Project E34 535i Restoration

[Bogracer]

pits said:

Is that why my 518i Touring sits on its fking 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

Ouch!

[pits]

So how do I fix it? I have had it on the ramps and can't see any airbags, and don't have the self level light as far as I can see on the dash.

[Johnboy Mac]

pits said:

So how do I fix it? I have had it on the ramps and can't see any airbags, and don't have the self level light as far as I can see on the dash.

I've my doubts it came with SLS. If I'm correct I'd be looking at replacing both springs and possibly shocks too and you may find some bushes past their best also.

[r4_rick]

So Bogracer, have you bagged another 535i to make us all more envious ? £135 for a fresh set of keys seems okay, if the car is good ?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Would a 518 Touring really have SLS? I would guess more like sagging read springs.

[Bogracer]

r4_rick said:

So Bogracer, have you bagged another 535i to make us all more envious ? £135 for a fresh set of keys seems okay, if the car is good ?

I have not seen the car in the flesh, it's a non runner (not started in some time) but its been sitting with a garage. Depend on how keen my mate is on having a car done. Might be a nail in the flesh.

Thanks for the key prices. I will investigate more.

[Bogracer]

Collecting a load of stuff from from the bead blasting and powder coaters. I spent ages masking off gasket faces with plywood cutouts hopefully it should be a nice job.

Edited by Bogracer on Thursday 19th January 17:47

[Bogracer]

Stripped down the AC pump to font it quite corroded inside, repairable but the danger is that the rust contaminates the system knackering bearings, filters and seals. So I have ordered a brand new OEM pump, better safe than sorry. Also the good news the system is the new type changed in 1992 with the legal Eco refrigerant. Phew.

[Mustard]

pits said:

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 fking 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

518i & 520I tourings have coil sprung rear suspension not self levelling, whilst SLS on an E34 tourings is not cheap to fix (it's rear only), it's nowhere near M5 money

Our Tds came with optional factory self levelling. Sports suspension (rear only) which s a bit over firm

Edited by Mustard on Thursday 19th January 20:19

[Pingman]

We'll i'll be dammed, I admired this car on eBay for a while and ummed and aarrred about travelling all the way to Scotland to look at it and now you own it

[Vroomer]

Mighty impressed BR.

Is this your job, or are you doing it evenings/weekends?

[Bogracer]

Vroomer said:

Mighty impressed BR.

Is this your job, or are you doing it evenings/weekends?

I have done/doing bits and bobs myself, sourced all the OEM parts from Germany, the running around, the diff, powder coating, I had a bespoke stainless steel exhaust made, the major work I have entrusted to my excellent local garage, a ramp makes life so much easier, so do the right tools and experience. I reckon two to three days labour. Birmingham is great for car restoration, loads of really good friendly specialist engineering firms. It's amazing how long the bitting and bobbing takes, finding the right nuts and bolts to replace everyone with new toughened ones, which can sap your garages time, and could double the bill! Seized bolts can now just be cut off making the strip down really quick.

I could do it all myself, but we would be waiting until next year, I run a business and have two children under the age of 5, which take up most of my time. I just want to get on and enjoy the car.

Edited by Bogracer on Friday 20th January 23:20

[Bogracer]

Pingman said:

We'll i'll be dammed, I admired this car on eBay for a while and ummed and aarrred about travelling all the way to Scotland to look at it and now you own it

Yes, it was a lucky Ebay purchase. I thought if it makes it back from Glasgow!

[bmthnick1981]

If you're still looking for another there is a low mileage manual one on ebay at the moment;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-BMW-5-SERIES-535-SE...

[Bogracer]

bmthnick1981 said:

If you're still looking for another there is a low mileage manual one on ebay at the moment;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-BMW-5-SERIES-535-SE...

Thanks for that I did look at it, white is not my favourite colour!

[Vroomer]

Those seats don't look like a 54,000 mile car. I sold one with 100,000 miles and the seats still looked new.

[jonstable]

Great thread, makes me feel tempted to go out and buy one. I still see my old 525i around. Had it at uni from 2004-2006. Brilliant cars! Always glad of an opportunity to stick up a pic

[Bogracer]

Nice one.

Well I thought I was crazy, I was in Sytners having my modern daily BMW serviced. A chap had brought an E30 318i as a £1,000 run around for his holiday home, the service manager said he was a wealthy customer and he had decided the he liked the car so much that he had told them to restore iIt - £30,000 and counting!

[Vroomer]

That is barking!

For that sort of money I bet you could find an ultra low mileage original example.

[Johnboy Mac]

Bogracer said:

Nice one.

Well I thought I was crazy, I was in Sytners having my modern daily BMW serviced. A chap had brought an E30 318i as a £1,000 run around for his holiday home, the service manager said he was a wealthy customer and he had decided the he liked the car so much that he had told them to restore iIt - £30,000 and counting!

Wow 30k!

An underrated E30, the 318i. I presume it has the lovely M10 engine but never 30k's worth. Anyway Bogracer, that will allow you to justify spending an extra 5k on your machine - you'll have twice the car at half the cost!

Edited by Johnboy Mac on Wednesday 25th January 17:57