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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
E34 540i guys
- Thread starter cfroc
- Start date
J
Jandre
Guest
Not to my knowledge cfroc. Quite a few auto's around, and of course clutchy's new manual conversion, but that's a e39.
andrewbuch
///Member
in a few months clutchys will be manual 
Uber Soldat
///Member
I'm hoping to do a 5 speed swap in mine too. May take me awhile though.
cfroc
BMW Car Club Member
Bimmer Man, luckily I don't need help yet.
I am curious to find out, because I have never met another owner of these limited editions, other than a guy who supercharged his Avus blue one and stripped the interior to do racing.
I would like to find out where they are and possibly how many are still left of the 75 built.
There is actually a great story behind the introduction of this model and from what I know they were sold in Canada, USA, Australia and UK. (The SA spec was closest to the UK spec cars.)
I am curious to find out, because I have never met another owner of these limited editions, other than a guy who supercharged his Avus blue one and stripped the interior to do racing.
I would like to find out where they are and possibly how many are still left of the 75 built.
There is actually a great story behind the introduction of this model and from what I know they were sold in Canada, USA, Australia and UK. (The SA spec was closest to the UK spec cars.)
Beast_Power
Active member
I have a E34 540i/6, Very nice car, but we got the short end of the stick in SA if you compare specs with the overseas models.
I like to alternate between the M5 and the 540i as they both have their plus points. Will have to do the front suspension soon but will using the E35 M5 parts as they last much longer.
I like to alternate between the M5 and the 540i as they both have their plus points. Will have to do the front suspension soon but will using the E35 M5 parts as they last much longer.
clutchplate
///Member
hmm, mine will be manual someday soon. maybe jan feb ? ... allready got bellhousing for it, just need another 6speed bmw box. infact I have 2 bellhousings. M5 suspension ? hmm. maybe.. I wanna get the H&R Clubsport coil-overs the (Nürburgring) version of the clubsports... it has adjustable height... rocking. or maybe even just the normal coilovers, to be abit softer then the Nürburgring option...
Beast_Power
Active member
Ok! while on this subject, does anybody know the value of the E34 540i/6 (1997). I have been quoted between R49000.00 to R279000.00 from the insurance companies as a insured valuation.
cfroc
BMW Car Club Member
Hi guys, I am getting all my facts straight and then I will post the interesting story of our SA E34 540i manual.
In the meantime...
@Danzellc - No, all the overseas versions had an option available, being the Electronic Damper Control of the M5. The SA ones had no such option. It's only got a sport type of setup. Dampers are definately stiffer than the auto ones.
@Beast power - I agree that our SA specification levels sucked compared to the overseas versions, but there are some kit that the overseas ones didn't have, but it is limited to luxurious options like having the following: Extended Nappa leather (with the M-colour stripe inserts), car phone, sunroof, ESP (switch added to centre console) and climate control. All SA models had these luxury stuff as std. Then, our SA spec cars had Individual paint and interior colours, which the overseas ones didn't.
You say that your e34 540i manual is a 1997 model? Not querying your statement, but the last ones were built in 1995 and almost all of the 75 built were sold before the end of 1995. If it is a 1997 E34, then it had to be standing at some dealer or in a warehouse for more than a year before it got sold. It would be very interesting if it is indeed a 1997. Please post some pics of your 540i manual, as you are the first guy I've met who also has one.
@Clutchplate - Sounds interesting what you are planning for your 540. Will like to keep track of the progress, please keep us up to date!!!
In the meantime...
@Danzellc - No, all the overseas versions had an option available, being the Electronic Damper Control of the M5. The SA ones had no such option. It's only got a sport type of setup. Dampers are definately stiffer than the auto ones.
@Beast power - I agree that our SA specification levels sucked compared to the overseas versions, but there are some kit that the overseas ones didn't have, but it is limited to luxurious options like having the following: Extended Nappa leather (with the M-colour stripe inserts), car phone, sunroof, ESP (switch added to centre console) and climate control. All SA models had these luxury stuff as std. Then, our SA spec cars had Individual paint and interior colours, which the overseas ones didn't.
You say that your e34 540i manual is a 1997 model? Not querying your statement, but the last ones were built in 1995 and almost all of the 75 built were sold before the end of 1995. If it is a 1997 E34, then it had to be standing at some dealer or in a warehouse for more than a year before it got sold. It would be very interesting if it is indeed a 1997. Please post some pics of your 540i manual, as you are the first guy I've met who also has one.
@Clutchplate - Sounds interesting what you are planning for your 540. Will like to keep track of the progress, please keep us up to date!!!
cfroc
BMW Car Club Member
The E34 540i Individual story:
It started with the E28 M5 and E34 M5 3.6l versions that wasn't actually a full import, but was assembled in Rosslyn using CKD kits (Complete Knock Down) kits from Germany and more specifically the M5 plant. These models were always different in a way than the overseas M5's, as we usually lost out on the European special models and options. Our M5's on the other hand had the full leather spec and usually had all the luxury bells and whistles, which was all options in the Euro markets.
Then the E34 M5 3.6l production ended and we never got the 3.8l version. It was only being sold in the European markets. This situation gave birth to the following E34 540i 6speed manual versions in the following countries:
200 in the US named 540i M-Sport
32 in Canada named M540i
70 in Australia named 540i LE (limited edition individually numbered with plaque under handbrake)
This gave rise to BMW SA deciding that they will build the same type of vehicle at Rosslyn. This is why our 540i manuals never had the sporty options like the electronic damper control EDC, iluminated gearknob, M-sport steering rack and M-sport brakes like some of the other overseas spec cars had.
Our SA versions did however get the M5 body kit, which none of the overseas models had.
Then there is also record of some 540i manuals finding there way onto the UK market. This is only confirmed by a picture of a UK registered Avus blue E34 540i manual with the SA spec interior.
So, the US, Canadian and Aussie cars had the following:
From the outside it looked like a 540i auto with M5 "throwing star" 17" mags
Under the skin it COULD have M5 Elec. Damper Control, M5 floating disc brakes and M5 steering rack.
The interior: M-sport steering wheel as the SA cars (not an M5 steering wheel);
Cloth or leather, but not the extended Nappa Leather like the SA and UK cars;
Illuminated gearknob unlike the SA cars;
Passenger airbag (top of dash);
Normal aircon (climate control was an option);
Sunroof was an option;
Older type radio than the SA cars;
No ESP button on the centre console like SA cars;
No M-stripes in the backrest of the seats and no car phone like the SA cars;
No Individual colour paint or interiors.
The SA cars was a normal 540i with a manual gearbox added together with the following:
M5 bodykit;
Extended Nappa leather with M-striping;
M-sport steering wheel;
Rear sun blind;
ESP;
Sunroof;
Car phone;
17" M5 "throwing star" alloy wheels and stiffer sport suspension;
and finally all Individual paint and interior colours.
I'll post some more specific vin-number details of all the 540i manuals ever build internationally etc. later.
It started with the E28 M5 and E34 M5 3.6l versions that wasn't actually a full import, but was assembled in Rosslyn using CKD kits (Complete Knock Down) kits from Germany and more specifically the M5 plant. These models were always different in a way than the overseas M5's, as we usually lost out on the European special models and options. Our M5's on the other hand had the full leather spec and usually had all the luxury bells and whistles, which was all options in the Euro markets.
Then the E34 M5 3.6l production ended and we never got the 3.8l version. It was only being sold in the European markets. This situation gave birth to the following E34 540i 6speed manual versions in the following countries:
200 in the US named 540i M-Sport
32 in Canada named M540i
70 in Australia named 540i LE (limited edition individually numbered with plaque under handbrake)
This gave rise to BMW SA deciding that they will build the same type of vehicle at Rosslyn. This is why our 540i manuals never had the sporty options like the electronic damper control EDC, iluminated gearknob, M-sport steering rack and M-sport brakes like some of the other overseas spec cars had.
Our SA versions did however get the M5 body kit, which none of the overseas models had.
Then there is also record of some 540i manuals finding there way onto the UK market. This is only confirmed by a picture of a UK registered Avus blue E34 540i manual with the SA spec interior.
So, the US, Canadian and Aussie cars had the following:
From the outside it looked like a 540i auto with M5 "throwing star" 17" mags
Under the skin it COULD have M5 Elec. Damper Control, M5 floating disc brakes and M5 steering rack.
The interior: M-sport steering wheel as the SA cars (not an M5 steering wheel);
Cloth or leather, but not the extended Nappa Leather like the SA and UK cars;
Illuminated gearknob unlike the SA cars;
Passenger airbag (top of dash);
Normal aircon (climate control was an option);
Sunroof was an option;
Older type radio than the SA cars;
No ESP button on the centre console like SA cars;
No M-stripes in the backrest of the seats and no car phone like the SA cars;
No Individual colour paint or interiors.
The SA cars was a normal 540i with a manual gearbox added together with the following:
M5 bodykit;
Extended Nappa leather with M-striping;
M-sport steering wheel;
Rear sun blind;
ESP;
Sunroof;
Car phone;
17" M5 "throwing star" alloy wheels and stiffer sport suspension;
and finally all Individual paint and interior colours.
I'll post some more specific vin-number details of all the 540i manuals ever build internationally etc. later.
Beast_Power
Active member
Sorry was a typo, It is a 1996 model, first Registration date 23/01/1996. Apparently the car was at the factory in Rosslyn till it was sold to the first owner.
Beast_Power
Active member
Will do soon, just busy sorting a few things out on the Beast and the 540i/6
zaleonardz
Well-known member
AND a new arrival to the E34 540i club..... MEEEEE
Went to go take a look at it tonight, needs a tiny bit of work, such as service kit, gearbox oil change and perhaps a valve body replacement (Thanks Clutchy).
Really good service kit, and general TLC, but body work and interior is fantastic, and I practically stole it from the guy for the price.
Its an 95/01 with 242k on the clock with the M60, and will post some pics by next week, its currently still at the previous owner, as I need to tow it in, but should have it running by this weekend...
WOOOOOOHOOOO im actually so chuffed, all happened in one day.
LZ
Went to go take a look at it tonight, needs a tiny bit of work, such as service kit, gearbox oil change and perhaps a valve body replacement (Thanks Clutchy).
Really good service kit, and general TLC, but body work and interior is fantastic, and I practically stole it from the guy for the price.
Its an 95/01 with 242k on the clock with the M60, and will post some pics by next week, its currently still at the previous owner, as I need to tow it in, but should have it running by this weekend...
WOOOOOOHOOOO im actually so chuffed, all happened in one day.
LZ
clutchplate
///Member
I'm telling you, we can almost start an E34 540i club... its such an awesome classic...zaleonardz
Well-known member
Shot Alot again clutchy....
Uber Soldat
///Member
zaleonardz said:
Sweet! Another E34...:clap: :thumbsup:
Give us some details. Colour, price etc.
imp:Clutchy is right...we can easily start an E34 club
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