E34 M5 Ressurection!!
Discussion
After 5 years languishing in my garage, I finally decided to ressurect my E34 M5.
It's gonna be some undertaking to get back on the road as I garaged it 5 years ago with cooling problems. The head gasket went on the car and was repaired by BMW but the temperature guage is still very eratic and it occasionally throws water out of the nearside wheelarch. My local BMW indy seems to know these engines inside-out though and has volunteered to eat his own shoes if the head is cracked or the gasket is away again. Promising news.
Anything from an air-lock in the cooling system as a result of it not being bled properly to a dodgy heater valve are just a few of the suggestions they came up with. A new head is the best part of £5k so I only hope its not that.
I'm only the 2nd owner of the car and its covered less than 75k miles in its lifetime.
So, I've advertised my Alfa Spider in order to fund the 'resto'. I figure a fresh set of boots, some new hoses and a thorough service will sort her out and get her back where she belongs.
I'm hoping she'll be back on the road for August. I don't know why I've waited this long to get her back on the road.
I'll keep you all posted with developments!!
It's gonna be some undertaking to get back on the road as I garaged it 5 years ago with cooling problems. The head gasket went on the car and was repaired by BMW but the temperature guage is still very eratic and it occasionally throws water out of the nearside wheelarch. My local BMW indy seems to know these engines inside-out though and has volunteered to eat his own shoes if the head is cracked or the gasket is away again. Promising news.
Anything from an air-lock in the cooling system as a result of it not being bled properly to a dodgy heater valve are just a few of the suggestions they came up with. A new head is the best part of £5k so I only hope its not that.
I'm only the 2nd owner of the car and its covered less than 75k miles in its lifetime.
So, I've advertised my Alfa Spider in order to fund the 'resto'. I figure a fresh set of boots, some new hoses and a thorough service will sort her out and get her back where she belongs.
I'm hoping she'll be back on the road for August. I don't know why I've waited this long to get her back on the road.
I'll keep you all posted with developments!!
Invisible man said:
my wallet just fainted
Sale of my Spider should cover the costs. The car already owes me the best part of £17k(including the purchase price) so it was a labour of love before it even started!These are one of the best cars BMW have ever build imho and this ones really special to me.
My local indy has been making good noises about the problems being a lot less serious than I had always thought so I'm really hopeful.
Tyres, a few fresh hoses and a good service will still see me on the wrong side of a 4-figure bill, but whats the alternative? Leave it in the garage for another 5 years and do nothing?
Blasting down to Classic Le Mans next year in it will make it all worth it, I'm sure!
Had a good poke around underneath the car last night and it all seems fairly solid. Bushes etc look good but don't know how they'll stand up once the car is in use.
More of a worry is the cars suspension. According to what I read, it seems to be their Achilles heel. The rear is self-levelling and everything on them is bespoke M-Power stuff, as you'd expect. If the shocks and other bits and bobs need replacing, then I'm into mega-money territory. I'll then have to question whether its worth doing. Seems a shame to break a 75k mile car and I'll do everything to avoid that course of action.
Sadly, I don't have the original turbine wheels. They were really badly kerbed when I bought the car and I'd always wanted a set of 17" Alpinas on it, so thats what I did. I sold the turbines to fund the purchase of the Alpinas(£1500!!!!). Thats an Alpina spoiler on the back too, along with the steering wheel and gearknob.
The car also has a full buffallo leather interior with the individual rear seat option which I'm told is very rare in itself (is that true??).
Thanks for all your encouragement guys!!
More of a worry is the cars suspension. According to what I read, it seems to be their Achilles heel. The rear is self-levelling and everything on them is bespoke M-Power stuff, as you'd expect. If the shocks and other bits and bobs need replacing, then I'm into mega-money territory. I'll then have to question whether its worth doing. Seems a shame to break a 75k mile car and I'll do everything to avoid that course of action.
Sadly, I don't have the original turbine wheels. They were really badly kerbed when I bought the car and I'd always wanted a set of 17" Alpinas on it, so thats what I did. I sold the turbines to fund the purchase of the Alpinas(£1500!!!!). Thats an Alpina spoiler on the back too, along with the steering wheel and gearknob.
The car also has a full buffallo leather interior with the individual rear seat option which I'm told is very rare in itself (is that true??).
Thanks for all your encouragement guys!!
TimR69 said:
That's a lovely looking car.
Who is your local independent garage?
Are they a BMW indy?
Local BMW indy is a place called MotorTechnik in Kirkcaldy - ex-BMW mechanics who come highly recommended locally. My mate has taken his E30 M3 there for years.Who is your local independent garage?
Are they a BMW indy?
Edited by TimR69 on Thursday 9th July 12:20
asbo said:
You've made the right choice on selling the Fiat.
The E34 M5 is possibly the best BMW ever built.
I like my ALFA Spider, but a fully functioning E34 is the preferred alternative!
dan101smith said:
asbo said:
I wish I could have another. I've owned both a 3.6 and a late 3.8 6-speed.
Keep us posted.
You can.Keep us posted.
You could even have two if you wanted.
Go on.
I quite fancy one too...
A 3.6 with turbines would do me nicely.
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