You can't be Cirrius - BMW E34 535i
Discussion
To the utter surprise of the people in my life, I recently picked up a bargain E34 5 Series in Cirrus Blue:
(Dealer photos)
As background, I have a very boring car history of 2005 Fiesta, 2010 Focus, 2013 3 Series. I was hardly interested in cars at all, then one day I read about how engines work and it was really interesting, so I was hooked. I've been searching a lot of odd things and E34s just stuck in the head, but everything I looked at was some combination of 300 miles away, or automatic, or a diesel, or a 518, or a terrible interior, or terrible alloys, or modded in some mad way, or having a spoiler. Then Covid happened and we decided to get rid of one of the cars since we were both working from home for the foreseeable, and we need new windows on the house so the BMW sale would pay for that with a good bit left over. Arranged sale for Tuesday, and on Monday this car came up on eBay and I was round to view it like a shot. 1988, 535i, 88,000 miles. Test drove, deposit paid, for pick up Thursday.
On pickup, drove it home, all feels fine engine-wise like I remember, no wobbles up to 80mph. Bonus of a folder full of history (actually came from Yorkshire to Edinburgh), original carpet mats hidden under some cheap rubber ones, electric sunroof which I actually didn't even notice on the test drive.
Some bad points though: horribly modern radio, back footwells full of woodchips (?), leak in the boot, and a LOT of bodywork needing done but I was looking for something to work on anyway. And there's a lot to work on:
Rust on the driver door
Lacquer peel on bonnet
Scrape on driver side rear
Rotten carpet in driver side rear footwell
So this is a thread to track progress of some of this work - I've ordered a crapload of materials for this and I guess this can be a record of how I get on / a pre-commitment to trying my hardest to do a good job and not embarrass myself too much. I've never done anything like this but I love a good handy project (as I'm an accountant by day and so the total opposite), and it was cheap enough that if I totally cock it up I won't feel too bad about it. However in my life I've done one oil change, changed 6 discs and pads, and replaced 1 battery so I have a lot to learn. I am good at reading and following instructions though!
My wife started off saying she was happy for me to buy the car, then when I got it home she said she didn't like it and would never drive it. Then she said actually the alloys are quite cool and the only good thing about it. Then she said the engine actually sounds really nice. So this can also be a record of how she feels about it too. My 4 year old daughter already loves it because I took her out for a run and we went really fast, faster than mummy's car can go.
(Dealer photos)
As background, I have a very boring car history of 2005 Fiesta, 2010 Focus, 2013 3 Series. I was hardly interested in cars at all, then one day I read about how engines work and it was really interesting, so I was hooked. I've been searching a lot of odd things and E34s just stuck in the head, but everything I looked at was some combination of 300 miles away, or automatic, or a diesel, or a 518, or a terrible interior, or terrible alloys, or modded in some mad way, or having a spoiler. Then Covid happened and we decided to get rid of one of the cars since we were both working from home for the foreseeable, and we need new windows on the house so the BMW sale would pay for that with a good bit left over. Arranged sale for Tuesday, and on Monday this car came up on eBay and I was round to view it like a shot. 1988, 535i, 88,000 miles. Test drove, deposit paid, for pick up Thursday.
On pickup, drove it home, all feels fine engine-wise like I remember, no wobbles up to 80mph. Bonus of a folder full of history (actually came from Yorkshire to Edinburgh), original carpet mats hidden under some cheap rubber ones, electric sunroof which I actually didn't even notice on the test drive.
Some bad points though: horribly modern radio, back footwells full of woodchips (?), leak in the boot, and a LOT of bodywork needing done but I was looking for something to work on anyway. And there's a lot to work on:
Rust on the driver door
Lacquer peel on bonnet
Scrape on driver side rear
Rotten carpet in driver side rear footwell
So this is a thread to track progress of some of this work - I've ordered a crapload of materials for this and I guess this can be a record of how I get on / a pre-commitment to trying my hardest to do a good job and not embarrass myself too much. I've never done anything like this but I love a good handy project (as I'm an accountant by day and so the total opposite), and it was cheap enough that if I totally cock it up I won't feel too bad about it. However in my life I've done one oil change, changed 6 discs and pads, and replaced 1 battery so I have a lot to learn. I am good at reading and following instructions though!
My wife started off saying she was happy for me to buy the car, then when I got it home she said she didn't like it and would never drive it. Then she said actually the alloys are quite cool and the only good thing about it. Then she said the engine actually sounds really nice. So this can also be a record of how she feels about it too. My 4 year old daughter already loves it because I took her out for a run and we went really fast, faster than mummy's car can go.
Job 1: clean it - no pictures as I forgot and it was a bit boring anyway.
Job 2: leaky boot. This was a weird one as it was damp so I took the lining out to dry and left it overnight, then it rained again and a lot of water got in so it must be a recent leak or the boot would have been in much worse condition. Googled it to no luck, poked at the sunroof and eventually traced it to a tiny pinhole at the edge of the boot lid:
No idea how this even happened - suspect something recently stuck in the boot lid and got slammed down a couple of times to pierce it. Stuck a bit of tape over it for now and problem (temporarily) solved, and will get some filler in it when I crack the tub open at some point.
My neighbour said I should rack up some easy jobs and it'll feel good to get some quick wins, and he was right!
Job 2: leaky boot. This was a weird one as it was damp so I took the lining out to dry and left it overnight, then it rained again and a lot of water got in so it must be a recent leak or the boot would have been in much worse condition. Googled it to no luck, poked at the sunroof and eventually traced it to a tiny pinhole at the edge of the boot lid:
No idea how this even happened - suspect something recently stuck in the boot lid and got slammed down a couple of times to pierce it. Stuck a bit of tape over it for now and problem (temporarily) solved, and will get some filler in it when I crack the tub open at some point.
My neighbour said I should rack up some easy jobs and it'll feel good to get some quick wins, and he was right!
nblr said:
Job 2: leaky boot. This was a weird one as it was damp so I took the lining out to dry and left it overnight, then it rained again and a lot of water got in so it must be a recent leak or the boot would have been in much worse condition. Googled it to no luck, poked at the sunroof and eventually traced it to a tiny pinhole at the edge of the boot lid:
No idea how this even happened - suspect something recently stuck in the boot lid and got slammed down a couple of times to pierce it. Stuck a bit of tape over it for now and problem (temporarily) solved, and will get some filler in it when I crack the tub open at some point.
That looks like a weld that's been painted overNo idea how this even happened - suspect something recently stuck in the boot lid and got slammed down a couple of times to pierce it. Stuck a bit of tape over it for now and problem (temporarily) solved, and will get some filler in it when I crack the tub open at some point.
nblr said:
My wife started off saying she was happy for me to buy the car, then when I got it home she said she didn't like it and would never drive it. Then she said actually the alloys are quite cool and the only good thing about it. Then she said the engine actually sounds really nice. So this can also be a record of how she feels about it too. My 4 year old daughter already loves it because I took her out for a run and we went really fast, faster than mummy's car can go.
My girlfriend loves my E34 - I think she'd kill me if I sold it! They do get under your skin. Just modern enough that you can use them all day everyday if you wanted, but classic and old enough to be interesting, and, these days, a rare sight on the road!Over a week in and buzzing back and forward like a hyperactive kid. Plan is to work through all the basic maintenance in the Bentleys maintenance book and see how I get on.
Jobs actually completed:
Oil change, easy peasy
Took out air filter, looks brand new, put it back in
Fixed a second boot leak from a loose light unit and chased out the spider living in it who made a new web on the bumper every night
Took side trim off the rusty door, cleaned underneath
Jobs in progress:
Tried to get at gearbox oil, couldn’t figure out a way to raise it and keep level with 2 ramps, 2 jack stands and a smallish jack. Plan to ask neighbour if he has 2 more jack stands to borrow And get it level.
Sanding the rusty door, got a lot done but weather not good enough to try painting. Currently looks a state but better than the rust!
Tried to replace cabin filter using LHD instructions in reverse, took glovebox out and realised they didn’t reverse everything and should have been taking driver side out. Too annoyed to start again today so instead...
Took horrible Pioneer radio out to replace with old looking Continental one with Bluetooth etc, but Pioneer connector doesn’t work on the new one. Read about radios for a bit, bought a new connector to replace it, hopefully I can figure that out when it comes.
Took off driver’s door card, no rust inside! Couldn’t figure out how to detach the cable for opening, bought some waxoyl to do the inside to be safe.
Trying to evict the other three spiders who live in the wing mirrors and the front bumper and who each build their own new web every night.
Driving:
Love it - it’s not hugely fast but it sails along nicely at maybe slightly above legal speeds. The steering feel is really nice, the sound, the feeling of weight and sheer class, the old car smell.
Gearbox isn’t smooth however and would make it perfect - gearbox oil will hopefully make a difference.
Parking it is a bloody nightmare. Wing mirrors are rubbish but visibility is actually really good when driving if you look over your shoulder instead. No tints and generous (original) glass.
Wife’s opinion:
The looks are growing on her but no desire to drive it yet. I’m not pushing it as hope I can make the gearbox a bit better first as I think that’ll put her off.
Jobs actually completed:
Oil change, easy peasy
Took out air filter, looks brand new, put it back in
Fixed a second boot leak from a loose light unit and chased out the spider living in it who made a new web on the bumper every night
Took side trim off the rusty door, cleaned underneath
Jobs in progress:
Tried to get at gearbox oil, couldn’t figure out a way to raise it and keep level with 2 ramps, 2 jack stands and a smallish jack. Plan to ask neighbour if he has 2 more jack stands to borrow And get it level.
Sanding the rusty door, got a lot done but weather not good enough to try painting. Currently looks a state but better than the rust!
Tried to replace cabin filter using LHD instructions in reverse, took glovebox out and realised they didn’t reverse everything and should have been taking driver side out. Too annoyed to start again today so instead...
Took horrible Pioneer radio out to replace with old looking Continental one with Bluetooth etc, but Pioneer connector doesn’t work on the new one. Read about radios for a bit, bought a new connector to replace it, hopefully I can figure that out when it comes.
Took off driver’s door card, no rust inside! Couldn’t figure out how to detach the cable for opening, bought some waxoyl to do the inside to be safe.
Trying to evict the other three spiders who live in the wing mirrors and the front bumper and who each build their own new web every night.
Driving:
Love it - it’s not hugely fast but it sails along nicely at maybe slightly above legal speeds. The steering feel is really nice, the sound, the feeling of weight and sheer class, the old car smell.
Gearbox isn’t smooth however and would make it perfect - gearbox oil will hopefully make a difference.
Parking it is a bloody nightmare. Wing mirrors are rubbish but visibility is actually really good when driving if you look over your shoulder instead. No tints and generous (original) glass.
Wife’s opinion:
The looks are growing on her but no desire to drive it yet. I’m not pushing it as hope I can make the gearbox a bit better first as I think that’ll put her off.
Lovely OP, that ticks a lot of boxes - manual and SE spec on a 535i. Well done
Agree with you on modern radios in older cars too. The below might be helpful, it’s a list of manufacturers and equivalent models for the BMW Bavaria range. As an 1988 model you’d be looking at the likes of the first ones on the list, they sometimes crop up on German EBay:
•BMW Bavaria C II - Blaupunkt BP9455
•BMW Bavaria C REVERSE II - Blaupunkt BP9475
•BMW Bavaria C Business - Becker BE0774
•BMW Bavaria C Professional - Becker BE0776
•BMW Bavaria Electronic CD - Blaupunkt New York SCD08
•BMW Bavaria C Business RDS - Pioneer KE-92ZBM
•BMW Bavaria Electronic CD II - Blaupunkt München SCD09
•BMW Bavaria C Reverse RDS - Blaupunkt BP1836
•BMW Bavaria C Professional RDS - Becker BE1801
•BMW Bavaria C III - Blaupunkt BP1830
•BMW Bavaria C Reverse III - Blaupunkt BP1835
•BMW Reverse RDS - Blaupunkt BP4836 (early) / Blaupunkt BP6262 (late)
•BMW Business RDS - Philips DC785
•BMW Business CD RDS - Blaupunkt CD23
•BMW Professional RDS - Becker BE2450
•BMW Business CD - Blaupunkt CD43
Agree with you on modern radios in older cars too. The below might be helpful, it’s a list of manufacturers and equivalent models for the BMW Bavaria range. As an 1988 model you’d be looking at the likes of the first ones on the list, they sometimes crop up on German EBay:
•BMW Bavaria C II - Blaupunkt BP9455
•BMW Bavaria C REVERSE II - Blaupunkt BP9475
•BMW Bavaria C Business - Becker BE0774
•BMW Bavaria C Professional - Becker BE0776
•BMW Bavaria Electronic CD - Blaupunkt New York SCD08
•BMW Bavaria C Business RDS - Pioneer KE-92ZBM
•BMW Bavaria Electronic CD II - Blaupunkt München SCD09
•BMW Bavaria C Reverse RDS - Blaupunkt BP1836
•BMW Bavaria C Professional RDS - Becker BE1801
•BMW Bavaria C III - Blaupunkt BP1830
•BMW Bavaria C Reverse III - Blaupunkt BP1835
•BMW Reverse RDS - Blaupunkt BP4836 (early) / Blaupunkt BP6262 (late)
•BMW Business RDS - Philips DC785
•BMW Business CD RDS - Blaupunkt CD23
•BMW Professional RDS - Becker BE2450
•BMW Business CD - Blaupunkt CD43
Thanks Leins but too late, I already bought one, modern tech but looks more like the right period.
Before:
After:
Like I said earlier, the Pioneer wiring harness didn’t fit the new radio, so I bought a universal one and a packet of bullet connectors. I checked a couple of wires earlier and they had male connectors, so I put male connectors on all the new wires, then discovered it was actually some random ordering of male and female so ended up taking half of them off again and putting females on. I should be more pessimistic about everything!
Once I did that it was pretty easy - wires are all colour coded so just had to transfer each wire one at a time over to the new harness.
The new radio has Bluetooth and can stream from phone so is ideal for what I wanted - I can’t even remember where I saw it linked but if it was here thanks very much bud! No CD though so I sadly won’t be able to play my daughter’s nursery rhyme CD.
Before:
After:
Like I said earlier, the Pioneer wiring harness didn’t fit the new radio, so I bought a universal one and a packet of bullet connectors. I checked a couple of wires earlier and they had male connectors, so I put male connectors on all the new wires, then discovered it was actually some random ordering of male and female so ended up taking half of them off again and putting females on. I should be more pessimistic about everything!
Once I did that it was pretty easy - wires are all colour coded so just had to transfer each wire one at a time over to the new harness.
The new radio has Bluetooth and can stream from phone so is ideal for what I wanted - I can’t even remember where I saw it linked but if it was here thanks very much bud! No CD though so I sadly won’t be able to play my daughter’s nursery rhyme CD.
nblr said:
Thanks Leins but too late, I already bought one, modern tech but looks more like the right period.
Before:
After:
Like I said earlier, the Pioneer wiring harness didn’t fit the new radio, so I bought a universal one and a packet of bullet connectors. I checked a couple of wires earlier and they had male connectors, so I put male connectors on all the new wires, then discovered it was actually some random ordering of male and female so ended up taking half of them off again and putting females on. I should be more pessimistic about everything!
Once I did that it was pretty easy - wires are all colour coded so just had to transfer each wire one at a time over to the new harness.
The new radio has Bluetooth and can stream from phone so is ideal for what I wanted - I can’t even remember where I saw it linked but if it was here thanks very much bud! No CD though so I sadly won’t be able to play my daughter’s nursery rhyme CD.
Looks great .Before:
After:
Like I said earlier, the Pioneer wiring harness didn’t fit the new radio, so I bought a universal one and a packet of bullet connectors. I checked a couple of wires earlier and they had male connectors, so I put male connectors on all the new wires, then discovered it was actually some random ordering of male and female so ended up taking half of them off again and putting females on. I should be more pessimistic about everything!
Once I did that it was pretty easy - wires are all colour coded so just had to transfer each wire one at a time over to the new harness.
The new radio has Bluetooth and can stream from phone so is ideal for what I wanted - I can’t even remember where I saw it linked but if it was here thanks very much bud! No CD though so I sadly won’t be able to play my daughter’s nursery rhyme CD.
Very suitable for the Car
This brings back memories 
.
Some years ago, I bought an E34 off a mate who needed some cash quickly (and hence it was cheap). Lovely for wafting about in, and for a barge it handled surprisingly well. Unfortunately, it was the earlier 8-valve 525i so lacked decent grunt. The 535i was a much nicer drive and sounded lovely. It was Schwarz Black, which was a PITA to keep clean but looked nice when the sun caught it. Really wished it was a 535i!
However, we needed something more practical to lug the dogs around in so chopped it in for an E46 Touring which was a great replacement. Still have fond memories of the E34 though.
. Some years ago, I bought an E34 off a mate who needed some cash quickly (and hence it was cheap). Lovely for wafting about in, and for a barge it handled surprisingly well. Unfortunately, it was the earlier 8-valve 525i so lacked decent grunt. The 535i was a much nicer drive and sounded lovely. It was Schwarz Black, which was a PITA to keep clean but looked nice when the sun caught it. Really wished it was a 535i!
However, we needed something more practical to lug the dogs around in so chopped it in for an E46 Touring which was a great replacement. Still have fond memories of the E34 though.
Nice work OP
I recently bought a m50 engined 525i (narrow grille) and the only thing that I’m miffed at is it’s taken me so long to buy one. I had an e30 touring back in 2010 ish, but the e34 just seems a step up in every way - build quality, suspension/ride quality, steering feel.
Good luck with yours
I recently bought a m50 engined 525i (narrow grille) and the only thing that I’m miffed at is it’s taken me so long to buy one. I had an e30 touring back in 2010 ish, but the e34 just seems a step up in every way - build quality, suspension/ride quality, steering feel.
Good luck with yours
During the week, had a few spare hours so thought I would get stuck into this rusty driver’s door.
To start:
Levered off the stupid trim pieces that catch the dirt and cause the problem, sanded and kurusted:
First effort at masking:
Unfortunately I’m a total amateur and tried to do something way outside my capabilities which caused an obvious join:
So today, found another couple of hours to sand the whole bottom of the panel and the rear door too and try again:
And I used too low a grade of sandpaper so close up it looks a bit rubbish with obvious scratches but it’s a reasonable 10 yard job, if a bit too matt in the sun:
I thought the primer and paint would fill in the scratches a bit better but apparently not, you need special primer for that. Lesson learned.
On driving, I love the induction noise and finally have an appreciation for car noise. I lived in a block of flats where there was a guy with an R8 and modded exhaust who would park under my kitchen window and scare the poo out of me when I was eating my cornflakes.
Wife still hasn’t driven it. She was going to walk to her dads with one of the kids and asked me to pick them up, so was going to surprise her by turning up in the e34, but then she decided to take her own car because she was running late. I’ll get her another time, dammit.
To start:
Levered off the stupid trim pieces that catch the dirt and cause the problem, sanded and kurusted:
First effort at masking:
Unfortunately I’m a total amateur and tried to do something way outside my capabilities which caused an obvious join:
So today, found another couple of hours to sand the whole bottom of the panel and the rear door too and try again:
And I used too low a grade of sandpaper so close up it looks a bit rubbish with obvious scratches but it’s a reasonable 10 yard job, if a bit too matt in the sun:
I thought the primer and paint would fill in the scratches a bit better but apparently not, you need special primer for that. Lesson learned.
On driving, I love the induction noise and finally have an appreciation for car noise. I lived in a block of flats where there was a guy with an R8 and modded exhaust who would park under my kitchen window and scare the poo out of me when I was eating my cornflakes.
Wife still hasn’t driven it. She was going to walk to her dads with one of the kids and asked me to pick them up, so was going to surprise her by turning up in the e34, but then she decided to take her own car because she was running late. I’ll get her another time, dammit.
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