I have returned... with more doors!

[Nick.Hay]

I'm back!!

After a few years in the wilderness, playing with a Volvo, an E36, and a Daihatsu, I have returned to the E34 fold.

Some may remember me being overly attached to my 535i some years ago (or go thru old posts to refresh), and after I sold it to a non-enthusiast, it was used and abused, and is now a mere shadow of its former self!! :'(

Anyway, I have returned to the fold with something a little more interesting... so here goes:

1994 525i Touring
283k Km
5 speed MANUAL (thats right... manual)
No sunroof
Vulcan Grey

Local Hobart (Tasmania) car its whole life, I actually test drove this about 10 years ago! Has an excellent history, and the M50 is still smoke-free and sweet at nearly 300k Km!

Here... have a drool!!
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I have a few of the usual things to fix... Door cards, roof lining, and the cursed self-level suspension, but other than that, its a tidy, tight, good-order machine.

I'll probably delete the self-level, in favour of some Bilsteins and lowered springs, but that is not for right this minute!!

[shogun]

Looks rust free, is that normal for Tasmania? Here where I live at the Pacific coast with relatively mild climate and basically no snow I also have no rust problems. Seems to be horrible when living in places like rust belt etc.

[632 Regal]

I wouldn't lower it, looks great as is. Very clean car.

What happened where the badge used to be?

[Nick.Hay]

The previous-previous owner decided to debadge it. doh

I'll get it fixed eventually... bigger fish to fry first!

@Shogun: No rust problems in Tasmania. Mild conditions, and not very humid. :)

[Nick.Hay]

So... I found these images from way back when I remember it first being for sale. I actually test drove this very car back in the day... Wow!!
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I've added some Thule Bike racks (Car doesn't have towbar anymore), and took it offroad to celebrate!!
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Then a massive clean!!
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And now, some fresh Roundels.... Not to everyones' taste, but I like them!!
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[632 Regal]

Really a sharp car!

[genphreak]

Isn't she 'the bomb'!

Great snap. Some people say deleting the LAD and adding sport shocks works well as the LAD springs sit lower than the standard ones (to facilitate the SLS height changes). I don't know. Danger with a Touring is that using Lowered springs for a sedan can mean a lower ride height than you'd expect (as they weigh a bit more towards the rear than a sedan). The rear won't sag much due to that weight but the front will rise, and that will lower the rear a lot as some other weight then moves aft as it does.

Perhaps ordering a pair from King with 'a little extra wire length' will make them more like a Touring spring. King have Stock, Low, SuperLow and are used to adding extra for springs on vehicles with towbars (a popular bastardisation on most Au tourings inc ours). This adds about 30kg way out over the axle and if you ask me, requires extra spring rate on its own. (FYI BMW fit uprated springs whenever they add a towbar in the factory). I'll never forget adding one to my red 535i with sport springs, the rear dropped by 2cm!

BTW, If you pull the struts, I'd be interested in them. I've an otherwise ok set I want to put on mine that is has a worn seal I can't find.