Project E34 535i Restoration
Discussion
Zwolf said:
Bogracer said:
Does anyone know of another good 535i manual for sale, looks like I am going to have to refers another for one of my mates?
I think Mikey W often half thinks of selling his (shown earlier in the thread), so may be worth PMing for a chat. Mikey's is black mate, and its bloody lovely too;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The 525i 24v i found has sold, but i found another it's a tourer though, that doesn't put my off though 'cos my current daily driver is a E Class estate 320CDI W211.
I'm not clear on which years the E34 had self levelling suspension. They get complicated changing suspension ?
Ideally I'd want to put new suspension on, like a KW or Bilstein Kit to lower it and make it more sport rather than SE
Any guidance ?
I'm not clear on which years the E34 had self levelling suspension. They get complicated changing suspension ?
Ideally I'd want to put new suspension on, like a KW or Bilstein Kit to lower it and make it more sport rather than SE
Any guidance ?
r4_rick said:
The 525i 24v i found has sold, but i found another it's a tourer though, that doesn't put my off though 'cos my current daily driver is a E Class estate 320CDI W211.
I'm not clear on which years the E34 had self levelling suspension. They get complicated changing suspension ?
Ideally I'd want to put new suspension on, like a KW or Bilstein Kit to lower it and make it more sport rather than SE
Any guidance ?
Zwolf will be be along in due course to offer definitive guidance but I think the only E34's to have self levelling suspension are the tourings and the M5. I'm not clear on which years the E34 had self levelling suspension. They get complicated changing suspension ?
Ideally I'd want to put new suspension on, like a KW or Bilstein Kit to lower it and make it more sport rather than SE
Any guidance ?
bmthnick1981 said:
Mikey's is black mate, and its bloody lovely too;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Lovely, truley lovely, how much?http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I think SLS was a cost option on the 540 saloon - 540 Tourings have it, and my 540iA saloon does not.
Anyway , all hail Bogracer for a superb job, I can't wait for pics of the final outcome.
And I think Bogracer's basic premise is very sound. I've had my E34 about 4years and it has got right under my skin; often I still look at it over the shoulder when parking and walking away and frankly have no plans to change it for anything else. Since the tub is in great condition (as are the mech bits mostly tbh) spending money now to drive a solid one for another 5yrs + is actually very appealing. And rather cheap, on a scale of seeking something *much* newer with equivalent all-round capability and character (....which then wouldn't be an E34!)
I appear to have argued myself into a corner. Oh hardship
Anyway , all hail Bogracer for a superb job, I can't wait for pics of the final outcome.
And I think Bogracer's basic premise is very sound. I've had my E34 about 4years and it has got right under my skin; often I still look at it over the shoulder when parking and walking away and frankly have no plans to change it for anything else. Since the tub is in great condition (as are the mech bits mostly tbh) spending money now to drive a solid one for another 5yrs + is actually very appealing. And rather cheap, on a scale of seeking something *much* newer with equivalent all-round capability and character (....which then wouldn't be an E34!)
I appear to have argued myself into a corner. Oh hardship
Thanks for all the support, as I am starting to look in the mirror and go, er I am going mad!
The A/C has been delaying things, the pump going for a rebuild turned out it was rusty on the bearing shaft, which could contaminate the system damaging bearings and seals. So - a brand new pump, gulp. The heat exchanger fan has arrived from Germany.
I had cleaned and hand painted the diff casing, which was not good enough so I have masked off all the gasket surfaces with ply wood templates, going to the bead blasters and is going to be powder coated in matt silver.
Had all the rear interior out as part of changing the rear suspension.
That's about it so far . . . we continue
The A/C has been delaying things, the pump going for a rebuild turned out it was rusty on the bearing shaft, which could contaminate the system damaging bearings and seals. So - a brand new pump, gulp. The heat exchanger fan has arrived from Germany.
I had cleaned and hand painted the diff casing, which was not good enough so I have masked off all the gasket surfaces with ply wood templates, going to the bead blasters and is going to be powder coated in matt silver.
Had all the rear interior out as part of changing the rear suspension.
That's about it so far . . . we continue
Bogracer said:
Does anyone know the cost of replacing lost keys for an E34 535i?
I have been offered one from a deceased estate, it's been garaged for 3 years but they can't find the keys!
By all accounts is in very good shape.
probably about the same as it would be for my car - £135 or so from BMW. they'll need ID, proof of ownership and full chassis details etcI have been offered one from a deceased estate, it's been garaged for 3 years but they can't find the keys!
By all accounts is in very good shape.
Zwolf said:
It's also a much simpler design of engine that generally runs to much higher mileages without developing expensive little issues as it goes about it. As with Ross, I'd go 535i or 540i but the six cylinder 530i or 525i 24v are also good bets. The 525i in practice feels no slower than the V8 530i, but with better economy into the bargain.
The 6-cyl 530i is probably rather rare too; it was not much cheaper than a 535i when new, but not much faster than a 525i, so was (like the later 530i V8) the worst of all worlds. It was also less powerful than the 24v 525i, which (having had a 530i V8 myself), would be my choice if I couldn't have a 535i or 540i.bmthnick1981 said:
You'd have to contact him, not sure it is actively for sale at the moment but it was not so long ago.
It think it's a bit too good to be a restoration/refresh project as it's so original and low miles, no doubt £5,000 worth!A good car that needs a little love to be made into a fresh car - it took me two years to find this 535i
Bogracer said:
bmthnick1981 said:
You'd have to contact him, not sure it is actively for sale at the moment but it was not so long ago.
It think it's a bit too good to be a restoration/refresh project as it's so original and low miles, no doubt £5,000 worth!A good car that needs a little love to be made into a fresh car - it took me two years to find this 535i
Bogracer said:
bmthnick1981 said:
You'd have to contact him, not sure it is actively for sale at the moment but it was not so long ago.
It think it's a bit too good to be a restoration/refresh project as it's so original and low miles, no doubt £5,000 worth!A good car that needs a little love to be made into a fresh car - it took me two years to find this 535i
Its a balancing act, need to buy a car at right price to justify the expense of mechanical restoration/refresh. That's the tricky bit. The car I brought was pretty much a 1 owner car with 90,000 miles and verified history. However, even thought it was in excellent comparative health, age related issues were incredible on the strip down - if you want an as new or better drive.
bmthnick1981 said:
Zwolf will be be along in due course to offer definitive guidance but I think the only E34's to have self levelling suspension are the tourings and the M5.
Is that why my 518i Touring sits on its f
king arse all the time?Can't really see it, but mine is always sat on its arse, especially with the full tank of fuel, always getting blinded at night by following drivers because it sits that low on the back
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