Butler's E34 M5 Barn Find Restoration

[2mAn]

Just rocking the wheels without the turbines is a big improvement, also are you going to completely clean off the pin striping?

[pandaboo911]

I Love this car but it is screaming for some more stately wheels. I know that the wheels are period correct but there are other period correct wheels that would do so much for the overall appearance without looking (too) out of place.

That said, great car with a cool story behind it.

+1 put some fat 19s on there
E46 CSL wheels!

[phenryiv1]

I Love this car but it is screaming for some more stately wheels. I know that the wheels are period correct but there are other period correct wheels that would do so much for the overall appearance without looking (too) out of place.

That said, great car with a cool story behind it.

[Butler]

I absolutely love all the work your doing, great stuff! However, those bushings will fail pretty soon. You can mitigate the failure by bolting them in, yet leaving the bolt loose. Once you have weight on the car and the suspension at it's normal ride height then tighten the bolts. Often people tighten them while the front struts are unloaded (drooping). This puts huge twist on the bushings once the car is back on the ground and immediately or pre-maturely fail the bushings.

To fix this weak point on the front of the E23/28/34/31/24/32 the spherical bushings from mooshead and others means you won't have to fight this failure point ever again!

Yes, I'm in the loop on the bolting procedure. I wanted to go for the MHE product but I can't justify the extra money at this point. I have so many other things that need my attention (and money) before upgrading to high end products. My goal is to bring the car back to ground zero and then deciding where to focus in on.

[TimeMachinE30]

Looking at the wheel well, I think you missed a spot. :D


Looks great. The door pull gaskets were screaming at me in the earlier photos. Good work.

[Eric]

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr

I absolutely love all the work your doing, great stuff! However, those bushings will fail pretty soon. You can mitigate the failure by bolting them in, yet leaving the bolt loose. Once you have weight on the car and the suspension at it's normal ride height then tighten the bolts. Often people tighten them while the front struts are unloaded (drooping). This puts huge twist on the bushings once the car is back on the ground and immediately or pre-maturely fail the bushings.

To fix this weak point on the front of the E23/28/34/31/24/32 the spherical bushings from mooshead and others means you won't have to fight this failure point ever again!

[CubbyChowder]

Looking good!

[Butler]

Saturday..... and Sunday: Thrust Arms



I had a hell of a time getting one of the original arms out. I've never been so stuck by one bolt! It took two days before I finally got it. The winning combo was heat, a ball joint puller and then a BFH, over and over again. Next time wont be so bad, the first time is always the most awkward.

New parts! Got a tire shop close to me to press the new bushing in for $20.

Untitled by Nick Butler, on Flickr


Lets get the car up in the air and get to work!

TA & Scrub M5-1 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

The drivers side popped right now. No snags, the passenger side was god awful.

TA & Scrub M5-3 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

TA & Scrub M5-2 by Nick Butler, on Flickr






Sunday: Finally managed to get the passenger side out. The new parts made a huge difference. The car is SO much more planted, it feels great. Now going over bumps, slowing down and cruising highway speeds aren't such a bad experience. hahah, Success!




Now lets get crazy and scrub stuff!

TA & Scrub M5-4 by Nick Butler, on Flickr



Seriously, WTF is all over this wheel well? Looks like this car drove through a puddle of oil...?! The really dark stuff was thick and disgusting.


TA & Scrub M5-5 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

TA & Scrub M5-6 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

Ahhh, yes so clean and satisfying.

TA & Scrub M5-7 by Nick Butler, on Flickr



Now how about those damn door handle gaskets? Remove and destroy.

TA & Scrub M5-8 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


No pic but you know I cleaned the area behind the handle.

TA & Scrub M5-10 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


This was the only one that didnt crumble into a million tiny fragments. The new ones are soft and fresh.

TA & Scrub M5-9 by Nick Butler, on Flickr


New again!

TA & Scrub M5-11 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

TA & Scrub M5-12 by Nick Butler, on Flickr




It was a busy weekend!

TA & Scrub M5-13 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

TA & Scrub M5-17 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

TA & Scrub M5-14 by Nick Butler, on Flickr

TA & Scrub M5-16 by Nick Butler, on Flickr



I'm loving this car more and more. I need some new tires really bad maybe thats up next. I haven't decided yet.

[Butler]

This thread is awesome, I would love to take on a project like this and you're doing a damn good job. Looks like you're enjoying it, so carry on!

I appreciate the support! I've watched your builds for years and have always been envious.

[estoguy]

Some great work on that M5... the E34s were nice!

[Jb325is]

They have an undercoating but it's painted over. But yes, your wheel wells should be white

This thread is awesome, I would love to take on a project like this and you're doing a damn good job. Looks like you're enjoying it, so carry on!

[TimeMachinE30]

Not supposed to have undercoating? Should my AW E30 have white wheel wells ?

[Butler]

Just pressure washed the wheel wells?

Degreaser, a garden hose and elbow grease!

[TimeMachinE30]

Just pressure washed the wheel wells?

[jeenyus]

nice.