Project E34 535i Restoration
Discussion
derin100 said:
I know! They're amazingly fast cars huh? I sold an E34 530i last year(http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/1989_BMW_E34_530i_Saloon/index.html ). It was quite a low spec car (so I guess not too many heavy extras to lug around). I knew it felt 'fast' when I was driving it but a good friend of mine (NOT ME!)had it up to a true 150 mph on his GPS...amazing! And that was just a six-cylinder 530 with the official Vmax on one supposedly 'only' 141 mph.
http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Other/Models.htm
Interestingly, those figures also show that a 540i is only 0.1s slower 0-60mph than the 3.6L M5...(not that surprising though I guess given the difference in engine size?). But then the difference begins to tell against the 3.8L (i.e 0.5s difference).
I suspect it's the marketing department segmenting out the performance of the models.http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Other/Models.htm
Interestingly, those figures also show that a 540i is only 0.1s slower 0-60mph than the 3.6L M5...(not that surprising though I guess given the difference in engine size?). But then the difference begins to tell against the 3.8L (i.e 0.5s difference).
It the delivery and the feeling of involvement in the driving process.
I think the Manual 535i is quoted at 146 MPH. So it looks like the horses are still under the bonnet.
So much so my I have been using the car as my daily driver this summer, racking up 3,000 miles. It really can make rapid cross country progress, with great brakes and sporting yet comfortable suspension - and AC.
I have been driving other marques of the same vintage after reading the road tests of the time, just for fun. I think the nearest for me was a manual Carlton GSI 3000. Everything else was really off the pace, just being O.K rather than excellent.
A friend of a friend builds BMW race engines and cars and we are going to put the car on the rolling road to see what's what and adjust the map. He has built quite a few M30's for racing. The first steps are going to rolling road re-map, some better breathing and exhaust mods then maybe a ported and polished head. Should take the BHP up from 211 BHP to 260 - 280BHP.
I want to keep it looking stock and original and sleeper-ish.
The next stage is perhaps an Eaton Supercharger and Intercooler a really neatly engineered install to look OEM and will preserve the linear qualities of the engine. Which with sensible boost pressure is not stressing the engine should give another 50bhp. I will also have a switch to turn the unit on and off - for the sake of fuel consumption and polar bears.
The developed chassis deserves more power!
I think the Manual 535i is quoted at 146 MPH. So it looks like the horses are still under the bonnet.
So much so my I have been using the car as my daily driver this summer, racking up 3,000 miles. It really can make rapid cross country progress, with great brakes and sporting yet comfortable suspension - and AC.
I have been driving other marques of the same vintage after reading the road tests of the time, just for fun. I think the nearest for me was a manual Carlton GSI 3000. Everything else was really off the pace, just being O.K rather than excellent.
A friend of a friend builds BMW race engines and cars and we are going to put the car on the rolling road to see what's what and adjust the map. He has built quite a few M30's for racing. The first steps are going to rolling road re-map, some better breathing and exhaust mods then maybe a ported and polished head. Should take the BHP up from 211 BHP to 260 - 280BHP.
I want to keep it looking stock and original and sleeper-ish.
The next stage is perhaps an Eaton Supercharger and Intercooler a really neatly engineered install to look OEM and will preserve the linear qualities of the engine. Which with sensible boost pressure is not stressing the engine should give another 50bhp. I will also have a switch to turn the unit on and off - for the sake of fuel consumption and polar bears.
The developed chassis deserves more power!
The project is heading towards 'Ronin' replica which was the main reason for buying the car I suppose. It's one of the car chase greats. The cars used were 535i SE and Sports with M Tec turbine alloys. I have got the exhaust note just right.
I have tracked down the locations of the film and one day I might even take the car to Paris to take some pictures. It's all good healthy fun.
Does anyone think that there is a market for properly renovated and improved 'RONIN' replicas?
I have assembled the right specification Turbo parts to develop reliable stage one 430BHP, Stage 2 550 BHP and stage 3 up to 700 BHP!
Reading up and liaising with my race engine building friends, the M30 is very tough and tuneable even in standard form and they are getting a reputation as the thing to tune across Europe and in the US and they are pasting exotica on the track and big yank V8's on the drag strip. Check YouTube.
Reading up the history on the M30 it can trace it linage back to supercharged aircraft engines. So was originally designed be super tough and suitable for forced induction. The first BMW 'six' was an aircraft engine from 1911!
Thoughts?
I have assembled the right specification Turbo parts to develop reliable stage one 430BHP, Stage 2 550 BHP and stage 3 up to 700 BHP!
Reading up and liaising with my race engine building friends, the M30 is very tough and tuneable even in standard form and they are getting a reputation as the thing to tune across Europe and in the US and they are pasting exotica on the track and big yank V8's on the drag strip. Check YouTube.
Reading up the history on the M30 it can trace it linage back to supercharged aircraft engines. So was originally designed be super tough and suitable for forced induction. The first BMW 'six' was an aircraft engine from 1911!
Thoughts?
Jobbo said:
Bogracer said:
Does anyone know of any e34 M5 3.6 turbine alloys for sale?
I've been looking for some for my Sport; sadly haven't seen any in the 3 months or so I've had it. I think they'd suit your car better anyway, so I'll let you know if I do find some. Mine might look a bit too much like a fake M5 with them.Cheers,
James
Johnboy Mac said:
Bogracer said:
Does anyone think that there is a market for properly renovated and improved 'RONIN' replicas?
Thoughts?
If I was interested in going down that road, I think in all honesty I'd buy an original E34 M5, a 3.6 to be exact. Not taking anything away from your car or plans for a t/charger but a fairly standard E34 535iSE or Sport are a nice cars as is, without necessarily spending big money to have a half decent one. Still, I do see & understand the appeal of having an E34 sleeper with 400+BHP. Thoughts?
Changing all the under bonnet fuel pipes as there is a persistent niff of fuel, might as well replace the lot in one go when I have the inlet manifold removed. 20 year old rubber.
I am also looking at replacing all the pullies as these are noisy.
I am also looking at replacing all the pullies as these are noisy.
Edited by Bogracer on Thursday 19th July 07:14
My fathers new 535i in 89' had a Blaupunkt Toronto, 72' BMW 2002 Turbo a Blaupunkt push button radio. My 91' 525i tourer a Sony and my current 92' 535i a Sony. My Z3M Coupe and E39 M5 had BMW sound systems (with Harmon Kardon upgrades) my feeling is that a Blaupunkt is the most correct pre-BMW own brand sound systems, and they sit well with the BMW Teutonic interiors?
Looks very smart, it sit much better than these 'pin ball machine' stereos.. Does anyone know of a nice 525 TDS, I have always liked them?
I am in Spain Andelusia mountains and I have hired a Suzuki Jimny, which I dare to say is much better on road and off road than my Land Rover and has averaged 42 MPG. It's only alternative is perhaps a mountain goat! The motoring press slate it, it even fun on zig zag mountain roads. They are wrong. Cheap, fun and tough.
Meanwhile the 535i is having all its engine bay rubber fuel pipes replaced.
I am in Spain Andelusia mountains and I have hired a Suzuki Jimny, which I dare to say is much better on road and off road than my Land Rover and has averaged 42 MPG. It's only alternative is perhaps a mountain goat! The motoring press slate it, it even fun on zig zag mountain roads. They are wrong. Cheap, fun and tough.
Meanwhile the 535i is having all its engine bay rubber fuel pipes replaced.
Electrical gremlin fix suggestions from the E34 corner!
Happens more often on a damp wet day, the wipers stutter rather than sweep back and forth, the electric windows, sunroof, heated rear screen and A/C stop working. Damp, bad earth, any suggestions as why all these electrics are effected together?
Appreciate your help.
Happens more often on a damp wet day, the wipers stutter rather than sweep back and forth, the electric windows, sunroof, heated rear screen and A/C stop working. Damp, bad earth, any suggestions as why all these electrics are effected together?
Appreciate your help.
Edited by Bogracer on Wednesday 29th August 20:48
Bogracer said:
Electrical gremlin fix suggestions from the E34 corner!
Happens more often on a damp wet day, the wipers stutter rather than sweep back and forth, the electric windows, sunroof, heated rear screen and A/C stop working. Damp, bad earth, any suggestions as why all these electrics are effected together?
Appreciate your help.
Stripped out the fuse box, cleaned everything and put it back together. Hey all the crazy electrical behaviour has stopped, more luck than judgment!Happens more often on a damp wet day, the wipers stutter rather than sweep back and forth, the electric windows, sunroof, heated rear screen and A/C stop working. Damp, bad earth, any suggestions as why all these electrics are effected together?
Appreciate your help.
Edited by Bogracer on Wednesday 29th August 20:48
Update.
Brought some excellent rear door cards, upgrade Alpine speakers to replace the poor factory Nokia units, sourced a compatable 10 shuttle for the origional SONY head unit, sourced a boot liner and a new microfilter, which is a pig of a job to change hence I am sure it's the origional one from the factory, the blower even on full is pretty feeble. The fan only works on full, supposidly I need to replace the 'sword' under the dash.
Getting 28 mpg on the motorway, which is pretty good for an old school big six, still comfortable, smooth and quiet, suprisigly little wind noise.
Brought some excellent rear door cards, upgrade Alpine speakers to replace the poor factory Nokia units, sourced a compatable 10 shuttle for the origional SONY head unit, sourced a boot liner and a new microfilter, which is a pig of a job to change hence I am sure it's the origional one from the factory, the blower even on full is pretty feeble. The fan only works on full, supposidly I need to replace the 'sword' under the dash.
Getting 28 mpg on the motorway, which is pretty good for an old school big six, still comfortable, smooth and quiet, suprisigly little wind noise.
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