BIG RED ....

[Redline]

Good day,

Joined the forum a few months back & only now have the guts to put "BIG RED" up for viewing.

Little bit of history.

Bought her 3 years back for R25k, I was looking for a 535i stick shift & got g@tvol looking. It's a M50 motor with 350k on the clock. (oil rings are now starting to go). I have a heart transplant in mind, would like a M30 motor & tune it to a Alpine B10 state. However bang for buck means I have to consider a import Lexus motor. (But then it's a BMW any more)

I've put on a freeflow (mandatory), dropped it with Jamex springs but, replaced the original rears has the ride was too hard. Now it's like she's going downhill (From the forum it apperas H.R Springs with Gabriel shocks are a winner). Scored a set of 18's with tyres for R3k

Have also scored a 540i interieor pretty complete for R1000 (still to be fitted) & a ser of e39 540 seats for R1500. (Also still to be fitted). With the view of upping the power I got a complete 535i rear suspension with LS for R1k. (Still to be fitted)

She is a work in progress as I enjoy the mechanical feel of the E34, I still feel like I part of the car. I enjoy E30 as well but family means to small. (& twitching rear)

Work required:

- New paint job - (although not too bad in the pics)
- Brake upgrade.
- Fit 540 interior.
- Upgrade suspension
- Heart transplant.

With a self imposed R5k p.a budget I'm hoping that by networking on this forum it won't take 10 years for mine to look as sweet as Uber's.

 

[Sankekur]

It is looking pretty at the moment, good looking cars these and I am sure you will get lots of help from the guys in the forum, lots of really knowlegable guys around here.

 

[UpNcOmiNg!]

Nice car bud. Like the rims.
Looks like you've scored some sweet deals over the past while. Do some shopping for my e30 while you at it I'll pay hehe..

All the best

 

[WyKiD]

Looking good, you off to a good start. Nice wheels, brilliant buy...:thumbsup:

 

[ZED1]

those rims always look good on the big boys...nice car buddy:thumbsup:

 

[DonovanPorter]

:thumbsup:mmmm thats looks good love the colour and the wheel suit

 

[jaunef]

I Had a 525iM in the same colour. It is a steaming hot car. Good luck with the project.

 

[Redline]

It is looking pretty at the moment, good looking cars these and I am sure you will get lots of help from the guys in the forum, lots of really knowlegable guys around here.

Thanks, Props for your ride to slide photo looking SWEET!!!!!

---

Nice car bud. Like the rims.
Looks like you've scored some sweet deals over the past while. Do some shopping for my e30 while you at it I'll pay hehe..

All the best

Patince required, it's been tough to keep to my self imposed budget, but family & bond means limited dosh to go around

 

[Budleigh]

Mate, do some research on upgrades for the M50 motor - no need to rip it out for a Lexus unit. Up capacity, or turbo it.

Awesome car though. I cut my motoring teeth on an identical 525i. They can take a lot, those M50 motors.

 

[Redline]

Mate, do some research on upgrades for the M50 motor - no need to rip it out for a Lexus unit. Up capacity, or turbo it.

Awesome car though. I cut my motoring teeth on an identical 525i. They can take a lot, those M50 motors.

No doubt plenty of power options on the M50, could even pop in a 330i motor.

The question that I need answered is bang for buck. Lexus motor 220kw 440 nm for R7k, fuel managment system R3k installaion not sure but lets say R5k.

Total cost R15000 this is for M5 power on a standard motor that +- 3 years old with 60k on it.

Not convinced I can get same power + reliabilty for cheaper, my problem is it then becomes a Hybrid no longer a BMW.

I'm leaning towards a M30 motor tuned to Alpina B10 spec, that should give round about 190kw & 320nm, but in a nice low tech motor with good spares availabity. (got to think of total cost of ownership)

 

[Sankekur]

In the end it is not so much bang for your buck, as whether you want to keep your BMW running with a BMW motor, I know you will make the right choice

 

[Redline]

Agreed, hence I'm scanning for a bargain running 735i to strip.

 

[Ephraimramodike]

Nice one