Project E34 535i Restoration
Discussion
It is a great car, dare I say now having been restored and upgraded probably the best driving 535i out there!
I had not really factored in an engine rebuild though. We'll see how I get on.
As for selling the car, I have put a huge amount of research, effort and cash into this project to do it right. As you can see from the photographs. I had not planned on selling it as I am really enjoying the way it drives.
I had not really factored in an engine rebuild though. We'll see how I get on.
As for selling the car, I have put a huge amount of research, effort and cash into this project to do it right. As you can see from the photographs. I had not planned on selling it as I am really enjoying the way it drives.
Checked all the other possibilities today and it's defiantly a crank bearing. Took advice from a good engine chap I know and he said that as the car had been in storage and used very infrequently over the last 12 years, covering only a few hundred miles between MOTs, the engine would become dry of oil having oil drained into the sump. When the car was started, perhaps jumped on a flat battery the natural thing is to rev the engine which would have caused microscopic damage which has created a wear point which has developed perhaps over 10,000 miles. He compared it to a cold start time a thousand. So a proper bottom end rebuild is needed. 
This guy has been in automotive development for donkeys years. Engines thrashed from cold and standing engines is a big problem - well more than I thought. Once an engine is warm it will do a million miles.
Strip down tomorrow, micrometers and feelers, hopefully the crank is not scored then some new shells will do the job. If not its an engine out job, crank regrind etc. It a real shame as the engine sounds sweet and has perfect compression.
Never the less it will be done properly.
Lesson learnt be wary of stored low miles cars!
Strip down tomorrow, micrometers and feelers, hopefully the crank is not scored then some new shells will do the job. If not its an engine out job, crank regrind etc. It a real shame as the engine sounds sweet and has perfect compression.
Never the less it will be done properly.
Lesson learnt be wary of stored low miles cars!
Great celebrations and jubilations!!
Went to the garage this morning, got the car on the ramps, started - er put the clutch in, noise stops, release the clutch noise starts. So it not the engine and jumping up and down celebrating I clonked my head. Layshaft or clutch release bearing, which is not mission critical.
I can't believe I lost my faith in the M30 engine.
Normal service is resumed.
Went to the garage this morning, got the car on the ramps, started - er put the clutch in, noise stops, release the clutch noise starts. So it not the engine and jumping up and down celebrating I clonked my head. Layshaft or clutch release bearing, which is not mission critical.
I can't believe I lost my faith in the M30 engine.
Normal service is resumed.
Jobbo said:
Ah, if he didn't see it then that's a different matter. Whenever I discuss symptoms with my specialist on the phone, it's always something else entirely in the flesh 
My clutch release bearing is audible too, not something I'm going to worry about.
The garage got to wrong and they are normally very good. Relived.My clutch release bearing is audible too, not something I'm going to worry about.
|http://thumbsnap.com/MnQd177E[/url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/nEeoBTc1[/url]
They are hewn from granite and when tight and fresh drive beautifully. Sadly so many are neglected and 20 years takes its toll even on the best examples. I have really enjoyed this project. Still a few things to do, but the list is short now. OCD and car restoration go well together. I will list all the work done!
Spotted this for sale seems like a very good price for a manual 'big six' e34 with an LSD
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C294237#
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C294237#
Doubt I will ever sell this car is so pure and involving. I have not driven my new BMW for 3 months!
What's it worth perhaps invested £7,000 in the mechanicals? I would like to get £4,000 - I know there is a song by the Everly Brothers but if you want a better than new e34 manual 535i which you won't have to spend a bean on for at least 10 years!
What's it worth perhaps invested £7,000 in the mechanicals? I would like to get £4,000 - I know there is a song by the Everly Brothers but if you want a better than new e34 manual 535i which you won't have to spend a bean on for at least 10 years!
Jobbo said:
You sound like you're torn between keeping it and selling, Bogracer. If you do decide to sell, speak to Derin of bmwclassics.co.uk - he seems to carry out full renovations along the lines of what you've done, but he asks for (and gets) a fair bit more than the £4k you think yours would fetch.
I am just sounding out the possibilities. It's matching the cars with the enthusiasts. There are some really nice cars on the site, I guess he has quite a following. I had a 328i Cabriolet with a hardtop and struggled to get people out to it, but the first person that did come out in 3 months brought it on the spot!
It elevating it above the bangers, I have tons of receipts and photographs of all the work - a say £7,000 spent I dare not add it up it's always more than you think or delude yourself, justifying it to the wife!
I just enjoy the restoration project and the finished result.
Looking at the prices on his site it perhaps worth a little more.
Edited by Bogracer on Wednesday 20th June 19:28
E31Shrew said:
pits said:
Shame that 540i for sale is a saloon but it is f
king gorgeous nonetheless
He's a good friend of mine. Have spent many happy hours just gazing at the effort that has gone in to his cars. The 8 series he has is stunning! [ No black roof I hasten to add!!!]king gorgeous nonetheless Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff