Discussion
basicly i have just been given one 
needs a bit of work but you can not complain. I just want to know what they like to live with, what sort of milage it can go up to before its ready for the scrap yard (its done 190000) im realy happy with it but iv only drove it around the yard at work but i dont have a clue whats its like on the road dut it seemed to drive realy nice
cheers aiden
needs a bit of work but you can not complain. I just want to know what they like to live with, what sort of milage it can go up to before its ready for the scrap yard (its done 190000) im realy happy with it but iv only drove it around the yard at work but i dont have a clue whats its like on the road dut it seemed to drive realy nice cheers aiden
You haven't given us much information regarding the car, so we can chat to you.
What year is it ? What issues does it have ?
These were fabulous cars, I've owned three, a 525i saloon, manual, a 525i SE auto saloon, and a 518i manual tourer.
Of course they are getting rather old now, but in my opinion, were a higher build quality than the E39 I have now.
What year is it ? What issues does it have ?
These were fabulous cars, I've owned three, a 525i saloon, manual, a 525i SE auto saloon, and a 518i manual tourer.
Of course they are getting rather old now, but in my opinion, were a higher build quality than the E39 I have now.
sorry its a 1990 car it needs disc and pads front pads rear brake hose front arch and rear sub frame bushes it has a set of leather seats that must of came out of a other car because the front seats are fitted but the rears dont fit there is differnt fixing under them and on the back the seat belt on the existing are bult in but on the new leather bench there is cut outs i dont know if its from a newer model? And is there any way i can make them fit?
thanks aiden
thanks aiden
OK, so it's most likely an M20 straight six, with a timing belt, do you know if I'm correct , or is it the later timing chain engine ?
It is worth diddly squat, and although nice, it will be underpowered and use more fuel than the 2.5.
So ...... what do you want to do with it ?
Do you have any idea when the timing belt was last changed ?
Is it in good condition ? although galvanised, it's likely to be showing some rust by now.
As far as I am aware, all E34 interiors are interchangeable, but I could be wrong, the earlyish ones. like yours, didn't always have the rear headrest brackets.
Where in the world are you ?
There are some E34 fans here : http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/default.asp
It is worth diddly squat, and although nice, it will be underpowered and use more fuel than the 2.5.
So ...... what do you want to do with it ?
Do you have any idea when the timing belt was last changed ?
Is it in good condition ? although galvanised, it's likely to be showing some rust by now.
As far as I am aware, all E34 interiors are interchangeable, but I could be wrong, the earlyish ones. like yours, didn't always have the rear headrest brackets.
Where in the world are you ?
There are some E34 fans here : http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/default.asp
Edited by Nigel Worc's on Tuesday 11th October 00:44
i would say its a timing chain there is a bit of rust but i will sort that just took the air filter and it had a quite new genuine bmw filter so i would say its been looked after i know its pritty worth less but im not doing for a profit im doing it for the enjoyment i have allways wanted one and when he said i can have it i could not turn it down the parts would not be much because i work for a german car specalist. oh and i live in england.
aiden
aiden
190K could be looking at a fair amount of cash being thrown at it, first things I would be doing.
Discs and Pads, make sure you get the sensor from BMW, patterns are too short.
Complete fluid change
Stab bars, chances are these will be f
ked.
Check over of all the lower arms on the front, they can wander at motorway speeds.
Rear roll bar bushes, probably need doing
Check the rear arms carefully, you will st yourself if you see how much they cost new, new bushes are cheap enough though.
Check the coolant level, check the radiator cap isn't leaking, for the price of them I would consider replacing it, they can go crap after a while, was the source of my coolant leak, also check the radiator out and hoses out, big problem with the E34 is the engine bays are always roasting hot, they just don't get enough cold air in them, as really it is only the kidney grilles that let the air in.
Check all the vacuum hoses, yes the little black ones, again engine bays really hot, these go brittle and crack, so if the idle is all over the place and it cuts out, chances are it is one of these that is broken.
Check the steering box, probably some play in it by now, bit of a bugger to tighten up, but transforms the car when it has been adjusted.
Shocks are probably on their way out, these are not cheap.
Also worth checking the wiring in the bootlid, if the tail lights start playing up or rear wiper etc doesn't work, probably have a wire corroded or a break in it.
Will be expensive to do all the suspension, but you will have an excellent car after it, post some pictures up.
Discs and Pads, make sure you get the sensor from BMW, patterns are too short.
Complete fluid change
Stab bars, chances are these will be f
ked.Check over of all the lower arms on the front, they can wander at motorway speeds.
Rear roll bar bushes, probably need doing
Check the rear arms carefully, you will s
t yourself if you see how much they cost new, new bushes are cheap enough though.Check the coolant level, check the radiator cap isn't leaking, for the price of them I would consider replacing it, they can go crap after a while, was the source of my coolant leak, also check the radiator out and hoses out, big problem with the E34 is the engine bays are always roasting hot, they just don't get enough cold air in them, as really it is only the kidney grilles that let the air in.
Check all the vacuum hoses, yes the little black ones, again engine bays really hot, these go brittle and crack, so if the idle is all over the place and it cuts out, chances are it is one of these that is broken.
Check the steering box, probably some play in it by now, bit of a bugger to tighten up, but transforms the car when it has been adjusted.
Shocks are probably on their way out, these are not cheap.
Also worth checking the wiring in the bootlid, if the tail lights start playing up or rear wiper etc doesn't work, probably have a wire corroded or a break in it.
Will be expensive to do all the suspension, but you will have an excellent car after it, post some pictures up.
They may look good, but you wont really know till you get it on the road and feel what the front end is like, they are truly fantastic cars.
Make sure you give the front end a really good going over on all the joints.
This place is invaluable
http://www.bmwe34.net/
Make sure you give the front end a really good going over on all the joints.
This place is invaluable
http://www.bmwe34.net/
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