E34 540i Makeover

[freerider]

So after searching for quite a long time I finally found that deal I have been looking for on valentines day this year.

These pics are to illustrate the condition I got her in and to base my progress on.

Its a 94 model 540i with 263k kms on the clock with FSH
Picked this car up for a song!
Car hadnt been started in over 6 months, hence the spots of mould on the leather.

 

[freerider]

Car was bought as a non runner, fitted a new battery and the car started, but there was no oil pressure.

Sump came off and we found that the oil had turned to sludge and blocked the pickup. oil system was flushed and pickups etc cleaned out, then started again and there was no coolant circulation.
Found the blockage was in the block itself and flushed the coolant system.

While the sump was off the cylinder walls where scoped from the bottom and no scoring was found, cylinder 2 was slightly blue'd from the heat.

At this stage she was starting but was extremely lumpy on idle and did not accelerate properly at all. I replaced all 8 sparkplugs (what a job!).

Now the motor was running beautifully, but still has a bit of a lumpy idle, I suspected that the Idle control valve was a bit jammed up, so I grabbed some carb cleaner whipped the ICV out and it was completely stuck and black inside, I clean it out and it worked perfectly thereafter.

There was also a noisy lifter, which settled after the second oil change.

 

[freerider]

I popped into Conti partner balancing. It made a nice difference, and the car was still smooth past 200kph on the way to Langebaan.

Getting the wheels balanced

When I got home I decided to sort the back of the car out a little, started by de-badging the car, I prefer the clean symmetrical look

I also took out the lights so I could clean around that area properly. Then I decided to tackle some panel beating and tried my hand at the dent in the back corner just above the bumper
before

after

I also removed the black rubber thing that used to be around the number plate

The "c" shapes you see is silicone that I cant get off, will pop into builders warehouse sometime and see if I can get some silicone remover, but I suspect I will have to re-spray that section anyway.

 

[Danzellc]

Hey. I have also a white 540i, 1993 model, 305000km on da clock

 

[freerider]

haha, nice. Still running fine etc?

Everyone is so scared of these cars because of the nickasil issue, but at 200k kms + if it was going to stuff out, I'm pretty sure it would have happened already.

 

[Hellas]

Don whats the tab so far on the 540? Whats the limit going to be. Moenie die hoender ruk soos SS met die 328 nie...

 

[freerider]

Don whats the tab so far on the 540? Whats the limit going to be. Moenie die hoender ruk soos SS met die 328 nie...

So far the total tab sits at R9800 including cost of the car :clap:

 

[SirSparky]

don,when u gonna get some bad ass rims for that cabby of yours?

 

[freerider]

I'm looking man.... I'm looking

 

[freerider]

I'm hopefully going to be getting started with some detailing work on the 540 this weekend, will post pics and keep you ouens updated.

 

[freerider]

I have a bit of a bitter sweet announcement to make....

Late 97 my dad was diagnosed with a form of epilepsy (he doesnt throw fits though), caused by brain damage to his temporal lobe from almost dying of meningitis when he was 5. Long story short, he was medically boarded (he was an electrical engineer), but has been doing factory maintenance for a family owned business in East London for the past 8 years or so, but the economic times have caused them to severely cut his hours.

He does not have his own vehicle and currently uses the factories Isuzu, but is uncertain as to how long he will still be there.

He bought me my first car, so I have decided that I will be sorting out the intake gasket and control arms on the 540i and will be giving it to him. I will be sad to see it go, but I know that he needs it more than I do.

 

[Uber Soldat]

Dude! I would like to do the same for my dad one day!

I applaud you for your kindness good sir! :clap:

 

[Jandre]

+1 from my side as well.

 

[Hellas]

:thumbsup:

 

[freerider]

I firmly believe in reaping what you sow, and he has bought both my brother and I cars, so its time for him to start reaping those rewards

This also means that I will have more time to spend on the e46, I had plans of trading it in on a 330i, but I have already payed 2yrs of the installments and dont particularly feel like signing up for another 5 yrs right now so I might just put a bit of money into the suspension setup on the 320i If you cant beat them in the straight lines, you might as well do it in the corners

 

[Fuzzy]

the 540 was indeed a good investment! Her body is straight and solid, in great shape considering her age too. She was built tough! Today's car's arent built quite the same! I like big cars, smooth solid rides!

Respect to you! :thumbsup: I hold great admiration for your kindness and generosity. You will indeed reap what you have sowed! A truly blessed person is that of a man who takes care of his parents!

 

[msm]

Respect to you! :thumbsup: I hold great admiration for your kindness and generosity. You will indeed reap what you have sowed! A truly blessed person is that of a man who takes care of his parents!

+ 100000000000000000000000000000

 

[freerider]

Respect to you! :thumbsup: I hold great admiration for your kindness and generosity. You will indeed reap what you have sowed! A truly blessed person is that of a man who takes care of his parents!

+ 100000000000000000000000000000

:thumbsup: My dad did not have to buy me my first car, so I have no problem doing this

 

[Carn]

Big up to you Don, respect indeed :clap:

 

[freerider]

So my dad declined the offer, stating that he has no need for the vehicle, and that I must square up all my outstanding debt before even thinking about getting him a car.

I have finally sorted out the registration of the 540, and it will be going to live with uber