-
Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
Life with my E34's
- Thread starter ashley
- Start date
ashley
///Member
Well after the Sunday drive the 540 has decided she needs more attention.
One times water pump at R1300 plus VAT plus gaskets Thank you very much old girl.:yuck:
My Mechanic is smiling again of course. I should get back on Wednesday
So the 525i is back in service again. Hmm forgot how much fun she is to drive; the 2.5 litre is not a lazy motor, just wants to be revved and boy does she pick up speed quickly. :rollsmile:
Still an honest motor with 395k on the clock.
After been at the races this weekend, I brain is full of funny ideas….. This is not going to be good!! :flyfun:
So I may be asking soon what mod’s give a 525i more power and what else I can fit for better handling etc.
One times water pump at R1300 plus VAT plus gaskets Thank you very much old girl.:yuck:
My Mechanic is smiling again of course. I should get back on Wednesday
So the 525i is back in service again. Hmm forgot how much fun she is to drive; the 2.5 litre is not a lazy motor, just wants to be revved and boy does she pick up speed quickly. :rollsmile:
Still an honest motor with 395k on the clock.
After been at the races this weekend, I brain is full of funny ideas….. This is not going to be good!! :flyfun:
So I may be asking soon what mod’s give a 525i more power and what else I can fit for better handling etc.
Raybimmer
New member
Ashley you can try Dyno auto tech ( Gary and Boet Marais ) in Kimberley road in E.L. at 043 742 5155 or Kaz Auto Repairs ( Kaz -ex BMW city mech .) at 043 722 3269 . Both are good and should sort out the low speed hesitation -prices are also good , I have no personal experience of Winmac ( John Mc Donald-stays in Gonubie ! ) , except guys saying they are expensive .Good luck .
ashley
///Member
The 540i has sent a week at the mechanic getting a new water pump – bl00dy huge thing,:flyfun: and finally the larger rear discs fitted plus a few other bits and pieces
But the 525i did well, going to drive her more often if I can keep the keys long enough away from Dad.:rollsmile:
Last weekend attended an out of town, work function. On returning to East London, Sunday morning we had to return the Toyota bus thingies to the rental company, :thumbdo:so asked a work buddy to fetch me, but he had to drive my 525i, just as the heavens opened. He said was crawling, been very nervous about driving my car. Well he thought he was crawling until he looked down at the speedo
His words “bl00dy hell your car picks up speed quickly and you don’t feel it†- well usually drives drive a 1.3 Conquest. :biglol:
He refuses to drive the 540i shame - he does not know what he is missing!!!!:rollsmile::rollsmile:
But the 525i did well, going to drive her more often if I can keep the keys long enough away from Dad.:rollsmile:
Last weekend attended an out of town, work function. On returning to East London, Sunday morning we had to return the Toyota bus thingies to the rental company, :thumbdo:so asked a work buddy to fetch me, but he had to drive my 525i, just as the heavens opened. He said was crawling, been very nervous about driving my car. Well he thought he was crawling until he looked down at the speedo
His words “bl00dy hell your car picks up speed quickly and you don’t feel it†- well usually drives drive a 1.3 Conquest. :biglol:
He refuses to drive the 540i shame - he does not know what he is missing!!!!:rollsmile::rollsmile:
clutchplate
///Member
Hahaha ! ... This made me laugh so hard .. the blue E39 you saw is my 540i dude 
I have also seen your E34 around town a few times ... small world ..
you must definitely come past the workshop now
...
I have also seen your E34 around town a few times
... small world ..you must definitely come past the workshop now
...
ashley said:
ashley
///Member
An update on “life with the my E34sâ€
(While waiting for next Month-end job to finish on the system, only 20 more to go)
I received the licence renewal notice today, for the 540 at a cost of R501.00 - thank you very much. :flyfun:
So it is a year I’ve owned the silver monster now and just over 14000km’s added to the meter
So far I have her serviced 3 times, replaced the brakes, shocks, tyres, window winder and other bits and pieces, I’ve drawn the conclusion that she is a greedy little cow compared to the 525i which I’ve had for nearly 3 years now and has cost me half the amount I spent in one year on the 540i over the 2 ¾ years, plus the 525i is a year older and 70000km’s longer on the meter. I actually tend to drive crap more out of the 525i than the 540i
I also tried that test of the switching to that petrol that begins with an “E†– only two filling stations both in East London selling that brand, so must re-train brain to fill up before going home not when going to work, because lovely Gonubie has a S***, a B8, Ca***, and To** filling stations but no E** filling station. Anyway there is an bit of an improvement in fuel usage, from 5.7 km per litre to 6.2km per litre – yes folks 6km per litre not 6 litres per 100km like the boring little “whine me†up eco crap some people ‘drive†or is it commute in.
On the eco subject, my beloved old 540I will do less damage in its whole life time, than one of those Toy0000 Hybrid things does just in the manufacture of the hybrid’s battery’s alone. Plus I enjoy the sound of the V8 not a sewing motor, because one day we all will be forced to commute around in of those crappy eco things when oil runs out or petrol cost R50 a litre.
Last week I had a look at a Silver E39 525i Touring, 2003 model with 275000km’s on it. The seller says the shocks need replacing and a few other things, had a look anyway, what a shocker. The state of the poor thing not even washed, grubby insides, clips broken etc., damage to the front bumper plus crappy aftermarket angel eyes, but the motor starts first turn of the key – and Lucky – is asking R65000.00. I think you need to add R25000 just for fixing her up to a reasonable standard. My freaking 1993 525i is in better condition and she only cost me R30000 with a RWC. If you going to sell a car, at least clean the thing and try to present its best features.
I still fancy an E39 Touring but not in that state.
Replaced the540’s fuel line which was leaking in the engine bay, 3 visits to the old “fix it person†and he could find the fault so I will be not be going back there again, Next service will be at “clutch plate’s shopâ€
Replacing the fuel line, I thought this would also get rid of the jerky pull off that tends to crop up now and again. I think we have an electrical issue somewhere. When problem occurs, it is when I engage Drive or Reverse, put if we push the sports button, and then she works fine. Well today we have new trick, engaged drive and we die, we preformed this trick 3 times, So I decide on the fourth restart to gas it before engaging drive in sports mode –It worked but I forgot to left the foot for about half km before realising I was going a bit too quickly. I forget how quickly she can pick up speed.
Just a brain fart – has any one fitted a good nudge / bull bar to a BMW sedan or has any ideas, the reason is we have a lot of hippos roaming around in roads here in East London, mostly the 2 legged 2 ton double ass type. That seem not enjoy using the pavement area but prefer the smooth road surface to roam on and I’m worry if I may by accident lightly touch one with front or side of car, the amount of damage they can cause to my baby, remember they are heavy slow type.
As I said just a brain fart
PS. Coisman may like this; East London Metro Traffic has just purchased 10 x BMW 3 series as patrol cars at R320000 each. Should have be 4x4 with state of roads
The local track is having an open day for cars on 23rd October, thinking I may partake in this event.
Cheers for now
(While waiting for next Month-end job to finish on the system, only 20 more to go)
I received the licence renewal notice today, for the 540 at a cost of R501.00 - thank you very much. :flyfun:
So it is a year I’ve owned the silver monster now and just over 14000km’s added to the meter
So far I have her serviced 3 times, replaced the brakes, shocks, tyres, window winder and other bits and pieces, I’ve drawn the conclusion that she is a greedy little cow compared to the 525i which I’ve had for nearly 3 years now and has cost me half the amount I spent in one year on the 540i over the 2 ¾ years, plus the 525i is a year older and 70000km’s longer on the meter. I actually tend to drive crap more out of the 525i than the 540i
I also tried that test of the switching to that petrol that begins with an “E†– only two filling stations both in East London selling that brand, so must re-train brain to fill up before going home not when going to work, because lovely Gonubie has a S***, a B8, Ca***, and To** filling stations but no E** filling station. Anyway there is an bit of an improvement in fuel usage, from 5.7 km per litre to 6.2km per litre – yes folks 6km per litre not 6 litres per 100km like the boring little “whine me†up eco crap some people ‘drive†or is it commute in.
On the eco subject, my beloved old 540I will do less damage in its whole life time, than one of those Toy0000 Hybrid things does just in the manufacture of the hybrid’s battery’s alone. Plus I enjoy the sound of the V8 not a sewing motor, because one day we all will be forced to commute around in of those crappy eco things when oil runs out or petrol cost R50 a litre.
Last week I had a look at a Silver E39 525i Touring, 2003 model with 275000km’s on it. The seller says the shocks need replacing and a few other things, had a look anyway, what a shocker. The state of the poor thing not even washed, grubby insides, clips broken etc., damage to the front bumper plus crappy aftermarket angel eyes, but the motor starts first turn of the key – and Lucky – is asking R65000.00. I think you need to add R25000 just for fixing her up to a reasonable standard. My freaking 1993 525i is in better condition and she only cost me R30000 with a RWC. If you going to sell a car, at least clean the thing and try to present its best features.
I still fancy an E39 Touring but not in that state.
Replaced the540’s fuel line which was leaking in the engine bay, 3 visits to the old “fix it person†and he could find the fault so I will be not be going back there again, Next service will be at “clutch plate’s shopâ€
Replacing the fuel line, I thought this would also get rid of the jerky pull off that tends to crop up now and again. I think we have an electrical issue somewhere. When problem occurs, it is when I engage Drive or Reverse, put if we push the sports button, and then she works fine. Well today we have new trick, engaged drive and we die, we preformed this trick 3 times, So I decide on the fourth restart to gas it before engaging drive in sports mode –It worked but I forgot to left the foot for about half km before realising I was going a bit too quickly. I forget how quickly she can pick up speed.
Just a brain fart – has any one fitted a good nudge / bull bar to a BMW sedan or has any ideas, the reason is we have a lot of hippos roaming around in roads here in East London, mostly the 2 legged 2 ton double ass type. That seem not enjoy using the pavement area but prefer the smooth road surface to roam on and I’m worry if I may by accident lightly touch one with front or side of car, the amount of damage they can cause to my baby, remember they are heavy slow type.
As I said just a brain fart
PS. Coisman may like this; East London Metro Traffic has just purchased 10 x BMW 3 series as patrol cars at R320000 each. Should have be 4x4 with state of roads
The local track is having an open day for cars on 23rd October, thinking I may partake in this event.
Cheers for now
Nic_s
///Member
Sometimes cars just don't want to play along. My 318i has died 4 times on me this week. Twice was in the morning. The other was while I was coming to a stop. It would struggle to stay alive for about 2secs (Revs dip to like 400rpm) spits and putters, then die. Start it again and all is 100%. I don't get it.
And then to add to it all, I won't have the 540 for the breakfast run this weekend. Even if I get the clutch by tomorrow, my mechie won't b e able to put it in until next week
Damn cars!
And then to add to it all, I won't have the 540 for the breakfast run this weekend. Even if I get the clutch by tomorrow, my mechie won't b e able to put it in until next week
Damn cars!
ashley
///Member
Update Jan 2012
Tomorrow is going to be a sad day, as we are going to say good-bye to our trusty work-horse
The 525i has a new home.
Story
I’ve being driving the 525i for a while now, as the 540i is in for some more TLC again
So on Thursday last week I was filling up at the petrol, this guy walks over and asks “so is this one still a strong one?’
We chat about the car, me bragging about the 392000kms etc. :tease:
So the question is popped “how much?â€
I quote a figure,
“Soldâ€:flyfun:
Well Leonard takes my contact details;
He has another look on Sunday and we go for a test drive. The old 525 behaves and shows for a her best assets,
So tomorrow Leonard fetches her
Going to miss that 6 pot growl :argh:
540 is still at the work-shop so we will have be nice to Mum for few days,
So I use 1 times 535i E34 for a few days, the car will to be woken up to do some work again, and being “sleeping for a whileâ€, Mum does not drive much, I get the shopping list via email damn never should have bought her that PC.:argh::bangdesk:
Work has been restarted again on Dad’s E24 again, sorted out the front brakes, removed fronts seats to be repaired, once it has been sprayed and sort, I start driving it once a week.
Looking forward to that :rollsmile:
Cheers
One sad puppy until we get V8 back...:evilish:
Tomorrow is going to be a sad day, as we are going to say good-bye to our trusty work-horse
The 525i has a new home.
Story
I’ve being driving the 525i for a while now, as the 540i is in for some more TLC again
So on Thursday last week I was filling up at the petrol, this guy walks over and asks “so is this one still a strong one?’
We chat about the car, me bragging about the 392000kms etc. :tease:
So the question is popped “how much?â€
I quote a figure,
“Soldâ€:flyfun:
Well Leonard takes my contact details;
He has another look on Sunday and we go for a test drive. The old 525 behaves and shows for a her best assets,
So tomorrow Leonard fetches her
Going to miss that 6 pot growl :argh:
540 is still at the work-shop so we will have be nice to Mum for few days,
So I use 1 times 535i E34 for a few days, the car will to be woken up to do some work again, and being “sleeping for a whileâ€, Mum does not drive much, I get the shopping list via email damn never should have bought her that PC.:argh::bangdesk:
Work has been restarted again on Dad’s E24 again, sorted out the front brakes, removed fronts seats to be repaired, once it has been sprayed and sort, I start driving it once a week.
Looking forward to that :rollsmile:
Cheers
One sad puppy until we get V8 back...:evilish:
clutchplate
///Member
soon .. lol, .. or shall I torment you a little .. *evil grin*
ashley
///Member
Tomorrow will be one week since I sold the E34 525I manual
Driving to work today in Mum’s E34 535I Auto (Lazy thing), I pulled up to a stop, and the left foot was looking for clutch and the left hand was looking for the gear level - agggggg Damn I miss that manual and the noise.
The new owner has sms-ed me to thank me for selling the car to him, wife and kids “love it†so I know, she has gone to a good home.:=):
The V8 is in the workshop getting some TLC, so I am stuck with Mum’s car, bets walking, just, I hate her car for some reason ,maybe because it is lazy, it does not growl but whines like a turbine, plus it drinks fuel by the gallon and it tried to kill me (okay the ABS failed).
Filled by at the same garage where 525’s new owner works today, and got asked, “it this one for sale, it is nice†– YES damn It,-maybe I can rid of this infernal vehicle, have to ask Mum what she wants for it. Once I get 535I sold, then maybe suggest to her to buy E39 540I for “Her and Dad†and I’ll get some smaller for the short town trips, and then I can “borrow†the 540I on weekends / holiday drives, too keep the “battery charged!†I think the last her car was used was 6 month ago, when I drove for some reason, what a waste.
Any way back to work got to earn some money to put petrol in the V8 when I get it back.
Driving to work today in Mum’s E34 535I Auto (Lazy thing), I pulled up to a stop, and the left foot was looking for clutch and the left hand was looking for the gear level - agggggg Damn I miss that manual and the noise.
The new owner has sms-ed me to thank me for selling the car to him, wife and kids “love it†so I know, she has gone to a good home.:=):
The V8 is in the workshop getting some TLC, so I am stuck with Mum’s car, bets walking, just, I hate her car for some reason ,maybe because it is lazy, it does not growl but whines like a turbine, plus it drinks fuel by the gallon and it tried to kill me (okay the ABS failed).
Filled by at the same garage where 525’s new owner works today, and got asked, “it this one for sale, it is nice†– YES damn It,-maybe I can rid of this infernal vehicle, have to ask Mum what she wants for it. Once I get 535I sold, then maybe suggest to her to buy E39 540I for “Her and Dad†and I’ll get some smaller for the short town trips, and then I can “borrow†the 540I on weekends / holiday drives, too keep the “battery charged!†I think the last her car was used was 6 month ago, when I drove for some reason, what a waste.
Any way back to work got to earn some money to put petrol in the V8 when I get it back.
clutchplate
///Member
cool, I got promised that your parts are going to be ready for collection in an hour from now .. they were STILL busy un-packing crates this morning ..
lol, so lets see ..
lol, so lets see ..
ashley
///Member
Picked up the 540i this afternoon, it was not at the workshop when I arrived.
Clutch was out test driving it. Standing waiting in the parking lot with Dad, we hear this lovely deep noise, and Dad says “Hmmm I recognise that racket anywhereâ€:flyfun:
Racket!!!!! :sorry: What that noise of the four litre V8 is a racket!!!!!! It is music to my ears.
How the last 2 weeks have been so empty without noise in my life.
Mum’s 535i is a lazy piece of junk compared to the V8 – thanks for the use anyway it bets walking just! :argh:
As I drove off from Clutch’s workshop, I could not stop myself from flooring the load pedal; oh life is happy again... Thanks again Clutch for fixing my “big babyâ€
It will be visiting soon again, there is quite list still to do. But get to drive it again and the ride is getting better and better.:bravo:
Looking forward to my annual trip to Knysna for the Hill Climb – 18th May
Cheers:=):
Clutch was out test driving it. Standing waiting in the parking lot with Dad, we hear this lovely deep noise, and Dad says “Hmmm I recognise that racket anywhereâ€:flyfun:
Racket!!!!! :sorry: What that noise of the four litre V8 is a racket!!!!!! It is music to my ears.
How the last 2 weeks have been so empty without noise in my life.
Mum’s 535i is a lazy piece of junk compared to the V8 – thanks for the use anyway it bets walking just! :argh:
As I drove off from Clutch’s workshop, I could not stop myself from flooring the load pedal; oh life is happy again... Thanks again Clutch for fixing my “big babyâ€
It will be visiting soon again, there is quite list still to do. But get to drive it again and the ride is getting better and better.:bravo:
Looking forward to my annual trip to Knysna for the Hill Climb – 18th May
Cheers:=):
Raybimmer
New member
Ashley Hi . I ride the e36 328i daily and the 540i is standing - the sound when I start it every Sunday or so is awesome ....
Only real problem is the previous owner had the rooflining recovered and when he drove the sunroof lid flew out.... Hope I can find a sunroof assembly soon .
I must take her to Clutchy so he can check the software out .
I met a guy who has a black e34 540i manual - he stays out on Macleantown road ....hope he joins fanatics :thumbs::thumbs:
What are you doing on Sundays ? Maybe I can take the old girl out to
Gonubie for a run !!
Only real problem is the previous owner had the rooflining recovered and when he drove the sunroof lid flew out.... Hope I can find a sunroof assembly soon .
I must take her to Clutchy so he can check the software out .
I met a guy who has a black e34 540i manual - he stays out on Macleantown road ....hope he joins fanatics :thumbs::thumbs:
What are you doing on Sundays ? Maybe I can take the old girl out to
Gonubie for a run !!
ashley
///Member
Beginning of March already, time flies as you get old, bloody hell what’s next wrap speed! :flyfun:
Any way got the 540i back from Clutch’s Workshop on Friday, more gaskets, seals and rubbers on engine and front suspension have now been replaced.
Some more bigly seals and pipes on the engine and gearbox next month,
Enough for now!!!!
This car will be almost new by the time I’m finish or Clutch’s team will be tired of seeing her and me. :rollsmile:
My Ex-boss believed if you are worried about how much something cost to run, then sell it because you are not enjoying it. Well last week I was in that dark area, thinking of selling “SpongeBob†:argh:
Well after my drive into work this morning, all is forgiven. We took my favourite route via a little narrow old hill climb and a “tunnel†No cars in front to slow us down today, sunroof fully open and windows down, eight cylinder rock track. Ps. I think exhaust has a leak near the front, well it can stay (Until I cough up for a new system think Power flow the whole system, something loud-ish) :rollsmile:
Was toying with the idea of converting her to a manual, well it will stay an auto until gearbox packs up and costs close to the conversion costs. I like to cruise along anyway
Plus Mum may need to drive “SpongeBob†now and then and her left knee has packed up and she can’t push in the clutch anymore!
I did a conversion once before on my 325iE36, the car was never the same again, just felt unhappy, yes it was fun but just was not right.
Discovered that the colour of the car is not original, she is in fact lighter Silver under the current darker silver coat. Depending on funds I may have a colour change to a dark colour or keep the darker silver, not so keen on the lighter version of silver.
Life carries on with my E34
Any way got the 540i back from Clutch’s Workshop on Friday, more gaskets, seals and rubbers on engine and front suspension have now been replaced.
Some more bigly seals and pipes on the engine and gearbox next month,
Enough for now!!!!
This car will be almost new by the time I’m finish or Clutch’s team will be tired of seeing her and me. :rollsmile:
My Ex-boss believed if you are worried about how much something cost to run, then sell it because you are not enjoying it. Well last week I was in that dark area, thinking of selling “SpongeBob†:argh:
Well after my drive into work this morning, all is forgiven. We took my favourite route via a little narrow old hill climb and a “tunnel†No cars in front to slow us down today, sunroof fully open and windows down, eight cylinder rock track. Ps. I think exhaust has a leak near the front, well it can stay (Until I cough up for a new system think Power flow the whole system, something loud-ish) :rollsmile:
Was toying with the idea of converting her to a manual, well it will stay an auto until gearbox packs up and costs close to the conversion costs. I like to cruise along anyway
Plus Mum may need to drive “SpongeBob†now and then and her left knee has packed up and she can’t push in the clutch anymore!
I did a conversion once before on my 325iE36, the car was never the same again, just felt unhappy, yes it was fun but just was not right.
Discovered that the colour of the car is not original, she is in fact lighter Silver under the current darker silver coat. Depending on funds I may have a colour change to a dark colour or keep the darker silver, not so keen on the lighter version of silver.
Life carries on with my E34
Raybimmer
New member
Ash
On Sunday I took the 540i for a spin....stuck to 2000 revs in each gear.....ok car warm and all fluids nicely working . Went through cambridge and came back past clutchy's place ,that 90 degree corner after Parmalat.....brake , down to second and turn , push.. do not tramp !! petrol pedal....235/45 x 17 tyres shout for help , a bit of steer to the right then straighten . At the T-junction turn right , nicely then plant foot to the floor ,quick change to second with revs about 4500 in first , tyres chirp.....next corner coming up fast ....go around to stop street . Turn into Amalinda main , get 130 before going around traffic circle.....shame those four cars I passed.....are their brakes locked on ?
That sound is awesome , but where do you have a limit before it becomes socially unacceptable ? Does anyone make branches for these cars ?
I know the Exhaust place in Bowls road wanted R4300 for Viper or TNT branches and a dual 57 mm system for the 328i , powerflow were R6000 for Viper branches and a dual 50 mm system .
Is your car Arctic silver ? The 5 series brochure lists that colour .
On Sunday I took the 540i for a spin....stuck to 2000 revs in each gear.....ok car warm and all fluids nicely working . Went through cambridge and came back past clutchy's place ,that 90 degree corner after Parmalat.....brake , down to second and turn , push.. do not tramp !! petrol pedal....235/45 x 17 tyres shout for help , a bit of steer to the right then straighten . At the T-junction turn right , nicely then plant foot to the floor ,quick change to second with revs about 4500 in first , tyres chirp.....next corner coming up fast ....go around to stop street . Turn into Amalinda main , get 130 before going around traffic circle.....shame those four cars I passed.....are their brakes locked on ?
That sound is awesome , but where do you have a limit before it becomes socially unacceptable ? Does anyone make branches for these cars ?
I know the Exhaust place in Bowls road wanted R4300 for Viper or TNT branches and a dual 57 mm system for the 328i , powerflow were R6000 for Viper branches and a dual 50 mm system .
Is your car Arctic silver ? The 5 series brochure lists that colour .
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