One less e34 in our midst - Mine has moved on...

[632 Regal]

Iggy pop and the Stooges circa 1969 couldnt afford a Bimmer.

[Jeff C]

Other aftermarket options - enjoy the car - I drove one at a BMW driving course and it seemed remarkably similiar in size(interior) to the E34 as Drew stated above

Good luck and enjoy

Jeff

[Hector]

but I'll always remember you were the first one to reply to my first thread ever back in November when I asked about "how to increase fuel efficiency..." You gave me a convincing answer plus you went on saying what else I could do to increase fuel efficiency... then you finished the post by saying how Gordon Lawson kept his car so sharp looking that it could "cut through air..." Anyway, from the responses in this thread, you'll be sorely missed. Visit us even if it's aloofly.

[MicahO]

Thanks everyone for the notes - I'm not going anywhere. As evidenced by the responses, this is one great bunch of people that stick together and have fun doing so. It would be tough to go elsewhere, though I am lurking on e46 boards to see what may be waiting to bite me in the arse.

Specific responses:

Warren - I have driven cars that have that hovering throttle bit, this one doesn't. Not sure if it's a function of the reprogrammed ecu on the ZHP motor or if it's a general change in the M54 motor. The M54's came available with the change to the 325/330 (from the M52TU in the 323/328), and that's when the throttle response profile may have changed?

Drew's comparo is spot-on (and luckily I'm confident enough to handle the loss of 10" in length). I havent' looked at specific numbers, but I swear there is more legroom in the back seat than in my 535.

Dick - the wide grill is BUTT UGLY! Luckily, the M front aerodynamics provide MASSIVE brake cooling to the huge front brakes Drew noted. There shouldn't be any problems with overheating them!

Jr - I'm already trying to steer people on the e46 board over to BMA - some people there are under the mistaken assumption that OEM parts must be bought at the dealer. We'll fix that soon enough!

Peter, Jeff, and everyone - thanks for the help, laughs and support over the years. As I noted - I'm not going anywhere - too many good people here.

Driving impressions? Thought you'd never ask. It's not like I can open the thing up yet, but it pulls nicely. Perhaps less relative low-end than an M30, though it's made up with the short rear end. I haven't been above 4500rpm but once, and then by mistake, but the sucker pulls hard above 2500 or 2700 rpm, like one would expect a dual cam motor to start pulling. It's rated for 30mpg on the highway, and the gauge was showing better than that in 6th gear, that's nice. So I can't really comment on speed and power yet, but what I felt is gorgeous. More on that soon, I hope to hit an autocross or track day later this summer when things are loosened up.

It TURNS, NOW. Point the wheel, and you are there. There is no such thing as body lean. There is no lag in the car responding to the steering input. The steering gear is actually a faster ratio than even what BMW puts in the M3, so the car is VERY responsive to steering inputs, and the 18" rubber puts those changes to pavement RIGHT NOW.

The brakes STOP like MAD. Not much else to say there. They feel great, I was going easy in bad rain last night, and never triggered the ABS. But reading about all of the DSC and CBC and other acronym functions - the thing should brake really nicely. The adaptive brake lights out back are pretty neat too. Lighting in general is great. I got a car with Bi-Xenon, since that's what was available without waiting for a factory order. The new xenons are adaptive to load leveling, turn a bit as you steer in turns, and the xenons now do both the low beams and the high beams. TONS of light out there, which is good with all the damn deer where I live.

The best single evolutionary growth in convenience has to be rain sensing wipers. Set the sucker on high-sensitive, push the stalk to interval, and I never had to touch them again. Last night I went from light mist (slow interval) to massive downpours (fast wipers) and had everything in between. The car just adapted.

I really like the interior. For years I lurked around here looking (drooling is a better description) at the shots of Euro M5's with the cloth sport seats that were not available in the US market. Well, these are an advance, in that the bolsters are all nice, grippy alcantara. They feel great, grab your ass firmly, and should wear nicely. The steering wheel is also a really FAT rim, covered in alcantara. I won't be able to eat any french fries in the car, but so what - the wheel looks great and feels incredible.

There are cupholders, two nice ones! That's a nice evolution.

The short shifter is not as short as it could be, not as short as the Stygar-ized MZ3 shift lever I had in the 535. But it's better than other factory shifters, and it will do for now. The surround is alcantara to match the seats and wheel and looks pretty nice.

The upgraded exhaust is also nice - it's got a great grumble without being overbearing. Definitely louder than my mother's 330Ci, but definitely not a Billy Boat. And the brushed stainless tips on the muffler are not caps, but actually the steel of the muffler, brushed down and sealed. Dead sexy.

As I noted, the weather last night was SUCK. Once in the garage the lighting was worse, so there are no pictures yet. Maybe some tonight, definitely this weekend. The details like the front and rear airdams, the completely covered and smooth aerodynamics underneath, the exhaust tips, the steering wheel - they all deserve some attention. I'll give it as soon as I can get some good pictures.

--Micah O'C

[Bill R.]

first day worked out....

Thanks everyone for the notes - I'm not going anywhere. As evidenced by the responses, this is one great bunch of people that stick together and have fun doing so. It would be tough to go elsewhere, though I am lurking on e46 boards to see what may be waiting to bite me in the arse.

Specific responses:

Warren - I have driven cars that have that hovering throttle bit, this one doesn't. Not sure if it's a function of the reprogrammed ecu on the ZHP motor or if it's a general change in the M54 motor. The M54's came available with the change to the 325/330 (from the M52TU in the 323/328), and that's when the throttle response profile may have changed?

Drew's comparo is spot-on (and luckily I'm confident enough to handle the loss of 10" in length). I havent' looked at specific numbers, but I swear there is more legroom in the back seat than in my 535.

Dick - the wide grill is BUTT UGLY! Luckily, the M front aerodynamics provide MASSIVE brake cooling to the huge front brakes Drew noted. There shouldn't be any problems with overheating them!

Jr - I'm already trying to steer people on the e46 board over to BMA - some people there are under the mistaken assumption that OEM parts must be bought at the dealer. We'll fix that soon enough!

Peter, Jeff, and everyone - thanks for the help, laughs and support over the years. As I noted - I'm not going anywhere - too many good people here.

Driving impressions? Thought you'd never ask. It's not like I can open the thing up yet, but it pulls nicely. Perhaps less relative low-end than an M30, though it's made up with the short rear end. I haven't been above 4500rpm but once, and then by mistake, but the sucker pulls hard above 2500 or 2700 rpm, like one would expect a dual cam motor to start pulling. It's rated for 30mpg on the highway, and the gauge was showing better than that in 6th gear, that's nice. So I can't really comment on speed and power yet, but what I felt is gorgeous. More on that soon, I hope to hit an autocross or track day later this summer when things are loosened up.

It TURNS, NOW. Point the wheel, and you are there. There is no such thing as body lean. There is no lag in the car responding to the steering input. The steering gear is actually a faster ratio than even what BMW puts in the M3, so the car is VERY responsive to steering inputs, and the 18" rubber puts those changes to pavement RIGHT NOW.

The brakes STOP like MAD. Not much else to say there. They feel great, I was going easy in bad rain last night, and never triggered the ABS. But reading about all of the DSC and CBC and other acronym functions - the thing should brake really nicely. The adaptive brake lights out back are pretty neat too. Lighting in general is great. I got a car with Bi-Xenon, since that's what was available without waiting for a factory order. The new xenons are adaptive to load leveling, turn a bit as you steer in turns, and the xenons now do both the low beams and the high beams. TONS of light out there, which is good with all the damn deer where I live.

The best single evolutionary growth in convenience has to be rain sensing wipers. Set the sucker on high-sensitive, push the stalk to interval, and I never had to touch them again. Last night I went from light mist (slow interval) to massive downpours (fast wipers) and had everything in between. The car just adapted.

I really like the interior. For years I lurked around here looking (drooling is a better description) at the shots of Euro M5's with the cloth sport seats that were not available in the US market. Well, these are an advance, in that the bolsters are all nice, grippy alcantara. They feel great, grab your ass firmly, and should wear nicely. The steering wheel is also a really FAT rim, covered in alcantara. I won't be able to eat any french fries in the car, but so what - the wheel looks great and feels incredible.

There are cupholders, two nice ones! That's a nice evolution.

The short shifter is not as short as it could be, not as short as the Stygar-ized MZ3 shift lever I had in the 535. But it's better than other factory shifters, and it will do for now. The surround is alcantara to match the seats and wheel and looks pretty nice.

The upgraded exhaust is also nice - it's got a great grumble without being overbearing. Definitely louder than my mother's 330Ci, but definitely not a Billy Boat. And the brushed stainless tips on the muffler are not caps, but actually the steel of the muffler, brushed down and sealed. Dead sexy.

As I noted, the weather last night was SUCK. Once in the garage the lighting was worse, so there are no pictures yet. Maybe some tonight, definitely this weekend. The details like the front and rear airdams, the completely covered and smooth aerodynamics underneath, the exhaust tips, the steering wheel - they all deserve some attention. I'll give it as soon as I can get some good pictures.

--Micah O'C

[Brian C.]

In fact, I think his words are being channeled through your dear old 535! Just imagine it singing to you.....


How do you think I'm going to get along
Without you when you're gone
You took me for everything that I had
And kicked me out on my own

Are you happy ? Are you satisfied ?
How long can you stand the heat
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat
Look out

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone and another one gone
Another one bites the dust, eh
Hey, I'm gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust


And yes, another one does bite the dust. But as we spoke of before, all things have a life to them and the secret is to get the most out of them before they start getting more out of you instead. Wrenching and tuning is fine for those who know and love to do it. But when it gets that the upkeep and time and money would be better off directed at people and loved ones....it's time to move on. Better days ahead buddy!

Brian C.

[Springfield1952]

Micah,

When I bought my white touring you were the only other touring back on the Roadfly board. Sorry to see the last e34 leave your driveway though the new ride sounds pretty sweet. Good luck - stay in touch.

Curt Anderson
1994 530iT (Inge is feeling a little lonely now that Beverly is gone)

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

Yes, I am a nut, I also own BMWE46.com is any of you new E46 owners want to develop something on it specific to your model. I'm certain to own an E46 eventually too, as I see that as a fine successor to the E34, lighter, yet close to similar roominess. And yes, the performance package would be totally cool. But then again, I'm more likely the type to get an older E46 and put on my own performance package. Besides, my E34 shows no signs of aging, yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. And by the time it does go, the E46 will be old enough for me to buy one, and refresh it.

Micah, we're going to miss you. By all means, visit and post. It's not just about E34's as you know. And you still owe me a dinner here in Chicago, remember!

[billb]

There are lots of folks here from waaaayyyy back who have appreciated the time and effort you have contributed to help work through a problem, offer an opinion, or just take a moment to "chat" offline. Your advice (not just about cars) has been well-heeded by me for one, and I certainly appreciate it. As I type this, my wife and #1 son are downstairs in our new (to us) home, and Ginger sits snugly in the two-bay garage (next to the Model A of course...the E30 sits outside). Your thoughtful words about a month ago regarding house-hunting have been things that helped get us through some rough times lately.

Keep your love for bimmers strong, but your love for family stronger! I still hope our paths cross someday...would love to swap Model A stories with you!

Best regards,
Bill B.