1988 325i, M20B25, automatic. Video attached: cold start after sitting 6 days (sound on).

The problem
- If the car sits for 5 days or more, it cranks about 1 second and catches, but then runs very rough for 10 to 20 seconds. It feels like 1 or 2 cylinders are dead. Sometimes it stalls on the first try.
- Right after start there's a strong raw fuel smell from the exhaust.
- Revving to about 3,000 rpm clears it right away. After that it runs perfectly, and it starts fine for the next 2 to 3 days.
- It got worse over July to September until it wouldn't start at all and had to be towed.

Already done
- New injectors, spark plugs and timing belt this spring
- Head work in April
- In September the shop added fuel check valves (front and rear). Rail pressure now holds after shutdown. They told me they checked the injectors and didn't think they were the problem, but I'm not sure what test they did, or if they actually tested them at all.
- Distributor cap, rotor and plug wires are still original.

My guess
One injector drips while the car sits and floods that cylinder. Cap/rotor/wires plus moisture is my second guess, but I don't think moisture would clear instantly at 3k rpm.

Questions

1. Does this sound like a leaking injector, or am I missing something?
2. What's the easiest way to find which cylinder it is, without much equipment?
3. Has anyone had a new injector leak like this?

Thanks!

I'm curious for those who have replaced OEM parts with either other BMW model parts or aftermarket upgrades, what was the single best upgrade you think you've done to your E30 and why?

It’s rod bearings 1,2 and 3!

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I feel stupid by asking this but the less I have to look for obscure rubber pieces, the less my mental health is affected by it. I’ve looked for images but they all really look like seals

I'm not sure if this is allowed in this subreddit but I thought someone in the Boston area may be interested in taking these off my hands (not looking to ship these).

I have a pair of comfort seats out of a coupe (leatherette/vinyl, tan) and a reinforced subframe, slotted for toe and camber adjustments with poly bushings already installed. DM me if interested:

Subframe: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CfKz6uKBF/

Seats: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cn9QdS2Hr/

Hi yall, just bought this pedal box to complete my 1990 325i manual swap. My car is an airbag car but my steering wheel is already swapped, so I don’t really care about retailing airbag features. I have heard there is a difference in the pedal box between the nonairbag and airbag cars. Will this pedal box work in my late model airbag car?

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It had a cover so something is either supposed to plug in like an old obd reader or I’m missing a component, does anyone know what should plug here? It runs off from the main harness and was around the same length as the alternator plugs, was also apart of the same split off from the main harness as the alternator plugs. Any help is appreciated

Hi all 👋Any whereabouts of parts sourcing in germany when I plan a visit next month ? Other than shcmidman .thanks

The engine is m40b18 in e30 318i from 1988

I need the part number for these two hoses

One goes to the heater and the other goes from the heater

Pls help me i was looking at bmwfansinfo but i couldn't find it🙏🏽

Yesterday my car started idling weird and shaking, and now I have a rattling noise coming from my exhaust, nothing from the engine bay. Tbh, I do think that this came from punching it too hard on 1st gear yesterday. Car runs fine and everything just drives with subtle jerks.

I have talked to a few buddies and we’re thinking the cat got messed up, or ICV maybe TPS

Hi, I'm looking for sports seats or M3 seats in Europe (foldable or not) If anyone is selling them at a good price—even if they're torn—that's fine, since I plan to restore them myself.
People are selling these for over 2,000€ in France and that's becoming rare.
I have a contact in Germany who can arrange delivery there; otherwise, delivery to France would be great.
Thanks

If anyone is interested I'm developing the engineering to retrofit an F-series steering column into the airbag E30 geometry. This will let you use modern wheels with paddle shifters. These columns run about $30 and another $100 for some 3D printed parts.

Telescoping will definitely still work and eventually tilt.

Just drove and parked the car, came back 15 minutes later and saw when I turn the key it gets stopped before the ignition process starts. It turns the stereo and clock on, but the key won’t turn any further and the steering wheel seems to lock. Is my battery dead?

UPDATE: thanks everybody. Got it working. Turns out the ignition lock cylinder must be worn out because I had the key in and had to tap the key into the keyhole like a hammer, wriggle it, and it worked. The key is new I just made it based on the spare key, since the main key is really worn down. I want to replace the ignition lock cylinder but it seems hard to find a new replacement. If anybody knows where I can get a new part let me know! I’m in SF CA

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Weiß jemand aus Europa woher ich noch Kotflügel für vorne links finde, welche keine 1000€ kosten?