Project E34 535i Restoration

[Bogracer]

Just completed the list of BMW OEM and upgrade parts from Motormec who are brilliant and specialise at sourcing OEM parts from Germany £2715.71!

www.motormec.co.uk

Aim to get the differential rebuilt next week ready for the total mechanical 'blitz'.

[Bogracer]

Limited slip diff check over and refurbish. A strip down revealed that my Ebay purchase was in rude health with no wear.
Just going to replace all the seals and bearings while its apart.

SY Motors that specialise in transmission in Birmingham have been really helpful with the project, and tremendously enthusiastic.
http://www.s-ymotors.co.uk/


Photos.

[Bogracer]

Oh I have set a Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/1992-E34-535i-Restor...

[Bogracer]

E38Ross said:

this is absolutely fantastic. the car will drive like new when you're done.

i'm glad their are people like you out there which means cars like these can live on. any plans for the engine....even if it's "just" a minor rebuild?

The car has only cover 90,000 miles, I have had then engine compression tested the engine and it's as new, removed the rocker cover to check the top end oil feeds and it's incredibly clean with zero sludge. Really the reason why I brought the car as a base project. I looked for 2 years to find a car this good that needed a sympathetic and detailed refresh. I want the new nimble E34 feel which is lacking in heavier modern BMW's, of which I own several. I have also owned M5's it think the E34 535i is an emerging hero and good one's are very rare indeed.

[Bogracer]

I have forsaken a little bit of originality by getting a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system made for the car. We spent all day getting the back pressure and sound just right, so there is a nice big six resonance without it being too noisy. Just an invigorating noise when you put your food down.

Edited by Bogracer on Sunday 11th December 21:29

[Bogracer]

Stitch said:

This is superb - keep up with the posts.

Nice to see one of these being brought back to new or better than new.

To me, BMW has never better the shape and style - they are just "right" somehow.

It's easy, forget how BMWs used to drive, when cars were lighter and more nimble, fresher and more involving, but first you need a fresh car. I tried a really low mileage car, but it still felt tired, aged suspension and brakes.

[Bogracer]

RiccardoG said:

Nice work, looking good.

Have you done any of the suspension bits yet? I am keen on refreshing my own BMW's suspension (an E39) and would be good to have a reccomended source.

I can recommend Motormec for sourcing BMW Origional Equipment Supplier parts, give them you chassis number and they will give you the right part by the the supplier for the year. I have upgraded the suspension to Bilstien custom set up, made specially for the car. I am expecting a delivery for nearly £3,000 worth of parts, suspension, brakes, steering, cooling, bushes everything!

[Bogracer]

I did a 325i sport refresh with a friend, the results were amazing. Then I did a 328i cabriolet e36 again it transformed the drive. Took me a while to sell the 328i above the average good/excellent price, but the first chap that drove it brought it. If the cars have not had the work done, it needs doing. I work back to front mechanicals first, cosmetics last, be wary of 'shiney' horrors!

[Bogracer]

Johnboy Mac said:

Howdo, Bogracer. As an ex owner of serveral BM's including two E34 525's (and would buy another one)it's nice to see this thread. One question, are you intending to carry out any engine mod's i.e. head work, cam, exhaust manifold or the likes?

J.

Not sure really as the engine is very strong, low mileage and already goes well. A supercharger might be nice touch. Any advice on tuning?

[Bogracer]

Mikey_W said:

Well done Bogracer, keep up the good work

I have an '89 535i manual that has done 48k miles...

That has to be the best one left, worth hanging onto, lovely!

[Bogracer]

DavidHM said:

There's a 54k miler on eBay as well:

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





Also gorgeous although not nearly as well shot.

Delicious!

[Bogracer]

Working on the air conditioning, overhaul compressor, replace condenser and dryer units, check pipe work with ultraviolet gas.

[Bogracer]

Johnboy Mac said:

Bogracer said:

Working on the air conditioning, overhaul compressor, replace condenser and dryer units, check pipe work with ultraviolet gas.

Working a/con, that will be nice. I hope your not buying the parts from the main dealer?

Got a great BMW OEM parts supplier, MotorMec it's probably Hella stuff.
What happened to BMW's mobile tradition! Total rip off!

[Bogracer]

Johnboy Mac said:

Bogracer said:

Got a great BMW OEM parts supplier, MotorMec it's probably Hella stuff.
What happened to BMW's mobile tradition! Total rip off!

Good to hear.

It's worth checking eBay.de too, I've had some great finds on there over the years.

Many thanks really helpful

[Bogracer]

Getting stuck into into the work, brakes, suspension on the front complete. Stripping out the cooling system. Tested the A/C the condenser is leaking, the pump has a rough bearing, the condenser fan is seized, so replacing the lot.

[Bogracer]

Some photos of todays work.

Edited by Bogracer on Tuesday 3rd January 20:49

[Bogracer]

Working on the AC, the system might use the old non-ozone friendly gas, so I reckon I am going to convert it to the new type of gas. It's tricky to get the old style gas as they don't make it anymore. New compressor and compatible dryer, it sounds like.

[Bogracer]

muppets_mate said:

DavidHM said:

There's a 54k miler on eBay as well:

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





Also gorgeous although not nearly as well shot.

I think the colour of this car could be best described as 'some whites'...

OP, great restoration job

Some whites? Has it had some paint then?
I looked at a car similar to this, better colour in silver for £5,000 a while ago, silly low miles one owner. However it was still 21 years old and everything needed doing, mainly from lack of use. I went for a cheaper car putting the £4,000 saving towards the as new recommissioning and upgrades. So far, so good.

[Bogracer]

The AC is proving entertaining but not impossible as naturally there is little demand for the parts, perhaps as people don't bother repairing the system on a car of this age. However, I like things right, so we are converting the entire system to modern set up, more efficient pump and seal, pipe work etc which is compatible with the new ozone friendly gas.

Again, don't ask the cost!

Edited by Bogracer on Thursday 5th January 23:04

[Bogracer]

Got a compatible cooling fan from Siemens for the AC condenser, so I am chuffed. On its way over from Germany.