1995 BMW E34 525i
Discussion
Picked this up about six weeks ago, love it already, motor is a 24V single Vanos M50, Manual 5 speed box.
At some point it's had the interior re-trimmed in cream leather which is nice, paint is decent, it had slight rust at the fuel door which i dealt with, still working my way through a full service on it, changed the front suspension Thrust arms (advised in the last MOT), oil and filter change (Mobil 1 new life), changed the plugs and cam cover gasket (oil leaking into the plug recesses), going to change the anti freeze, gearbox and diff oils before the winter. Also going to change the serpentine belt tensioners and idlers, water pump looks fairly new, at 157,000 miles i'd be surprised if it still has the plastic one.
Sellers pics.
Never been one to leave things alone i decided to lower the front, got a set of Apex -30mm springs, just fitted the fronts as the rear was sitting fine, struts came off without too much hassle
New and original spring comparison, went for -30mm as any lower and shorter struts are needed, was also wanting to still be able to get a trolley jack under it without a fight.
Had these staggered 18" style 32's left over from a 750iL i had last year, they need reconditioned really so decided to sand them down and rattle can them satin black for now, annoyingly i found out i could have got them refinished professionally for a bargain £180
Tyres are 265/35/18 rear and 245/40/18 front.
265 rear next to a standard Metric tyre.
Pulled the plastic sill covers off and was pleased to find clean rust free sills, just gave it all a good clean and refitted them.
Pile of crap being held behind one sill cover, both sides were the same.
Fitted smoked front indicators and side repeaters, lightly tinted the rear lights with dark spray, will eventually replace the bright kidney grill trims.
Ignore the yellow side lights, these will be changed soon.
Really pleased with the end result, sits perfect (to my eyes), drives superb, with no dreaded BMW shimmy, will probably hang onto it for a while.
At some point it's had the interior re-trimmed in cream leather which is nice, paint is decent, it had slight rust at the fuel door which i dealt with, still working my way through a full service on it, changed the front suspension Thrust arms (advised in the last MOT), oil and filter change (Mobil 1 new life), changed the plugs and cam cover gasket (oil leaking into the plug recesses), going to change the anti freeze, gearbox and diff oils before the winter. Also going to change the serpentine belt tensioners and idlers, water pump looks fairly new, at 157,000 miles i'd be surprised if it still has the plastic one.
Sellers pics.
Never been one to leave things alone i decided to lower the front, got a set of Apex -30mm springs, just fitted the fronts as the rear was sitting fine, struts came off without too much hassle
New and original spring comparison, went for -30mm as any lower and shorter struts are needed, was also wanting to still be able to get a trolley jack under it without a fight.
Had these staggered 18" style 32's left over from a 750iL i had last year, they need reconditioned really so decided to sand them down and rattle can them satin black for now, annoyingly i found out i could have got them refinished professionally for a bargain £180
Tyres are 265/35/18 rear and 245/40/18 front.
265 rear next to a standard Metric tyre.
Pulled the plastic sill covers off and was pleased to find clean rust free sills, just gave it all a good clean and refitted them.
Pile of crap being held behind one sill cover, both sides were the same.
Fitted smoked front indicators and side repeaters, lightly tinted the rear lights with dark spray, will eventually replace the bright kidney grill trims.
Ignore the yellow side lights, these will be changed soon.
Really pleased with the end result, sits perfect (to my eyes), drives superb, with no dreaded BMW shimmy, will probably hang onto it for a while.
E34 friend 
The front ride height on mine is a bit high, especially since I put new shocks in... But meanwhile I've become prematurely old at the age of 26 and fallen in love with the ride. I've been wracking my brains trying to think of a way I can get it to run lower without destroying the ride.
You've a very nice interior, mine needs freshening up there being grey on grey throughout with a smattering of suspicious 'wood'. Very 90s!
The front ride height on mine is a bit high, especially since I put new shocks in... But meanwhile I've become prematurely old at the age of 26 and fallen in love with the ride. I've been wracking my brains trying to think of a way I can get it to run lower without destroying the ride.
You've a very nice interior, mine needs freshening up there being grey on grey throughout with a smattering of suspicious 'wood'. Very 90s!
Honestly, you wont destroy the ride with a -30mm drop on the front, especially if you keep the stock wheels and tyres.
I'm 45 and wouldn't live with a bone jarring ride these days
I dont think the stock E34 sits particularly high at the front, the way it's styled the front arches are huge compared to the rears, E38's are the same.
My car sits with a slight rake yet the arch gaps are the same front and rear (two fingers between tyre and arch lip)
I'm 45 and wouldn't live with a bone jarring ride these days
I dont think the stock E34 sits particularly high at the front, the way it's styled the front arches are huge compared to the rears, E38's are the same.
My car sits with a slight rake yet the arch gaps are the same front and rear (two fingers between tyre and arch lip)
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff