Project Big Six-y: 1991 BMW 535i/5

[Jake]

Let me start by saying it's not an E36 M3.



It's still a BMW, because I wanted one as a daily driver. Shane, one of our new MMers (who may own a white E36 M3) found it for me on the DC Craigslist on Saturday morning. I happened to be up in Northern VA this weekend, and picked it up from Rockville, MD last night.



Basics:
1991 BMW 535i
3.5L Inline-6 (M30) making 208 hp / 225 ft-lb
5-speed manual transmission
185k on the odometer
Schwartz Black over tan leather
Winter Package -- heated seats that still work, Torsen LSD, probably other stuff I don't know about yet

Jake, why did you buy another old BMW?
Well, I really like the E34. I needed a DD. This one was priced reasonably right, had all the major mechanical stuff up-to-date, and only needs some cosmetic lovin' to be presentable.



Old BMWs always need something. What's the list so far?
Swap the head unit and subwoofer from the Miata into this guy.
Clean and condition the leather seats/steering wheel.
Replace the glovebox latch.
Replace the stock (ugly) black shift knob with a wood one from a later E34.
Re-do the headliner and sunroof panel.
Fix the "gong" speaker so it makes noise again -- not necessity, just a little thing.
Tighten E-Brake cable... it holds now but at the top of the lever's travel.
Fluids... oil, transmission, diff.



Mechanically it seems pretty solid. Clutch grabs well, motor pulls hard to redline, shifts are relatively smooth. 1st-to-2nd is a bit notchy or less sure, if that makes sense. Cooling system was recently re-done and it has an aluminum radiator. New alternator. New tires. Recent brakes. Paint is good ÔÇô not peeling or spray painted :thumbup: I verified the diff works when I got it sideways, in the rain, during the test drive. It chattered and moved power as it should, hooray.

There are some dings and dents, but I'm willing to overlook those for an otherwise-solid old car.



Naturally, custom tags are on their way from the DMV. As per Unca Rex's suggestion... "MM BIG6Y" is the tag.

Opinions? Rants? "LOLWUTs?"

[Jewels]

I like it Jake. Good for you. It does need some cosmetic love though.

[Goodspeed]

I'm happy for you. I really am - that is a sweet old car. I just have to give it one of these for the fact that its a BMW :wink:

[WRXtranceformed]

Looks like it's in pretty decent shape having all of the maintenance done is great. I bet you could buff out most of those imperfections in the paint.

A BMW with almost 190k miles on it would scare the hell out of me though, I don't know how you kids do it.

[Jake]

Looks like it's in pretty decent shape having all of the maintenance done is great. I bet you could buff out most of those imperfections in the paint.

A BMW with almost 190k miles on it would scare the hell out of me though, I don't know how you kids do it.

A good chunk of what you see as "imperfections" is just reflection. It could use some paintless dent removal in spots.

And the miles are just numbers... I searched around to find high-mileage E34's with this motor. The best I could do was 388k. Someone with an E34 525i (that's the smaller 2.5L I6) had around 750k on theirs.

[Kaan]

crack kills but its your thing... do it!

[BLINGMW]

:thumbup:
The M30 is badass, sounds thunderous with an open exhaust. Not that a video can do it justice but:



It will leak though, keep some oil on hand
I've always had a soft spot for the E28 535, E34's alright though too :wink:

Look out RJ it's gonna get you!

[CaptainHenreh]

<3

[SlimKlim]

I say a drop and some big ass bronze style fives and you're in business.

[Jake]

Some driving impressions, after pimping this all over the state of Virginia during spring break...

• Sweet mother of god this has a large gas tank. 21 US gallons. A full tank is about $70.
  
  MPG's in mixed driving are about 20-21. All highway is 23-24. I'm pleased considering it was originally EPA rated at 14/21. Eek.
  
  Speaking of highway driving, this just eats up the miles. Cruise control on, climate controlled, 75 mph... I could do this all day.
  
  I've never had torque before. Now I do. The LSD works well and aided four of us in getting 'er sideways. You can get some momentum going with the weight of the car, so it makes for some interesting slides.
  
  Oh, and the motor pulls hard all the way up to 100 mph, in controlled conditions on a closed track of course. It still has plenty to give up top, so I think it's strong.

Have a new glovebox handle on the way. I replaced a taillight bulb that went out last night because Active Check Control was Actively Annoying Me about it. All is copacetic now.

[Jake]

Did work this morning...

Went downtown to Ragtime Fabrics and bought some new material for the headliner. They had actual "automotive headliner" stuff, but I wanted more texture and unique. So, I found some tan-ish suede-y stuff that I like. It looks very close to OEM but with a nicer finish than the typical headliner. Bought 5 yards which should cover the roof, sunroof panel, pillars and back parcel shelf.

Went to the locksmith near the DMV and had a second key made, since I only have one. Damn BMW keys are the "laser cut" ones, so even though mine doesn't have a chip in it, it was still $45 to get done. For reference, Miata keys cost $1.25 at Home Depot. But, I didn't want to take a chance on losing the only key and being SOL... so this is good money to spend.

Finally, made it over to BWade and had them do a state inspection. The car came from MD and had no sticker on it. I got rejected because my reverse lights are both not working. The bulbs are good, it's likely either the wiring ÔÇô gets frayed where it snakes near the trunk hinge ÔÇô┬áor the reverse switch on the side of the gearbox. Both are easy enough to diagnose and fix. I have two weeks and they said if I bring it back with those working, it gets a sticker.

Ordered hood shocks and trunk shocks last night so they will stay up on their own. Also ordered an E46 ZHP shift knob to replace the stock, tall, vinyl-and-rubber one.

Hooray, money.

[Jeff]

Make sure not to be driving around on your rejection sticker. That makes for lots of cop attention.

[Jake]

Make sure not to be driving around on your rejection sticker. That makes for lots of cop attention.

Good to know. Fortunately, I'm going out of town tomorrow through Sunday, so it will be sitting until I (hopefully) fix it Monday.

We checked the wiring and it looks good. Next step is the reverse switch. $12 part and easy install, so not bad.


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[Jeff]

Why not ground the output wire (if it is a direct ground switch) before just throwing parts at it? testing > spending money on parts

[Jake]

Why not ground the output wire (if it is a direct ground switch) before just throwing parts at it? testing > spending money on parts

Good idea. I'll try that when I get home today. I'm not the biggest electronics genius but I can figure out basic wiring.


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[Jeff]

Consider it an offer of help it you can't get it and want to make a drive...I can even manage to get you up to date if we get it working.

[Jake]

Consider it an offer of help it you can't get it and want to make a drive...I can even manage to get you up to date if we get it working.

Cool, I'll let you know. I'm going to Winchester on Monday to get the Miata back -- I could stop on the way up with the Bimmer. I appreciate the offer!

[Jake]

Update... I knew the fuse was good, as the same fuse controls my power mirrors, and they still worked. So, I took the console apart and jumped the connector. Lights both work when jumped. I have a new connector on order now ($6, thanks Pelican Parts) and it should be here Monday, which is the first chance I'll have to install things anyway.

Been looking at wheels and tires, but I think my bank account could use a rest for a few weeks at least...

[CaptainHenreh]

God I love this SO MUCH.

[SlimKlim]

God I love this SO MUCH.

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