Butler's E34 M5 Barn Find Restoration

[CorvallisBMW]

Are all e32 bushings the same or is the 750iL bushing special? Is it a different rubber? Just checking because I'm probably gonna be doing the same job on my 735.

750 bushings had fewer cutouts (more solid rubber) and higher durometer rubber as well.

[pandaboo911]

750iL bushings work great too. Much firmer.

Are all e32 bushings the same or is the 750iL bushing special? Is it a different rubber? Just checking because I'm probably gonna be doing the same job on my 735.

[bangn]

excellent cleanup, those wheels are retro and cool!

usually when get cars like this is generally easier to pull the seats out and centre console. Start with a bucket of soapy water with washing powder in it and scrub everything with a microfibre. Then hit it with a nice product like autoglym vinyl/rubber cleaner, autofresh and interior shampoo. Also use a narrow paintbrush with electrical tape wrapped around the metal part to stop scratching teamed with a vac cleaner. Use the brush to flick the dirt out of ridges and around switches. The vac will pickup the dirt when it flicks out.. Really handy around vents and radio buttons

[CubbyChowder]

Awesome story and I like your approach to the build so far. Will be following this one for sure!

[doorman]

Damn that cleaned up nice down there!!

My dad always comments "they're just cars son".

People that don't own BMWs will never understand.

My mom still has her 2001 X5 she bought brand new.....a tick under 200,000 miles and she can't bring herself to sell it.

[Butler]

Firstly, (belated) welcome to Portland! Secondly, great score! It's nice to see her being brought back to life. Looks like she's at Boyd Motor Werks? Also, any details on your e90? I recently purchased a 335D and need to get better hooked up with the Portland e90 scene.

750iL bushings work great too. Much firmer.

The work was at Munich Motor Works, in SE off of Cesar Chavez. Joseph, the owner is a great guy and BMW die hard, like the rest of us!


The 335 is my daily driver even though I drive my wifes E46 most of the time! :P Its an amazing car. It makes 440 wtq on pump gas lol. Stupid fun amount of power all the time. To be honest there is no local E90 scene as far as I know. I hangout with some of the PNW BMW crew, we have meets and drives fairly often - join the facebook group if you haven't!






Back to the M5!
I satisfied my OCD by cleaning the bottom of the motor.


Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr



So far I think I've identified my first round of new parts for the beast. All focused on the cooling system-

T stat 79*
T stat o-ring
T stat seal
Waterpump
Waterpump gasket
Upper hose
Mid hose
Lower hose
1 gal OEM coolant


I'm going to hold off on the fan clutch for now. This should keep me busy for a whole Saturday.

[Eric]

Got it working! Thanks for the tip. Too bad the sound system (if you can even call it that) SUCKS :O It crackles and pops when I turn the dial and the front speakers are drastically quieter than the rears...?



Unless, anyone has some advice for a DIY fix I'll be saving this for way later down the road. Luke, I need your expertise!

The factory e34 system isn't that bad with more power behind it. An aftermarket head unit helps. The speakers in the kicks/dash/sail panel give a great sound stage.

To solve the cracking, try turning the volume nob back and fourth quickly, that might clear some dust/debit that is on the contacts. Works well on my little tube amp.


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[Eric]

UCABS you absolutely need.

Absolutely these! Spherical bearing upper & lower control arms totally transformed my e28 m5!


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[CorvallisBMW]

Firstly, (belated) welcome to Portland! Secondly, great score! It's nice to see her being brought back to life. Looks like she's at Boyd Motor Werks? Also, any details on your e90? I recently purchased a 335D and need to get better hooked up with the Portland e90 scene.

UCABS you absolutely need.

750iL bushings work great too. Much firmer.

[slammin.e28]

Ahhh so thats why the steering wheel has so much play in it. No surprise really. (Passenger side upper control arm bushing)

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Drivers side looks ok by comparison. Both will be replaced. don't worry.
Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

UCABS you absolutely need.

[TimeMachinE30]

Nice to see swift results. This car deserves it.

[Butler]

Today's update: Fluid change stage 1

Oil change
Tranny fluid
Differential fluid


Since this was the first time I've gotten underneath her I was able to evaluate where Im going to throw money first.

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr



Ahhh so thats why the steering wheel has so much play in it. No surprise really. (Passenger side upper control arm bushing)

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Drivers side looks ok by comparison. Both will be replaced. don't worry.
Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

[Butler]

Call Austin (or Bill, who is now parts manager) down at BMW Portland parts counter. He's very helpful and loves these old cars. You'll need to pop the radio out and give him the serial number off the back. Sometimes they'll do it with just the last 7 of the VIN, but that doesn't always work.

Got it working! Thanks for the tip. Too bad the sound system (if you can even call it that) SUCKS :O It crackles and pops when I turn the dial and the front speakers are drastically quieter than the rears...?

Unless, anyone has some advice for a DIY fix I'll be saving this for way later down the road. Luke, I need your expertise!

[jpod999]

Its sunny and nice out I should be home working on the car, not stuck at work! D:

I've been dealing with that myself lately. Luckily A. I'm salaried so no one is watching me clock in/out, and B. my boss is either in NJ all week or in meetings all day long. As such, I've started working on my car at lunch and have been slowly been stretching it from 45 minutes to 65-70 minutes lol

[Butler]

I was excited to learn the following for my car:

Sterling Silver Metallic 1 of 194
Light Silver Grey Leather is 1 of 358


Its sunny and nice out I should be home working on the car, not stuck at work! D: