You can never own too much shite. Birthday musings!

[Steve79]

I'm struggling to keep on top of updating all the various threads i've done regarding my automotive tat, so i'm just going to have this one where everything is going to get chucked on.

 

Update:

 

Curtosey of another fine delivery by Bramz7, i have ownership of this as of an hour ago.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

...Courtesy of another fine delivery by Bramz7, i have ownership of this as of an hour ago.

 

I did like the general sharp-suited square-shouldered look of the E34s, but that facelift kidney grille was a bit of an aesthetic disaster.

[SierraMikeHotel]

I did like the general sharp-suited square-shouldered look of the E34s, but that facelift kidney grille was a bit of an aesthetic disaster.

You haven't seen the new one then? Crikey.

[Six-cylinder]

E34s are great looking and drivings cars.

[cort1977]

Nice.  I remember I had a 525i at about age 25, felt like I had a real grown up and capable car.

[bramz7]

What's great about the 518 in manual form is that the gears are really well set up for town driving. Chuck it into 4th for 30ish and it'll plod happily.

 

Good to see you again today, thanks for giving me E28 envy.

[Steve79]

Its funny that despite being much lower powered and two cylinders deficient compare with the e34 520i that i owned a few years ago, its a MUCH nicer drive than the 520 but doesn't feel underpowered.

 

Thanks to Sam for delivering it to my mothers house as not told wife yet, putting up with terrible black tea and being regaled with cringeworthy annecdotes about my childhood curtosey of my mother!

 

Thanks mum!

[Split_Pin]

I do like these. Fatha_pin always longed for one but made do with a 318i. Saying that, he always wanted a Volvo 740 when he had his 240.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

You haven't seen the new one then? Crikey.

 

The styling went downhill after the E39 was withdrawn. 

[bramz7]

Its funny that despite being much lower powered and two cylinders deficient compare with the e34 520i that i owned a few years ago, its a MUCH nicer drive than the 520 but doesn't feel underpowered.

 

Thanks to Sam for delivering it to my mothers house as not told wife yet, putting up with terrible black tea and being regaled with cringeworthy annecdotes about my childhood curtosey of my mother!

 

Thanks mum!

Ah your mum is really friendly, it's all good.

 

Also, I forgot to say, but if you ever sell the E34 (unlikely) I'd like dibs!

[Steve79]

Wasn't expecting a lot from this to be honest as the e34 520i i had was something of a disappointment. However, its really growing on me and is comfy in the way the 6cyl was not.

 

Don't think a autobox would suit it though!

 

I'm going to give it a good going over on friday to see what it needs. Its got a nasty shake above 50mph which could be wheel balance and/or prop donught and/or rear arm bushes.

 

Hold that thought...

[wuvvum]

I always found the earlier (12v) 520i's to be rather gutless, although they did sound nice at full chat.

[bramz7]

I think the wobble is wheel related, specifically tyres as they don't seem in the freshest of health. Saying that, it grips well enough....

[Steve79]

I resolved today to pull my finger out and do an update on the E34. Apologies now, its a bit pic heavy!

 

Walkaround:

 

 

Bit of a scuff on the back bumper o/s/r

 

Bit scabby round the fuel filler

 

Roof needs touching up in a few places

 

Rear arch need a little attention

 

 

Are the tyres ok?

Nope, they're fucking fucked mate!

 

Onto the interior

 

Hmm, probably going to replace that

 

STANDARD

 

BASE

 

No net sagging YO!

 

Did someone say saggging!

 

Do i dare press the sunroof swtich

 

I wondered why these had tape over them, pressing the passenger front releases a series of clunks and jerky movements from the window mechanism. Further investigation required

 

Random USB - Tested and found to contain nothing more sinister than AC/DC

 

Nice to have an E34 finally that has a working mileometer

 

Yep, gonna need a new screen

 

Treasure yielded by the passenger seat, its empty right?

 

Nope, its completely unused and original

 

Any treasure in the boot?

 

Anything behind here?

Lovely

 

Meanwhile

Room to climb in for servicing

 

I'm guessing that the tray is that big for varying sizes of batteries dependent on the size of engine

 

Fine coating of oil on absolutely everything

 

Yep needs a service!

 

I didn't intend on getting into another project as i barely have time for the E28 (although spares collecting is underway), but the E34 has really gotten under my skin. I find it to be far more of an honest car than other larger engined e34's i've had in the past. The 1.8 engine doesn't really feel slow and is quite happy to just cruise along.

 

On the immediate list of things to do is a have a new set of new tyres fitted including as they are absolutely deathtraps and the handling is terrible. Also to give it a bloody good service.

 

More next time...

[Schaefft]

Nice to see this getting some attention. E34 are getting very rare here, and even being a base model, it does deserve preserving.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

 

....Its got a nasty shake above 50mph which could be wheel balance and/or prop donught and/or rear arm bushes.

 

Hold that thought...

I think the wobble is wheel related, specifically tyres as they don't seem in the freshest of health. Saying that, it grips well enough....

 

If it's anything like the 635CSi, I usually checked these things in order:

 

- even tyre pressures;

- front wheel balancing / tracking;

- steering control arm bushes (swap for heavy-duty ones if available);

- brake pads / discs (had one disc which warped)

[spike60]

You're mebby partly right about the battery trays, 540i and 525tds have 'em under the back seat.

[Lord Sterling]

Nice! I love the E34 and have always wanted one. But like most realistic things I have always wanted, its always able to escape me.

 

Father_Sterling briefly had a Black E34 520i which suited him and I drove an E34 520i when I worked at Mahmouds garage. Seemed like a nice car. Maybe one day? Who knows. I did seriously consider this one but having a 1.8 BMW petrol already, it didn't make sense to have another one as a Diesel is what I needed and now have.

[Steve79]

Went to have a look at a 94' Saab 9000 2.0 cse lpt yesterday. Only 77k on the clock and completely unmarked inside and out.

 

Why didn't i buy it? Car has been off the road for two years due to mot failidge. Mostly rear brake (footbrake not working at all) and electrical issues with thr hazard lights non functional and right hand indicators flashing at more than 120x per min and airbag light on.

 

Not major problems in themselves but just didn't really enjoy driving it like i did when i had my 2.3 lpt.

 

Couldn't get comfy and no height adjustment on steering column meant that i could only see bottom half of instrument cluster in the only position seat wise that approached being comfortable!

 

The final nail in the coffin was Peter S Taylor wanted £240 to insure it on a 3k mile limit classic policy. I actually laughed down the phone at them at this mental pricing. I'm only paying about £95 with them on the ex-bramz7 e34!!!

 

I have major wantage at the moment for a 03-06 onward Saab 9-3 turbo (petrol) or Saab 9-5 turbo estate. Watch this space!!!

[Steve79]

So the day i've been dreading all year has finally arrived! I am now no longer in my thirties! (Major grump)

As a birthday treat and to curb my whinging about now being elderly, MrsSteve79 decided to take me and Steve79junior away for the day to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu! 

Now, i hadn't been there since i was about 8 years old so had limited memories of what it was like but knew i'd liked it.

I have to say that i definitely wasn't disappointed.

The entrance fee is cracking value for money as it allows free re-entry to the musuem as many times as you want for upto a year. All you have to do is gift aid it.

I've put a few photo's here but won't upload everything as i wouldn't want to deprive anyone who hasn't been of the experience.

 

 

[Noel Tidybeard]

4 minutes ago, Steve79 said:

So the day i've been dreading all year has finally arrived! I am now no longer in my thirties! (Major grump)

count your age in hexadecimal- you're only 28!

[Steve79]

This could work ...

[Noel Tidybeard]

yes in hex i am 34

in decimal i am forty-twelve

[dean36014]

I was 50 last weekend, I spent it exploring a submarine at Chatham historic docks. Came home to a letter from my GP asking to arrange my over 50's health check!