The BMW CCA Classic Car Raffle is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, and for good reason. This year’s featured prize is a meticulously maintained and refreshed 1988 BMW 325is – an icon among BMW enthusiasts. With its timeless design and legendary driving dynamics, the E30 325is is a car that holds a special place in the hearts of many. To ensure this raffle car stands out not just in appearance but also in performance, we’ve partnered with BimmerWorld, a trusted name in BMW parts and performance.
As the 325is undergoes its refresh, BimmerWorld is making sure it’s equipped with a suite of high-quality parts designed to enhance safety, reliability, and driving enjoyment. From stainless steel brake lines to precision-engineered suspension bushings, these upgrades maintain the car’s heritage while incorporating modern enhancements that bring it to peak condition. In this article, we’ll take you behind the scenes to explore how these upgrades are bringing this classic BMW back to life, ensuring it’s ready for one lucky BMW CCA member to take the keys.
BimmerWorld provides an OEM+ approach to performance and replacement parts from vintage to modern BMWs. They also operate a championship-winning race team from their headquarters in Virginia.
Link to all products listed below: https://www.bimmerworld.com/ssearch.html?query=E30CCA
Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit
Brake lines are an overlooked necessity to safety and braking performance. Older rubber lines that stay on the car for too long will swell internally, reducing hydraulic assistance. The rubber can also dry and become cracked and the risk of a blown hose is far higher. Brake hoses need to be replaced, not just upgraded. The BimmerWorld Teflon and stainless lines are the next evolution in brake hose technology – offering a stronger Teflon inner line with a robust stainless outer covering. All lines exceed DOT requirements.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/BimmerWorld-E30-6-Line-Stainless-Steel-Brake-Line-Kit.html
Stainless Steel Clutch Line
Rubber clutch hydraulic hoses suffer from the same age-related failures as brake hoses. Internal swelling will collapse the hose, leading to higher pressures and the more likelihood of a major clutch line failure. The BimmerWorld clutch line uses a PTFE inner core, stainless steel shell, and a clear PVC protective sheath to ensure strength, consistent and reliable performance, and long life.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/BimmerWorld-Stainless-Steel-Clutch-Line-100-23-530-0001.html
Valve Cover Gasket and end plugs
An M20 valve cover gasket replacement is an easy DIY task that takes minutes to complete. BimmerWorld insists on OEM or better gaskets for all of our work. But don’t forget the 4 rubber plugs for the rocker arm shafts – loose or poor fitting plugs will lead to more leaks.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Valve-Cover-Gasket-OEM-Elring-11121730229.html
CCV Outlet Hose
Attached to the valve cover this hose provides the exit for crankcase oil vapors. Loose or poor fitting hoses will cause additional oil leaks or stains.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Valve-Cover-Vent-Hose-E30-325e-325i-E28-528e-E34-525i-BMW-11151708801.html
Coolant Hoses
The M20 cooling system is complex with a network of hoses and connections. But keeping on top of coolant leaks is essential to the long-term investment and care of your E30. Work such as a new radiator, water pump, timing belt, or intake service should also take cooling hose replacement into consideration. Hoses are model-specific, ensuring the correct cooling performance, fitment, and longevity. We finished off the hose kit with a complete set of new OEM clamps.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Cooling-Radiator-Water-Pump-Hose-Set-E30-325i-88.html
Timing Belt & Water Pump
It’s well-known that the M20 uses a timing belt in lieu of a chain. But with recent timing chain failures on newer engines we think the timing belt suffers from an undeserved reputation for complex maintenance. Belt replacement is straight-forward and with plenty of access, especially with the radiator removed for replacement anyway. Our preference is to replace the belt every 6 years or 60,000 miles. A high-quality rubber belt such as from OE-supplier Continental is the preferred choice for strength, fitment, and consistent quality. Pair with an OEM belt tensioner and your M20 will continue to tick for many more years and tens of thousands of miles.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Timing-Belt-Accessory-Belt-Package-E30-325e-325i.html
Distributor Cap & Rotor
To keep the M20 singing, inspect or replace the ignition distributor cap and rotor regularly. Unlike on more modern engines, these components can be inspected – and even cleaned – for wear. Even a cap or rotor showing wear will allow the engine to run but to keep the M20 at peak performance and efficiency replace these parts as part of a scheduled maintenance plan.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/BMW-Distributor-Cap-12111715905-E30-E34-E38-E34-M5.html
Red Line Oil
Red Line produces fully synthetic oils, and other fluids, using only premium base stocks. This means more consistent lubrication and strength, higher zinc content, longer life, and modern additives.
Engine Oil – 10W40 High Performance
The Red Line High Performance oil is their traditional full synthetic, multi-viscosity engine oil with higher zinc (ZDDP) content than off-the-shelf oils. The ZDDP and high shear strength are important in an older engine with rocker arms. Too many modern oils have reduced zinc content in favor of other additives that can lead to the break-down at the molecular level, resulting in more friction and wear. Red Line full synthetics have some of the highest ZDDP and strength numbers in the oil business. The Red Line 10W40 outperforms heavier oils without giving up strength or protection.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Red-Line-10W40-Engine-Oil-Quart.html
Trans Fluid – MTL
Red Line MTL is a favorite for older BMW transmissions thanks to its optimum weight, synthetic base stocks that resist molecular break-down, and a GL-4 formula that is safe for internal brass components and syncros. Like its engine oils, the MTL uses only premium base stock synthetic petroleum to give un-matched levels of strength and performance under pressure.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Red-Line-MTL-Quart.html
Diff Fluid – 75W90
Like its close cousin MTL, the Red Line 75W90 gear lube is a fan-favorite in the BMW community. The 75W90 is correct for older “small case” BMW differentials and it works well in all temperatures, seasons, and conditions. The 75W90 is a GL-5 formula and correct for the hypoid-style rear end used in nearly all BMWs. This 75W90 includes friction modifiers for quiet and smooth engagement of factory BMW limited-slip differentials.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Red-Line-75W90-Gear-Oil-Quart.html
PS Fluid – D4ATF
Using the proper fluid in the power steering is essential to avoiding leaks and failures. Older BMWs require either ATF or hydraulic fluid for their hoses and hardware. Red Line ATF is a full synthetic but compatible with all other petroleum-based ATF oils. The synthetic base stocks give it some of the highest strength numbers while modern additives ensure long service life.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Red-Line-D4-ATF-Quart.html
Brake Fluid – RL-600
Red Line RL-600 is a “Super DOT4” brake fluid with an outstanding dry boiling point of 600F. This ensures consistent brake pressure and feel for almost any condition on street, autocross, or track.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Red-Line-RL-600-Racing-Brake-Fluid.html
Coolant – Supercool (with Water Wetter)
Red Line has the next-generation of performance coolant that is compatible with factory BMW antifreeze. SuperCool is Nitrate, Phosphate, and Silicate-free and uses a proprietary OAT (Organic Acid Technology) formula for corrosion protection and prevent deposits. Instead of the BMW standard 2-3 year lifetime of factory coolant, Red Line recommends a service life of 5 years/150,000 miles. The advanced formula offers superior protection against cavitation and improve heat transfer compared to standard glycol-based coolant.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Red-Line-SuperCool-Antifreeze-Coolant-Gallon.html
OPTIMA
OPTIMA is The Source for high-performance battery and electrical power. OPTIMA’s 40+ years of innovation has resulted in the longest-lasting, best-performing batteries for automotive, RV, marine, and powersports and are available in several sizes and types ideal for multiple BMWs.
YellowTop Battery – H6
The OPTIMA YellowTop batteries are ideal for 2nd or 3rd cars that are not driven daily but need to be ready at a moment’s notice. Like other OPTIMA batteries the YellowTop is a dry-cell, absorbent glass-mat (AGM), deep-cycle design. Compared with off-the-shelf lead-acid designs the YellowTop is leak- and spill-free, has greater vibration-resistance, and longer life. The H6 size is correct for the E30, requiring no alternative mounting kit or brackets.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/OPTIMA-H6-BMW-DIN-Direct-Fit-Replacement-Battery.html
Digital 1200 Charger/Maintainer
Dry-cell batteries have outstanding shelf life that far exceed old-fashioned lead-acid designs. Especially so with the OPTIMA YellowTop. But their internal charge needs to be maintained, especially if the car will sit for extended periods of time (weeks or longer). The Digital 1200 is the best OPTIMA-approved battery charger and maintainer for YellowTop and RedTop batteries. Unlike other battery maintainers, this one is specifically designed for AGM dry-cell batteries.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/OPTIMA-Digital-1200-12V-Performance-Charger-and-Maintainer.html
CSF
CSF is an OE supplier for several manufacturers and its Racing & High Performance division focuses on smaller, niche, cooling solutions for some of the most complex, fastest, highest-performing motor vehicles in the world.
Aluminum Radiator
The 1988+ E30 325i cooling system shares a radiator with the later E36 cousin. Unfortunately, it shares the dreaded plastic failures too. While most OEM-type plastic radiators will last several years the bulletproof solution is an all-aluminum design. CSF is among the industry leaders in high-performance cooling and their E30/E36 “CSF Race” aluminum radiator is a drop-in fitment for the stock piece. All of the factory hoses, clips, and fan shroud carry over.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/CSF-E36-Aluminum-Radiator.html
MEYLE HD
MEYLE HD parts are designed and engineered in Germany using an OE+ approach. MEYLE engineers use the original design but with several improvements in materials and design to make a component that lasts longer and performs better than the original without compromises to noise or ride quality.
Front Control Arms
The MEYLE HD arms are not built for efficiency and cost considerations. These are a ground-up design, done in Germany, while applying an OEM+ approach, and using premium materials and quality control. The E30 (shared with E36) front control arms feature HD inner and outer ball joints. These are designed with greater size and surface area to better handle load and minimize wear and tear. They’re also packed in a high-performance grease. Taken together, this is a control arm design that far exceeds any original, OEM, or cheap aftermarket in terms of performance and longevity.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/E36-Z3-Front-Control-Arm-Left-Side.html
Front Sway Bar Links
Like the control arms, MEYLE HD end links are built with oversized ball joints and high-performance grease. This is a ground-up redesign of the original part – incorporating German engineering and standards for quality and performance.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Meyle-HD-Front-Swaybar-Link-31-35-1-091-764-MY.html
Powerflex
Powerflex has been manufacturing urethane vehicle bushings since 1996. They know all there is about bushing materials and design and they employ a staff of vehicle dynamics engineers and materials engineers to apply urethane’s advantages to chassis and driveline systems.
Front control arm bushings
Continuing our OEM+ approach, we opted for Powerflex Street Performance control arm bushings to pair with the MEYLE HD arms. Powerflex engineers have extensive backgrounds in suspension design and dynamics and they design a bushing that improves handling and road feel but without great penalties in ride comfort or noise. Powerflex bushings are a direct-fit replacement for the original soft rubber and only require an initial application of grease.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/ssearch.html?query=e30+powerflex+fcab
Rear trailing arm bushings
Like with the front control arm bushings, the rear trailing arm bushings have been designed and engineered to provide a welcome increase in road feel and handling capability but without sacrificing ride comfort and noise. These are direct replacements for the original rubber and are better-suited for normal street driving than most other materials found in this location.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Powerflex-Rear-Trailing-Arm-Outer-Inner-Bushing-PFR5-306.html
Rear subframe & diff bushings
Powerflex is a cohesive design company – all of the components they offer are designed to work together. The driveline needs this cohesion more than any other system on the car. Vibration and driveline smoothness are paramount and that’s why Powerflex devotes great resources in the bushing material, size, and orientation of the subframe and rear differential bushings. Both subframe and diff mounts make great improvements in driving feel and performance in the E30. The Powerflex purple Street mounts improve performance thanks to less deflection but maintain driveline smoothness to minimize vibration.
Link: https://www.bimmerworld.com/ssearch.html?query=E30PFREAR
BMW CCA members can purchase tickets for a chance to win the 2024 BMW CCA Classic Dream Car at https://www.bmwcca.org/classic-raffle
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