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    BMW E34 535is

    Here is my new project street car! It is a 1989 E34 535is. Here is a bit of back story about why I got the car, the good, the bad and my plans for it.

    As some of you may know I have another BMW. An E30 318is with a M3 S14 trackcar. Ever since I took it off the road I miss driving a nice car around. I love going for a Sunday drive, quick strap around the block or just driving a nice car to work. I kind of lost motivation on the track car as it feels like I constantly poor money into but never getting to drive it! Hopefully this car will give me my driving fix and I can get my focus back for the trackcar.

    The back story.

    I have had my eye on this car for awhile. It was a friends car and it has been sitting at his house with a blown auto for over a year and a half. I have been bugging him for about 3 months to sell it to me. It just so happens that I have a set of BBS wheels that he has always wanted so we made a deal and I went and picked it up. After a year and a half of not starting the battery is dead (no surprise) so we hooked up a jump pack and it started after about 2 cranks! It then hunted for about 10 seconds then idled beautifully. Unfortunately I don't get to keep the wheels so I am over to ideas for a nice set of 17s.

    The good.

    Well it's a BMW, so what's not to like? It has a bunch of rare (in Australia) parts. It is a factory 535is which means it has black leather sports seats, sports body kit and LSD. It has a new fuel pump and new front shocks and springs. He has also given me a manual pedal box/steering column and flywheel for later on.

    The bad.

    Well the auto is blown, sort of. My friend seems to think it could be as simple as a new auto computer as it isn't slipping. I drove it into my car trailer. Apparently it holds gears and shifts harsh. So I will swap computers and change the fluid (hopefully that fixes it). As you can see from the photos and paint isn't great. It will need a re-spray but that isn't high on the list of things to do. Also the interior could do with a good tidy up. A few bits of trim are cracked and the hood lining is a little sagged.

    The plan.

    Well as I stated before this is a street car. So there will be no super wide wheels or slammed ride height. I have done that to a few nice cars and it seems to ruin them! I really want to restore this car to a period correct specification. Here is my basic to-do in order of importance.

    New battery
    Fix auto
    Major service, all fluids and filters.
    Registration
    Have fun driving it and sort of the bugs
    Upgrade suspension and brakes
    Manual conversion
    Engine work, exhaust and ECU chip.
    Re-spray

    Stayed tuned for some updates! Here are some pics.







    Last edited by grt; 12-15-2013, 12:19 AM.


    Track car

    http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=2214204

    Street car

    http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=307890

    #2
    looks like you scored the worlds only Automatic E34 M5!

    I love the early E34s been looking for a nice 525i around here. Not a huge fan of the gas guzzling M30. Ill be watching this thread!
    1985 325e M50TU(Sold)
    1991 318is Slicktop (Sold)
    1990 325is Brilliantrot S50/5 Lug Swapped.
    1992 525i Manual shitbox Winter Beater

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by TimKninja View Post
      looks like you scored the worlds only Automatic E34 M5!

      I love the early E34s been looking for a nice 525i around here. Not a huge fan of the gas guzzling M30. Ill be watching this thread!
      Yeah I think that badge will be the first thing that goes!

      I have niether had a M30 so I will see how it goes. Hopefully won't be too bad.


      Track car

      http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=2214204

      Street car

      http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=307890

      Comment


        #4
        Very cool. I'm excited to see where this thing goes. I'd love an E34 like that for a daily.

        Comment


          #5
          Update time.

          I have finally had some time to work on this bad boy. First up was to give it a good wash and see what we are dealing with. It came up better than expected. The clear coat on the roof is peeling but apart from that it isn't to bad. I will give it another wash this weekend and maybe even a polish to see how good it comes up! Also gave the interior a good clean and vacuum. The seat need some leather treatment and there are few bits and bobs missing/broken but no big deal.

          I also had a chance to see what actually works and what doesn't. Interior first, the electric sunroof and windows all work. All the lights work apart from one fog light (bulb). The radio or blower fan don't work though so need to get on top of that. Driveline is pretty good for its age. Although first start and fuel was pissing out of the feed line in the rail! Everything seems to be working well, just in need of a service.

          Today I got stuck into it. I did an oil flush, changed the oil, changed the oil filter, replaced the sump plug and replaced all the rubber fuel lines in the engine bay. I also pulled the front wheels off and installed some 75mm studs I have lining around.

          After I was done I went for a sneaky spin around the block, only to find the car pulls hard right under brakes! When I got back home I found the left front brake disc completely cold while the right was hot so I think it has a seized calliper.

          The plan of attack this weekend is to change the diff oil, checkout the rear end, diagnosis the fan problem, drain the fuel tank, replace the fuel filter and give it another wash!

          On with the pics

          Clean car!







          Service time





          New fuel lines



          Finished for now!



          Track car

          http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=2214204

          Street car

          http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=307890

          Comment


            #6
            Nice car! Always wanted sport seats in my E34. Didnt know there was a such thing as an 535is. I would think if it were an is it would have a 5speed manual. Good looking vehicle none the less.

            07 Designio E63 AMG / 1984 318i (M20Swapped)

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by be34st View Post
              Nice car! Always wanted sport seats in my E34. Didnt know there was a such thing as an 535is. I would think if it were an is it would have a 5speed manual. Good looking vehicle none the less.
              I am yet to get the original sales receipt but that is coming so I will see what that says.

              Sports seat are soooooo comfy!


              Track car

              http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=2214204

              Street car

              http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=307890

              Comment


                #8
                Love to see some E34's getting love here too. Wish mine had sport seats, those look great.
                91 318is M50 swapped
                05 Honda Pilot

                24V swap thread
                http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=302524

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Nick_S View Post
                  Love to see some E34's getting love here too. Wish mine had sport seats, those look great.
                  Yeah I can't wait to drive it!


                  Track car

                  http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=2214204

                  Street car

                  http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=307890

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Very nice. seeing all these E34's lately makes me want one real bad..

                    form.follows.function IG @mplfoster

                    Comment


                      #11
                      As much as I love e30's, I've always thought that e34's are a better looking car. I'm glad to see that you are rebuilding the track car too!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Very nice, These are the best seats you can have, so comfy in my 535 that I drive everyday. I am currently in the process of installing a t56 into mine with an m30 auto bellhousing to t56 adapter plate.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by MkII View Post
                          As much as I love e30's, I've always thought that e34's are a better looking car. I'm glad to see that you are rebuilding the track car too!
                          Thanks man. I don't think they are better looking but come close. Kind of like an older wiser brother lol

                          Originally posted by iViLe View Post
                          Very nice, These are the best seats you can have, so comfy in my 535 that I drive everyday. I am currently in the process of installing a t56 into mine with an m30 auto bellhousing to t56 adapter plate.
                          Oh wow. Need info on that! I can get T56s really cheap and they are an extremely strong gearbox!


                          Track car

                          http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=2214204

                          Street car

                          http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=307890

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Beautiful car! Gotta love a nice e34 :)

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Sweet! Gotta love alpine.

                              A t56 would be nice in there!
                              -Christian

                              '02 ///M3 CarbonSchwartz 6MT daily beast
                              08/91 Mtechnic II 325IC alpine/lotus
                              318iS, slow build/garage queen...
                              '37 Chevy pickup, the über project
                              Originally posted by roguetoaster
                              Be sure to remind them that the M42 is one of the best engines ever made, but be sure to not mention where it actually falls on that list.

                              Comment

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