Project E34

esdeez · November 3, 2012

Ok, so somewhat inspired by Jaliya48's post on his corolla, I thought of creating a thread on my BMW 520i (E34). I have quite a few plans for her, but I'll keep it simple for now, proceeding slowly (as and when the funds become available, hehe) and let the car do the talking

My 3rd BMW, the car is a '94 520iA, with the vanos equipped M50TU engine. A few things make this car stand out; namely it is (currently) the only E34 in Sri Lanka with a LSD fitted, and also has the rare option of Servo-tronic power-steering (Marketing speak for "faster you go, heavier the steering gets). It was also fitted with self-leveling suspension when it left the factory, but alas, that's been removed by a previous owner due to its complexity and cost to maintain. Other than that its loaded with all the electric goodies one may need from a car approaching two decades in age.

After I first bought her a few months ago:

First thing on the to-do list was a body-kit (I had already purchased the M-Tech kit for my previous car)

Due to time constraints (and my need for transport) it was put on in stages. Below is with only the front bumper: (Photoshopped the number-plate mount off)

Then the rest came...

Next up was the installation of some new Head Lights.

Again they were originally intended for my previous car, but were too hard to get a hold of to let them go. They're genuine Hella Smoked units, quite hard to come by unless you live in Germany:

As you can see the previous owner had the CCFL halos fitted.

I opted to replace them with more powerful LED units (which work excellently as DRLs, as they're bright enough to be seen during the day).

Modeled by my old 518 below:

And finally, how she is today:

The previous owner had changed the rims to the ones you see now - 16's off a E39 - and fitted L.E.D rear lights. Whether both these items stay or go is up for debate... Also as you may notice from the above picture I need the tow-hook covers for the M-Tech bumper, a pain to find :/

I'll try and keep the thread update with progress, and get a few more shots, including the interior too, but for now, I hope you appreciate my ride.

Jaliya48 · November 4, 2012

I've always had a thing for the 'round light' BMWs! Looks great. IMO the wheels don't suit your car after the bodykit, but it's not bad for now.

The second photo is fantastic! Where was this snapped?

Regards.

esdeez · November 4, 2012

True about the wheels, that was my opinion too,so lining up the options now so to speak The second pic was on the yet to be completed Colombo-Katunayake Expressway

JadeyBlitzen · November 4, 2012

Big e34 fan here. I was actually planning on breaking an m5 while I was in uni to do up a car here in sl. But within 2 years e34 m5 prices went up so much the e39 m5 is now cheaper.

Anyway I had two wheel choices for my planned m5 project. Both from the right period. ish. See if they work for you.

esdeez · November 4, 2012

Yup, the throwing stars (1st pictured) are one of my personal favorites, and are perfect for Sri Lankan roads as they're built with so much strength. Another cool feature of those is the fact that the cover's are designed to funnel air to cool the brakes. Definitely a win there. But again, as you said, E34 M5 prices are rising, and so too are the cost of wheels such as that. Plus, although period correct - I'm inclined to think that although being 17s they still look smaller.

The 2nd pic is of some M-Parallels, which are just beautiful, and already on the one E34 M5 we have here. But these only ever came in 18's, and on our roads I'm not quite ready to take that risk.

Here's a pic of some style 32s I'm quite fond of, and can be found in staggered form:

Edited November 4, 2012 by esdeez

Komisiripala · November 4, 2012

Wow that's a lovely ride mate. The kit makes her look fantastic. Any plans on toying with the mechanicals?

esdeez · November 4, 2012

Thanks A few plans yeah, but I'd rather keep them quiet for now, as its easy to talk about things and then fail to deliver. Lets see what happens

Jaliya48 · November 4, 2012

On 11/4/2012 at 4:23 AM, esdeez said:

Yup, the throwing stars (1st pictured) are one of my personal favorites, and are perfect for Sri Lankan roads as they're built with so much strength. Another cool feature of those is the fact that the cover's are designed to funnel air to cool the brakes. Definitely a win there. But again, as you said, E34 M5 prices are rising, and so too are the cost of wheels such as that. Plus, although period correct - I'm inclined to think that although being 17s they still look smaller.

The 2nd pic is of some M-Parallels, which are just beautiful, and already on the one E34 M5 we have here. But these only ever came in 18's, and on our roads I'm not quite ready to take that risk.

Here's a pic of some style 32s I'm quite fond of, and can be found in staggered form:

Now this is more like it!

MrCat · November 4, 2012

Good stuff mate.. This, A kind of thread I like, keep it rolling..

Supra_Natural · November 4, 2012

She looks super already man! About time you put up an AL thread... Any pics of her chasing SLARDAR?

Crosswind · November 4, 2012

She looks gorgeous. Congrats buddy.

esdeez · November 4, 2012

On 11/4/2012 at 2:58 PM, Supra_Natural said:

She looks super already man! About time you put up an AL thread... Any pics of her chasing SLARDAR?

Ah yes, of course. Decked out in AutoLanka Livery too. 670kms in 3 days over some truely awesome roads, and some not so great ones too Really needed the power to keep up at times, but some of the roads were a bit cringe worthy. A trip to the agents for a check-up since has revealed I need a few new bushes and other suspension components, nothing too serious for now though.

Since you asked, here we are at Foxhill

esdeez · November 4, 2012

Thanks for the encouragement guys, will keep ya'll posted

4age · November 4, 2012

On 11/4/2012 at 4:23 AM, esdeez said:

The 2nd pic is of some M-Parallels, which are just beautiful, and already on the one E34 M5 we have here. But these only ever came in 18's, and on our roads I'm not quite ready to take that risk.

Here's a pic of some style 32s I'm quite fond of, and can be found in staggered form:

there actually is one in lanka??

esdeez · November 4, 2012

Yup, there is. Will post up some pics if I find them

MasterDon · November 4, 2012

I think I have seen this car at Milroy's.I might be wrong though cos I'm hopeless when it comes to Bimmers.Anyway she is a lovely beast.Congrats!

GTAm · November 5, 2012

@esdeez, I might be alone here but I think the wheels you have on are very cool. I prefer the original tail lamps though. For me these new ones devalues the look.

Edited November 5, 2012 by GTAm

CyRaX · November 5, 2012

Damn, she's a definite head turner, the front looks amazing. But IMO those rear LED aren't really mixing with the theme of the car.I would have gone with the stock lights and also would have replaced the rear yellow plates with probably a white! Good luck

Edited November 5, 2012 by CyRaX

Jaliya48 · November 5, 2012

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but....

(photo copyright Mike Burroughs-BMWE24 6series)

QUAD LAMPS RULE!

Pericles · November 5, 2012

Ahhh, its you. Thought that number plate was familiar, but didn't place it till now

Komisiripala · November 5, 2012

Was it you I saw near royal institute at around 2 today? Car is an absolute peach mate. Hats off.

I'm doing a little bit of a project myself. Spoke to supra about starting a new thread for it. But like you said, I'll wait for the parts to arrive before posting...

esdeez · November 5, 2012

On 11/5/2012 at 5:13 AM, GTAm said:

@esdeez, I might be alone here but I think the wheels you have on are very cool. I prefer the original tail lamps though. For me these new ones devalues the look.

On 11/5/2012 at 5:29 AM, CyRaX said:

Damn, she's a definite head turner, the front looks amazing. But IMO those rear LED aren't really mixing with the theme of the car.I would have gone with the stock lights and also would have replaced the rear yellow plates with probably a white! Good luck

Wheels will probably stay the same for some time me thinks. They've recently grown on me again, but definitely will look at upgrading to 17s at some point. On the subject of the tail lamps, Let me put out a feeler:

Above is a set of original Hella Smoked Tail lamps with the number plate filler. These are very very rare, and quite hard to get a hold of too (in any condition), but for some reason I've always loved it. The Number plate filler alone just fills out the rear end imo, and makes a very nice contrast. Thoughts and opinions?

Another pic:

On 11/5/2012 at 8:10 AM, Pericles said:

Ahhh, its you. Thought that number plate was familiar, but didn't place it till now

On 11/5/2012 at 3:22 PM, Komisiripala said:

Was it you I saw near royal institute at around 2 today? Car is an absolute peach mate. Hats off.

I'm doing a little bit of a project myself. Spoke to supra about starting a new thread for it. But like you said, I'll wait for the parts to arrive before posting...

Yes it is I! And @komisiripala, indeed I've been hearing a lot about your project from a mutual friend, (who just happened to be driving her at 2ish )

Edited November 5, 2012 by esdeez

Jaliya48 · November 6, 2012

Those smoked lights are fantastic! Do you own a set?

GTAm · November 6, 2012

On 11/5/2012 at 5:30 PM, esdeez said:

Wheels will probably stay the same for some time me thinks. They've recently grown on me again, but definitely will look at upgrading to 17s at some point. On the subject of the tail lamps, Let me put out a feeler:

Above is a set of original Hella Smoked Tail lamps with the number plate filler. These are very very rare, and quite hard to get a hold of too (in any condition), but for some reason I've always loved it. The Number plate filler alone just fills out the rear end imo, and makes a very nice contrast. Thoughts and opinions?

Another pic:

GO FOR IT!