Advice on what to do with '80s BMW.....?

[YTNUKLR]

I just picked up a 1986 535i from my uncle. It's a 5-speed, all stock, drives well, needs things like window motors and stuff. It is "Arctic Blue" metallic and looks like a 7/10 car overall, paint perhaps is a bit better quality (it's original paint). 215K miles. What is this puppy worth? Trustworthy? Things to watch out for (I don't know a lot about BMWs).

Thanks!

Scott

[fastpat]

Originally posted by YTNUKLR
I just picked up a 1986 535i from my uncle. It's a 5-speed, all stock, drives well, needs things like window motors and stuff. It is "Arctic Blue" metallic and looks like a 7/10 car overall, paint perhaps is a bit better quality (it's original paint). 215K miles. What is this puppy worth? Trustworthy? Things to watch out for (I don't know a lot about BMWs).

Thanks!

Scott

I suggest you go to MyE28.com. I've been a member for years, know a lot of the good folks there, and have partaken of the wealth of knowledge on these cars in the archives. If you can't find the answer there, the people are very knowledgeable as well.

As you've described the car it's very fixable. These cars can be readily tweaked up from the 182 hp they came with to about 206 hp. They're quiet when in good condition, and comfortable. Most were pretty well equipped when new.

Feel free to PM me, I'll tell you where I get most of my parts from.

[Moneyguy1]

I may have the same "opportunity" for a '89. The same info from BMW experts would be appreciated. Obviously, a PPI, but what else is a concern?

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
I may have the same "opportunity" for a '89. The same info from BMW experts would be appreciated. Obviously, a PPI, but what else is a concern?

The '89 was the first year for the E34, assuming yours is a 535i, it has the M30B35 engine, which is motronics 1.3, and 208 horsepower stock. I have one of these engines going into my '87 after my "big garage" is completed.

Post additional info about it.

[Moneyguy1]

It is a strange story..I am "first in line" to buy it after it is donated to a local charity. The owner said it belonged to his son (deceased) I know nothing more than that at this time. When I learn more I will be comping back to you folks.

[fastpat]

Yeah, let us know. E34's were refined, but can be a bit more troublesome with their electronics. They weigh more than e28's, usually about 3600 pounds vs. 3400. But they were tighter and quieter.

[YTNUKLR]

Excellent, I'll be sure to post some pics of the 5 soon!

Also: fastpat, your 3.0 is too beautiful for words...my Mom had a '73 CS back in the early 80s (that color, with gold BBS wheels). My Dad also had an Irish Green '70 911S at the time...and they sold both of them by the time I was born! Now, where the hell did I put that time machine?

Best,
Scott

[fastpat]

Originally posted by YTNUKLR
Excellent, I'll be sure to post some pics of the 5 soon!

Also: fastpat, your 3.0 is too beautiful for words...my Mom had a '73 CS back in the early 80s (that color, with gold BBS wheels). My Dad also had an Irish Green '70 911S at the time...and they sold both of them by the time I was born! Now, where the hell did I put that time machine?

Best,
Scott

Here's photos from one of our Wrenchfests, this one up in the hills above Oakland. That's Derek, our host for this one, on the right, Mike Coen on the left. I'd expect he and you are about the same age. That's his father's Audi V8, with the full coilover suspension and four wheel Brembo upgrade.


Mike Coen and his euro-bumpered 535i.


Another pic of Mike's car. It's amazing how much cleaner the european bumpers are, and why I decided to go with them. Lighter too.


Yous truly standing behind Derek's mothers car, yep, it's her daily driver in good weather, and there's a lot of good weather in the SF Bay area. That's my 325iC in the background.


That's the back 2/3's of Derek's E28 in the foreground.


As I say, the guys are a great bunch, E28 enthusiasts all, and span about 4 decades in ages.

[Racerbvd]

I have a set of 8X16 540i rims, BBS style if you need wheels

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Racerbvd
I have a set of 8X16 540i rims, BBS style if you need wheels

What is the offset of those wheels? Are you absolutely sure it's a BMW wheel with an 8 inch rim width? The offset and size is cast into the wheel, offset should be ET:20. Those should be 16x7 Style 5 wheels for an E39. If it's an aftermarket wheel, then that size is more likely.

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by fastpat
What is the offset of those wheels? Are you absolutely sure it's a BMW wheel with an 8 inch rim width? The offset and size is cast into the wheel, offset should be ET:20. Those should be 16x7 Style 5 wheels for an E39. If it's an aftermarket wheel, then that size is more likely.

Yes, they are factory wheels.
Will they work on his BMW??

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Racerbvd
Yes, they are factory wheels.
Will they work on his BMW??

In 16x8 they should be Style 5 for the E38 7-series which are IS:23 offset. I can't quite read the offset in your photo. These should fit his car without the hubcentric adapter rings required for wheels that fit E39's. E39's were made with wheel hubs slightly larger than other BMW models contemporary to them, no one knows why (so far).

[Racerbvd]

Thanks Pat, and if he wants them, he knows that I'm open to trades

Pat, are you going to the DE in Savannah next weekend?

[fastpat]

No, my car projects are being wedged between house projects. I'm trying to figure out how to rationalize going to FiverFest in South Bend in May, hopefully I'll at least have my E30 on the road and ready. Can't show up in a P-car, now can I?

Latest project is to install the new stainless muffler on the E30 when the gaskets and hardware order shows up, then the new fuel pump when it arrives.

[YTNUKLR]

Those wheels might be pretty spiffy! I emailed you Byron

Today, I replaced the rear pads and rotors and changed the oil, then took it on a 400 mile road trip! I was just a little leery but it went great. Ran a can of techron through it and that motor seems much healthier now. Coolant light came on intermittently so I checked it, added a little water...but the coolant wasn't even *that* hot...even after running about 3 hours at 3k rpm....? Anything to worry about?

Thanks

Scott

[fastpat]

Originally posted by YTNUKLR
Those wheels might be pretty spiffy! I emailed you Byron

Today, I replaced the rear pads and rotors and changed the oil, then took it on a 400 mile road trip! I was just a little leery but it went great. Ran a can of techron through it and that motor seems much healthier now. Coolant light came on intermittently so I checked it, added a little water...but the coolant wasn't even *that* hot...even after running about 3 hours at 3k rpm....? Anything to worry about?

Thanks

Scott

Be sure the air is completely bled from the cooling system via the bleeding screw on the T-stat housing. It's a hex head, looks just like someone drilled a hole and plugged it with a cap screw. It's usually an 8mm, I keep an 8mm nut driver in the cars for it. The sensor for the coolant level might need replacement, they get bad with age, and are easily replaced without tools as long as the coolant is cold.

A cheap way to get the shift mechanism feeling better is to buy an E36 M3 shift lever, about $40.00 and a new bushing for it to rotate in, and a couple of the yellow plastic shift rod washers and install them. Shortens the throw, is bent properly to position the lever, and makes it feel much better. The link takes you to an instruction page, for an E30, but the E28 is the same. Check the inner rubber boot for cracks, this is a good time to replace it too since it has to come off and a replacement is about $10.00.
More shifter tech:
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e30/drivetrain/e30_remove_shifter_slop.html
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/drivetrain/e36_replace_a_shift_lever.html
http://tinyurl.com/qxfnk
http://tinyurl.com/le3pl

Note some of the photos are broken in the last url, but most of them are still good.

You'll also want to replace the dog bones, the pittman links on the rear suspension they're almost always bad unless you know the PO did the job in the last 5 years, and then the lower control arms on the front suspension. I went bad (cost wise) on the lower arms, using E34 M5 forged aluminum units instead of the OEM steel ones. This should get rid of any front end vibration, if it doesn't, then that leaves the upper control arms which most people install with urethane bushings instead of stock or even 750i bushings, which will fit if modified.

[Racerbvd]

So, how is the Beemer doing??

[SoCal911T]

Originally posted by fastpat
In 16x8 they should be Style 5 for the E38 7-series which are IS:23 offset. I can't quite read the offset in your photo. These should fit his car without the hubcentric adapter rings required for wheels that fit E39's. E39's were made with wheel hubs slightly larger than other BMW models contemporary to them, no one knows why (so far).

The e38 with a et23 offset can be tight on the front depending on what brand of tire you use.

This is the clearance with a 225/50 kumho.

The 17" 3 piece style 5's are getting cheaper and with their et20 offset, there's a little more breathing room.
The hubcentric adaptor rings are available from Tire Rack (part # A670) for ~ $10.00


Pat's right, the Mye28.com board is a great resource.


Charles

[YTNUKLR]

The sled is doing great. Looking forward to summer and doing some fun stuff with it! Thanks for all the advice. MyE28.com is a great resource.

Cheers
Scott