nzdonjohnson

hhmmm, i think its better to do a proper remap on a dyno so you can get the best results from the engine .

have done a couple of cars and got good results that you can see and feel

Yea - I did consider that, but this was just the quick and easy option. The car feels great, it's a big difference and feels a lot better around town. I'm not interested in racing, so for me it was more for drivability.

It'd be interesting to see how much difference it makes on a dyno...

I've got the Mark D'Sylva EAT Performance chip fitted to my 535 at the moment, and also the superchip one that came with the car - i'd be keen to map out the two and see which comes out on top. There's a real lack of this kind of information out there.

The superchip one is NZ$849 from superchips.co.nz, while the EAT is US$230...

Anyone work somewhere with a dyno they're able to offer up to see the difference between these chips?

Odd to be replying to my own post, but hey - it's like laughing at your own jokes I guess.

So my EAT performance chip arrived from the states on Christmas eve, I managed to find a guy selling it second hand for US$100 shipped to NZ, compared to US$229 for the chip alone new.

I was keen on what i'd heard from people in the States, everyone seemed to think the chip helped a lot down low in the powerband with drivability, and a fair amount of pep above 4k.

So... I got the ECU out of here:

Checked out the folded tab construction:

Flipped up the tabs:

And here's what I found:

So it already had a superchip fitted - I was wondering because when the beast hit 4000 RPM it had one helluva boot in the back over a standard 535iA.

All my online research led me to the Mark D'Sylva EAT Performance chip being right up there with the best, and better than most other chips - hence why I was keen to buy one.

Anyway - I installed this EAT powerchip (6k8 limit):

And whooooooooop whoooooop it's a great difference, down low performance and throttle response is a whole heap better. It's slightly quicker on the ass-o-meter above 4000 RPM, but the real difference is below this point.

It makes the beast heaps easier to manoeuvre in traffic, much smoother response off the line.

So, a good one first up - i'll post up as and when I fix / add things...

So here he is:

This is my 1990 M535iS which i'll be keeping on the road / adding some enhancements in the foreseeable future.

What it needs:

• Rotors Replaced
• Front drivers seat repaired
• Rear parcel tray re-dyed
• Door cards repaired
• Hoodlining Repair
• Suspension bushes
• EAT performance chip
• Full re-spray
• Fix oil leak from oil pan
• And plenty more i'm sure...

So here we go, hopefully i'll be able to contribute a bit to the forum - and you fellas can help me out when i'm in a bind!

Just another great review for Gavin - sorted me out with some bits and pieces for servicing the e34. Great pricing, very helpful and very prompt shipping.

If you need parts you need to talk to Gavin.

I'm looking for pricing for paint to respray the e34 at some point over the next 6-12 months - does anyone know a good place to buy BMW colours in Christchurch?

I'm specifically looking for Sterling Silver Metallic - color code 244.

I'd be interested in pricing for urethane bits for the e34...

Thanks guys - i'll check those tomorrow.

Yep - that's the one, good info to have, thanks Brent.

On another note, the oil leak I thought i'd fixed is still there, i'm certain thread locking the bolt got rid of one issue - but does anyone have any other common things (seals, gaskets, etc) to check on this engine?

Thanks

Welcome

great looking car! I haven't seen many of these in silver.

the shimmy is a common problem in E34's and E39's for that matter.

the most common cause is the front thrust arm bushes - they might be worn and wobbling a bit too much, it's worth checking them. Other causes are hubcentricness of your wheels if they are not standard, balancing of wheels & tyres etc

Thanks for the tips!

The thrust arms have been done, it's bad when i'm braking from 80-100 and when you're driving slowly with the foot lightly on the brake you feel that "pulsing" feeling of warped rotors. I'll swap them out and see what else needs doing while i'm under there.

Bit hard to tell from the pictures but if the pin that's left in the socket is hollow you might be able to get a very small "easy-out" (reverse threaded tap) to bite into it and pull it out...

I've just bought my first beemer, a glistening NZ new 1990 535iS with 230k on the clock, i'm in Christchurch and work in Rolleston which is a now a much better drive!

The better half owned an 87 320i which provided an introduction into working on these beasts. You've got a great forum here, it's been extremely helpful to me.

Car runs like a dream, the compression is perfect, radiator, water pump and viscous fan look almost new. Gearbox is solid and shifts easily, no funny clunks or clicks - but the front end needs tightening up, it's got a bit of a shimmy on rough roads.

And full VIN decode:

Type code     HD12

    Type     535I (EUR)

    Dev. series     E34 ()

    Line     5

    Body type     LIM

    Steering     RL

    Door count     4

    Engine     M30

    Cubical capacity     3.50

    Power     155

    Transmision     HECK

    Gearbox     MECH

    Colour     STERLINGSILBER METALLIC (244)

    Upholstery     SCHWARZ LEDER (0203)

    Prod. date     1989-09-08

    

    Order options

    No.     Description

    200     KATALYSATOR - ENTFALL

    209     LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (25%)

    226     SPORTS SUSPENSION SETTINGS

    291     BMW LM SCHMIEDERAD/KREUZSPEICH

    302     ALARM SYSTEM

    320     MODEL DESIGNATION, DELETION

    335     M TECHNIC SPORTPAKET

    401     SLIDING/VENT ROOF, ELECTRIC

    428     WARNING TRIANGLE

    481     SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER

    500     HEADLIGHT WASHER SYS/INTENSIVE CLEANING

    534     AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING

    548     SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING

    560     CO-PILOTS IN RR COMPARTMENT

    570     STRONGER ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

    676     HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

    687     RADIO PREPARATION

    708     M-SPORT LEATHER STEERING WHEEL II

    806     Neuseeland Ausfuehrung

    850     ADD FUEL TANK FILLING FOR EXPORT

    925     SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE

Looking forward to participating in the forums, i've got the following shortlist of things to do on the beast:

1. Fix oil leak (done - bolt next to AC condenser was loose, thread locked and re-fitted)

2. Front rotors & pads (nice sobering shudder on braking from 100-80)

3. Short shifter (thanks Glenn)

4. Front end steering / suspension revamp (excluding shocks).

5. Roof lining... do something...

6. Door cards, re-glue, or something...

7. Repair small drivers seat rip

Then maybe an EAT chip... or something similar - who knows, i'm in love with this thing, it handles like a dream.

Can anyone tell me what this body kit is?

In the very 1st picture i mean.

That's a Zender kit - no longer made and rare as. I think you can get copies from somewhere in Malaysia or Thailand - but i'm yet to find anyone who has links to a buyer...

The Z3 1.9 only...which I have in my car and fitted to about 12 other cars. Its not too short and feels great

Thanks Glenn - i'll pm you for payment details etc.

No new bushes only the one on the bottom of the shifter. The main ball bush for the shifter is about $30

Whats your chassis #... last 7 digits ??

Great - last 7 digits are BF00713.

Do you have the M3 shifter as well - or just the Z3 one?

I have the E30/E36 ones in stock. Should be the same. Genuine Z3 1.9 shifter. $120 incl Gst

Thanks Glenn - do they come with new bushings / circlips etc?

I was looking at these: Understeer Shifters

Anyone in NZ stock a short shifter for an e34? I'm keen on grabbing one and looking at bringing it over from the states... unless someone here sells them?

For a 535iS...

Anyone have any recommendations for front rotors and pads for an e34 535iS?

Road use only, don't mind spending a bit to get decent gear, but not after full race brakes.

Thanks

Sure do - i'm looking for one like this: 535i 3 button alarm remote

Looking for a 1990 e34 535i alarm remote, 3 button - second hand is sweet. Anyone have one they want to part with?

Looks nice - I'm keen on a few more pics too if possible.