacuum System
- 165,331
- $100
- Replaced all vacuum hoses and intake boot
- 02/29/2008
- Oil Change + Misc.
- 165,041
- $35
- 5 quarts Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic + Mahle filter
- Checked upper oil pan bolts
- 10/10/2005
- Post-Purchase Maintenance [First 3 Years]
- 140,400
- $2000
- Complete timing case rebuild (all parts replaced)
- Installed Z3 1.9L steering rack
- Replaced alternator
- MAF conversion V5
- Paint restoration
- Installed OEM skid plate
- Installed LC-1 WBO2 System
- New brake pads & rotors, rebuilt calipers, ATE amber brake fluid
- [4 oil changes, all Mahle filters & Mobil-1 15W-50 full synthetic]
- Welded in reinforcements for rear anti-roll bars
- Boge TurboGas shocks + suspension alignment
- New driveshaft center support bushing/bearing
- New guibo
- Custom coil-on-plug ignition conversion
- Replaced tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE950
- New catalytic converter (~12/2005)
- Passed 2007 SMOG test with narrow margin
- Installed ApexCone 35W 4500K HID kit




