Eagle

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I have problems getting off the line in my 540i6 with 275 Bridgestone S001's, love to see this try once its charged haha.

Seems my memory was fairly correct. US spec data one but same rotor dimensions it seems. 540i brakes: Front 324mm x 30mm 1-piece vented rotors Rear 298mm x 20mm 1-piece vented rotors M5 Brakes: Front 345mm x 32mm 1-piece vented rotors Rear 328mm x 20mm 1-piece vented rotors Appears M5 1 piece fronts cost sightly more than 540i OEM fronts at $140NZD each which isn't expected, but OEM Floating front rotors are $300NZD each. These are overseas prices. You need M5 calipers and carriers to fit M5 rotors. I can't see any reason to have front M5 rotors on 540i.

Exactly, i was just about to post the same thing. Sure the 530i handles a little and has nicer steering feel but its nothing compared to having more hp and way more torque with a V8. My E34 is nearly as fast as a 530i with its M30 engine that come out in early 80's making the M54 a pretty pathetic engine power wise, most of them are slushboxes too making the handle benefits a moot point to me.

Had a guy on another forum try to signup for an account. It appears to eventually timeout after completing stage 1 of the process.

Are you talking front or rear rotors? I looked at it awhile ago. If i remember the M5 front rotors were only like 1 or 2mm wider and only 2-3mm thicker The rears were bigger(20-25mm iirc) but same diameter. Rears might be worth it on the track.

Two M20's=V12, 2 of just about everything actually.

Ah that sucks but yeah i sure know the old gravel on a corner feeling.

Older than late 80's BMW seem a bit hit and miss. Ive been able to get options lists sometimes for older cars like 1984-1986 635csi's and such

This. Getting a cheap good condition E36 becoming hard and harder just like E30's. I think its alot easier to get a tidy 5 or 7 series as they arent as popular and less chance f**king bubba has owned it.

Good idea. So its a jap specific MKIV?.

Unless ive missed it im wondering is how do you go off the road in the first place

Any idea what this is?, no external numbers on outside . Doesn't look like of the usual MkI-IV ive ever seen but im no expert. Will rip it out tomorrow and inspect it further anyway Car is 9\99 build Japan 540i

Mines done 346,000k and still lockups quite well. Obviously i dont know its history. Yeah sort of does, im sure its had shocks done at those km. Good(and bad in a way) thing about the E36's is you can check what shocks its running when the viewing car. Yeah should be a direct bolt on. Only issue with 2nd hand you dont know how history of them or what they really like till you install them but bilsteins should give a good lifespan. As for the springs the guy is a member one here so you can ask him

When you convert your 540i to manual im sure you will want and then appreciate having one. Unless of course you like creating a smoke screen every time you try to floor it from a standstill haha.

Cant say im really clued up on M50 vs M52 power mods but I myself would still take the M50 robustness over M52. Some good headers and a remap probably still going to be the best valve $ for power and that's all id personally probably do, even that seems a waste unless you are converting it to manual as the auto going to suck power and just be generally sh*t. Shocks\springs and wheels\tyres are what i start with. Haven't really looked into pricing for E36's but would think you'd be able to get a new set of sport shocks for <1k landed from overseas at places like shox.com. Should be plenty of options for springs locally or maybe you could get spring\shock package for a good deal second hand or overseas if shipping and GST aint too bad.

First time ive seen Canada version E36 Not the greatest rims yeah but think they look ok, If the interior is tidy and motor is good then a few spray cans to for colour code the sides and spend the rest on new shocks\springs\tyres etc. Done.

All i was trying to say its better to get something a bit cheaper maybe not perfect but still in decent condition and spend the money saved to make the car better. Otherwise you may be looking very long time. The fact is unless its some real enthusiasts pride and joy and they have refreshed\upgraded all the suspension components, its probably never going handle as good it was when new. Sure the blue 328i handling was easily acceptable but my 535is was still better as im on good rubber and have replaced\upgraded near every suspension part because i wanted it to handle. For you average person that would be a waste of money. So you can either drag this record on hoping you find the perfect car ~6k or get something respectable and throw some money at it like most of us do.

I dont even really know what you want anymore besides not paying more than 6k. Since you have said you will be happy with an 540i why dont you check out this one:http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/540ia/auction-684171623.htm E34's have quality interiors so not need to worry about that Way more power and torque than 325\328i, check Take the remaining 2-3k and chuck in new shocks\springs, tyres and bushings and even a lsd The result is a car that is probably going to be better than any E36 that you willing to pay for.

Cheers. This is the only E39 V8 manual ive driven so i couldn't answer that sorry.

Relisted

Well if you want outright power then the 540i is hard to beat for the price, sounds like you should just start looking harder at them then tbh. If you dont mind sticking with the auto then i dont see why you shouldn't just buy one, throw some decent springs and shocks in it and call it a day. As for a poor mans M5 well i suppose thats technically true but since you are looking at poor man automatic m3's yourself i dont think it really matters haha. My poor mans M5 handles better and is faster than most poor man M3's ive driven, not to mention its packing the legendary M30 engine which needs no introduction. Safe to say your be in box in the ground by the time an M30 has a midlife crisis lol.

Im curious as to why you'd pick a 540i over 535i? I like 540i's and they have their advantages but a 535i manual is alot more engaging to drive than a 540i auto(which is what you want i thought) among other things.

You can always buy a nice E34, alot better quality interiors. Mark's selling a nice 535i manual. http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/47670-for-sale-e34-535ise-manual-128000-ks/

Didn't realize there are so many 328i on trademe, mostly autos sadly. Too many to list but this one looks tidy, well optioned and seems like it could be had for a good price, some better photos would help alot though. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/328i/auction-680605542.htm