Feeling the E34 love at the moment

[capri_rob]

Is this ATA selling this turd?

I like the look of it apart from the porridge box

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C415469

Thats an ATA turd for sure - he either turns over a lot of them or has had it a while - sure he had this or a very similar one for sale some time ago

[Simon13]

i know mines LHD but its a 92 built car so narrow grill with e36 style wing mirrors, it also came with an air bag wheel. Thankfully its gone and a mint e30 style 4 spoke wheel is in its place

The e30 style wing mirrors look better

[Andy325i]

I've owned a couple of 525i's, one standard, one a sport. Oh and 520 (M20) breaker. Was a shame to break it really seeing how tidy it was apart from the head gasket.

Would love an E34 525i sport but as suggested with a Beef'd up M50.

Have often thought it would be nice to drop an M52 into one.

Oh and had a 530i (V8) breaker too in Daytona Violet (?)

Oh and a 250k mile touring that I bought as a breaker to rob for the sump for my first M52/E30 swap.

All in all a few.

Would go so far as to say I'd have an E34 over an E39

[Simon13]

I like both alot but the e39 doesn't wear aswell in old age i'd say. Brilliant car and better in most ways over an e34, but build quality isn't one of them

[DanThe]

Since ive put 7k miles on the E39 540 I dont think id be able to go back to an E34 unless it was a (proper cc) V8, I need my Lbft fix on a daily basis nowadays

[Simon13]

its a paltry 300lbs Dan? i've had 400 kicking me tonight in the 34

A e34 540i manual is on my list of targets now its back to £1.29 a litre!!

[DanThe]

I bet you dont use your 400 every day and fill the boot with building materials/engine parts, strap shit to the roof, tow bar action etc

[Blitz]

Ultimate E34?




BMW should have built this as well as a coupe.

[Andy325i]

Very nice Was that convertible a factory prototype? I wonder where it is now

[bss325i]

Still in BMW's private collection.

[nickso]

my manual iX wasn't great on fuel either

Even 1 MPG more would be welcome. I doubt I am even hitting 15 just now.

[Jon_Bmw]

A 3.8 m5 is quite an engine. We rebuilt one with slightly oversize pistons due to a scored bore. After it had been run in it put down 300bhp at the wheels. For a comparison my s54 that has 321 bhp at the crankshaft according to BMW put down 281bhp.

The m5 engine was made 10years earlier than the s54! Respect. OK the downside was the rebuild was circa £7k if I remember rightly

[Simon13]

that m5 was forsale recently as i remember the advert saying it had been rebuilt by janspeed

[Jon_Bmw]

Oh right. How much Si?

It needed a front edc shock and rust was starting to come through in a few areas(minor). It was nice engine though!

[Andyboy]

I've had a 524td !

[pacerpete]

I've had a 524td !

I've had a three wheeled 535 injector

[Speedtouch]

I have also owned a 1988 E34 535iSE manual (originally a 525iSE automatic). Not a bad old bruiser.

Saw an indicated 147 units of speed out of it, before discovering the nearside engine mount wasn't actually attached to the engine block!

[DanThe]

I've had a 524td !

You fly-by-wire executive! Ive pinched bits off them in scrap yards, seen more fooked like

[ANDY325TOURING]

All gone a bit E34Zone here!

Ive a major jones for an M5 touring....

(Alpinas in the garage awaiting trial fit on mine....Alpinas on an M5, is it wrong))

[Simon13]

Oh right. How much Si?

It needed a front edc shock and rust was starting to come through in a few areas(minor). It was nice engine though!

£9995 rings a bell, it looked to be a good spec car too. Considering its had a full rebuild it would be tempting.

BMW have run out of EDC shocks now and theres nothing set about getting another lot made so for now if they go on your 3.8 your going down the EDC delete route

[Speedtouch]

my manual iX wasn't great on fuel either

Even 1 MPG more would be welcome. I doubt I am even hitting 15 just now.

Have you tried a Mild chip in it? They typically give a 2-3mpg gain on a standard 525i.

[nickso]

What is the story with E34 M5's? A 3.8 has been on my bucket list for a long time.....ever since my 540i manual in fact.

Depending on what thread you read on here they are either shit or amazing. EDC can't be that much of a ballache to delete. Are the engines good or chocolate waiting to melt?

Will probably have enough money to buy one after this trip, was thinking on an E39 M5 but might as well scratch the E34 itch

[nickso]

my manual iX wasn't great on fuel either

Even 1 MPG more would be welcome. I doubt I am even hitting 15 just now.

Have you tried a Mild chip in it? They typically give a 2-3mpg gain on a standard 525i.

Haha no I haven't, I may give you a bell if it passes it's MOT. What's 2-3 mpg going to cost me?

[Simon13]

Im going 3.6 first they're a bit more diy friendly, from what i've heard you don't want one with any engine trouble as its mega bucks in parts alone for rebuilds.

One main problem is its almost bmw only for most of the parts now

[nickso]

Hmm maybe I'll go 3.6 too then. I figured engine woes would be a wallet hurter.....think someone mentioned a 7k rebuild for a 3.8 on this thread....fook that.

[Speedtouch]

Haha no I haven't, I may give you a bell if it passes it's MOT. What's 2-3 mpg going to cost me?

A mere £35 posted, which you'll soon recuperate on the fuel savings.

[mabz]

e34's are sweet my mates mum used to have a 540i and it was a lovely ride.i have a set of original e34 alpina b10 wheels if anyones interested

[daimlerman]

Steering box means the steering is not quite as 'sharp' as an E30.
The E34 Andyboy and I broke for my M50'd touring had an entertaining habit of leaping to the left when changing gear under hard accaleration,most likely shagged rear beam bushes?

But front armrests and other nice toys made it a nice cruiser for 'er indoors for a few weeks!

[Simon13]

they're hardly slack or uncommunative on the steering. No other bm steers like an e30 they're unique in that respect

[nickso]

Steering box means the steering is not quite as 'sharp' as an E30.

My e34 has a steering rack.

Can the steering boxes be rebuilt if they go or is it time for a second hand one?

[Simon13]

the e34 iX does feel more like a big e30 than a 2wd car.

Not sure on the box you can "adjust" then on the column with a 32mm spannar so i'm told. They're like £1200 new? and i don't think anyone rebuilds them

[B7]

You can adjust the steering boxes yes. You release the 32mm nut and dial them in with the centre set screw.

But never dial them in with the wheels straight ahead. Always with the wheels on full lock. However, if truly out of their brains even when the wheels are back to straight ahead, there will still be excessive play.

[pacerpete]

The 32 mm nut is on the sliding column spline under the dash. The move here is to tighten it up until you can barely move the column. This makes a suprising difference to the average sloppy E32/E34. Steering boxes can be adjusted but most have had their innings by now, as have the cars they are fitted to
The steering box adjuster bolt is at the top of the box and has a 19mm lock nut IIRC. Turn the grub screw in to tighten it , a SMALL bit at a time.

[DanThe]

It's a 17mm lock nut and a 5mm allan key,

Bunch of amateurs

[Speedtouch]

No such thing as 'allan' keys, they are Allen keys - you ham-fisted amateur!