kiwi328i

I am very proud of my Bimmersport brothers and sisters. Its articles like this that bring out the best and worst in us. Mostly the worst, because lets face it, news reporters like sending us up and this sounds pretty ripe. Its like a free for all, for over opinioned types, internet bashers and the like. We are pretty good. I mean, would such a claim have been whispered if John Key wasn't there, no camera crews, no reporters. No mainstream reporter gives a toss what happens down there, and to be fair its not even worth newspaper space either. Kiwi's need to be talking about collaborations. Many years ago the Crown claimed to have owned more land than what actually existed, obviously due to claiming ownership over more land than they actually owned. Greed I guess is a factor here, and over stretching ones political power. It's well documented. It's history and yeah it's not something to be proud of at all. But when you hear of all of these claims, and 'interests' I think it is going to come full circle and blow me down, I think at some stage soon Maori are going to be claiming more than what actually exists past or present!

Welcome to Bimmersport! I had 2 almost identical E34's at the same time a 525i manual NZ New, i.e. made in Germany shipped to NZ and a UK import 530i Manual. Same year, similar wear and tear. The underbody of my NZ new was far better, everything underneath the UK car that could rust had superficial rust everywhere. I had nothing on my NZ car at all. I think our better climate is better for our cars in the long run. I still have the UK car, the superficial rust is just that, and I can live with it, it wont get any worse here, as I have had it over two years and it hasn't got any worse. I am glad you bought the 4 new cylinder things. I am sure it goes much better. Enjoy this site, it is full of very very bright people who can save you thousands!!!

Nope, but I did throw my entire system out a year ago if that helps, it weighed a ton. I would have given that to you. Someone must have that little piece hanging around somewhere?

I put as much petrol in my car, usually in $50.00 units. I don't know how long it stays in there...then I put some more in. I figured I have spent 2-3 odd grand on suspension alone and its a 4 litre V8. Why would I bother stressing out knowing what kms/l or L/kms or mpg it does. it's like having a missus who you just bought an engagement ring for (begrudgingly...at a price you cannot repeat to anyone) and then taking her to macdonalds hoping like hell she doesn't order a large fries as well. I mean...

Having a bmw weekend car. I can always think of sh*t to do with it. I am making a custom centre console. Having the three piece wheels 'fit'. I am welding in wider metal flares in the rear, maybe the front. AND I do not have to do ANY mechanical work to it (done that already) so its reliable as hell, spent thousands mine. ha

Always cool to see more people in e34's. Check out the birdnest of wires underneath the back seat. That may help sort out your reception, you have to follow everything from beginning to end. Modern stereo units have a bit more grunt too. Pull off your inner door card. sounds like something has detached. Welcome.

Matt, This really has that 'I wish I didn't sell that car all those years ago' look to it don't you think? I have a few of those under my belt, and really...I really wish I didn't sell a few of my past cars, they are just rare as and you never see them on the road. V8 Manuals are a dying breed

On my E36 328i, I had lowered aftermarket springs, cant remember the make. I had some B6's HD's on there, nice, got some Sports B8's, tried those, and after a month, swapped them back. Online there are numerous arguments about valving etc between the two, and I for one can definitely say, all things being the same, the B8's are significantly harder on the ride of your car. Because of this, I went straight to B6's on my E34 and hell to whoever tells you, if you run lowered stiffer springs you need to run Sports B8's.. It just doesn't work that way in reality, not on a daily driver in any case. I only went Bilstein because I didn't want to spend much more, otherwise I was very tempted to go Koni. In the E34 world at least nearly everyone runs B6's on significantly shorter springs without issue, so I be damn if I know who those B8's are good for?

If it were me in this situation, I would argue that Aluminum is an appropriate material, if it were not why would so many companies make them. Bread or jandals I would argue would be less appropriate materials.

I prefer the E32, it's rawer in the flesh, but I admire the E38, but the E32 pulls more heart strings, in the same way I prefer the E34 to the look of any E39. The E39 may be better, could be a lot better even, but I am only talking about looks, and the twin headlights and raw appeal is greater, the E39 and E38 were better cars, but were softened I think in the looks dept relative to their forbearers. You could still get a manual E32 3.5 and that's awesome, E38, not so much.

Much better looking, but I am sure they could do better. The 6 Series Grande Coupe' is almost stunning in the flesh, and whilst this may be more imposing, it aint better looking. Could only get better to be honest, the S Class, A8 and Jag XJ are very good looking. Bmw needs to get a move on. Those kidneys are now more like Lungs, they are truly enormous.

In the movie 'no strings attached' Ashton Kutcher's character drives a flippin mint one of these, watch it. I reckon for a weekend cruiser it's a cool way to go. Its a very cool car.

Hi Alex, do you have a picture or model number? Cheers

Cheapest springs are from Jamex, good drop will do. Next would be Kings from George Stocks, Vogts etc keep chatting nicely with the Guys from George Stocks, forgot his name but an ex bmw dude works there and if I remember correctly used to bring them in? Forgotten now, but he is there and can access other brands, then there is XYZ Coilovers out of Tga, but to just drop it I would go Jamex- North Shore then if you want to change or play with it later you will still have the original springs. NZD-USD conversion is not good right now fyi. I use Turner, Pelican and ECS for most of my stuff oh and AKG motorsport. Shocks, talk to GeorgeStocks he is a Koni/Kyb man, but Koni's are the go I heard. Not cheap, but very good shocks. Once you have done your maintenance, check everything, once you drop your shocks, you will see what else you need, Shock mounts if shot need to be replaced whilst you are at it, but have someone who knows what they are doing under your car with an appropriate lever/bar checking all of your bushes/mounts/joints/links. Your shopping list may HAVE to grow.

Awesome. Good score bro. My thoughts on your thoughts. IN the mean time enjoy driving it and finding its faults etc, strange noises. My thoughts are based on your very conservative budget. You need to triple that is my conservative view. I loved my M50b25, it's a great motor. So far plans for this General Maintenance (Engine & Transmission Oil and Service) -Fully agree! Cosmetic Repairs (Petrol flap, headlight glass) -Agree Volvo Lip and have the sides and lower bumper matching the bodies colour. -No, not for ages, if ever LSD (or might just weld it shut for 100% locking - Flame suit on) -You're joking right? A Ebay Euro Chip Tune -Absolutely freakin not Exhaust modifications -umm not worth it at all, maybe cheaply Some Suspension work, (for now I may just settle with some sports lowering springs) -Spend everything you got Perhaps some better Mags and Tires,(currently has 15" Style 5's) -later later, just have them balanced etc. Maybe followed by a Strut Bar and Custom Xbrace etc. later later later if ever

Depending on how well you are on tools, and whether its weather dependent I think it would be easier to do everything altogether. Does anything NEED to be replaced, and how long do you think you could manage looking at it at std height? I only ask because, I think ideally, doing shockmounts, shocks/inserts and springs should be done together. Unless of course you don't mind disassembling/re-assembling stuff all the time. Doing the aftermarket lowered springs/std shock combo may not improve the handling, more chances of worsening it as they are not ideally matched. Most spring/shock combos are 'made for each other' and of the other desirable combos, you will find opinions all over the net, i.e koni inserts/vogtland springs. I bought nearly all of mine from the states, it was cheaper. The wheels you seek, everyone wants, and they are anything but cheap. M-Parallel's are 18" afaik? They are also quite heavy, so you may not get any noticeable difference in performance from your 525i. I have had 15", 16", 17" and 18" on mine including the M-pars and they might steer more cleanly but worse for ride and marginally on brakes. No one will down trade in their right mind, not that there are lots around. Have a look on Ebay and see what they are worth. I went HD Bilsteins on mine all round, have a look at the numerous sites for their opinions. There are lots of options...just sweet fa here available in NZ. Most factory shocks on these heavy beasties are screwed by the time we buy them anyway and need replacement.

I guess everything has a price (yes Matt, that's a nod to you ). PM me if you are interested. I have done lots to mine, and it has costs me thousands, ultimately I would like to get some return before letting her go, if I ever do, but hey you never know. If you are after a cheap V8 E34, I am not that unfortunately.

Yes Michael. Agree fully. Main term here being that they are "quintessential"...try to close your eyes up and not think too hard about the "money pit" aspect. :banghead:

I sold the 525i Manual. I only have the 530i manual with the M60b40 conversion, which will no doubt kick your "...not looking to spend too much" into next week.

How much is not too much? On these things, what you don't spend up front, better than average chances later you will be for maintenance, performance etc.

Two on here Dude. http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/52932-1994-bmw-540i-e34/ http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/52958-bmw-e34-525i-palm-nth/ That can buy you a lot of E34, the market rate is poor, which is great news for you!

Awesome score. A lot of car for the money. I had an E36 328i coupe myself and loved it, loved modding it as well. Enjoy.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/wheels-tyres/alloy-wheels/auction-895493376.htm

It's the little things that make projects so arrgghhhhhhh. This sounds...well actually this sounds exactly why I like owning cars with not soo many electrical things to go wrong. Every E38 secondhand/buyers guide I have ever read mentions this, and that is the only thing, well other than size that puts me off. But a perfect running one must be just mint! If I was better at computer stuff I guess that wouldn't bother me at all, but I am mudd. The E38 used to be considered big, and I guess it aint small, but parked next to an E65 its much nicer I think. Keep going, its going to be real nice. I love that leather console.

Welcome. I helped a mate into buying a NZ New 2003 facelifted 330i, much like yours and as a daily driver, geez that car was good, it even sounded good through it's std exhaust.